Chapter 9. Getting New Clothes
Author: FOCA
last update2025-10-21 18:05:04

Harry got into his car and went to one of the expensive boutiques around the university area where mostly rich students go to spend their parents' hard earned money.

Harry saw shopping there as a win-win for him. It's an investment, an opportunity to wear something fancy.

He has never been to this boutique before, he walked past it occasionally and admired the clothes on the display window. So this was going to be a whole new experience for him.

Harry didn't care much about expensive clothes as this would only draw unwanted attention his way, but still he couldn't find the urge to actually go in there buy clothes like those spoiled rich students.

Harry took a deep breath and walked into the boutique, a small bell chimed above his head as cool air swept across his face. The boutique smelled like money, perfume, polished floors, and fresh fabric. The kind of place where a single shirt cost more than his rent.

Harry had little to no fashion sense so he knew he needed all the help he could get in this place,

But the moment his foot crossed the marble floor, a sharp voice cut through the air.

“Excuse me?”

Harry turned. A saleslady stood by the counter, she was tall with sharp-features, her arms folded, eyes narrowed like he’d dragged cow manure across her floor. “Sir, you must be lost. This is a luxury boutique, not a thrift store.”

Harry blinked. “I’m not lost,” he said quietly. “I came to buy clothes.”

The woman’s nose wrinkled as if the air had turned foul. “Buy clothes?” She gave a short laugh. “Listen, I don’t know the hole you crawled out from, but our cheapest tie costs more than your shoes. We don’t entertain window shoppers or church rats here. Please go.”

A few heads turned. Two other customers, both dressed like walking ads for old money, paused to watch the scene unfold. Harry could feel their stares burning into his skin, but he tried to stay calm.

He gave her a small, polite smile. “I can afford to shop here. This is a business establishment right?” he said, voice steady but soft. “So you make money when people buy stuff and I am here to buy clothes, just show me what you’ve got.”

Her smirk widened. “You can afford it? Honey, do yourself a favor and get out before I call security. We don’t want you scaring off paying customers.”

Before Harry could respond, another voice spoke up from the far end of the boutique.

“Is there a problem here?”

The second saleslady walked over, and for a moment, the air changed. She was prettier, softer features, curvy, confident, with a kindness in her eyes that instantly calmed the tension. Her name tag read Mila.

“Nothing’s wrong,” the first one snapped before Harry could open his mouth. “Just keeping our store clear of pests.”

Mila frowned. “Pests?” Her tone sharpened. “He’s a customer.”

The other lady scoffed. “He’s a broke student trying to play dress-up. He probably just wants to take pictures for I*******m.”

“Come on, Gina. You really don't have to act this way,” Mila said, brushing past her. She smiled at Harry, a genuine smile. “Ignore her. Some people are allergic to manners. Come on, I’ll help you. But please, buy something so that you can prove her wrong.”

Harry hesitated, then nodded. “I will definitely buy something. I give you my word.”

She led him deeper into the store, the first lady glaring at their backs. Mila’s tone shifted to something lighter as she started pulling a few shirts off the rack. “So what kind of clothes do you want to buy?”

“Just something casual, but posh enough for a date.”

“Well, that narrows it down,” Mila joked. “But don't worry I have options for you to pick from

Her kindness disarmed him. She held up a navy button-up against him, tilting her head. “This one,” she said. “Simple but posh and confident.”

Harry nodded, feeling a small smile tug at his lips. “I’ll take it.”

Just then, the bell above the door chimed again, and the world tilted.

Marcus Winter walked in, designer jacket hanging loose, gold watch glinting under the light. Beside him, clinging to his arm, was Alicia. The same Alicia he sent $10,000 earlier.

Harry froze mid-breath.

Mila didn’t notice at first. She was still showing him a blazer. “You can pair this with—”

“—What the hell is he doing here?”

Marcus’s voice boomed through the boutique. Conversations stopped. Everyone turned.

Mila’s hand dropped. “You know him?” she asked, confused.

“Yeah,” Marcus sneered before Harry could speak, taking a few steps closer. “He’s the trash that used to hang around my girl.” He turned to Gina, it seems they know each other very well. “Why the hell is he in here? Who let him in?”

“That’s what I said!” she piped up immediately, eager to please. “I told him this isn’t a place for broke losers, but he wouldn’t leave!”

Marcus grinned cruelly. “Well, I’m here now, and I am one of your top VVIP customers. Kick him out, now!”

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