MATE EXTRAORDINAIRE (COMPLETED)

FOUR: The thought!

Our first stop is in a well-known designer's boutique. Although I was the one to transact, my mom was the one who chose the people who will be involved in the preparation. So yeah! Today's activities are just some finishing touches on the tasks that began by my mom.

We are welcomed by the smell of new clothes as we enter the shop. An assistant immediately approached upon seeing us.

"Good morning! How may I help you?" The lady smiled brightly.

I smiled back. "I have an appointment with Corey under the name Amy Ruiz."

Her eyes lit up. "Ah, of course! If you follow me, I will take you to her."

I just nodded and gestured for her to lead the way. I glanced at Bowen and saw him looking around the shop in amazement.

"How do you like the place?" I asked which made him turn to me a little too fast.

"Ah!" He smiled shyly. "I like it. They have nice clothes."

"Would you like to try some?"

His eyes sparkled. "Can I?"

"Of course. Why can't you?"

He looked at his feet. "Well! In my previous pack, omegas are not allowed in places like this. We only buy and wear clothes from some shops allotted to us."

I gritted my teeth. That must be the reason why he is wearing almost the same type of clothes. His previous pack is really getting into my nerves. I exhaled sharply to calm myself. My emotions seem to have been stronger too. My father was right when he sent us to Russia. I can control myself more because of Systema.

"You can try all the clothes you want, Bowen! It's okay."

He looked at me with a really wide smile. "Thanks, Aidan!"

I smiled back and continued to follow the shop assistant.

"Good morning Aidan!" Corey, a lady and successful in her mid-thirties, greeted us as we entered the dressing room.

Unlike average boutiques, this shop's dressing room looked like a receiving area. There is a set set of couches and tables facing a platform with huge mirrors installed on the three sides. A not so obvious door that leads to the changing room is connected to it.

"Please take a seat." Corey pointed to the couch. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Thanks, I am full," I replied before looking at Bowen. "How about you? Drinks?"

"No. Thank you." He flashed his pearly white teeth at Corey.

"Alright, then! I already prepared a couple of suits and others for you. So if it's okay, shall we start?" Corey cheerfully asked. Clasping her hands in excitement.

"Sure." I stood up. "But can you ask someone to prepare a couple of clothes that Bowen can try as well?"

"Of course. I'll attend to him while you try on yours."

"Thanks!" I replied before looking at Bowen. "Will you be okay here?"

He just nodded and smiled.

After making sure that he's comfortable, I went to the changing room and took off my clothes. While changing, I can hear Corey and Bowen talking. She's asking him the types of clothes that he wants but it seems like Bowen hasn't any idea about styles and design. I sighed at the thought of his previous pack again.

The first set of clothes I tried is a slim fit double-breasted suit in navy blue color. Corey, like always, made an excellent job. The suit fits me perfectly. But as the perfectionist that she is, I need to go out and show it to her. I made way my out of the room and onto the platform like a ramp model showing the audience the newest collections made by the designer.

"Well?" I voiced. Trying to get Corey's attention who is busy giving instructions to her assistant.

All three of them turned to look at me. Corey gasps exaggeratedly. She is just like that. Always. I glanced at the assistant who is now frozen in her place before looking at Bowen.

I gulped when I see his lips slightly parted again. That reaction of his always dries my throat. I had to swallow a couple more times to be able to speak without coughing.

"What?" I spat at them.

They seemed to be pulled off a trance. Especially Bowen who is now opening and closing his eyes rather quickly, which I now know, as his way of getting back his composure.

Corey clapped her hands loudly. "Perfect."

I shook my head and stomped back in the changing room. The time I spent in changing seems to be much longer than when Corey checks the clothes on me. So we finished in a flash.

I sat back on the couch beside Bowen and grinned at him. "Your turn." His cheeks flushed making me stare in awe.

The first one Bowen tried was a suit similar to mine but in grey color. This is the first time I saw him wearing something different so I was kind of surprised. He looked really good. If not for his seemingly shy or scared posture, Bowen can pass as a member of a teenage boy band.

Corey is rather pleased by how he looks wearing the clothes she designed so she urged him to try on different ones. From formal to business to casual wear. Bowen seemed to kill it all. I am speechless. What a pretty boy.

The last set of clothes he tried is a grey coat over a white button-down and khaki pants. He paired it with white canvas shoes. I gave him a once over and stood up.

"We need to go," I said. "Just wear that," I told Bowen when I saw that he was going back to change.

"But..." He started to say but I cut him off. "It's fine," I assured him then pulled my card and faced Corey. "Just send everything to my house including his."

"Of course." She smiled widely and gestured for her assistant to swipe my card.

"Thanks, Corey!" I said as we were about to leave the shop.

"Thanks for helping me today." Bowen chirped. Smiling widely.

"It's my pleasure handsome creatures. I enjoyed dressing you two up."

We both waved and headed for my car.

"I will wire you the payment for the clothes. Just tell me how much." Bowen said once we settled.

I frowned and look at him. "You don't have to pay."

"But..."

"Consider it as a gift. A welcome gift since you are new to this pack."

He sighed. "Alright!"

"Why? Don't you like the clothes?"

His eyes widened. "No. I like them. It's just..." He hesitated.

"Just what?" I egged him on.

He looked away. "It's just, I really wanted to try and decide for myself instead of someone doing it for me. I practically lived all my life being told what to do and I don't like it." He spoke slowly and softly like he was trying not to offend me.

I felt sadness radiating from him that it also made me feel the same. I brought my hand to his chin and turned him to face me.

" I understand." I flashed him a genuine smile."I'm sorry! I won't do it again."

He smiled back. "Thank you, Aidan."

My breath hitched, realizing how close our faces are and that I hold his chin like I am about to kiss him.

'I wonder how it will be like to kiss those lips.'

My heartbeat became erratic. I stared at him wide-eyed. Shocked of the sudden thought. I pulled back slowly. Turning my gaze away from him. Confused as to why I do these things like they are the most common and natural things in this world.