Chapter 013- A shopping encounter
1464 Words
*CHAPTER THIRTEEN: A SHOPPING ENCOUNTER*
*LooLa Luxe (LL) Building*
It was a bright afternoon when Wren and Lyra got to LooLa Luxe.
LL was one of the most expensive malls in Braman. Everyone knew it. Big glass doors, security at the entrance, and shops that most people only window-shopped in.
Wren stood at the entrance and looked up at the building.
“Are you sure we can afford anything here?”
Lyra rolled her eyes and pulled her inside. “Don’t start.”
“I’m just asking.”
“We’re only buying a few things.”
“That’s what you said last time.”
“And did I lie?”
“You bought seven bags.”
“They were on sale.”
“They were still expensive, Lyra.”
Lyra laughed. “Forget about that. Today is for you. No work talk. No Damien talk. Just shopping.”
Wren sighed but followed her in. The air inside was cold. It smelled like perfume and new clothes. The floor was clean and bright.
They started from the first floor and moved up. Wren tried not to look at the price tags, but her eyes kept catching them. Some of the bags were more than her rent.
After walking for almost 20 minutes, Lyra suddenly stopped.
“Wait. Look at this.”
Wren turned. Lyra was pointing at a display. A cream-colored bag sat on a small stand with light shining on it. It had gold details. Simple, but classy.
“That’s cute,” Wren said honestly.
“Should we buy the same bag?” Lyra asked, already smiling.
Wren thought about it. Matching bags. It was childish. But today she wanted something light.
“Yeah,” she said. “And let’s get the same dress too.”
Lyra’s face lit up. “That’s what I’m talking about!”
They spent the next 30 minutes looking for a dress. Not just any dress. The same one. They finally found it on the second floor. A dusty rose midi dress. It looked simple but it fit well.
“You go try yours first,” Lyra said, handing Wren a size.
“Why me?”
“Because you suggested we match.”
Wren rolled her eyes. “Fine.”
She took the dress and went into the changing room. Lyra stayed outside. She pretended to check earrings, but she was really waiting for Wren.
Wren took her time in the changing room. She stared at herself in the mirror. She looked tired, but the dress made her look better. At least something was going right today.
She came out.
“How do I look?”
Lyra looked up and smiled. “Good. Very good.”
Not far from them, two men were standing at a cashier counter.
“Yo, pretty girl,” Orion said, leaning on the counter with a grin. “You always this cute, or is it because of me?”
The cashier, a young girl, looked nervous. “Uhm…”
“Don’t mind him,” Rowan cut in quickly. He placed his card on the counter. “We’re here to pay.”
“Oh, okay sir,” the girl said, her cheeks turning pink as she collected the card.
Rowan shook his head. “You’re impossible.”
“I was just being friendly.”
“That’s not friendly, Orion.”
Orion was about to answer when he saw something. He stopped talking and stared.
“Hey, look who’s here.”
Rowan followed his eyes. “Who?”
“Lyra. And I think that’s Wren too.”
The changing room door had opened and Wren was stepping out.
Orion didn’t wait. He started walking toward them.
“Hey, Lyra!”
Lyra turned. When she saw him, her expression changed a little. “Hi, Orion.”
Orion’s eyes moved to Wren. “Hello, Wren.”
Wren had just come out. She looked at him and immediately looked away.
“Hey, Onion.”
Orion stopped. “Really? You’re still calling me that?”
Orion placed a hand over his chest, pretending to be deeply offended.
"After all these years?"
Wren didn’t answer him. She turned to Lyra instead, speaking loud enough for people around to hear. “Did he want to beat me?”
Lyra played along. “He won’t dare.”
Orion looked between them. “You know both of you can’t win against me and Rowan.”
Rowan, who had been quiet, immediately raised both hands. “Count me out.”
Orion turned to him, shocked. “What?”
“I’m not fighting two women,” Rowan said calmly. “I choose peace.”
“Betrayal,” Orion muttered.
He sighed and looked back at the girls. “Hey, Wren and Lyra.”
“Hello,” both women replied together. Wren’s voice was short.
Orion brought out his phone and sighed. “I give up. So what are you doing here?”
Wren glanced at Lyra. They had a silent agreement.
“We came to see if your d**k is worth buying,” Wren said flatly.
Orion’s eyebrows shot up.
Lyra finished it with a straight face. “But we were disappointed.”
Both of them made exaggerated disappointed faces.
Rowan covered his mouth, trying hard not to laugh.
Orion recovered quickly. He grinned. “Of course this whole building can’t contain my dick.”
Wren rolled her eyes. “This is why I call you Onion.”
“You’re jealous.”
“Of what?”
“My greatness.”
“Please.”
While they were arguing, Orion quickly brought out his phone and started typing.
*Orion:* Don’t come in.
*Damien:* Why?
*Orion:* She’s here. Your tigress.
The reply came fast.
*Damien:* More reason why I should come in.
Orion typed again.
*Orion:* She looks like she’ll tear me to pieces. Imagine you. She’ll pounce on you, bro.
He put his phone back in his pocket.
The cashier walked up with their receipt. “This is it, sir.”
Rowan collected it. “Thank you.”
Orion waved at the girls. “Alright, see you girls again.”
Wren and Lyra didn’t wave back. They just turned and walked away toward the changing room.
Orion watched them go. “Wow.”
Rowan laughed. “You deserved that.”
“I was only being friendly.”
“Sure you were.”
*Outside the Building*
After they were done, Orion and Rowan walked out of the mall. The sun was still hot, but not as much as before.
They were heading to their car when Orion stopped.
Damien was already there. Standing by the black SUV with his hands in his pockets.
“Oh,” Orion said.
Damien looked at him. “What?”
“You didn’t go inside?”
“You said I shouldn’t. Remember?”
Orion pretended to think. “So it’s because of my warning?”
Damien nodded once. “Yes.”
Orion smiled slowly. “Or you’re afraid she’ll really deal with you.”
Damien’s jaw tightened. He didn’t answer.
“I’m serious,” Orion continued. “I don’t even know what I’ll tell Papa Sterling if she tears you apart.”
Rowan laughed from the side. “He has a point.”
Damien looked at both of them. “I’ll kick both of you out of this car if you don’t stop.”
“Alright, alright,” Orion said, raising his hands. “We’re done.”
Damien opened the car door. “Get in.”
Orion entered the back seat, still smiling. Rowan entered the front.
As Damien started the car, Orion leaned forward from the back.
“You know, for someone who says he doesn’t care, you were scared to go in there.”
Damien didn’t answer. He just kept his eyes on the road.
Orion sat back. “Silence means yes.”
Damien looked at him through the rear-view mirror. “Orion.”
“Okay, okay,” Orion said. But he was still smiling.
Because he knew the truth. Damien might act like he didn’t care, but the fact that he even listened and stayed outside meant Wren still got to him.
Inside the mall, Wren and Lyra were done trying clothes. They paid for the bags and the dresses and walked out with shopping bags in their hands.
“Do you feel better?” Lyra asked as they walked to the car park.
Wren thought about it. “A little.”
“Good. That’s all that matters today.”
Wren nodded. She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. She didn’t know if she would go back to Sterling Group or quit. She didn’t know what Damien wanted.
But for today, she had laughed. She had shopped. She had spent time with her best friend.
And for today, that was enough.
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