Chapter 148 Chapter 148
And indeed, her comment had sparked his attention. He caught up to her and walked alongside her when they crossed an intersection, heading straight for the mall. It had several floors and was filled with small shops and boutiques. Valerie’s smile widened. With all the chaos going on in her life lately, she hadn’t had time to go shopping, and she was tempted to head into the first shop she saw.
It was a cute little jewelry store that offered pretty necklaces and earrings. Her feet became rooted to the ground when she peered through the shop window, and Maxwell was forced to stop. Looking over her shoulder, he saw different kinds of jewelry. It didn’t come as a surprise to him when she took his arm to guide him into the shop. He could have stopped her, but since she seemed to be happy about being here, he didn’t.
Whenever he sensed her happiness through their bond, he couldn’t refuse her. Why would he let disappointment taint the joy in her heart? Especially after their strange encounter with the incubus, he’d noticed her unease, and he wanted to do something about it. So he went along with her and held his complaints. However, that didn’t stop him from sending the other humans in the shop evil glares.
Valerie didn’t notice any of them, too busy looking at the silver necklaces. She considered buying one of them, but in the end decided against it. Moving on to the array of colorful earrings, her eyes darted over them.
Maxwell stood behind her and hugged her, resting his hands on her stomach. “Did you see something you like?” he said.
“Well, yes, but I can’t decide what to buy,” she mumbled absentmindedly. Her gaze got stuck on a necklace with a blue flower pendant. Its color was identical to that of his gorgeous eyes. “Maybe this one?”
“Why not?” he replied. “Would go well with your dress. I like what you’re wearing today, by the way.”
Her cheeks warmed, and part of her was glad he couldn’t see her face right now. But he certainly felt the surge of happiness that erupted within her, smirking to himself.
“Thank you,” she replied. “I’m surprised you’d like cute dresses. Doesn’t seem like your style.”
“Not mine, but yours,” he said, amusedly. “They suit you, sugar.”
“You’re a charmer,” she breathed. Hearing his chuckles, she moved on to the next display, this one showing several different rings. She wasn’t particularly interested in those, but her eyes scanned over them regardless.
One of the shop’s employees noticed the couple and hurried over to them. “Hello,” she said and smiled kindly. “Are you looking for wedding rings?”
Caught off guard by this, Valerie’s eyes widened comically. She was at a loss for words and stared at the other woman with her mouth hanging open.
“No,” Maxwell replied before Valerie could even find her voice. “We’re already married.” His devilish grin caused her to blush bright red. Of course, he would say that.
“Oh, I see,” the employee said sheepishly. “Then is there anything else I can help you with?”
“Well, now that you’re here…” Maxwell said and pointed at the necklace with the blue pendant she’d been eyeing earlier. “I want to buy this.”
The employee nodded and took the necklace, walking to the counter. Valerie’s wide-eyed gaze moved to Maxwell. “Um… are you serious?”
“You wanted it, don’t deny it,” he grinned, ruffling her hair. “I know you well enough, sugar.”
Maxwell went to the checkout, paid for it, and then left the shop. He helped her put the necklace on, the blue flower sparkling in the artificial light inside the mall.
“Thank you,” she said and hugged him, giving him a peck on his lips.
“Don’t mention it.” He looked happy, his usual scowl gone. Instead, he wore a relaxed smile, his eyes the color of the sky.
The mall was filled with people at this hour, so it was somewhat crowded. In order not to lose each other, Valerie took his hand while they strolled through the building. She occasionally stopped to glance at the shop windows, taking her time. Between the many humans in the mall, she sometimes spotted a supernatural creature that was invisible to everyone else. It was mostly small demons. They scurried away when they noticed Maxwell disappearing. While their presence had scared her at the beginning, she had grown used to them now. Most of the time, she didn’t care they were there.
Valerie stopped when she noticed something interesting. “Look. They’re selling Halloween accessories.” she gushed and ran to the display in front of a shop nearby.
Maxwell followed her, lacking her enthusiasm as he scrutinized the cheap plastic things that were sold here. Not only did these humans offer ridiculous demon horns, but they also sold red tridents and witches’ brooms. The plastic vampire teeth looked so stupid, he rolled his eyes. Why humans bothered to celebrate Halloween was a mystery to him. They were probably jealous of every supernatural being ever. Typical.
“Valerie, what do you want with those horns?” he asked suspiciously, scrunching his nose in disgust.
“Huh? I thought they would go well with my costume,” she said, holding a pair of red curled horns. “You were the one who told me to go for a demon costume, remember?”
“Yeah, but those are ugly.”
“Always so straightforward,” she mumbled, suppressing her laughter. He did look offended when he browsed through the various items, holding up a pair of feathery angel wings with two fingers. He acted like they were a stinky rat or something, and his behavior made her snort.
“Oh, so you changed your mind?” she teased. “Maxwell wants to be an angel now?”
He threw the wings back like he had burned himself, his lips curving down. “Eww, no. Angels are fucking disgusting. They’re nice and kind and helpful.” Even though he listed positive traits, he somehow managed to make them sound horrendous. She hid her grin behind her hand.
“Yes, how dare they be kind! That’s outrageous.” she added.
Maxwell raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms. “Are you being sarcastic?”
“No, why would you think that?”
He wasn’t convinced, but he let her off the hook and busied himself with inspecting the witch hats right next to the bloody plastic knives.
“Well, I don’t think I’ll find anything decent here,” she sighed. “Shall we go to the arcade now?”
“Yeah.”