Natalie’s lips curled into a faux pout. “You didn’t even apologize. I’m not talking to you anymore!” Witnessing this rare, spirited side of Natalie was delightful for Brandon. Her feisty demeanor was downright endearing. Nodding vigorously, he conceded,”I apologize. How about a shopping spree as a peace offering? Name it, and it’s yours.
Natalie’s faux indignation dissipated, replaced with a sly smirk. “Hmm… fine, you’ve twisted my arm.”
Natalie gazed out of the car window,her attention held captive by the vibrant street beyond.The rhythmic cacophony of thebustling world outside anchored her, gradually drawing out a radiant smile.
Her memoryloss had madethistrip her inaugural shopping experience,and the world unfurled before her like a dazzling tapestry.
Every storefront,every shimmering display,was imbued with an almost otherworldly allure-captivatingly novel and resplendent.
Their car wove leisurely through the throngs of people granting Natalie anunhurried examination of each shop.
Perceiving herfascination, Brandon tenderly tousled her hair,whispering,”This avenue was once your favorite shopping haunt. Cast your eyes about,and should something catch your fancy-even an entire shop-it’s yours.
Natalie’s face lit up like the morning sun as she teasingly responded,”Well, in that case, perhaps you could secure the entire street for me.”
Brandon met her playful banter with a smirk of unwavering confidence, asserting,”Very well. I’ll contact Sean immediately and have him commence the acquisitions. Henceforth, this shall be your exclusive shopping sanctuary.” His fingers danced toward his phone,ready to make good on his joke by calling Sean.
Witnessing his earnest response, Natalie–caught between mirth and shock-lunged, playfully wrestling the phone away. “Hold on there, big spender! I was joking! Can you even fathom the astronomical figure required to commandeer an entire street?”
Cockily arching a brow, Brandon teasingly squeezed her cheek, countering, “Merely one street? Child’s play! Should your heart desire, ten such streets could be yours!”
Their playful exchange crescendoed with Natalie’s chuckles. With a playful glint, she gestured to a few tastefully decorated storefronts,quipping,Perhaps we can just stick to a handful of pretty trinkets for now.”
Brandon, reclining languidly against his seat, affected a lofty demeanor and quipped, Trying to pinch pennies on my behalf? Do remember, if there’s one thing I possess in abundance, it’s coffers overflowing with gold.”
Natalie met his playful hubris with a gentle shake of her head, clarifying, “Running a business isn’t my forte. Shopping, on the other hand…” As their spree concluded,Natalie’s eyes danced over the seat beside her, now laden with bags, and she beamed,”We’ve more than indulged today. Time to head home.”
Brandon acquiesced, signaling their driver to commence the journey back to their opulent villa.
Midway, Natalie’s delicate fingers traced the furrowed lines on Brandon’s brow, her voice tinged with concern.”You’ve seemed concerned since our hospital visit. Is everything alright?” Despite the cheerful facade Brandon had maintained, Natalie sensed an undercurrent of distress.
She pondered momentarily before venturing,”Is it the paparazzi? Are you dreading another media ambush?”
Brandon’s heart swelled, enveloped in the warmth emanating from Natalie’s genuine concern. With a tender smile playing at the corners of his lips, he gently guided her hand, assuring her,”Fear not, my dear. I’ve been in touch with the media houses. Until our press conference,no journalist would dare ruffle our feathers.”
Yet a shadow of doubt lingered in Natalie’s gaze, her fingers intertwining with his, her voice a tender plea. “Promise me that you are not hiding anything from me. Be truthful.”
Brandon, however, remained cryptically silent. His intense eyes slightly squinted, the canopy of his lashes casting veiled shadows, as he leaned tantalizingly close to Natalie.
Natalie’s breath caught in anticipation, her voice a hushed whisper. “What’s your intent?”
In a heartbeat, Brandon’s lips gently brushed her forehead,sealing his vow. His voice low and alluring,echoed in the intimate cocoon of their vehicle. “Every secret I bear is open to you. Darling, place your faith in me.”
A rosy hue painted Natalie’s cheeks; her response was a fluttery nod, but her gaze remained anchored on him, seeking the depths of truth. Somewhere deep within, she intuited an enigma he wasn’t sharing.
Yet she also recognized the futility of prodding further-not only might she be powerless to assist, but such insistence could foster greater tension With a sigh of resignation,she leaned back, her gaze flitting to the world beyond the window. The urban landscape transformed from a bustling epicenter of commerce to a serene byway.
And then, like a scene from a movie, her attention was arrested. A grand French window lining the side of the road beckoned her with its elegance and mystery.
The sprawling French window, stretching over 30 feet,showcased a bevy of luxurious dresses that sparkled with unparalleled elegance under the focused embrace of white spotlights. Even from a distance, the minute diamonds hemming the dresses twinkled like a constellation, bestowing a faint celestial luminescence.
Such was their allure that they threatened to eclipse everything else. Their grandeur, albeit bordering on flamboyance, was undeniably regal, resembling garments sewn exclusively for ethereal princesses.
Natalie’s heart thudded with an intensity that threatened to deafen her. An overwhelming surge of passion coursed through her veins as she beheld these masterpieces, her eyes unblinking and entranced.
A whisper of a memory danced at the edge of her mind. Hadn’t she been a designer before the abyss of amnesia consumed her? Would she have ever crafted such captivating creations? This thought cloaked her in a mantle of sorrow. Struggling with the chains of her memory, she regretted that she probably couldn’t even thread a needle now,let alone sculpt art with fabric.
Yet, despite his own weighty contemplations, Brandon perceived Natalie’s rapt attention and the unwavering gaze she fixed on that particular window. With a slight squint and an authoritative gesture, he commanded, “Pull over.”
“As you wish, Mr. Larson.”
Once stationary, Brandon reached for a pair of chic sunglasses, presenting them to Natalie with a tender smile.”Fancy a closer look at those masterpieces? Perhaps we could even add one to your collection.”
Her cheeks flushed with a mix of surprise and modesty, she mumbled,”I merely admired them a bit longer. Did you catch that?”
With a playful pinch to her nose,he quipped, “I notice every nuance of you. Come, let’s explore.”
Yet Natalie’s attention was diverted to the hustle outside the shop. The formidable presence of two bodyguards and the ceremonious display of invitations by each entrant hinted at a posh event in progress, one not open to the uninvited.
Hesitating, she said, “It seems there’s some exclusive event ongoing. Without an invitation, I doubt theyll let us in.”
Brandon,amused by her hesitancy, countered with a confident grin,”With me by your side, do you really think any door remains closed?””But-“
He interrupted, gently fitting the sunglasses over her eyes.Trust me.”And with that,he led her confidently towards the boutique.
As they neared the guarded entrance, Natalie’s grip on Brandon’s hand tightened, her voice a blend of excitement and trepidation.”How do you plan on getting us in? We aren’t planning on storming the place, are we? The last thing we need is to be on the wrong side of the law.”
Brandon, feigning shock, gently teased her by tapping her nose.”Do you truly believe brute force is my only means of entry?”
“I just… worry,” she stammered, seeking reassurance. “So, what’s your strategy?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
Leave a Reply