Choosing Theo: The Clecanian Series Book 1 Victoria Aveline (the giving tree read aloud TXT) 📖

forgotten.” She peered at Jade’s shirt again. “Why don’t we see if we can go and find you something…different to wear?”

Jade followed Asivva down the hall. When they arrived at her room, Asivva stretched out on the bed. “I’d love to know how things are going between you and Theo.”

Jade had to stop herself from laughing out loud. The scene was all so…normal. Her friend had come over to her house to dish about boys and try on clothes. Pillow fight anyone?

“You have to understand, Asivva, I don’t belong here. Your brother and I are getting along okay, but I need to figure out how to get back home.” Jade hoped she would be understanding about this.

Asivva nibbled her lip and considered what Jade said. “Why?”

“Why what?” Jade said, confused.

“Why do you want to return to Earth so badly? I haven’t heard you speak about it much.”

Jade faltered. Why did she want to return? Her life back home was tedious and lonely. She’d originally rebelled against living on an alien planet out of fear and principle, but Asivva had a point. There wasn’t much back home for her.

A figure moving behind her drew her eye. The three women who’d brought the racks in were almost done putting the clothes away in the closet. She kept catching them shooting curious glances at her.

“Ignore them,” Asivva said. “They are just gossips.”

Her tone was admonishing, but one of the women glanced over to Asivva with a playful smile on her face.

Asivva smiled back. “They know you chose Theo, and they had the same reaction many others did.”

“Maybe I should wait until they leave before telling you about him.” Stalling so as not to answer Asivva’s surprising question about her life on Earth, Jade stepped into her closet and tried to decide what she should wear.

Everything she remembered picking was here, and it was all perfectly tailored to her. A girl could get used to this.

Looking around her closet, she noticed there were also many things she hadn’t picked.

“I took the liberty of getting some additional pieces for you,” Asivva said from behind her. “You were quite frugal with your purchases.”

Jade had purchased enough clothing to last far longer than the three months she was supposed to be in this house. She’d felt quite bad doing it too. Spending someone else’s money knowing she was going to eventually take all her purchases and leave felt wrong.

She’d picked out a ton of clothing and some shoes but she wasn’t greedy. She’d made sure to steer clear of the jewelry and accessories section.

Scanning the now-full shelves and drawers of the closet, Jade realized Asivva had purchased those things for her. She’d also done a much better job of it then Jade would have. She had great taste.

“This is too much,” Jade said, even as she admired a delicate gold necklace with a glittering blue gem.

Forcing herself away, she shot a sidelong glance toward Asivva. “This must have cost a fortune, and I can’t possibly wear all of it. Can we return it?”

“You hadn’t purchased enough,” Asivva said while rifling through some dresses. “Theo is very wealthy.”

“I purchased enough for a whole year. This…this is…” Jade shook her head and gestured around the closet.

“This is just the start. On our planet,” Asivva began, tilting her head at Jade, “a wife is supposed to be given these things. The style and quantity of items you purchased would’ve insulted Theo. It’s known that he’s extremely wealthy and if word got out that he’d only purchased those few items for you, he would’ve been viewed poorly.” Furrowing her eyebrows, she wondered aloud. “I’m worried this may not be enough.”

“That is so stu—” Jade stopped at the harsh look Asivva shot her. She knew Asivva didn’t like it when Jade judged their customs, but this was ridiculous. “What about men who aren’t rich? They just don’t get to have wives? Or do their wives spend so much that they end up broke?”

“When you choose your husband, you choose what you’ll spend. Wives will spend less if they’re married to males who make less. Because you’re married to Theo, you should be spending a great deal of money indeed,” Asivva finished, holding out a royal blue flowing dress to Jade.

“What if I don’t want to buy more things? I don’t need anything else, and it’s wasteful.”

Asivva sighed and lowered the dress. “That’s something you’ll have to discuss with Theo. I’m merely trying to help.” She pushed the dress into Jade’s arms.

As she walked to the door to wish the other women goodbye, Jade thought about what she said. Theo can’t possibly want me to go crazy and spend all his money. What’s the point of that?

Jade changed into the dress and followed Asivva, who she found once again lying on her bed. “You should remember to take into account that this is an alien planet. The way we think about money is likely very different than it is on Earth.”

Asivva had a point there. “Okay,” Jade said slowly. “So, what would happen if he ran out of money? How would he pay for this house and food and medical care?”

Asivva squinted her eyes, looking confused by the question. “It’s too bad there isn’t more information about Earth customs on file. It would be easier for me to understand you. On Earth, do you have to pay for your food and medical care? Do you only borrow your home, not own it?”

Jade understood what Asivva meant. There were obviously very big differences between their cultures, but neither of them knew exactly what those differences were. “Yes, we buy our own food, and some places on Earth require people to pay for their medical care. You own your house, but most people can’t pay for it all at one time. Many are paying off their house for thirty years or more. Some just rent a house because they can’t afford to buy one.”

“In the words of you, ‘That’s stupid.’” Asivva sneered.