When Serena sat next to Nicholas she felt the skirt ride up her legs, exposing more of her thighs than she had ever done before. She constantly tugged at the hem of the skirt, trying to cover as much bare flesh as possible, but with every movement, the garment would creep back up. Nicholas proceeded to tell her how alluring she was, pointing out the people who were now taking full notice of her. Serena still felt uneasy, the situation felt very similar to what she had experienced in the taxi.<br/><br/>(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/c2/94/68/c29468bd3f3e3aac32c0f88b5ff19366.jpg)<br/><br/>It wasn’t that Serena didn’t understand why she was attracting attention, mainly of men, but it was the reason for looking that disturbed her. If she hadn’t been with Nicholas she would never have put herself in the situation she now found herself in. She began to think she had been foolish to continue this relationship and should have stayed within the safety of her marriage, but then it was that all-consuming safety that had brought her to this.<br/><br/>Nicholas described the potential effects her appearance could have on those who looked at her and immediately Serena wondered what Christian would think of her, sat in public wearing a skirt that was more appropriate for someone ten years younger. Would he find it attractive? Would he be aroused? Or, would he be appalled that she would do something so provocative?<br/><br/>When Nicholas mentioned that Serena's appearance gave her power she was confused by the statement. “What power? ... What do you mean?... All I feel is vulnerable ...I know exactly why these men are leering at me, and it certainly doesn’t give me any sense of power...” she said in a serious tone, feeling that Nicholas’ latest prank was just for his own titillation.<br/><br/>Nicholas countered by asking if Serena had not felt something from wearing the skirt. She couldn’t deny that emotions had been brought about by being clothed as she was. But she wasn’t sure if those emotions included amusement, pleasure or thrill. Mainly all she felt was nervous and exposed. However, once again Serena’s inability to refuse a challenge won out. When Nicholas gave her the opportunity to revert back to the original skirt she declined, instead she accepted the next step of his planned journey not wanting to appear to have been belittled by events, despite her misgivings.