Wife's Bitter Revenge Against Neglectful CEO Husband-Chapter 66: Dressing Teela

"Do we have to come here?"

The Heavenly Shopping Mall must have been one of a few dozen malls in the city. The fact Stiff brought me here to shop felt like he wanted King to see us together.

"It has the best collection of designer stores in the city. We have the best chance of a successful one-stop shopping experience," Stiff said.

I couldn’t help scanning for signs of King even though I knew the likelihood of him being anywhere but the executive floor was slim.

Stiff took my hand and tugged me along behind him into a designer dress shop that featured a whole lot of lace, silk, velvet, rhinestones, crystals, and fluff. Ugh. Couldn’t I wear a hoodie and a nice pair of jeans?

A team of sales clerks converged on Stiff and mostly ignored me. I thought of slipping out and finding the food court, but Stiff still had a firm grasp on my hand.

Stiff said, "Ladies, my friend here is attending a charity event this weekend. She needs a dress. I want her to be the center of attention. What do you have that might fit the bill?"

All eyes turned on me. While Stiff was smiling, the clerks looked like they were working with fresh, unformed clay, and they had no idea where to start.

Stiff said, "Maybe something in a deep blue, maybe crystals on the bodice."

The clerk, with a nametag labeling her as Erica, said, "You look like a size five, maybe a seven. Small bosom may mean you’ll need alterations for anything formfitting. You’ve got good color. Your friend is right. Blue would look good on you. So would a deep red. I’d avoid pastels. With your complexion, you’d blend into the background in a pastel.

"Jen, take her to the dressing room. I’ll gather some options."

The first dress was a deep blue. I loved the color, but Erica was right. The corseted bodice was made of someone much more endowed than me. It was also strapless, and I could see me spending the evening pulling it up while trying to make sure the slit up the left leg didn’t reveal too much.

Sure, I could wear safety shorts under the dress, but it wouldn’t make any difference. I didn’t like showing that much skin.

The second dress was a rich red with a modest neckline, but the back draped low. It highlighted the curve of my hip, and I could almost see myself wearing it.

"What do you think?" I asked Stiff.

His eyes smoldered. "Lovely. Definitely a good option, but let’s try on a few more before we decide."

"You do know I’m not enjoying this, right? Why can’t we call it good and buy it?"

"Because I am enjoying this. You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you? You could wear any dress in this place and rock it. This is great."

"What if I promised to buy you an ice cream sundae?"

Stiff shrugged, "Can I eat it off the curve of your back?"

"Ew, no. Sounds messy."

"Messy can be fun."

I blushed and ducked back into the dressing room, accepting my defeat.

Ten dresses later, I’d about given up on Stiff ever agreeing to the purchase of a dress when I spotted something I wanted to try on. It was a black tux. The top was a black halter blinged out. It resembled a backless vest with buttons down the front. The pants were high-waisted with a wide waistband and deep pockets. The jacket was also black but made out of a sheer fabric with a statement piece collar. But the best part was the fedora with the crystal-studded hatband.

"Can I try that one?" I pointed to the tux.

Stiff said, "Teela, no. I envisioned you in a dress. You look lovely in dresses."

"But I’m more comfortable in pants. Let me try it on. See what you think."

The second I slipped on the slacks, I knew this was the outfit. I quickly threw my hair up in a messy bun. I could picture me with a smokey eye and blood-red lipstick. I’d sacrifice comfort for killer heels.

I handed the clerk my credit cards before I ever left the dressing room for Stiff’s inspection.

I felt confident. I must have looked confident, because Stiff smiled as if he was a proud papa. "Fabulous. Not what I had envisioned, but you’re right. This suit was made for you."

He pulled out his wallet.

"Too late. I’ve already paid for it."

"Aw, I wanted to treat you."

"The shoes are on you."

"I’d rather have you on me."

"You keep up the corny one-liners and I’ll be all over you, but not in a good way."

"I’ll take my chances."

Buying shoes wasn’t nearly as time consuming as the outfit. In no time, we were in and out, and I was taking Stiff to an early dinner to thank him for the shopping excursion.

Suddenly, Stiff came to a dead stop in front of a jewelry store. His gaze was locked on a teardrop shaped sapphire surrounded by diamonds.

"Stiff, no. I don’t need that. I would never wear it."

Stiff tilted his head. "You’re right. This piece is all wrong for your outfit."

He tugged at my hand again. The next thing I knew, we were in the store with a selection of diamond chokers displayed before us.

"Isn’t there enough bling on the outfit? I don’t think I need diamonds."

"Every woman needs diamonds."

"I don’t even own a diamond engagement ring."

"Just proves King is a failure as a husband."

Stiff held up a wide choker band that looked like an antique from the turn of the last century. It was both elegant and edgy, and I half-heartedly loved it until the jeweler quoted the price.

I took a step back. "Stiff, there is no way I can afford that. It would clean out my divorce funds and then some."

"But I can. Consider it a consolidated birthday gift for all the birthdays I’ve missed."

"I would have to be like a thousand years old to justify that."

"You’d let King buy it for you."

"King is my husband, and he would never spend that kind of money on me."

A black credit card landed on the counter in front of me.

"Try me."

I turned to see King standing behind me with a scowl on his face.

"I don’t want either of you spending that kind of money on me. I’d only wear it once. It isn’t worth it."

King and Stiff chimed, "It is to me."

King said, "My card is already on the counter. I’m buying the necklace."

Stiff said, "I picked it out."

King nodded to the clerk who rang up the charges.

"Do either of you ever listen to me?"

They chimed, "Yes."

Terrific. They heard me but still did whatever they wanted. I’d refuse to wear the choker but it really was too beautiful to not wear. Besides, the choker did nothing wrong, it didn’t deserve to be punished.

King handed me the choker. "Where are you going now?"

"I was taking Stiff for an early dinner before he saw something shiny out of the corner of his eye and decided I needed jewelry."

"Earrings," Stiff said. "King bought the necklace. I’ll pick up the earrings." He motioned to the clerk and asked for earrings to coordinate with the necklace.

"I’m not sticking around for this. You aren’t listening to me anyway."

King said, "You get angry at me when I don’t abide by your wishes."

Stiff said, "She’s never angry with me. I’m adorable."

I snorted as I walked out of the store, making sure Stiff didn’t see the smile on my face. I really couldn’t stay angry at him. Besides, if it made him happy to buy jewelry for me, I should let him. I could always return the pieces later and deposit the funds bank into his bank account.

King fell into step next to me. "Where are we going?"

"I don’t know. What sounds good for dinner?"

"Your ziti."

"Really? You’re still craving ziti?"

"No, I’m craving your ziti."

"Okay, but I’ve already invited Stiff. Are you okay with him coming over to the condo? Or we could all go back to the church. I’d like to see how Bea and Father DiMarco fared anyway."

"You’re inviting me to the church?"

"Sure. Why? Will you burst into flames if you touch holy ground?"

"I don’t know."

I shrugged. "Might as well find out."

"You wouldn’t be sad if I turned to ash?"

"Cheaper than a divorce, and ash is an easy clean up."

"I feel so loved."

Min joined us and pulled King to the side. They exchanged words before King returned to me.

King said, "I can’t accompany you tonight. Will you be okay with Stiff?"

"Of course. Everything okay?"

"I’m not sure. There’s a problem at one of our factories. Min and I are headed that way to check it out."