-36-Jealous Riley.
"Rare women give the rarest kind of happiness and the rarest kind of pleasure. And when a rare woman falls in love with you, you will always be on cloud nine." [Christian Evercast]
It was a local mall, not for rich people. But for middle classes ones.
The first thing they did was to move towards the men section. Where Mindy, asked her to pick whatever she liked for him.
"Honey. I want you to choose t-shirts for me."
"But. I don't know your size."
"Ah. Don't worry about that. I will help you with it."
Because of his words, Riley was speechless. She could have predicted his size but she didn't want him to give false hopes. Anyway clearly, he wasn't getting the hint. Not wanting to refuse him she nodded her head.
She chose some cheap t-shirts in bright colors and patterns of them, looked like, they were for young boys printed with certain cartoon characters. But Mindy never once questions her. Silently smiling and adding it to the cart.
The second shop they charged for was for her dress, Although she did have quite a lot of money. Riley didn't want to spend too much on a small party. And even if she did, what will she say? 'Like yeah I am a millionaire but I am still working here.' It sounded so wrong even in her head.
For the third time, He refused her to buy a second copy of branded dress. Though it was beautiful. An embellished burgundy piece sheath dress, with balloon sleeves. Just three inches above her knee. It was perfect with the theme.
"Mindy. I like it. Please let me buy it."
"No. Honey. This dress doesn't deserve you. We will take a branded dress."
"But, it's not required. I really like this one."
"No Honey. We should go to the branded shop."
Seeing his enthusiasm she nodded her head. Smiling he rubbed her hair. Holding her hand he moved towards the branded store practically sprinting.
The moment they reached Zara shop, few sales ladies immediately encircled around them. Mainly around Mindy. Asking him to choose one from them for assistance. It seemed they believed he was rich. However, she wouldn't judge them for it. Because if she had seen him like this, even she would have thought of him, As a rich man. Everything about him screamed handsome and rich. Riley sighed and shook her head, thinking 'Only if they knew, 'he is anything but rich.'
Some women glared at her while some were mesmerized by the beggar's beauty. She giggled as she noticed some were even fangirling at him. A weird feeling rose from the bottom of her heart, as she saw the attention he was getting from females.
Unknowingly, she held his hand tighter than before and said in a cold voice.
"We can help ourselves, ladies. So I hope you can give me and my husband some time alone." She didn't herself realized, it was the first time, she had publicly declared openly him as her husband. Hearing her words, Christian was surprised but happy at the same time. He even had the urge to kiss her thoroughly but after one look at her face, he shook his thoughts away. She looked like she was going to tear someone.
'Is she jealous? Ah! The mighty Riley Brown is jealous.' His heart fluttered at her sight, she was jealous. It was such a good sign for him. For their relationship. At least now he can feel he could complete and work for their fairy tale. For Their happy ending. That his attempts weren't futile. Of course, he was a man but it didn't mean he couldn't have insecurities. Getting the validation meant his insecurities were blurring.
Attempting to suppress his smile, he dug his nails in his fist and saw the ladies didn't leave. So, he mimicked her tone, maintaining his expressionless face.
"You heard her. Leave!"
Immediately after everyone left but her mood didn't change. Poking her cheeks, he pouted.
"What's wrong honey?"
"Nothing. Let's get done with it."
Riley was in a daze the whole time he was showing her the various dresses, the only thing she did was just nodding her head when he questioned her.
'Why was I so angry with those ladies? What's wrong with me?'
Christian could see the visibly upset Riley. Knowing her size, he chose a dress for her. Though she deserves more elegant dresses than it. But for now, it could do.
Seeing the price tag, though he was disappointed. Two hundred dollars. it was too cheap for him however with his current status he knew She will doubt him. But for the first time in his life, he wanted her to buy him those cheap t-shirts. 'What should I do? Ah! Being a beggar is too difficult. Only if you would have accepted Riley. I wouldn't have to worry about lying.'
Leaving her there, he went to the paying space. And told a story of how her wife does not want to buy an expensive dress. So he wants to pay more than half of it. And asked the sales lady to fib for him. Like it's for sale. He wanted to pat his back for the amazing idea. It was only due to the high IQ that he could deal with her.
Since Riley never had the habit of checking the price tag of clothes. she held it in her hands and tried finding the Beggar, who was nowhere to be found.
'Where did he go?'
Just like that, she found him in the corner of the shop.
But for him, it wasn't the same. The moment he turned around the corner, he found Riley looking at him. Visibly surprised Christian took few steps back. And smiled a nervous smile. A smile that he could imagine in his head must be uglier than crying. 'Ah. This woman can render me nervous just without doing anything.'
"I was looking for you, Mindy. Where were you?"
"Ah. I. I. Oh yeah Honey. Just now My boss called me so I went out to take the call."
Acknowledging his answer, Riley walked towards him. While he swallowed hard in anticipation of her reply.
"Alright. Let's go to the check-in counter."
"Okay." Sighing in relief, they both moved towards the counter.
The whole bill was paid by Riley, who did not even ask him for the money. After that, The rest of the trip was silent. Both Riley and Christian we're thinking about their own.