When Eliana entered the store, she was impressed. The interior of the boutique screamed: luxury brand, overpriced clothes. Everything looked so elegantly and out of reach. Even after receiving rights to the family fortune doubt she will bring herself to shop in a place like this.

The counter was made of what looked like a white marble stone, and there was a black leather sofa in the room for clients to rest. Mirrors optically enlarged the space and golden elements added an even greater feeling that this is a place that not every pocket can afford.

Fortunately, the manager, Andrea, was very kind and patient, but Eliana didn't know if it was sincere since she must have known that Eliana is the owner's friend's wife.

Andrea explained everything clearly and, unlike Thomas, Eliana's previous manager she looked like a person actually invested in her job, which wasn't that surprising it was a place with probably very demanding clientele.

Eliana did not expect that on the very first day she would end up getting herself in trouble.

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"I want to return it," said the customer in a sweet voice and tossed a satin red dress and crumpled receipt onto the counter. She looked at Eliana with clear impatience as if she was annoyed by the mere fact she had to come to the store.

"Ma'am, I can't accept clothes the price tag has been ripped off" Eliana explained.

"You can and you will. Look, you're new here so you don't know who I am. If you don't want to stop working here right after you barely started you'll stop making problems," she said, and her finger tapped impatiently on the counter. The noise was driving Eliana crazy.

"I'm sorry, I have no control over the company's policy," Eliana replied trying to keep her cool.

"I want to speak with the manager," the woman said, sitting down on the black sofa with her legs crossed.

"The manager is out for lunch, she should be in about half an hour," Eliana answered politely.

"Great. I will wait. This is a scandal. No one has ever treated me like this before" she made a phone call and started speaking loudly "Bea? You can't imagine what happened to me" she was talking loudly all the time, some customers were sending her long glances, others left the store. Awesome.

"Andrea, this lady wants to talk to you" Andrea looked at the woman Eliana was pointing at and to her surprise, Andrea rolled her eyes.

"How can I help you, Mrs Carter?" Andrea used the sickeningly sweet tone of voice.

"It's great to see you Andrea. Your new employee refused to accept my return of this dress" Mrs Karen... I mean Carter, complained.

Once again the dress landed on the counter.

"What's seems to be the problem?" now Andrea looked at Eliana.

"There is no tag and there is something here that looks like a wine stain," Eliana said nothing the new detail on the surface of the material.

"I'm afraid I will have to tell you the same thing Eliana did. You can't return this dress" Andrea said in an apologetic but firm voice.

"You'll regret it. I will make sure everyone knows how customers at this store are treated" the woman whispered, violently snatched the dress from Andrea's hand, and left.

"It was ... intense," Eliana said, watching her leave.

"This woman is a regular customer, but recently she has often returned her clothes, probably has some financial issues. Don't worry about it" Andrea said dismissively.

"Why would a person with financial issues shop here from all places?" Eliana asked, baffled.

Andrea giggled "Clothes are a status indicator if you want to stay on top, keep your friends and influence you need to receive an invitation to the parties and no one will invite you if you wear a dress from H&M"

"Really?" Eliana was shocked.

"You must wear the appropriate outfit to show off your wealth. This is how they recognize each other" Andrea explained.

"It's so..." Eliana didn't have words.

"Shallow? I know. Well, that's how it works" Andrea shrugged.

Eliana nodded. Things are weird around here.

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This chapter is a little short. ;)