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❅ Chapter Nineteen ❅

Risa had a wonderful time shopping with Stella the previous night and most of the day before the opera had begun. She had never shopped that much and she figured she had been to every store in Paris. She never knew you could spend the whole day shopping, even into the late night up until the store closed.

She had so many clothes, shoes, and accessories she didn't know what to do with herself. She had never had this much, not to mention it was all gifts to her! It was like a dream. She wondered if she would ever get to wear half of this stuff. So many formal dresses and jewelry. She figured she'd need a safe for some of this stuff.

She looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn't believe how much this trip changed her. She turned around looking at her blue floor-length dress that had beads outlining big lotus-shaped petals that only were on her torso, the rest was a solid color with pearls hanging at the ends of the fridge layer down the skirt. "Stella, do you think this dress is perfect for the opera, or is it too much?" She glanced over at her.

Stella was standing over the bed, looking at all the shoes Risa had to go with her outfit. She glanced up and shook her head. "Ooh la la, it is very beautiful, Risa. Perfect for the opera! You will no doubt be one of the most fashionable mademoiselles there. No one will be able to take their eyes off of you." She exclaimed happily, a bright smile on her face.

Risa turned to her and walked over to the bed. She couldn't help but blush at her words, she had never been called that in a while. "I am glad you think so. I have my diamond headband and a fur coat. I have my hair hanging naturally in waves since I am not cutting my hair for the typical stylish bobs. I just need to find shoes to go with my ensemble. Something warm since it is going to be freezing and I heard there may be a chance of snow?" She said opening up her shoe boxes.

Stella pulled out a pair of white lace-up books and offered them out. "What about these? It will match the inside lining of your coat." She pointed out glancing over to the bright blue opera coat on the coat rack. "I hope it snows. It would be a perfect ending to the night and snow is quite romantic." She sighed dreamily.

Risa was so glad to have someone who knew fashion since it was obvious she lacked much. She couldn't help but giggle. "That is perfect! Thank you." She sat down on the bed and took the shoe, untying it and putting it on her foot. Once she tied it she mirrored the same actions with her other foot.

Stella walked over to the coat rack and pulled off her black coat, slipping it over her ruby red floor-length dress with fringe layers to the hem. "Not a problem Risa. Rolando and Vincent are waiting for us outside." She was surprised that Vincent had offered to escort Risa. She figured that it was Rolando who made him instead of the latter.

Risa stood up, leaned down, and kissed Loyal's head. She hadn't been away from her dog since they came. She was able to bring Loyal along with shopping, so this would be the first time being away from her.  "I will be back, girl, behave. I love you. I will tell you everything when I come back, it will be grand." She said, then she walked over grabbing her coat, and slipped it on.

She followed Stella out of the hotel and just as she had said Vincent and Rolando were standing beside a horse-drawn carriage. The furry Clydesdale horses shifted on their feet, itching to get going and light snow flurries began to fall. As the snow hit the ground it immediately dissolved, showing the ground was warmer than the atmosphere.

Stella walked up to Rolando who kissed her hand and helped her into the carriage. He sat down right beside her and she cuddled up to him, shoving both hands into the opposite sleeves of her coat. "Risa seems most excited about the opera." She noted, watching Risa hesitantly walk up to Vincent.

Rolando pulled down Stella's furry hat a little bit to keep her ears covered. "I am glad. She has never been to one and I can't help but wonder how she is going to react to the whole thing. I know it will be a memory that lasts forever." He agreed with what the love of his life had said.