Chapter Seven: Swiped, Declined, Humiliated
542 Words
The sleek glass doors of the upscale mall slid open as Crystal stepped in, her coat wrapped tightly around her. She hadn’t intended to come here—this wasn’t her kind of place anymore. Not with their name dragged through bankruptcy and public disgrace. But her little brother’s medication wasn’t available anywhere else.
She had no time to waste. Avoiding eye contact with the security guards—ones that used to nod at her familiarly—she kept her head low and headed toward the pharmacy section.
The cashier smiled. “Good afternoon. That’ll be ₦68,200.”
Crystal forced a polite nod, pulling her card from her small, fading purse. She slipped it into the terminal.
*Beep. Declined.*
Her breath hitched. She tried again.
*Declined.*
Heat rushed to her face. “Uh… I think—can you try again?”
The cashier gave her a patient smile, but there was a flicker of pity in her eyes.
A short queue had formed behind her now. People were beginning to glance.
“Miss, I’m afraid—”
“Try it again!” she snapped, voice trembling, panic growing.
“Is there a problem here?” came a smooth, unmistakable voice from behind.
Crystal froze.
The air thickened.
She didn’t need to turn. She *knew* that voice.
Aiden.
Slowly, she turned—and there he stood, dark suit impeccable, smile effortlessly cruel.
“I believe she’s just… short on funds,” the cashier offered awkwardly.
“Oh no,” Aiden murmured, stepping beside her. “I’m sure it’s just a temporary glitch.” He turned to Crystal with a mock-innocent look. “Do you need help, Miss Tao?”
Crystal’s jaw clenched. “I don’t need anything from you.”
Aiden’s eyes danced. “Still full of pride. I admire that. Even with… limited resources.”
Without waiting for her answer, he handed his black platinum card to the cashier. “Add everything she picked. And something extra—for her trouble.”
The cashier smiled in relief. “Right away, sir.”
Crystal seethed. “I didn’t ask you to do that.”
“No, but you clearly needed it,” Aiden replied, calm as a whisper. “Tell me, do you often go shopping with invisible money?”
“I said I didn’t ask—”
“Then next time, don’t swipe if you can’t back it up,” he said, his smile turning sharp.
“You enjoy this, don’t you?” she hissed. “Watching me suffer.”
“I enjoy watching pride meet reality,” he said smoothly. “You’re not the girl in heels walking across marble floors anymore, Crystal. You’re in my world now. And I own the floor.”
The bag was handed to her. Crystal grabbed it without a word, eyes burning.
“Don’t let your pride starve your brother,” Aiden added softly. “Some help isn’t poison.”
She turned sharply to walk away.
“Crystal,” he called after her. “Next time, just say thank you.”
She didn’t stop walking. If she did, she might cry.
But her silence was loud enough.
And Aiden? He didn’t smile this time.
He just watched.
Because the real game had only just begun.
- Writer
