My CEO Boss Is A Masked Internet Sensation-Chapter 40: He Is Choosy

(Arata)

Karsten took his privacy seriously; this I learnt when a security car remained ahead of us, ensuring no paparazzi or media person followed us when he picked me up from my apartment.

Dazzling a snugly-fitting soot black t-shirt and jeans, he sat beside me, exuding grace and elegance. Appearance was less formal now that we weren’t in the office but class was permanent for him.

His hand rested on his sturdy legs, drumming slowly, the fine blue lines ran deep in his hands. These always fascinated me on a man’s hand and I usually traced them on Andy’s, now I could just watch.

"Choose whatever you like without hesitation. If you wish, let Armanta guide you."

Did he mean ’The Armanta Ahija’?

Armanta was one of the most sought-after celebrity stylists in the fashion industry. Only the richest of the rich could afford her or get an appointment.

I nodded as his gaze wavered over my hair before moving away.

Did he have suspicions that they weren’t real?

Arriving outside the place, the chauffeur opened the door only after Olphi had taken a round ensuring no one was lingering to take pictures.

Karsten joined me and offered his arm like a gentleman.

*We have to play the part," he commented, seeing my reluctance. Nodding I crossed my arm with his thick one. My skin came in contact with his.

What was he made of?

Cement?

He took me to one of Armanta’s boutiques and I am sure he paid a handsome amount for her to be present in this particular one of hers. She had chains all over the world.

The one-way glass doors slid open as we approached, letting us enter the dazzling space that lay beyond full of attires, colours and light scones.

"Hola! Guapo, (Hey! Handsome) welcome!" Armanta spread her arms and approached Karsten wearing a very stylish but decent figure-hugging gown.

She was a petite woman in her early fifties with platinum blonde hair which was cut really short. Her rosy cheeks were spread in a kind smile as she seemed genuinely happy to see Karsten.

"Dulce (Sweet)," he reflected her enthusiasm. A rare smile sprang to his lips as he let go of my arm and hugged the short lady briefly.

"You are a sight for these eyes. Who is the lucky lady?" Her intrigued eyes wavered to me and I offered a gracious smile.

"Armanta, meet my girlfriend; Arata." His hand travelled to the small of my back and he gently touched me, nudging me forward. The tenderness of his touch radiated through me.

I extended my hand and Armanta shook it in all pleasantness.

"You are such a gorgeous lady. Welcome and let me know how I may be of service."

She guided us inside as my eyes wavered to the glass cases where all kinds of fancy dresses had been displayed under the warm golden glow of light scones. The jewels, sequins, and pearls danced and dazzled as the light reflected off them.

"I am taking her to meet my family and you know how critical Ma can be. I need something that stands out for her but doesn’t overshadow her beauty," he openly conversed with Armanta, explaining what kind of dress he preferred.

"Don’t worry, I will have something which will highlight her natural curves and your Ma will love her." She patted Karsten’s other arm while offering me her hand.

"Highly doubt it but let’s see." he was skeptical of his mother. Karsten let me go, letting Armanta guide me towards glass cases.

My Baba and grandma had a knack to design some of the most prettiest and fancy dresses I had seen. I was no foreigner to the world of glam, but still, I gawked at these with a keen eye.

"Let me know whatever catches your eye," Armanta sweetly asked, and I chose three to four evening gowns which fell in the category of sophistication.

I loved colours; the more, the merrier, but judging from Karsten, I could sense his family would prefer something elegant and less gaudy. So I couldn’t go with my usual purple, pink and reds.

Satin blue, black and silverish grey were my choices.

I tried them one by one and Armanta fixed them for me before I presented myself to Karsten. He had taken residence on one of the camel-shaded Chesterfields. His long legs elegantly crossed one over the other as he buried his nose in a fashion magazine while sipping on a bubbly champagne from the flute.

"So what do you think?" I asked, twirling the black maxi dress with a v-shaped neckline. His long lashes lifted, revealing his intrigued eyes, but the excitement waned as quickly as it had descended.

"No, try something else," he simply said. I nodded and went back with Armanta.

She showed me some of her finest pieces.

"Try this, flor (flower). Empire design will enhance your curves beautifully." She handed me a dusty blue empire gown.

A low wrinkle on Karsten’s perfect forehead revealed he didn’t approve. The same went for ten other dresses I tried on.

I thought I was choosy. I always made my mom fret because of how high-maintenance I acted at times, but my fake boyfriend was on a whole other level.

After rejecting the twelfth gown I put on, Karsten placed aside the magazine and empty flute. Leaving his seat he adjusted his t-shirt and followed me to the glass cases.

Pushing some wandering tendrils back from his forehead, he contemplated for a long time, going from dress to dress and I waited patiently beside him.

Finally, he stopped in front of a wrap gown created from silk velvet. The pearl-shaded piece was a picture of sophistication. The pearls and diamonds were amply covering the bodice while a belt would cinch the waist.

I avoided such light colours; they appeared lifeless to me and over-accentuated my body. But there was something about this one which pulled me towards it.

"This one, I want to see her in it," he announced, without a hint of hesitation.

"What fine eye you possess. This is one of the gowns I created with my own hands." Armanta seemed impressed with the choice as her assistant removed it from the glass case so I could try it on.

"Good, there shouldn’t be another one like that," Karsten asserted without reluctance, his eyes finding Armanta and nodded with a smile.

"Let’s see how it fits."

I was led away and Armanta fitted me into the elegant gown. It shaped perfectly against my skin, the fabric was so soft and flowed like water over my body.

She turned me around and smoothed the dress down. Her face glowed like a mini sun seeing this gown on me.

"Perfecta! (Perfect)" She kissed the tips of her fingers and blew it towards me. "Let’s take the opinion of your boyfriend."

Taking confident steps, we arrived where he waited for me, leaning against the glass case with his arms crossed and head tilted a smudge.

A wave of excitement flashed in his dark eyes as they slowly but greedily took me in.

Like a fine laser, his gaze swept over every centimetre, taking his sweet time while we all waited for his response.