AFTER I WAS LEFT ON THE ALTAR

CHAPTER ELEVEN: PREPARING FOR AN ADVENTURE

(ALEXANDER'S POV)

I pulled into the shopping mall’s parking lot. The same one I was dragged to by Alexia, all in the name of ‘sibling bonding’. I parked my car and turned to Thalia to see her surveying the environment. I don't think she's been to this side of town before.

I got out of the car and waited for both of them to come out. Luna ran out first, heading straight to the shopping mall doors. My right hand stretched forward, and I opened my mouth to speak, but I was beaten to it.

“Luna! If you take one more step, no more chocolates,” Thalia said, taking short strides towards where Luna froze on the spot.

I took long strides to where both stood. Thalia had a firm grip on Luna's right hand. As we were about to walk in, I felt a little hand hold my pinky and forefinger.

I looked down to see Luna smiling up at me.

All three of us entered the building, and I heard a gasp from both mother and daughter.

My eyes casually swept through the store, which still looked the same as the last time I came, rather than when I was threatened into coming by Alexia. My gaze shifted to the people next to me.

I noticed how Thalia took in the scenery, from the towering glass windows and leather seats scattered around to the chandelier hanging at the center. I saw her fingers subtly tighten around her bag while her eyes drifted downward the moment they found the price tag of a silver-coloured dress.

My gaze travelled down to Luna, who had her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. She began hopping from one foot to the next in pure excitement.

“Wooow! Momma! Smiley! Look, look, everywhere is so shiny and glittery!” she said, pointing a hand towards the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

Thalia turned towards me, about to say something. My gaze found her playing with her fingers, and I just knew what she wanted to say.

“Alexander, I think we should—”

I raised my hand to cut her off.

“Absolutely not. If I'm paying, then I pick where we buy our things,” I said, leaving no room for argument.

“Why are we still standing here? We have a whole day for adventure!” Luna said, grabbing both our hands and running into the store towards the clothing section.

Both the women's and children's clothing sections were side by side. A blonde shop attendant walked up to us with a smile and asked what kind of clothes we needed.

“We need clothes for an adventure!” Luna said giddily.

“I'm sorry. What she meant was we need clothes for a business trip,” Thalia said with an apologetic smile.

“Wait here for a second. I will bring the best I can find that will suit you perfectly,” the blonde shop attendant said before walking away.

Meanwhile, Luna had already pulled out pink and blue clothes to try on, alongside different colours of accessories and sunglasses that I'm very sure wouldn't match in any way.

The shop attendant walked back to us with a pile of clothes in her hands. She stopped in front of Thalia and handed the pile to her.

“You need to try all these clothes on so we can know what fits you properly and what you would like,” the blonde attendant said.

“I want to be in the fashion show too,” Luna said, raising her right hand.

“Don't worry, dear. I've got you,” the shop attendant said, crouching down and speaking to Luna.

Seconds later, another woman came with children's clothes, both girly and boyish. Luna gasped and jumped around the woman carrying the clothes.

Both Luna and Thalia went into separate dressing rooms in front of us.

Minutes later, Luna stepped out wearing a pair of navy cargo shorts with oversized pockets and an orange graphic T-shirt that read Adventure Captain. A tiny black baseball cap sat backwards on her head while her sneakers flashed colourful lights with every step.

The oversized cargo pants, coupled with the cap turned backwards and flashy sneakers, made her look more like someone ready to lead an army of children. The whole outfit described her thirst for adventures that she never failed to mention.

Luna ran to the mirror to take a look at herself, twirling around while adjusting her cap with one hand.

That pose was golden.

I had an itch to pick up my phone just to capture it.

“Smiley! Take a picture of me,” Luna said, tugging on my suit.

I wasted no time bringing out my phone.

She took a few steps away from me for the photo. Almost like she had read my mind, she recreated the pose I wanted to capture moments ago.

I switched to my camera immediately and took several photos of her, not caring if I filled up my storage space with them.

The other dressing room curtain moved, and Thalia stepped out wearing a fitted blouse with the sleeves rolled to her elbows and a beige pleated skirt that swayed as she moved. A thin brown belt sat at her waist, while simple gold jewellery completed her outfit.

I realized too late that my eyes were lingering longer than necessary.

The clothes she wore were nothing expensive; I've seen people pass me wearing the same thing and never glanced at it.

Yet my eyes couldn't help but take in every inch of the clothes as it wrapped around her perfectly.

“Momma is so pretty,” Luna gushed, causing me to tear my eyes away from her and focus on my phone screen.

The shop attendant smiled and nodded in approval.

Thalia smiled in return.

That alone made the look ten times better.

I spent the rest of the day taking pictures of Luna, watching Thalia try on different clothes, and eventually buying toys for Luna too.

The sound of thunder echoed through the entire building, and we decided to call it a day.

I offered to drop them off at their home.

“Thank you, but you've already done so much,” Thalia said.

“I insist. Besides, I wouldn't want any of you catching a cold before the trip,” I replied, taking some bags from her hands and walking towards the exit.

I heard tiny footsteps behind me as a hand slipped into mine ever so naturally.

I stepped out of the store hand in hand with Luna.

I opened the car door and put all the bags in the passenger seat.

Thalia picked up Luna and went to sit in the front seat while I sat in the driver's seat.

I started the engine and drove towards their apartment.

I turned slightly to see Luna already sleeping soundly on Thalia's lap, her arms wrapped around the giant teddy bear she had somehow convinced me to buy.

I never stood a chance the moment I saw tears starting to form in her eyes.

Beside her, Thalia leaned against the window, her eyes closed after spending the entire afternoon chasing after a child who possessed more energy than should be legally allowed.

Tonight, I somehow became the unpaid chauffeur, and I didn't even mind.

The city lights blurred past outside as a comfortable, not awkward, silence settled inside the car.

I drove ever so slowly, not wanting this little gathering to end so soon.