Chapter 5: A Bottle of Perfume Worth Three Hundred Thousand Dollars

Trevor window-shopped, his thoughts a whirlwind of observations. "That diamond ring shop's sign is ridiculous," he mused. "Are those even real diamonds? And a dress for ten thousand dollars? What's the difference between that and a hundred-dollar dress?" His bladder, nearing its limit, added urgency to his internal monologue. He'd been searching for a restroom, unsuccessfully, throughout the mall.

Finally, desperation led him into Sanderson Profumeria, a large luxury store that surely possessed customer facilities. He entered, bracing himself.

A sales assistant approached, her smile initially bright, quickly fading as she assessed his ordinary attire. "We don't allow non-customers to use our restroom," she stated coldly.

Shame burned Trevor's cheeks. Feeling utterly out of place in the opulent surroundings, he stammered, "I'mI'm here to buy something. I just need to use the restroom first. Excuse me."

He deposited his backpack on the counter, spun around, and fled to the bathroom.

"Shameless!" the assistant hissed after him.

Ignoring the insult, Trevor relieved himself, then emerged to an unwelcome sight: Sylvia, clinging to Dennis's arm, stood at the counter.

"Oh, Dennis, you're so kind to buy me such an expensive perfume!" Sylvia exclaimed.

"Of course, babe. Anything you like. You're my woman," Dennis replied, his hand inappropriately resting on her bottom. "This one's gorgeous!"

Sylvia indicated a purple perfume bottle, its diamond-like facets catching the light. Its lilac hue was undeniably striking.

"How much is this?" Dennis asked the assistant.

"This Hermès perfume, sir? Excellent taste. It's a creation of our most renowned perfumer, Robert, formerly with the royal family. Two years he spent developing this exclusive 'diamond liquid.' Only two hundred bottles exist, and the price is three hundred thousand dollars."

Dennis's jaw dropped. "Three hundred thousand dollars? I… I didn't hear you right."

Sylvia's eyes gleamed. "Dennis, I love it!" she purred.

Dennis coughed, his embarrassment evident. "It'sexcessive. Let's look at other things." He replaced the perfume and steered Sylvia away.

Their eyes fell upon Trevor. Dennis let out a mirthless chuckle. "Trevor? What are you doing here?" He'd spotted Trevor's backpack.

"Just looking around," Trevor retorted, attempting to mask his discomfort. His gaze fell on Sylvia, still beautiful, yet somehow unfamiliar.