Chapter 33 Shopping
Dandelion.
"I want to take you shopping dearie." Grandma Wini informed me after she invited me to her side of the estate.
"Shopping?" I asked with raised brows.
"Yes dearie. You need more clothes, you arrived with no clothes, and Walter didn't bring enough too, I won't have my granddaughter in-law wearing the same few outfits on rotation."
"Noona I have more clothes at the penthouse. If we could just go back and--"
"No way. Alexander can send for them later." She cut me off and smiled warmly. "Besides, I want to spend more time with you."
My stomach twisted with anxiety, u haven't gone to public places since the airport and I didn't intend to appear in any public place to avoid showing up on the news again.
"Noona, I appreciate the offer, but I don't think shopping is a good idea right now."
"But why not?" She quizzed.
I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "I'm an actress, and since I'm on a hiatus, people might recognize me, and the last thing I need is paparazzi or cameras or--"
"Then we'll close the mall."
I blinked. "What?"
"I'll call the manager and have them clear out the other shoppers for an hour or two." She said it like it was the most normal thing in the world. "We'll go on a private shopping. So you see? problem solved."
"You can do that?" I asked in amusement.
Her smile turned sly. "Darling, I'm Winifred Graham. I can do a lot of things, and as the future heiress of the Graham family you can also do a lot of things too."
...............
An hour later, we pulled up to The Georges Platinum Plaza, one of the most exclusive malls in Greenville.
And just like she said, the place was empty, no single customer or cameras were present in the whole building. Just security guards stationed at every entrance and a nervous-looking manager practically tripping over himself to greet us.
"Welcome Mrs Graham. We're honored to have you in our mall." He bowed so deeply I worried he would topple over. Then his eyes flicked to me, and I saw the recognition flash across his face.
Oh God. He knows who I am, he knows about the scandal those photos and the disgrace.
But he didn't say anything, he just smiled awkwardly and gestured toward the entrance. "Please, this way."
I pulled off my sunglasses after all, the damage was already done. He already recognized me.
Grandma Wini looped her arm through mine, either oblivious or deliberately ignoring the tension between us. "Come along, dear. Let's find you something beautiful."
..................
The manager led us to the designer section and called a young attendant.
"I don't want anything dull or boring, no matter the cost, so bring out your best dresses for my granddaughter in-law," Grandma wini instructed.
The attendant nodded quickly and disappeared into the racks, then soon she returned with an armful of silk, satin, and lace.
I tried on dress after dress, each one more expensive than the last, while Grandma sat on a velvet couch offering commentary.
"Too plain. Too short. Too dull. Ah!, that one! Yes, perfect."
After the fifteenth dress, I was exhausted.
Then Grandma turned to the attendant with a gleam in her eye. "Now. Bring me your best lingerie."
I froze. "Grandma--"
"And nightgown too. The most romantic pieces you have."Grandma wini continued ignoring me totally.
The attendant's eyes widened slightly, but she scurried off without a word.
My face turned beet red. "Noona that's really not necessary"
"Of course it is." Grandma insisted "You're a married woman now. You're allowed to have these proper things."
Proper things? As if lacy lingeries would somehow fix the disaster that was my fake marriage.
The attendant returned with an armful of sheer silk, delicate lace, and barely covering nightgowns that looked more like lingerie than sleepwear.
I wanted to die.
"Wow!, these are lovely," Grandma said approvingly, holding up a red lace piece that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. "Alexander will appreciate this."
I made a strangled sound.
She turned to me with her eyes sparkling. "You're blushing. Oh! how sweet."
"I just don't think we need all this. We're still....getting used to being married and--"
"Exactly why you need it." She patted my hand. "Now, speaking of which, when can I start expecting great grandchildren?"
I froze this time around.
"But we only just got married Noona," I managed to argue weakly.
"So?" She leaned forward with narrowed eyes. "The sooner, the better. I'm not getting any younger, dear. If I could just hold one great-grandchild before I die, I'd go happily."
Guilt twisted in my chest. "Noona" I called out with a guilty pout.
"I'm not trying to pressure you dearie." She said but her eyes said otherwise. "Just... if it's not too much to ask... please give this old woman her dying wish."
I forced a smile and nodded, even though I knew it was a lie, and impossible.
She beamed at me. "Wonderful! I'll be the happiest great grandmother."
................
After Grandma wini paid an extravagant amount for the pile of bags, the staff loaded it all into the car,
Grandma suddenly turned thoughtful.
"Tell me about your step family."
My stomach dropped. "My Step family?"
"Yes dearie. I'd love to meet them one day."
I looked away, focusing on adjusting the strap of one of the shopping bags. "That's... not really possible Noona."
Her brows creased, "Why not?"
I could have lied, or made up some excuse.
But something about Grandma Winifred's gentle expression made me want to tell the whole truth, but I shouldn't tell her everything.
"They don't treat me well," I said quietly. "Not since my mother passed away. My stepmother and her children... they made my life hell. And recently, they took everything from me, including my inheritance my late mother's company. They gave it all to my stepbrother."
Grandma's expression darkened. "That's unacceptable!."
"It is what it is." I shrugged, trying to sound casual even though the words hurt. "I just want to move on and start afresh. Maybe one day I'll reclaim what's mine, but for now, I need to distance myself from them."
She sighed and reached over and squeezed my hand. "Alexander will help you okay?, he's a good man even though he is stubborn and cold on the surface, but he is very loyal to the people he cares about." Her eyes softened as she reassured me. "And I'll make sure he helps you get back what belongs to you. But in the meantime, you have us. Our family. I'll give you all the love and happiness you've been missing."
Tears pricked my eyes before I could stop them.
If only this was real, I thought desperately. If only Alexander actually cared.
"Thank you noona," I whispered.
She patted my cheek. "You're part of the Graham family now. We take care of our own okay."
\---
Soon we stepped out of the mall into the bright afternoon sun.
And immediately, I heard shouting more like a hot disagreement between.
"I don't care what you say! I'm going in!"
My entire body went rigid.
I knew that voice.
That loud, entitled voice dripping with arrogance.
No.
I turned slowly, dread pooling in my stomach.
Sure enough, there she was.
Mildred.
My stepsister stood at the entrance, arguing with a security guard who was desperately trying to block her path.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but the mall is closed for a private guest"
"Private guest?" Mildred's laugh was shrill. "Do you know who I am? I'm the daughter of a prominent family! My brother is the CEO of Williams Corp!"
The guard looked pained. "I understand mam, but--"
"Let me in. Now!." Then her eyes landed on me.
And she froze for a second, neither of us moved.
Then her lips curled into a slow, vicious smile.
"Well, well, well." She crossed her arms, her voice carrying across the parking lot. "Look who it is. The disgraced actress herself."
My heart pounded.
"So you're the important guest?" She laughed mockingly. "Security, don't let her fool you. She's nobody, just a sc--"
"Dandelion." Grandma Winifred's voice was sharp. "Who is this rude woman?"
Mildred's smile faltered when she finally looked at Grandma, clearly not recognizing her.
I stepped forward quickly, placing a hand on Grandma's arm. "It's fine. Just someone I need to handle. Could you wait in the car? Please?"
"Absolutely not--"
"Please noona." I met her eyes, silently begging. "I'll explain everything later. I promise. Just give me a moment."
She studied me for a long beat, then sighed. "Fine. But if she causes trouble--"
"I'll handle it Noona."
Grandma Winifred nodded at me and shot Mildred one last disgusted look before turning toward the car.
The second she was out of earshot, Mildred's smile returned.
"Well," she purred, stepping closer. "This is interesting."
I stared at her, my hands clenched into fists.
And for the first time in months, I didn't feel afraid or ashamed.
I felt furious.