Deceit and Desire

Katalina's POV

"Ma'am, I regret to inform you that your current account balance doesn't meet the required amount for this purchase." The sales attendant announced, her face contorted into an expression of polite disdain.

"Am I getting pranked? Where are the cameras?" I laughed nervously. I twirled around looking for the cameras. They were well hidden this time.

"No, ma'am." Her lips were pursed in displeasure. My laughter quickly died. I could hear mocking laughter and whispers behind me. My cheeks burned in embarrassment.

"You can't possibly be serious." I said in disbelief.

Ten minutes ago...

"Remind me again why I decided not to order. My legs are really killing me and my new heels are getting worn out."

I took a moment to adjust my heels, the smile painted a while ago on my face now turned to a grimace, my excitement had faded a while back.

"Well, to quote your silly self, 'I'm turning into a homebody, let's go out and have fun!'" Samantha pursed her lips in annoyance, texting furiously on her phone. I tried to peer at her phone screen, but she switched it off at the last minute.

"Thank God you're pretty, this hasn't been your most brilliant idea." Amelia giggled. My eyes hardened like flint, but I pasted a fake smile on my face. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Samantha wince.

There was nothing I hated more than being called dumb, but I didn't have the energy to it hold a grudge. This week was all about clean energy and self-love, hence the cute bag.

"I came just in time, it's almost sold out! Ugh, celebrities." I complained as we reached the counter.

There was a sales attendant with a pleasant, polite smile. Good customer service, check!

"Would you like to buy the newly released Louis Vuitton bag?"

"Well, duh! I've been waiting all week for its release!" I exclaimed excitedly. I handed over my diamond encrusted visa card and she went away to wherever they go, to process the sales. I held up the bag to my face with extreme giddiness and squealed.

"I can't believe you're finally mine. You're worth every single dollar."

Just then, the sales attendant came back with a noticeably less pleased smile on her face.

Back to the present....

"I assure you, ma'am, I am not kidding in the slightest." The sales attendant's face held disdain, slight, but still there.

"What? That's impossible, check it again!" I exclaimed, my voice rising in pitch and volume.

"Katy, calm down, you're making a scene." Samantha cautioned.

I looked around and truly, people were already staring and whispering. The mocking laughs grew louder. This was turning out to be the worst day of my life.

"I am the daughter of the CEO of Valcroft industries. My card has never declined." I exclaimed, although I made sure to lower the volume and pitch of my voice.

"I'm afraid you'll have to return the bag." The attendant stated politely, a slight sneer on her face. My face drained of color and I clutched my bag tighter.

"Here, use this one." Amelia came to the rescue. She handed her card over to the sales attendant.

"This can't be happening to me." I whispered, mortified. The attendant processed the transaction again. She handed Amelia the receipt.

"Have a nice day." Her polite pleasant smile was back in place. I strutted outside furiously, past the whispering audience.

Pushing past the revolving doors in frustration, I stepped into bright sunshine. I paused when I got outside, my breaths coming out in shaky exhales.

I always get so anxious in embarrassing situations. My hands trembled and I clenched them into fists. I heard steps behind me.

"Katy, are you alright?" Amelia cautiously asked. I whirled around.

" Alright? Do I look alright to you! I was the victim of extreme embarrassment." I took a deep calming breath.

"Relax Kat, there weren't a lot of people at the mall today. Not a lot of people saw." Samantha calmly said. Of course she can afford to be calm, it wasn't her that just got embarrassed i thought bitterly.

"There has got to be a mistake somewhere. I'm the daughter of the CEO of Vee Industries, I can't be the B-word!" I shuddered at the thought.

The whole situation was confusing and frustrating. I would have ran my hand through my hair but it took me an hour to get the perfect bun.

"A bitch?" Samantha did the closest thing to a snort that she could without appearing unladylike. Amelia covered her mouth to hide a giggle, but I still heard it loud and clear.

"No, b-broke...ugh." I shuddered in revulsion as the word fell from my lips. Samantha rolled her eyes.

"Relax, I'm sure there's a mistake somewhere, call Nelson and confirm." Nelson was my personal assistant. He managed my company and made sure my account was never empty.

I dialled his contact. He picked immediately and I placed the phone on speaker.

"Nelson, you have 30 seconds to tell me why I don't have money in my account or you'll be very sorry." I can be menacing when I choose to be.

There was a pause on the other line and I could hear hurried whispers.

"M-Ma'am, I-I think you should come into the office right now." He stuttered. My eyes widened in shock, this had to be serious.

Nelson never stuttered, he was a stoic young man. I mean he had seen me in some very weird situations and rescued me from most of them. Some of which involved alcohols and the wrong crowd.

"I'll be there in 20 minutes." I hung up. I looked at my best friends whose eyes reflected the same shock that was in mine. We hurried over to Samantha's baby pink porsche.

"Do you want us to come with you?" Amelia asked me when we got to my office building.

The tall storey building had never looked more ominous. I gulped, nervousness taking hold of me.

"No, I'll fill you guys in later." Their eyes were filled with concern and curiosity.

"Hey, I'm sure it's nothing. At least the building isn't on fire, there's nothing that can be worse than that." Samantha confidently said.

I breathed in deeply to still my racing heart, then I forced a smile that had more confidence that I felt.

"You're right. What can be worse than my building catching fire." I tried to instill as much hope into my voice as possible. What could possibly go wrong?