Chapter 99: Aura Azur Boutique

The gold-trimmed velvet rope clicked open as the boutique’s glass doors slid apart. Inside, the air smelled of sandalwood and fresh sea breezes. Sunlight poured through the large windows, brightening the white marble floors and the view of the yachts in the marina.

Waiting inside were four women in tailored charcoal suits, standing in a neat line with their hands folded respectfully.

At the front was an elegant woman with pinned-back blonde hair, wearing designer spectacles.

The moment Evren, Amber, and Zephyra stepped across the threshold, she dropped into a ninety-degree bow.

"Welcome to Aura Azur Boutique, Chairman Evren," the woman said, her voice warm and impeccably polite. "I am Madame Vivienne, the boutique director. General Manager Gerard informed us of your arrival. The entire promenade has been secured, and the store is closed to all other patrons. Our private fitting suites and our newest summer collections from the Capital are at your disposal."

"Thank you, Madame Vivienne," Evren nodded. "We just need beachwear for the ladies. Swimsuits, wraps, and whatever accessories they like."

"Right this way, please," Madame Vivienne smiled, gesturing toward the central salon.

Racks of vibrant silk wraps, hand-woven sun hats, and designer swimwear lined the walls.

Amber was in her element. Her dark-brown eyes sparkled as she walked along the displays, lightly running her fingers across the fabrics with a bright smile on her face.

"Evren, look at this one," Amber called out, pulling a two-piece swimsuit from a brass hanger.

It was a rich coral-red with thin gold chain accents at the hips and a matching sheer silk wrap.

"That looks great on you," Evren said with an approving smile. "Go try it on."

Amber grinned, taking the hanger and heading straight into the master fitting room on the left.

Meanwhile, Zephyra stood near the entrance with her arms crossed over her chest.

She was wearing a simple dark summer dress Amber had lent her that morning, but she looked as relaxed as a soldier in a minefield. Her violet eyes darted between the mannequins, the ceiling vents, and the fitting room curtains, tracking every movement in the store.

Madame Vivienne carefully approached with a plush velvet tray, offering a discreet smile. "For your companion, Chairman, may I suggest our midnight-violet collection? The fabric is woven from imported water-silk. It is lightweight, dries instantly, and would complement her silver hair magnificently."

Evren looked down at the tray.

Resting on the velvet was a sleek two-piece in deep violet and silver, paired with a matching translucent black-and-silver chiffon beach wrap.

"It’s perfect," Evren said. He picked up the tray and walked over to Zephyra. "Your turn, Z," he said, holding it out to her.

Zephyra looked at the two small strips of fabric, then up at Evren’s face. Her brow furrowed in genuine concern.

"Evren... this cannot be an entire outfit," Zephyra whispered, leaning closer so the staff wouldn’t hear. "There is not enough material here to bandage a sprained wrist. Where is the rest of it?"

"That is the whole thing," Evren laughed quietly. "It’s a bikini. You wear it to the beach."

"I know what a bikini is. What I’m saying is..."

Before Zephyra could finish her protest, the curtain of the master fitting room slid back with a pleasant whoosh.

"Evren?" Amber’s voice called out softly. "How does it look?"

Evren turned around, and his breath caught right in his throat as Amber stepped out.

The coral-red swimsuit hugged her athletic, hourglass curves perfectly.

The halter top struggled to contain the full, generous swell of her breasts, pressing them together into a deep, mesmerizing valley of cleavage connected by a tiny gold ring.

Her stomach was flat and lightly toned, tapering down to a narrow waist that flared into full, feminine hips. The low-cut bikini bottoms sat high on her thighs, framing the smooth, flawless skin of her cured legs.

She didn’t look like someone who had spent half a year paralyzed in a wheelchair. She looked like a radiant goddess who commanded the sunlight.

Evren stared at her in dead silence for three full seconds, his eyes instinctively taking in every inch of her stunning figure.

Seeing his wide, stunned eyes, a bright blush rose on Amber’s cheeks, but her lips curved into a proud, triumphant smile.

She took a slow, teasing step forward, rested one hand on her hip, and gave a gentle, deliberate twirl. The sheer white wrap fluttered aside, offering an unobstructed view of the firm, perky round curve of her ass and the tantalizing arch of her back.

"Well, Chairman?" Amber teased, her dark-brown eyes dancing with mischief. "Do you approve? Or should I try another one?"

"Don’t change a thing," Evren said, letting out an honest, appreciative breath. "You look stunning, Amber. Absolutely incredible."

Amber beamed, her chest swelling with happiness at his reaction. She walked over, lightly squeezed Evren’s forearm, and turned toward Zephyra with an eager grin.

"See, Z? It’s not scary at all," Amber laughed. "Now go on! Your turn!"

Zephyra swallowed hard, looking at the violet swimsuit in Evren’s hands like it was a live grenade. But under Amber’s excited gaze and Evren’s encouraging nod, she reluctantly took the hangers.

"I will... evaluate it," Zephyra mumbled, ducking into the second fitting room and pulling the curtain shut.

Evren sat down on the plush velvet sofa in the center of the lounge, taking a small cup of iced espresso from one of the attendants. Amber sat beside him, happily browsing through a catalog of beach hats.

Five minutes passed.

Then seven minutes.

Then ten minutes.

The second fitting room remained completely silent. Not a sound came from behind the curtain.

Amber lowered the catalog, trading a curious glance with Evren. "Is she stuck in the zipper?"

"Bikinis don’t have zippers," Evren said, setting his cup down.

Evren and Amber stood up and walked over to the velvet curtain.

"Zephyra?" Amber knocked lightly on the wooden frame. "Are you okay in there, Z? Do you need help with the ties?"

There was a long pause.

Then, a quiet, muffled voice came through the fabric, sounding deeply mortified.

"This outfit is defective," Zephyra said from inside. "It has no protection. It’s so tiny that I’m practically naked. I can’t come out like this."