I walked around the clothing store the following day looking for clothes that'd fit Chike. Being a celebrity stylist made me a guru at guessing people's measurement so I knew the exact length of trousers that'd fit him. The store had some decent buttoned down shirts so I picked a few because Chike never wore them. I couldn't wait to see him in those as I was sure he wouldn't mind owning a few. 

When I saw a pair of black Chinos pants, I fell in love instantly and removed it from its hanger. Ties were to my left but I ignored them since I couldn't picture Chike wearing one. I had quite a pile on the bench and I carried it to the cashier who praised my choices before bagging them. I hailed a yellow cab and left for Chike's house since my car was at the mechanic's for its routine check. 

I was dragged in when the door opened and I couldn't help smiling at his impatience when he backed me up against the wall and kissed me senseless. Chike made me feel wanted and I liked him more for it because it was a feeling I was unused to.

"I've been waiting for you," he said against my neck.

I dropped the shopping bags to free my hands and they made a thud as they hit the floor.

"What's that?" Chike asked, momentarily distracted.

I beamed. "I got you clothes."

"What?" he asked laughing.

I got the bags and went towards the bed, dumping clothes on it. "Something different from your day to day wear," I started while spreading them on the bed. "You can wear these shirts with these pants and the collared shirt will go well on a pair of jeans, not a ripped one though," I jested.

I was so excited that I went on and on explaining how he could pair the clothes that I didn't notice my audience wasn't sharing in the excitement. When I suddenly stopped to look over at him, he was at a corner brooding.

"What? You don't like them?"

"They're stupid. Why would I want to be dressed like that?" he asked. He looked at them and looked away like he couldn't bear their sight.

His comment hurt more than I portrayed. "They're not stupid. I spent hours shopping for these."

"I didn't ask you to."

"Wow," I said stunned. What made it worse was how right he actually was, he really didn't ask me but he didn't have to because it was something I simply craved to do for him.

"Why would you get me clothes I didn't ask for, Jade?"

I sighed. "I was trying to help." Couldn't he see that? I sat on the floor and looked at him.

"This is not helping. This is manipulating," he stressed.

"How is it manipulating?" I stood from the floor and moved closer to him. I needed him to see my gesture for what it was.

"You know my style, I don't wear this shit. Chinos pants, for fuck's sake! Really? Think, Jade." He pointed his fingers to his head like I was a stupid child who couldn't understand simple maths.

"You're so fucking rude." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Who turned down free clothes? From a celebrity stylist at that.

"I don't want to go around looking like a fucking banker. I'm an artist and I dress how I feel. You of all people should know clothes are a form of expression and I completely don't feel this way. Whatever image you have in your head, erase it now."

"That's enough." I stuffed the clothes angrily into the bags and went towards the door. "I don't know why I even bothered, you're an ingrate."

"An ingrate for not wanting to look like one of the guys you'd rather be fucking."

That stopped me in my tracks. Oh, he didn't just say that. "I don't want to hear this anymore." I chose peace and moved closer to the door before I completely lost my temper.

Chike blocked my path stopping me from leaving. "I don't want to look like one of those fancy guys you think you richly deserve. I will never look like them and you better get that into the pretty head of yours when you know I make you react like this."

He grabbed my shirt and pulled me closer. When I saw his mouth coming down on mine, I turned my head but his hand gripped my neck tightly holding it in place. Chike crushed his lips roughly on mine in a punishing kiss and I refused to react as his tongue sought entrance into my mouth. He softened the kiss and I went soft against him completely losing the fight as my mouth opened up to his exploration.

"You make me feel so fucking angry and horny." he growled into my ear.

His thumb brushed my beaded nipple and I came to my senses. I stepped back and felt my palm make contact with his cheek before I could think of what I was doing. Chike looked at me in surprise as his skin registered the sting.

"Don't you ever touch me again," I said coolly before stepping around him and twisting the doorknob open.

"Jade," he called out as I stepped out of his apartment and jammed the door.

I heard its hinges rattle but I was past caring, the door could come off for all I cared. I dumped the shopping bags on Dave's desk when I got into the office the following day.

"What's this?" he asked without looking inside.

"Find someone to give them to. Join me in my office when you do it."

I stepped in and logged into my computer then got distracted as I thought of the situation with Chike, I didn't understand how my action could have backfired. The thought had kept me up at night as I turned and twisted in my bed before giving in to a light slumber.

We had a wonderful time at the concert and he ruined it with his presumptions. It was beginning to seem toxic with us because it was always one step forward and several steps backwards. I decided to start spacing our rendezvous, we saw too often and it was ruining things. Chike thought the worse of me and I couldn't fathom why. I typically didn't care about outsider's opinion on my person but this was a guy I was fucking and it hurt if I was being sincere.

His apology came in during noon while I was buried in work. I fished my phone from the pile of different samples of material it was buried under and smiled as I read the short and simple text. Nothing was simple about him though and that sent me into another train of thought. Now, I knew never to get him clothes or anything he didn't specifically request for, this was a learning moment for me. Chike was an asshole no doubt but I liked him very much. When he wasn't being rude and closed off, he was exceptionally nice and even funny.

I didn't reply the text instead I focused on work and made sure to not get distracted again. When Dave came into my office later, I was almost done for the day.

"You have a dinner booked for Friday," he said loudly.

"With whom?" I looked from my screen to his spotless face. "You're a sight for sore eyes, Dave."

He smiled. "You compliment me more than my boyfriend does."

"Is that why you spend more time with me?"

"You could be on to something there."

"His loss then," I said and we both laughed.

Dave sat on the cushion. "Your dinner is with Kerry Bello's manager. His P.A. said he's going to be available then." I looked at him for more explanation. "You wanted to have dinner with him concerning styling his client, remember?"

"That's right. I thought he was never going to have time for me, are you sure he requested for me?"

"Of course. He has somehow found the time so what are you going to be wearing?"

"Not an old dress."

"For sure. You're The Jade."

 I ignored his comment. "The paparazzi could be around since he's quite popular which says a lot about the calibre of artists he manages," I said like I was reading his biography. 

"Do you want me to round up some dinner gowns to choose from?"

"I'd like that very much. You're everything."

"And you're welcome."

"Who did you give the clothes to?" I asked as he was about leaving.

"I kept them for my boo. They're his perfect size."

"Lucky you," I said.

Dave was smiling like he won the lottery and I wished Chike had reacted in a similar manner. Dave was obviously back with his boyfriend since he finally introduced him to his parents and to his surprise, they had been warm and welcoming because they always knew the truth about his sexuality.

"How did you get them?" he asked just as I thought I was off the hook.

I looked down at the monitor and pretended to be concentrating. "It was a gift."

"Male clothing?"

I nodded grimly and he didn't go further with more questions even as I could read the doubt on his face.

"Back to work," I said. The perks of being a boss, I thought smugly.

"It's eight o'clock, Jade."