As I walked out of the shopping mall, I heard a crack of thunder. I looked toward the sky and saw the clouds building up. A storm was coming and it was coming fast. I had one more place to stop before I went home so with shopping bags in hand, I started to walk down the street. My feet were killing me as I was wearing black heels with my short black skirt. I spent almost the whole day shopping for a party tomorrow. I was going to the annual company party. It is a black tie event so I had to find a new outfit to wear.
I stopped at the corner of the street and bent down to adjust the strap on my shoe. I stood back up just in time to meet the eyes of a very handsome man. He was very well dressed in a suit and tie. He was standing right in front of me smiling.
"May I be of some assistance?" he asked reaching for my bags.
"Uh, sure, I guess I could use some help," I replied, surprised at how he just insisted. He took the bags from me and asked where I was headed to. I told him to I was going to the shop over there across the street.
"I need to find a piece of jewelry for a big party tomorrow," I said, looking again towards the black sky. "I hope the rain holds out for a while yet."
"Ah, I think it is going to rain soon. We better hurry!" He said and we hurried across the street weaving between cars and through the glass doors of the jewelry shop. I turned around and reached for the bags.
"Thank you for carrying those. They were getting quite heavy."
"Now just wait a minute there beautiful, I am not just going to leave you here with all of these," he said smiling with a twinkle in his eye. "Do you mind if I stay and I can help you when you are ready to leave?"
I giggled. I was surprised that he wanted to help me so much. I said, "Well, if you really want to ... but, tell me your name at least."
"Richard. You may call me Rich, if you want."
"I like Richard, it is more sophisticated!" I smiled and walked over to the counter. Richard followed me. "By the way, I am Rose."
"It is my pleasure to meet you Rose." He took my hand and kissed it gently. How romantic I thought.
Slowly, I walked around the counters, studying each piece. A very beautiful silver piece caught my eye. I walked over to the case and bent down to get a better look. I couldn't help seeing Richard staring at my butt through the mirror that sat behind the jewelry. I was wearing a short skirt, and I wondered what all he saw. A sales lady came over to where we were. "Would you like to see something Ma'am?" she asked with a stern tone to her voice.
"Well, yes, this piece right here please." I pointed to the diamond necklace. The stern tone carried over to her face. She took the piece out of the case and started telling me about it.
"This is an 18 carat white gold and 8 1/2 ctw diamond necklace. There are a total of 144 round diamonds in a prong setting. This is 16 inches long." She held it up so it reflected the light. "Would you like to try it on?"
I turned around to see what Richard was doing. He nodded at me to try it on. I tuned back to the sales lady and said, "Yes. It is very beautiful. I'll try it on!" She handed me the piece and Richard all of a sudden, reached out and took the necklace.
"Here let me help," he said.
"Wow, you are just full of help today aren't you," I said jokingly. He smiled and placed the string of diamonds around my neck. I could feel his breath on my ear as he closed the clasp. He rested his hands on my shoulders and placed a light kiss to my ear. I felt my face flush. Was this handsome man coming on to me?
"Ok, all done," he said as his hands slid down my bare arms.
I walked over to the mirror and looked at myself. The necklace was beautiful. It reflected the light and just sparkled. "Rose, nothing can compete with your beauty, but that necklace looks very beautiful on you," Richard said standing behind me.
I blushed and I reached up to feel the necklace between my fingers. It was light and smooth. I fell in love with it right away. It would be perfect with my outfit. I looked to the sales lady who stood there impatiently. "How much is this?"
"Very expensive!" she said crossing her arms and lightly tapping her foot.
"Yes, I know, how much?" I said getting irritated at her. Who did this lady think she was? What does she know what I can and can't afford?
"$4,000 and that is firm!" she said. Wow, that is quite a lot. It is very nice though and Richard thinks so too. Anyway, this party is going to be the big event of the year. I can always return it.
"I'll buy it!" I said with a big grin. We walked over to the register and the lady started to ring up the sale. "You really think it looks good on me?" I asked Richard.
"Yes, it sure does," he said back looking like he was going to kiss me. "Anything would look good on you, even me." I smiled back at him embarrassed that he slipped that in. Thoughts were becoming to mind as I thought how he would be like in bed. He was so handsome and nice. We started to kiss.
BOOM!
Thunder roared outside and interrupted our kiss. Then the power went out. Richard and I just stood there, looking at each other. Then we burst into laughter.
"I am sorry Ma'am," the lady interrupted and I turned around. "I am unable to complete the transaction due to the power outage." She took the necklace from my hand. "You will have to come back later." I just stood there stunned. I watched as she put the necklace back into the case and walked off. What was I going to wear tomorrow?
"Gee, she irks me so! She is so rude!" Richard said grabbing my hand. "Come on let's go, it's starting to pour rain." We picked up my bags and waltzed out of the shop into the pouring rain. We stood under the canopy to keep dry. The rain was coming down so hard, it was impossible to walk anywhere. I looked at Richard.
"Well, what should we do?" I asked.
"Hail a cab," he said and walked to the curb, waiting for one to arrive. I stood underneath the awning, keeping dry as Richard was getting drenched out there. Finally, he waved down a taxi and we hurried inside it.
As soon as the taxi stopped, I opened the door and hurried inside the back seat as Richard loaded the shopping bags into the trunk. He slammed the trunk shut and joined me inside the cab. He was dripping wet from the rain.
"I told the driver to go to my place," I said to him. "You are sopping wet!" We both laughed and the driver sped off down the busy street. I reached into my purse and handed Richard some tissues so he could dry off his face.
"Thank you," he said taking the tissues. "I can't believe how much it is raining."
"I know, and the power is out!" I replied as I saw the traffic jam ahead. "Look!" I said pointing out the front window.
The cabbie turned around and said in a New York accent, "We may be stuck here for a while." I smiled at him and then at Richard. I was thinking about the necklace again.
"I really liked that necklace. Wasn't that lady just a real bitch?" I asked him.
"Yes, she was, wasn't she?" he replied and placed his hand on my leg. "We should go back there and talk to the manager and ask him why she still didn't sell the necklace to you?"
"Yeah, and then tell him that I'll take my business across the street if they treat their customers like that," I laughed. "They'd be out of four grand." I smiled. "Thanks for your help today anyway Richard."
"Hey, no problem," he said rubbing his hand up and down my leg. "I enjoyed myself and being with you." I looked Richard seductively in the eyes and licked my lips.