The mall
The morning sunlight through the window shutters, shunned across her face, she groaned and turned over to see the flowers, the letter on the bed, “Oh! It is beautiful. He acts cold to me lately, but yet he's super romantic,” she murmured, burying herself in the comfort of her blanket. But she pulled it over– picked up the letter to read the contents.
“Meet me by 12. Noon” In Joan's voice in the letter, very bold and short. Her lips parted with a curled smile, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
“I need to get dressed,” She grinned, pulled the blanket off her body.
“Hello, ma'am. I brought a coffee made by Master, “ One of the maids said, coming closer to her. “It's his special recipe, with a little sugar. I guess you will love it.”
Their gazes met each other, Alexia took the tea cup from her, “Thank you,” She sipped the coffee.
“I love this texture,” She held the cup out, her eyes widened with admiration.
“Ma'am,” the maid called, taking the cup from his hand. The rich aroma of the coffee smelled all over the room, as Alexia quickly stood up.
“Master, ask that you wear this outfit for the prompt,” She said, dropping a brown wrapped cloth on the bed.
“He gave this to you?,” She asked suspiciously. They have been living like normal humans, a bit like strangers in the house, for the past two weeks after the incident.
“Yes,” She answered, bowing her hands before leaving the room.
“More like full of surprises,” Alexia muttered as she admired the dress, her brown eyes scanned the gown before landing on the wristwatch, “11:00?,”
“I need to prepare before the car arrives,” She said with a shrug, with a beaming charming smile. “I will just run a little makeup for this,”
An hour later, Alexia walked towards the mall, took a deep breath before entering the passage, “this way, ma'am,”
“Thank you,” She said softly, getting nervous.
“Ma'am, we would love to start with a coffee, before we begin with the wedding dress,” the receptionist said, giving her a cup before directing her to the other room.
Alexia looked up to see Joan staring at her from afar while he sat at the other coach; his reaction was still cold and distant. Alexia's lips pressed into a thin line, “it's important.” She followed her behind, though feeling anxious.
Alexia walked out of the showroom, looking so beautiful in the wedding dress. Joan looked up, then clapped his hands together.” Oh, here we go. This is beautiful, I love this. We will go for this—it looks perfect on her.” He pulled out his black card, handing it over to the recipient without gazing at Alexia's looks or opinion on the dress.
Alexia could not stand the silent torture, “I don't like the wedding gown? Or better yet. I feel lost in it.”
“Because “ Joan said, his voice was so curious this time,
“But I love the gown, Alexia. It looks perfect on you.”
She let out a heavy sigh, turned to the lady behind. “Can I get something more comfortable?, please?,”
The lady was shocked to hear this, every other wedding gown looked weird to her fitting. But this was a perfect match for her body size.
Joan stepped closer, his expression slightly unreadable.
“Alright, alright. But this looks perfect on you.’ He winked, and walked back to the couch, a small smile tugged around Alexia's lips.
“So thoughtful.”
After several attempts at a wedding gown, Alexis looked at the mirror, gazing at the reflection of the dress on her body. “This is perfection for me. I want this,” she scoffed.
Joan held up her head, in admiration, “we will go for this. I have an appointment to catch. I guess we are done for today,” stood up to leave.
“Joan,!,” Alexia snapped, biting the side of her lips.
“Meet me outside,” he said with a stud face, as he walked out of the mall.
Everyone in the mall began to murmur, Alexia turned her focus back to the recipient, ignoring the whispers she heard. “Thanks. I will handle it with care.‐‐”
“Ma'am, this dress is all yours. There's no need to return the dress,” the recipient said.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!,” Alexia said softly, looking at the price tag of the dress on the recipient.
“All for a fake marriage.” I didn't exactly plan for this.” She muttered, walking out of the mall.
“You should hurry up,” Joan said from far away. Alexia nodded slowly, fastening her pace to meet her with him.
There was silence between the both of them while the driver looked at them through the side mirror.
“You shouldn't have done this,” Alexia broke the silence, but no response from Joan.
“It's just a fake wedding. Why lavish money on this,” she added. Yet no response.
She could not stand the ignorance from him, her anger flared up as she was about to explode.
“Alright, stop the car!,” She snapped, ordering the driver.
“I want to step out for a walk. I'm feeling so chocked up here.”
The driver's gaze met Joan, who continued driving.
“You need to stop this car, otherwise. I will pull out in the traffic.
Joan crossed his arms, clearly not amused. “This isn't a joke, Alexia.”
“Neither is my sanity ready for silence,” She retorted.
“And right here, enjoying the silence between us. So cold, stern,”
Joan grinned. “Oh, it's all for a show. You get the daughter while I keep my reputation off from dirty talks,”
Joan growled low in his throat. “You need to pull yourself, Alexia. For the sake of Rita,”
“Suddenly, a man turned out to be cold and distant from me over a night.” She said, looking at his eyes.
“I'm not some tool to be used, and dumb, okay? I'm a person. With feelings. And now….”
“You don't need to mention it, Alexia. My brother,” Joan tightened his jaw against his face. He frowned a bit but nodded. “Fine. I will drop you odd. You can pick up a taxi back home. Don't bother about Rita, I will pick her up.”
The driver came to a halt, Alexia walked down from the car, not saying any words, waved down a cab.
Joan sighed, and sat back, still watching the cab as it drove out of his sight.
“Take me to Bruce's office,” he said, eyeing the road suspiciously.
“Sir,?” the driver looked at him. Before turning the steering, the left direction of the road.
Joan groaned, “I need to sort things out over there.” He said, taking a deep breath while adjusting his collar.