Preston and I only had the clothes on our backs and our meager business proposal packed in a portfolio when we arrived at Cael’s mansion, and now suddenly we were expected to stay.
We had nothing, and at this time, no way to get anywhere, unless we were going to call an Uber. Though I doubted that Dain’s security team would let a car through the front drive. “We’re stuck,” I said.
As soon as Dain had left, I went straight to the connecting sitting room to find Preston. He was in his room, making himself at home.
“Yeah, but isn’t it great? Have you ever felt a bed so soft?”
I was in Preston’s room now. It was much like mine, although his color scheme was gold and silver, whereas mine was more green and red. Both were decorated for the holidays, including festive sheets and a personal Christmas tree in the corner.
I hadn’t explored much of my room, too caught up in talking to Dain.
“This is insane,” I said.
“It is. So…” Preston sat up from where he lay on the bed and gave me his full attention. “That guard, the one that escorted us to our rooms, is that the baby daddy?”
I nodded.
“It’s fate,” Preston said. “How crazy is that!” That was not the response I was expecting from my jaded friend.
I rolled my eyes. “You, of all people, believe in that?”
“I do for you, not for myself. And hey, your dad didn’t throw us out right away, so things are looking in our favor. Let me at that baby daddy of yours, I’ll tell him what’s what. He can’t just—”
“It was all a misunderstanding. He never meant to leave me. He came back.”
Preston bolted off the bed. “He didn’t? And do we believe him?”
I nodded. “I think I do. He thought I left. Apparently, the guard told him that I left, but the guard told me that Dain left. It’s a mess.”
“I’ll say. Let me at that guard. Sounds like he fucked things up for both of you.”
“I have a feeling he won’t be working for Dain much longer.” I didn’t think Dain would kill him. But then again, what did I know about Dain?
There was a knock at the door, and then it opened. A lady wearing a flowy pink dress came in, pulling with her a rack of clothing. A second rack followed the first, they were connected like some sort of fashion train.
“Hi there, I’m Cynthia! Cael called me as soon as you two met with him and told me to come right over with a new wardrobe for the two of you.”
“What?” I said. It was the only word that came to mind. The idea was so incredulous. Cael just had someone on demand that would outfit us with new clothes? An entire wardrobe? This was insanity.
She handed us both bags. “In there you’ll find any toiletry items you might need. Toothbrush, toothpaste, et cetera. The bathrooms are stocked with the best kinds of shampoos and conditioners. But if you need anything different, just let me know and I’ll have that ordered for you, okay? Also, if either of you need aftershave, cologne, just let me know the brands and I can go get it. Anything you need, we’re here for you.”
“What?” I said again. I could only stare at the lady. Her smile was wide, her eyes kind.
“Well, you’ll be staying here for a while, and Cael doesn’t want you going back to that dreadful apartment.”
“But our clothes…”
“Pick out what you like. Cael gave me an estimate on the sizes. He’s usually spot on. Sometimes I think that man is magic.” She laughed as if it was the most normal thing in the world for her to arrive and outfit two omegas. And maybe it was. My father was quite the philanderer.
“Ooh, shopping,” Preston said.
“Exactly! Now, Nym, if you’re having dinner with Mr. Dain tonight, then might I recommend these slacks I set aside for you and this lovely sweater? It’s a little festive, but not overwhelming. And if there’s anything you like or don’t like, let me know, and when I come back with the next round, I can change it up for your tastes.”
“Next round?” I said. At least now I was forming different words. Preston was already flipping through each of the outfits, picking out what he wanted.
“Well, this isn’t enough clothes to last you forever. You’ll take everything once you get yourself settled, obviously.”
“Obviously,” I said, as if it was totally normal to get a whole new wardrobe.
