Riz was right, once we arrive at the Miami Design District, I get it. It has a different feel to it. It's like shopping in a modern art museum. The combination of lush green palm trees, unconventional architecture, exquisite art, haute couture fashion and fine food fuel me, propelling me into a whole new stratosphere. I'm energized just being in this space. Sculptures loom over us as we walk past. The murals on the buildings are incredible. The stories they tell, their scale and the amount of detail in the paintings are enough to warrant me to spend the whole afternoon here, just marveling at it all.

I'm giddy with excitement as we walk past the Dior and Christian Louboutin stores, which is strange for me. I guess I never got excited before because I couldn't afford to entertain the thought. I've never owned name brand clothes that weren't handed down or bought at a thrift store and the thought that on this shopping spree, I very well may own a few new items, floods my brain with dopamine. It's a high I've never known. Thrift shops have been my haven since I can remember. Mama taught me how to stretch a dollar and college forced me to put that lesson into practice. But I've graduated, there are new life lessons to learn now.

We arrive at an extravagant boutique called Caviar.

How posh!

Phoenix opens the door for me. I step over the threshold and behold the beauty of all that is before me. Room after room, and rack after rack of dresses, blouses, pants, jewelry, and yes, shoes, that leave me salivating.

"I've never been to a store like this before." My eyes undoubtedly betray my sheer delight and bewilderment as the possibilities run through my mind.

I accept your invitation, Phoenix. I suppose I can let myself have a few nice things . . . .

For the first time in forever, I don't scorn myself. I don't pull back. I don't look for an excuse on why I shouldn't, couldn't or can't. I let the excitement slowly churn in my chest, building momentum with each turn. By the time a sales associate greets us, I'm brimming with enthusiasm. It tickles the surface, threatening to spill out, but I manage to keep it contained.

I hear the voice before I see who's talking. In a haughty, condescending tone, someone says, "Excuse me. Are you — er . . . in the right place?" The associate looks over the rim of her trendy red glasses and in a split second, with one sweeping glance, determines we don't belong here.

I straighten my posture. "This is Caviar, right? The clothing boutique? So, yes, I think we're in the right place." I look around the store, silently seething.

Her pale cheeks turn a bright red. "Umm —" Flustered, she straightens out her white blouse. "— in that case, welcome to Caviar." She clears her throat and lengthens her neck as if readying herself for a performance. "Our lavish boutique boasts haute couture and fresh-off-the-runway fashion. Let me give you a tour. I'll be happy to help you."

Mia reaches towards a glass case displaying a women's pave diamond Cartier bracelet. Immediately the associate rushes to the display before Mia can touch the glass. She hovers protectively. Through phony laughter, she tells Mia, "Oh! That'll cost you a pretty penny! We have more wallet-friendly options over here." She attempts to lead Mia away.

"No. We'd rather have a look at this bracelet." I glance across the sales floor. "And actually, we'd rather deal with . . . her." I point to another associate on the other side of the store. "She looks . . . " My gaze returns, and I lock eyes with the rude associate. ". . . more approachable. Wouldn't you say?" I ask in a mocking tone.

"Her?" The store clerk scrambles, looking for an excuse. "Well, she's not that—"

"— She'll be perfect. Won't you be a darling and fetch her for me, please?" Blinking my eyes rapidly, I plaster a fake smile on my face and send her away.

She walks off like a dog with her tail tucked between her legs.

I turn to Mia and Penelope who surround me.

"What's her deal?" Mia asks, sounding irritated.

"Your guess is as good as mine."

Penelope gives me a silent, girly high-five. "That's right. Put that snobby bitch in her place, chica."

"She is beyond fucked up. Bitch, get a life!" Mia says, before crossing her arms.

"Ari clowned her." Riz consoles Mia as he rubs her arms.

"She had it coming." JC nods.

"Yeah, with that attitude." Nixon shakes his head.

"You just not getting the love today, girl." Sheila throws salt, at me.

My only reply is to stare at her with cold, dead eyes.

Smiling like he's swallowed a secret, Phoenix walks over to me, hands in the pockets of his khaki shorts.

How could he not be pissed by this?

"Ari, babe, I've seen it all. I know her type. She's a poser. She talks the talk, but can't walk the walk. Look at her heels. Louboutin, yes but worn to the nub like it's the only pair she owns. Her so-called designer watch isn't keeping time anymore and her diamond stud earrings look more like cheap cubic zirconia. People like her only see limitation, so they cut people down every chance they get, just to feel better about themselves.

"But I'll set it right. Let it go. For what's it worth, she won't reach her financial goals with us. We'll make sure the other associate she brings over gets the commission she could've had." He pauses, then smiles broadly. "In other words, we're shutting this store down."

My anger dissolves and out comes the sun. He's amazing.

The new sales associate comes to us eager to please and ready to work. A lovely redhead, with a friendly face and a slender figure, she's dressed impeccably wearing a cream designer blouse, pinstriped pencil skirt and black red bottoms. She has a real eye for fashion.

"Hi, I'm Raquel. I'll be assisting you today. Is there anything you're looking for, specifically?" Her eyes are warm and judgment-free.

I welcome her with a huge smile. My excitement returns. "Yes! We're going to an all-white party, tonight."

"There's also the masquerade party tomorrow. The big finale. Formal wear," Riz tells her. "We're partying all weekend."

"I only see women's clothing, where are the men's?" Mia looks around, searching.

"The first floor is exclusively women's apparel; all the other floors are split men's and women's. There are five floors, we can explore them all if you want. I'm sure we can find something to suit both events, for everyone."

Phoenix walks towards the escalator. "We'll go off on our own. Where are the dressing rooms?"

"They're on the fifth floor," Raquel replies.

"We'll meet you there, babe." Phoenix kisses me on the forehead and leaves with Riz, JC, and Nixon.

Raquel turns to us girls, and asks questions about each of our preferences. Then she begins the tour. She even offers us champagne as we shop, which we all happily accept. As we walk through, she suggests items that fit each of our individual preferences and she proves me right. Her chic sense of style is undeniable.

We walk past a mannequin wearing a sheer mesh, green evening gown with embroidered crystals. It's stunning. Knowing I shouldn't, I flip the price tag over and I'm shocked to say the least. It's more than five times what I pay for rent, groceries, and utilities combined. Out of curiosity, I halt the tour. "Raquel, can we find this dress in my size? I'd like to try it on." In my heart of hearts, I can't afford it. I know I'm absolutely not buying it but I have to try it on. I have to see what it feels like.

By the end of the tour, each of us have a small rack of items to try on. I call Phoenix to let him know we're on the fifth floor.

Raquel takes us back to a giant VIP dressing room. It's surrounded with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and in the center of the room, there's an antique sofa and two chairs with gold-swirled fabric and ornate gold-leaf trim that resembles the regal detailing of a tiara. In a corner, sits a matching chaise. In total, there are eight dressing rooms behind tall golden drapes, four each on opposite walls.

I don't have a worry in the world. My every want and need are tended to.

Before leaving, Raquel brings in Caviar branded glass bottles of water and a tray of cupcakes with the word, "Caviar" airbrushed into the frosting.

How cute!

While everyone else is in their dressing room, chatting over the drapes, I step out of my dressing room. I stand in front of a mirror, wearing a long Dior dress that puts me in mind of something the Greek goddess, Aphrodite would wear. Made of sheer white chiffon fabric, the dress features two-strand twisted shoulder straps, a deep, deep V neckline that extends down to a few inches above my belly button and long slits that run up to my thighs. This dress is both softly feminine and ruthlessly sexy. On top, I'll need two-sided tape, to keep my twins under wrap and because it's literally see-through, I have to wear nude-colored underwear to keep from baring it all.

As he walks out of his dressing room, Phoenix stops in his tracks and stares at me. He takes a deep breath. "I think I'm falling for you."

My heart beats triple time. A ripple of chills covers my entire body.

"Do you like it?" I ask, trying to change the subject. He's tugging at my heart and it leaves me breathless.

What do I do with that?

"It's beautiful on you." He nods. "That's the one."

I look down at myself, "I think you're right. I love what you're wearing too." He's effortlessly cool, wearing an off-white linen suit and a white shirt with the first few buttons undone. Between the off-white suit and his dark seductive eyes, the contrast is stunning.

If only we were alone right now.

He steps behind me. We look in the mirror together.

"We look damn good together." He wraps his arms around my waist, and I melt like ice cream on a hot sidewalk.

"You make me weak." My hands find their way up his toned forearms.

His erection grows as he leans deeper into me. "I want you right now," he whispers into my ear. "I want to bend that ass over right here and fuck your pretty pussy."

His confession causes my lips to throb. I turn to face him and as I do, the look in his eyes makes time stand still. He stares at me with such intensity, it nearly takes my breath away. I feel completely naked in this moment exposed before his eyes. I welcome it. His hands warm my waist as he leans in softly and his lips and tongue touch mine. I pull him deeper into me, wrapping my arms around his neck and caressing the back of his head.

Penelope comes out of her dressing room. "Yeah, so Ari what you think?" She looks up and stops in her tracks. "Ew! Get a room!"

In a knee-jerk response, we quickly step back from each other. I cover my mouth, smiling behind my hand. Phoenix smirks as he pretends to adjust his collar in the mirror.

Penelope stands there, staring at us, burning us with her unwavering gaze.

"Alright, we're caught!" I admit, giggling like a wild hyena. "The PDA po-pos got us! I wonder what they do to repeat offenders."

Phoenix palms his face and buries his laughter in his hand.

A grin slowly grows on Penelope's face as we laugh, at her expense. "Is this real life?" She rolls her eyes.

"You're the one staring."

"What do you think?" she demands in her usual toddler way.

"Hmm. It's so-so. Got anything that brings out that sexy, daring personality of yours?" Appealing to her vanity always works.

She rushes off to try on something else.

I wrap my arms around Phoenix's shoulder, "Now, where were we?"

He removes my arms and kisses each hand. "To be continued," he tells me through a mischievous grin. Then he goes back to his dressing room.

Just like that.

As I turn to go back into my dressing room, I catch Sheila staring at us intensely. She jumps when our eyes meet and quickly pretends to busy herself with the dress she's trying on.

What's the story with her?

Twenty minutes later, I'm eating a chocolate Caviar-branded cupcake with a Burberry plaid pattern airbrushed onto the frosting, as I wait for Penelope and Riz to decide on their second outfits. Mia sits across appearing quite satisfied with her choices. Phoenix, JC, Nixon and Sheila have left the dressing room to wander around the store.

A few outfits later, decisions are made. We're off to the register to check out. I'm back in front of that rude associate, whose name looks to be Jessica. Raquel stops by and chats with us as we check out.

Raquel looks at the register as Jessica rings us up. She coyly whispers, "Whose associate number did you put this under? That's not my number. Whose number is that, yours?"

Looking flustered once again, Jessica stammers as she removes her associate number. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Force of habit."

"That's better," Raquel tells her. "Oh, also give them the insider's discount." She turns to us. "It was such a pleasure."

"Are you sure?" Jessica whispers out the side of her mouth, barely loud enough to be heard. She gives Raquel a funny look as if giving us a discount is the last thing she'd do.

"Yes, I'm sure, Jessica," Raquel sounds annoyed but tries to hide it by smiling at us.

"That's cool of you. Thank you." Phoenix nods to her.

"Is this all together?" Jessica looks at the huge pile of clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories. She starts plowing through, ringing up everything in sight. A good while later, she finally finishes. Her eyes are wide as she gives Phoenix the grand total.

"Wow, looks like you've bought enough to open your own boutique. Could've bought a house with that," she jokes, attempting but failing to get on Phoenix's good side. I hear her gulp as she watches Phoenix place his black card into the credit card reader.

Phoenix pretends her joke is funny, but his phony laughter doesn't fool me. "I smell a winner, winner chicken dinner. Commission on a sale like this has got to be a pretty penny," he says with a huge grin. He signs the credit card slip and politely puts on his shades.

She looks like she's in pain. "Sure is," she replies regretfully.

I raise my eyebrows and smirk at how well this played out. "Raquel, you were awesome."

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A/N: Hey Lovers! We've reached the end of chapter 29. The experience with the snobby sales clerk was painful! Do you think Aria handled it correctly? Should she have lightened up or gone in hard? Let me know! Please remember to Vote!!!