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Paulina watched the woman out of the corner of her eyes. She was absolutely stunning. As were the clothes she was wearing. They were of a quality that made her wonder why the woman was at the store they were in. Surely with clothes like that she could afford better than off the rack evening gowns. The black pants and emerald green blouse she wore perfectly hugged her curves and made it all the harder for Paulina to keep herself from staring.
She was forced to then the woman disappeared into the dressing rooms to try on the three gowns she had grabbed. Paulina sighed and got back to her own mission with the racks of gowns. The dress she was looking for was for a wedding she didn't particularly want to be attending but she had to be presentable. It wouldn't do for her not to be wearing something of the current fashion.
Two racks later she had a couple of dresses ready to try on and headed into the dressing rooms. It was empty and she sighed. A part of her had hoped the beautiful woman would still be there and she would get to see her in one of the gowns.
Paulina picked one of the dressing rooms and entered. She hung the dresses up and turned to start taking her own clothes off.
And felt the tip of a knife on her throat.
The woman was standing in front of her. Her pose was mostly relaxed other than the arm holding the knife. Yet her face had something dark in it. Something scared and excited Paulina.
"Why are you following me?" she asked.
She had the slightest accent on her voice. So subtle that if Paulina hadn't studied them for years she wouldn't have heard it. It told her that this woman was not from the area and likely did not speak English all the time.
"I'm just trying to buy a dress," she said. "I have a wedding I am supposed to go to."
Her frown deepened. The point of the knife dug just a little deeper into her skin. Not quite enough to break skin. But any slight change in either of their positions might change that.
"Then why were you watching me so intently?"
Paulina wanted to laugh. But didn't, instinctively knowing that would be the wrong thing with this woman.
"Because you're beautiful," she said, letting all of her feelings out in her voice. "I was thinking about how none of the clothes here are worthy of you."
The woman looked at her for a long moment.
"You actually believe that," she said. "Interesting."
"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
The knife was pulled away from her throat and the woman took a step away. They were still close since the dressing room Paulina had chosen was not very big. Which gave her a chance to truly take in the beauty of her. She had eyes nearly the same color as her shirt which stood out against her warm brown skin. She had sharp features that were even more stunning close up than across the aisles of the store. The kind of beauty that stood out from how different it was from all those around her. That is to say exactly the kind of woman that would make Paulina lose her ability to speak and not make a fool of herself.
"You did not."
"The knife says otherwise."
The woman sighed.
"There are people at the event I am shopping for that would make that a reasonable precaution."
So this woman had enemies. And there really couldn't be that many big events going on in the area. Sam had warned Paulina that there might be some interesting characters on the guest list. The warning made being invited a little less offensive to Paulina. She was going to be there since she could be trusted to help if a situation did arise.
She was still upset that Sam invited her and there was no possible way Paulina would say no to such a big event.
"You must be part of Bruce's half of the wedding," she said.
That got her another dirty look.
"I see my reputation precedes me."
"Oh I was told that both halves of the wedding had the type. I just happen to know all the ones on Sam's side. Which means to have to be from Bruce's."
"I see."
They both fell silent at that.
"So why are you getting a dress for the wedding here?" Paulina asked when it got too stressful of a silence. "I am sure you have something better already."
"I do," the woman said. "But my son is insisting I come to the rehearsal dinner tonight and I don't want to risk damage to anything I care about."
"Makes sense. I'm sure there is something outrageous that will happen."
"It certainly will."
She grimaced. Paulina could tell that she had more experience than she wanted to with that. She felt the same way knowing that Sam had invited most of their class and the whole Fenton family to the wedding. It was going to end in flames. She was sure.
Then the woman straightened up a bit.
"I guess I shall leave you to your dress shopping then. I shall see you at the wedding. You'll be able to find me by asking for Talia."
"See you then. And I'm Paulina."
"Very good. I hope you'll save me a dance."
Then she was gone. Paulina was stunned. Talia hadn't been driven off by her awkwardness. She had been asked to save her a dance. At a wedding! She looked back at her dresses. She was going to need something better. She had a dance to be ready for.