Chapter 3 A Dress Worth $50,000
I stiffen slightly. "I've already told them to prepare the papers," he adds, I take a slow breath. This is something I can't hide anymore.
"Yes," I say softly, "I really need it right now."
I gather my courage and explain everything, my voice trembling but honest, "There's a case going on against me. My mother owns a piece of land and my fiancé is trying to take it from me."
I glance at him briefly, then look down at my hands, "My mother had that land registered in her future son-in-law's name. It was her wish that I get married soon. But that never happened."
I pause, my throat tightening, "My fiancé his name is Lorin, He is very powerful. He has the judge, the lawyers, even the police on his side."
My fingers curl into my lap, "If I don't get married, I'll lose that land. That's why this marriage is my compulsion. Not my choice."
I finally look at him again, fear and hope mixed together, "I hope you can understand."
He listens carefully, his expression unreadable. He doesn't interrupt. He doesn't react. He simply hears me out.
After a moment of silence, I speak again, this time more nervously, "Would you have any problem with a one-month marriage?"
He responds without hesitation, "I don't care about marriage," he says bluntly. "But if this can help you, I'll do it."
Relief floods my chest. A real smile appears on my face soft, grateful, almost hopeful, Just then, the car slows down and comes to a stop. We step out together and walk into the mall.
The moment we enter, I realize something is strange. The mall is completely empty. No crowds, No noise, Just silence, I look at him in shock, He says calmly, "I don't like crowds. So I had it cleared."
I don't even know how to react to that. He walks ahead and sits on a sofa casually, as if this is normal. I move quietly from one store to another, looking at dresses. One by one, elegant gowns, classy outfits everything looks unreal. Each time I look at a dress, I check the price tag, And every time, my heart sinks.
They're unbelievably expensive, I stand there, lost in thought, torn between desire and guilt, These clothes are beautiful but the price reminds me again of the distance between our worlds.
I move ahead slowly, my footsteps light against the marble floor. One store after another passes by, each more grand than the last. Glass walls, soft golden lights, mannequins dressed like royalty it all feels unreal, like I have stepped into another world.
Then my eyes stop, I stand still.
Inside one store, right at the center, a gown catches my attention, A pink gown, delicate yet breathtaking. The fabric looks soft like petals, and tiny crystals shimmer across it, catching the light with every small movement. It glows not loudly, but gracefully, like it’s meant for someone special.
Without realizing it, I walk closer, My fingers itch to touch it, but I stop myself. Instead, my eyes slide down and land on the price tag, $50,000.
My breath catches, The sparkle of the gown fades instantly, replaced by a tight knot in my chest. I straighten up, my hands slowly curling into fists at my sides. I don’t step back, but I don’t step forward either. I just stand there quiet, composed on the outside, conflicted on the inside.
This dress is beautiful, But the price screams the truth I keep trying to forget, The distance between his world and mine.
I swallow hard and look away, forcing myself to act normal. Buying something like this isn’t even a question. It never was.
Just then, a soft voice breaks the silence, “Ma’am do you need the dress?"
I turn slightly and see a staff member standing beside me, smiling politely, I hesitate for a second, then answer honestly, my voice calm but thoughtful, “No… I was just looking.”
She waits, sensing something, then asks again gently, “Are you sure, ma’am?”
I glance once more at the gown, then shake my head slowly, “No,” I say, after a pause. “It’s very expensive.”
The words leave my lips quietly, but they carry weight, The staff member’s expression changes not into pity, not surprise but realization. She looks past me.
Behind me, Her eyes widen slightly, Then she smiles again, this time differently, “Ma’am,” she says softly, “you can take any dress you like. You don’t need to pay the amount.”
I frown, confusion settling in. I turn back to her, startled, “Why?” I ask, genuinely surprised.
She tilts her head respectfully and says, “The gentleman you came with this mall belongs to him.”
My heart stops, For a second, I forget how to breathe, I stand frozen, the words echoing in my mind.
Belongs to him, Slowly almost nervously, I turn around, He is standing right behind me.
Close.
Too close.
His hands are in his pockets, posture relaxed, eyes fixed on me. He isn’t looking at the gown. He isn’t looking at the staff.
He is looking only at me, My heart skips, then starts beating wildly, pounding so loud I’m sure he can hear it. Our eyes meet, and for that one moment, everything else fades.
He looks at me for a moment, his eyes unreadable. Then he speaks, his voice low and firm, “You think too much,” he says plainly. “And you act very little.”
I swallow, “I don’t like people who think too much,” he adds, his tone almost indifferent. “There are other things to buy. Take what you need. Quickly.”
I nod silently, my neck moving in a small haan. I don’t argue. I don’t explain. I simply turn away.
I move through the store quietly, choosing a few simple dresses for myself. Nothing too flashy. Nothing too expensive-looking though I know now it doesn’t matter.
Still, habit and hesitation guide my hands. After selecting a few outfits, I walk back to him.
Without another word, we leave the store together.
As we step out of the mall, my eyes suddenly light up, Right near the exit, there’s a small ice cream stall.
My face brightens instantly. Happiness bubbles inside me, pure and sudden. Before I even realize it, I gasp softly and almost jump in excitement. Then, without thinking twice, I run toward the stall, my dupatta fluttering behind me.
Behind me, he stops.
He watches me clearly confused.
His brows knit together as if he doesn’t understand this sudden burst of joy. The powerful man who owns the entire mall now stands there, staring at a simple ice cream stall… and at me.
I reach the stall and turn back, smiling.
He walks toward me slowly, his gaze sharp, his steps controlled. He stops beside me and asks in a deep voice, “Ice cream?”
I nod quickly, my head moving up and down in excitement, “Yes.”
The stall owner looks up and the moment his eyes land on him, he freezes. His posture straightens instantly. With respect and nervousness, he bows his head in greeting.
Without saying much, the man orders, “Two. Chocolate.”
The stall owner hurriedly prepares them, his hands moving fast. Within seconds, he gives us the ice creams.
I take mine eagerly, my eyes shining. Without wasting a second, I extend the other one toward him.
“Here,” I say softly.
He looks at it, then at me.
“I don’t like ice cream.”
I don’t accept that answer. I shake my head quickly and say, “Try it… it’s very tasty.”
Before he can stop me, I lift the ice cream and bring it to his lips, trying to make him taste it.
But it happens suddenly.
The ice cream smears across his lips his cheek and even his nose.
The brown smear stands out sharply against his skin, melting slowly, dripping, ruining his composed image completely, His expression changes instantly, His jaw tightens, His eyes darken.
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!