If Parker could hear what Isis was thinking, he'd probably mutter, "What the actual fuck?" under his breath. The idea that someone could be so obsessed with being the center of attention? Yeah, no thanks. He'd write her off instantly, like a wannabe Instagram influencer fishing for compliments.
Hell, he might've even wondered out loud if she was some kind of attention whore.
And then, he'd scoff. That dry, I-don't-have-time-for-this-shit scoff that hit harder than words. To him, people like her were nothing but background noise. Pretty, sure, but ultimately forgettable. Parker didn't do drama, and he sure as hell didn't entertain people who thought the world revolved around them.
Luckily, he couldn't read her mind. He was too busy making moves at the counter, listing off specs for his next-gen MacBook and iPhone with the detached efficiency of someone who'd done this a thousand times. It was all business.
No fluff. No games. Just get in, get what you need, and get out.
If only he knew she storm she was preparing him!
Meanwhile, Isis was stewing. She could feel the heat rising in her chest, a cocktail of mischief and disbelief. To anyone else, this would've been no big deal. So what if one guy didn't notice you? Big whoop. But to Isis? Oh, hell no.
She wasn't just some girl. She was the fucking goddess, although just young this time—Back in the day, she didn't just turn heads—she made people bow.
And this guy? This mortal? He had the audacity to treat her like everyone else. Like she was just...ordinary. The nerve. It was like being slapped in the face with indifference.
And for what? A phone upgrade? Damn it, she wasn't overthinking this. She was right. People were supposed to notice her. Worship her beauty, wisdom, and allure, right?
Parker barely noticed her. That much was clear. The way his eyes flicked past, barely pausing, as though she was just another face in the crowd.
No different from the rest of these average girls, Isis thought, biting down the sting of that realization.
It wasn't like she hadn't been noticed before—hell, every other person, regardless of gender, had fallen under her spell in some way. That's what she was used to. That's what was right. But Parker? The dude didn't even spare her a full glance.
And to make it worse, his focus seemed entirely on Tessa—the one mortal Isis knew she outshined in every way. 'Seriously? Her? Over me?'
For a brief moment, she tried to convince herself it was a good thing. I should be thankful he's not lining up to join the others chasing after me, she thought. But no. That didn't sit right either. She was a goddess, after all. Young or old, it didn't matter.
Everywhere she went, attention was hers to command—gods, demons, demigods, even mortals. None had escaped her allure. Yet this guy? This Parker? He looked at her like she was some worn-out papyrus scroll in ancient Egypt—irrelevant.
Ordinary rocks? Oh, Parker was about to learn. She wasn't just another rock. She was a fucking diamond.
While Isis fumed in silence, Parker followed Tessa's lead. He strolled past the employees with an air of detachment, his gaze sweeping across the store like it was a spreadsheet he was mentally auditing. And when he reached the counter, he locked his phone, his expression unreadable.
"Back to work," that look seemed to say to the staff as they fumbled to straighten up.
Isis seized the moment. She ducked away from her lingering pursuers, her lips curling into a sly smile. If Parker wasn't interested in her, fine. She'd deal with the one person who did notice—Tessa.
The moment Isis stepped in front of them, Tessa froze. It wasn't the reaction Isis had expected—wider eyes, a slight inhale, and a soft "Whoa."
Finally, someone acting appropriately stunned. That brought back her confidence, and Isis smiled, a subtle tilt of her lips. Still got it.
Tessa recovered quickly, shaking off her surprise. "Uh… what can we get you?" she asked Parker, stepping forward to take the lead.
"We're here for the two iPhone 16 Pro Max and the latest two MacBook," Parker said casually, his voice low but firm. He gestured toward the display models, barely giving Isis another glance.
Tessa blinked. "Two phones and two MacBooks?"
"For both of us," Parker clarified. His tone was as indifferent as ever, like he was ordering coffee.
Tessa raised a brow, a grin tugging at her lips. "You like spending on me, don't you?"
A rare smile broke across Parker's face—just a small, fleeting curve of his lips. "And you like spending my money," he shot back smoothly.
Tessa's grin turned mischievous. "Touché."
Isis, standing nearby, felt the attention she'd commanded earlier start to slip away. Now, all eyes were on Parker and Tessa, their quiet but sharp banter pulling everyone in. It was maddening.
When it came time to pay, Isis read out the total. "Fifty thousand dollars." Her voice was steady, but there was an edge to it—like she dared them to flinch.
Tessa didn't hesitate. She pulled out a sleek black card and handed it over.
Parker raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You're paying?"
"Why not?" Tessa replied, smirking.
He shrugged, his expression softening. "Thanks."
Tessa blinked, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. "It's… whatever."
[Ding! +4 affection points from Tessa Wilder!]
Parker noticed the notification. He turned, their business complete, and gestured for Tessa to follow. "Let's go."
They were halfway to the door when a sharp shout stopped them.
"Oh, great," Tessa muttered, rolling her eyes. "What is this, an Asian drama? Who shouts like that in public?"
Parker didn't even glance back. He wasn't about to entertain whatever was going on behind him. Drama wasn't his thing.
And wasting time with a bunch of wannabe face-slapping theatrics? Yeah, no thanks.
Guys I am no fun of face-slapping and it will only appear when necessary.