Chapter 12

Back to Business

RECAP:

"Here you are ladies. Sorry about the inconvienince. Be sure to have a great day."

"Don't worry." Juliet said waving as we left. "We will."

Holly's Pov:

Lunch was over and I felt full. The only problem was that it was time to get back to business. In my mind I keep thinking about Aidan and Emory. It bothers me more than a little that they paid for our food. If we were dating then I could understand. But, I barely even know these people. I fully intend to pay Aidan back. I really hate to owe people.

"So have you finished shopping fo Arty yet?" Juliet asked, effectively snapping me out of my reviere.

I look back down at the list I had written. "Mostly, but I totally forgot shoes." I admitted.

"C'mon, here's the perfect place for all shoes." She said towing me to the next store. She was right. 'Journeys' was the perfect shoe store. It had everything that I needed. The only problem was that now we had too many bags. I could barely walk. At this moment, I wished Aidan and Emory were here.

"Juliet, what are we going to do with all of these bags?" I asked.

"Simple" she said, pulling out a cell phone. After talking for a few minutes, she snapped the phone shut and said "There. Give him five minutes."

He didn't need five minutes. He only used three. Butler looked much the same. His shaven head, dark complexion, and nondescript suit. Though the suit was much more noticeable here in teenage land. As soon as he walked in, I could see his eyes flitting across the room trying to find danger. Next his eyes locked on his sister and me. He quickly made a bee-line for us.

"Juliet, he said fondly ruffling his sister's hair. "How are you?"

"Great Dom." she giggled. "This is my friend, Holinda."

I stepped forward and extended my hand. "Holinda. Holinda Briefs. Nice to meet you."

"And you too. Please, call me Butler." he said. His large hand engulfed mine. And of course, his handshake was very firm.

"Have you eaten?" he asked us.

"Yeah," Juliet said. "We had veggie burgers."

"Good. So, what did you need?" he sighed as if he already knew. Maybe he did as much as Juliet loved shopping.

"These bags have to go to the car." she commanded like a queen.

"Okay" he said raising his eyebrows slightly. In case you didn't know, this is burning curiosity for Butler. "Did you ladies have any plans for tonight?"

"Yeah," Juliet screeched. "We're going to the Phenom. You ought to come."

"Juliet reign it in a little." I said rubbing my temples to stave off the migrane I felt coming.

"Oh sorry," she giggled.

"That was amazing." Butler said awestruck.

"What?" I asked feeling self-conscious. "What did I do?"

"You found Juliet's off switch." he chuckled. "Kudos, I've been trying to do that for years." We both share a good laugh.

"Hey, if you're both through laughing at my expense. Dom, you have bags to take, and Holinda we have more shopping to do."

I couldn't help it. I groaned. After all, how much more can a person take. "Juliet give the poor girl a break." Butler admonished. "You two've done enough shopping for a year."

"Isn't that the truth?" I sighed.

"Not quite," Juliet smiled. "Now shoo."

"Fine." she grumbled. "Good-bye, Holida. It was nice to meet you."

"Same here, Butler." I nodded.

"Hey Dom," she said. "We're going to the Phenom tonight... it's gonna be fun."

"Butler's face broke out into a grin. "Is that a hint?" he asked.

"No, it's an edict." she smiled.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do." he said turning around ,and walking away. He had all of the bags and carried them as if they weighed nothing.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Juliet said "Ugh, Holinda can you get this?"

"Sure." I said playing along. There was a small black dot on Juliet's shirt and it wasn't there before. I pulled it off and glanced at it. A sound recorder. Of course Butler wouldn't be as trusting as he seemed. I crushed the small, bug in my hands and watched as the pieces rained to the ground. Okay, maybe rained is the wrong word. Fluttered might be a better choice.

"How did you know that he'd bugged you?" I asked nonchallantly.

"Standard procedure for him. You don't think he's that calm do you?" she asked.

."No, not really." I giggled, trying to imagine Butler as calm as he appeared. Impossible, he'd have to be a robot to pull that kind of calmness.

"In fact, I'll bet there's some in our shopping bags."

"Probably," I nodded. "But, he may not have done it."

"Hmm, would you like to make a little wager?" she asked.

"No way," I said. "He most likely did, and I don't make bets, that I'll lose."

"Oh spoilsport. You're no fun." She pouted like a little kid.

Juliet can wear me down like no one else. And, she knows it. "What would be the terms of said wager?" I asked curiosity winning out over common sense.

"Nothing major, Major." She giggled. "I get to pick your clothes for tonight and the duration of Arty's stay."

"Fine," I nodded. "But what about if I win?"

"Well, what do you want?" she asked me.

"I want you to date Emory and fake interest in him for two months." I grinned.

"Ugh, fine." she shuddered. We shook hands and the deal was sealed.

"Hey, do we have any more shopping to do for Arty?" she asked."Please tell me you don't?"

"Wow, you're tired of shopping. It's a miracle." I gasped.

"Haha, of course I'm not tired of shopping. I just want to focus on you."

"Ugh," I groaned.

"Enough whining, that doesn't answer my question."

"A little." I huff. "There is that better?"

"Not really," she snuffled. "Anyway, I guess we'll just walk around until a store catches our eyes." And the words were barely out of Juliet's mouth before she was pulling me over to a row of three stores.

I glanced up at the name of the stores. "Oh, no, no and no!" I screeched to no avail.

"Oh yes. Gucci, Prada, Juicy." she squealed.

"Juicy really?" I asked rolling my eyes. Trust Juliet to nickname a store.

"Coture of course." she laughed. She dragged me to Gucci, Prada, and 'Juicy'.

I went from dressing room to dressing mrrom. I tried on so many outfits, that I think I now own stock in each company. Ironically enough, the clerks all knew Juliet by name.

Juliet's shopping is interesting. It follows a pattern. Walk into the store and greet the employees (most by name). Then she would ask about hot items and be led off. After that, I was sent to the dressing room, while she and a clerk judged every outfit. Then it was thrown into either a keep or a return pile. Numerous sales people returned the clothes we didn't want to their proper racks. By 'we' I meant what Juliet didn't want for me.

Somehow, Juliet was always walking in with even more clothes. Finally I was done. When we had finally paid, we were left with a ton of bags. At least that's what I thought. A dozen clerks staggled under the weight of our bags.

A tall black haired man walked up to Juliet. "Would you like us to take these to the car?" he asked.

"Sure," she said. "one-two-one-one, Jeeves." He walked away leaving me shocked.

"You're trusting him?" I asked.

"Duh, bugged car. Besides, I've known Jeeves forever."

"Ugh," I puffed. "No sense of self-preservation." Hey, at least we don't have to carry any bags.

"Oooh, sunglasses" I pointed walking over to their kiosk. There were so many cool pairs, and all on sale. I quickly purchased four stylish pairs. As soon as I had paid, Juliet was ushering me to the next store.

Author's Note:

Woo-hoo! Another chapter down. I know you guys are probably getting frustrated due to the lack of Arty. But chill, he's coming. Remember to review.

Remember: Reviews= happy camper. Happy camper= quicker updates. Quicker updates= you reading more. It's a cycle keep it going!

Yours truly, madly, and deeply

Einstinette