Blackmailing the Billionaire(9)

Gripping the steering wheel tighter, he tried to push such thoughts from his head. ‘Eye on the bigger picture Carig... Focus’, his mind chastised, even as she crossed one slender ankle over the other, his X-rated thoughts ramping up uncomfortably.

Reaching the outskirts of the town, he wound his way through the back streets, Joy remaining silent by his side. Finally reaching their destination, he pulled to the curb, quickly moving round to open her door. She raised an inquisitive brow as they stood outside a non-descript building in the better part of town. He smiled back, “While you were changing, I made a call to a good friend of mine. She is going to ensure that you have all the clothes you need... As we discussed”

Joy felt her insides shrivel, the pit of her stomach dropping as nerves rose like angry bees deep within. Nodding, not trusting herself to speak, she followed him, the door of the plain Victorian building opened by an older woman, her smile genuine as she greeted Carig, pulling him in for a hug. Her lilting voice expounded on how long it had been since last seeing him, telling him off for his having not kept in touch, Joy smiling at the way the women scolded the imposing billionaire.

Finally, she stepped back, her eyes moving to Joy, a smile on her lips. “And this is the young lady you told me about”, the woman moving closer, her eyes taking in every inch of her, before a warm smile spread across her lovely features. “I think that I can help”, a wicked twinkle warming her brown eyes. “Not as much of a project as you made out Carig... I think you were more than a little harsh” A wink left her as she took Joy’s hand in a firm shake, “No... You are quite lovely my dear” Joy’s eyes darted to him, glowering as he raised his hands in mock surrender. “Sorry. I was a little irritated... I may have been a little cruel”

The small snort from the other woman was evidence of how cruel he had been, she hooking her arm into Joy’s, leading her towards the stairs. “Do not worry my dear. We will make him pay for his words”, her eyes playfully landing on Carig. “And I mean that in the ‘I may be going on holiday soon’ way”

Carig laughed, the deep rumble sending the strangest fluttering through Joy. “I will return for you in two hours”, he managed, the woman pausing, her look matronly. “Indeed you will not... Not unless you want to wait... And I know how you hate that. You will be back in four hours. I have organised for Sasha to fit Joy in for a session” As he made to argue, the older woman lifted her chin, looking down her nose at him, Carig making a grumbling ‘hmph’ sound as he conceded. “Fine... Four hours... We will have to eat on the plane”

For the next three hours, Joy was subjected to measuring, colour matching and a whole array of things she had never even heard of. She had thought shopping was a hit or miss thing, where you either found the right outfit or settled on the nearly right one. However, Valerie, she quickly finding the imposing woman to be called, made it look more like a scientific endeavour. Soon she was being shown outfits, each more beautiful than the last, the clothes chosen by the exacting specifications of the owner.

While Joy normally did not like clothes shopping, a gene her father had been more than happy about, she enjoyed herself. Trying on the wonderful clothes, she found herself relaxing, laughing even. When hours later they finished, even she not aware of all that had been purchased, the different clothes merging into each other as some were put to the side, others replaced, Valerie once more handing her the yellow dress she arrived in.

“Normally my dear, I would recommend wearing something new, but that is such a beautiful dress”, her eyes travelling over it. “Original?” Joy nodded, as Valerie’s eyes grew warm. “I used to have a similar one... loved it... And the colour is perfect for you”, a small nostalgic smile leaving the older woman before she grinned. “Now... Come, Sasha is waiting”

Frowning, Joy’s eyes were quizzical, “Who is Sasha?”, Valerie already walking towards another of the upscale stores in the prestigious building. “The finest hair dresser in the country my dear”, a twinkle in her eyes, “Or at least that is what he tells everybody”

As Joy sat draped in a large colourful cape, Sasha, an attractive Frenchman, circled her. Having combed out her long hair he was looking at it from all angles, Joy not sure if his thoughtful scowl should worry or annoy her. Finally he stood before her, a pensive look in his eyes. “You have beautiful hair. Thick, rich colour... But the cut is a train wreck dear girl... Do you trust me?”