A/N: Okay, this is the chapter I hate. ((And I need to write more. This is as far as I am so far. . Um, thank you, reviewers sorry, I would list you guys, but you know who you are. I love you guys! Um, and so here's the latest chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter Six: Shopping

Was it really alright for me to live here without giving anything in return? Daniels had insisted it would be fine when he first suggested it, but it didn't feel right. I'd find a job as soon as I was able to, I decided as I pulled away from his hug.

He watched me for a second, and I'm sure the same thought pass through both of our heads. ...Great. What now?

Then, just as suddenly as all of his other movements, he jumped up, pulling me to my feet as well. "Well, since you're living here from now on, we should go buy you some clothes. My stuff seems a bit big for you." He stated, taking my sleeve, which had fallen to about my elbow, and adjusting it.

I nodded, feeling a little weird. Here I was, fretting about not freeloading, and he was more concerned about my wardrobe. He pulled me from the room, before stopping, pulling off his jacket and handing it to me. Obediently, I shrugged it on, zipping it halfway it didn't hand off of me so much. It didn't exactly hug my figure but, it was good enough.

He smiled, opening the door. "Where to first?" He asked me, as I crossed the room to join him.

First? Weren't we just going to Target, the only store I've stepped foot in for many years?

"Well, first, I think we should go somewhere private to talk, cousin?"

I froze, still about a foot or two away from Daniels.

"Whatever you want to say, Nick, sat it here and now, or leave." Daniels sounded tired once again.

Nick was leaning against the wall outside the door. He closed his eyes, looking irritated, then glared towards the door. I realized he was looking through Daniels, at me. "I can't believe you're protecting a slut you've known for less than a week, and pushing away your cousin who you've known forever! You've gone low, Mark, but never to this extreme."

Daniels snorted, his eyes that stony, lifeless type I'd seen when I tried to kill myself. "Like you're one to talk. At least I didn't rape someone." He snapped.

Nick stood straight up. "You're in no position to spout your holier than thou crap. You know, as well as I do-" At the point, Daniels had pushed Nick up against the wall, punching him soundly in the gut. Nick finished his sentenced with a sickening groan.

"Don't bring that up again." Daniels growled, before grabbing me gingerly by the upper arm, and gently tugging me down the hall. After we had passed about two more apartment doors, we heard Nick laugh coldly. "You won't be able to save this one anymore, dear cousin."

Daniels didn't bother answer, looking stonily ahead while we awaited the elevator. We stepped inside as the cab arrived, and he punched the basement button. I looked curiously up at him.

"What was he talking about?" I asked.

He looked over and down at me, his eyes losing part of the coldness, and instead, looked pleading. "Forget about it." I started to open my mouth, and he put his free hand up to silence me, placing two fingers over my mouth. "Please...?" I promptly closed my mouth when that heartbroken tone entered his voice. I nodded slowly, and he smiled, albeit sadly. "Thanks, Evey."

I nodded again, concerned for him, however, I was unable to calm him. The elevator gently touched down, sinking before rising, and then the mirrored doors slid away, revealing an underground garage. It seemed like all the residents parked here, and he started walking forward, releasing my arm.

I hurriedly followed, finding it was freezing down here. We soon came to employee parking, and he ducked under the rope, holding it higher so I wouldn't have to duck. I nodded my thanks, and then froze as I heard two others approached us from head on. Daniels looked over at me, and then recognition flashed through his eyes. He smiled warmly, pulling me to his side of the rope and wrapping an arm around my shoulders. Suddenly, a middle aged couple emerged amidst the cars, laughing. The woman spotted us first, smiled and rushed over. "Mark!"

"Hello, mother." Daniels smirked and it struck me how quickly his mood could change. The man walked up behind who was apparently Daniel's mother. It struck me how Daniels had evenly drown from both of them. His father's height and face, his mother's beautiful green eyes with chestnut brown hair, which had mixed with his father's dark, nearly black hair.

They were beautiful people, which was definitely synonymous with the Ritz. "Mark. My dear son, how've you been? We constantly seem to miss you, lately." The father's voice was deep.

"I'm well, thank you." Daniels nodded.'

Suddenly, his parents seemed to realize I was there, as they both looked over. "And who's this lovely lady?" His father asked, and then his mother clapped her hands together.

"Oh! Is this that woman everyone was saying you brought home last night?"

I smiled easily. They seemed so nice. "I'm Evelyn Bicard, Ma'am."

"Well, Evelyn, it's a delight to finally meet you, after hearing at least a little about you. I'm Diane, and this is Richard, my husband. We're Mark's parents. I do hope he's been treating you nicely." Diane glanced over at Daniels. He raised up his free hand in silent defense.

I laughed softly. "Oh, he's been nothing short of a gentleman."

"Well, that's a relief. All of my lessons didn't go down the drain after all." Diane laughed airily.

"Anyhow, where were you two heading this delightful Sunday?" Richard picked the conversation back up.

"Clothes shopping. Evey's moving in, so she needs some clothes." Daniels explained.

They both seemed taken aback for a moment, then they both nodded, still smiling. "Oh, alright. Well, charge everything to my card, Mark, dear. I'll pick up the costs." Diane offered.

I felt my face heat up. "T-thank you, ma'am. Once I get a steady job, I'll pay you ba-"

She raised her hand, silencing me. "Don't worry yourself over nothing, dear. I can easily afford it." She gave me a smile, then glanced at Daniels. "Isn't she just like-"

Daniels cut off his mother. "Yes, she is. Exactly the same." He glowered at her, and she backed down. "Anyway, we should get going. We have a lot of shopping to do."

"Of course. Go ahead, but both of you, come up to our penthouse at six. We'll have dinner together. I think I also have an idea of a good job for you, Evelyn, if you want to take it." Richard was careful as he spoke, enunciating every syllable.

We both nodded, and the four of us bid our goodbyes. Daniels quickly started leading again, and we came to a black Volkswagen Rabbit soon. He pressed a button on the car control, and the car beeped, signaling that the alarm was disengaged, and the locks were currently unlocked. I climbed into the passenger seat, trying to remember the last car I had stepped foot in. I came to the conclusion that it had been Nick's.

"Well, where to first?" Daniels glanced over at me as we pulled into the streets. I shrugged once more, before smiling, embarrassed.

"I don't really know any shops other than Target."

He laughed, and I smiled unsurely at the unknown joke. "Okay then, we'll go..."

I was soon lost in a world of upscale clothing stores such as Bloomingdale's and White House Black Market. Daniels quickly filled the backseat of the Rabbit with Little Brown Bags, much upon his insistence. I was hardly able to keep the scheme full on black. Then, he brought me towards a small dress boutique, and I stopped dead in my tracks. "A dress. Nuh-uh, no way, Daniels." I drew the line there, point blank. There was no way a dress was going to find itself on me.

He looked back at me, good humor glinting in his eyes. "I let you get Frankenstein boots and a trench coat, and your whole wardrobe is black. Let me get you one dress for dinners like tonight." He tried coaxing me, his tone sugar-coated.

I grudgingly allowed him to drag me inside. My trench coat, which I had insisted he let me wear, made me seem out of place in such a clean looking place. The owner of this small shop looked up from the counter, where she was flipping through a magazine.

"Hello!" She skipped around the display case, instantly bright and cheery.

I nodded, glancing around nervously. Bright colors were closing in around me from all sides. Daniels raised a hand in greeting, his charming smile practically melting the poor girl.

"What're we looking for, ma'am, sir?" She asked, her bubbliest making me sick. "A wedding, perhaps?" I caught a glance down at our interlocked fingers. This was just the thing we hoped people would believe, after an employee had tried hitting on Daniels.

Acting like his girlfriend made life easier for him, simply put. I looked demurely down. "Oh, no, nothing like that, miss." I quickly assured her.

"She's just meeting my parents tonight, and it's rather dressy. The Ritz, you know." Daniels explained, smiling down at me.

"Ooh." She beamed. "Sounds nice. So, what color scheme you looking for?" She asked.

"Er. I wouldn't know that. All I know is Evey really wants long sleeves." He supplied. I looked up at him, silently thanking him.

"Oh, my! Your eyes, they're so pretty!" The owner exclaimed, looking surprised.

"Um, thanks...?" I blushed slightly, quite obviously unused to compliments. She leaned up real close.

"Woah... they aren't even contacts! That's so kick ass!" She smiled again, before remembering the situation at hand. "Whoops. A dress, long sleeves. Would you mind if it was purple? I have the perfect one in mind-"

"Up to Evey." Daniels shrugged. "I'll be next door. Since I know Mom buys a lot here, ring it up to her balance." He showed her his I.D.. "Daniels tab, Diane." He spoke to the shop clerk. She nodded, eyes going wide.

"Come next door when your done, Evey. Okay?" He bent down kissing me on the cheek. I turned red.

Okay...someone's having fun with this act... I thought to myself as he strode out the door, hands in pockets, humming. "So... is purple okay, ma'am?" She asked.

"Sure." I smiled, pocketing my hands. I only hoped she wouldn't insist on helping me dress. Who knew what she would think if she saw my arms.

"Great." She clapped her hands together. "I have the exact one in mind." She walked to one clothes rack that seemed to have darker clothes portioned together. Her trained fingers ran past different coat hangers before she pulled out a straight cut , violet dress. A low v-neck was the first thing I noticed, though it had a collar above that. In the cut out, there were three chains, one going to each side, and one going straight down. The chains were small, silver, and elegant, and the collar had a black onyx heart, with silver, mail-like wings that seemed like they would form to the neck. Another elegant silver chain, this time thicker, wrapped around the waist, and black feathers were embroidered up the left leg. It had long sleeves, like she had promised, that had growing sleeves that looked almost medieval, and chains, connected sometimes to the fabric by nearly invisible threads, wrapped their ways around both arms.

"I'm a great judge of sizes, so I'm pretty sure this'll fit. Just to be on the sure side, though..." She ushered me into a dressing room, bidding me to dress.

Soon, after asking her help with the neck, I was staring myself down in the mirror, mouth agape. The woman in the reflection was not me.

The neck had been made to look like a choker necklace, and after seeing the dress fit so well, she insisted she help with my makeup, applying mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow all, bringing more attention to my unusual eyes. She also found a perfect pair of black heels, and with them, I was ready. She added the finishing touch by gently brushing my hair, making it cascade down my back in gentle black waves.

She took a step back, admiring her handiwork, and clapped her hands together, which I had quickly learned was a bad habit of hers. "You look great! Mr. Daniels is gonna love this dress on you. It's perfect." She said, before turning me around and unclasping the collar once again, so I could change back into my street clothes. I walked back out into the main room, feeling strange in my baggy clothes and combat boots after being in evening wear for so long. She had already packed up the shoes and dress, and then she rung me up, but flat out refused to show me the price. "Your boyfriend came back in and told me not to show you." She sighed dreamily. "You're so lucky. The Daniels are the family. The royal family of this damn city." She continued wistfully. "Okay, anyway, back to business. Your dress is in this slip, try to keep it hanging on your way back home. The shoes, and the make-up are in this bag. You have a wonderful night, miss. He's next door, at Coldstone, by the way."

"Thanks!" I smiled softly, tying the trench coat closed before grabbing the two bags. I started out the door. But, then, I paused. What was Coldstone? Then, I shook my head, and walked outside, heading to the next store over. He was already outside, holding two large Styrofoam cups.

"Ready to get going, Evey?" He asked, handing me a cup. "And, besides, is cookie dough plain okay?"

"Yea, I'm all ready." I nodded slightly, before pausing mid-stride. "Cookie dough what?"

He stared at me for a moment, before offering up one of the two cups to me, an eyebrow raised. "Ice...cream? What else?"

"Really? So Coldstone's an ice cream parlor." I muttered under my breath before realizing what he said. "Wait, ice cream? I haven't had any for years!" I exclaimed, opening the lid, and looking back at him once more. He laughed loudly, handing me a spoon, and in moments, I was digging into a sweet delicacy.