Chapter 65: Shopping
The sun had risen high enough when Agatha finally gave up on the sleep that never came. She stared at the side of the bed next to her which was still very neat. Xavier really spent the night at the office. Agatha sighed, feeling a hollowness creeping in her chest. She stood up, letting her feet touch the cold marble floor, then walked toward the large window facing the front garden.
She saw some guards changing shifts. Living in the Valois residence always felt like being in a cage wrapped in luxury. Agatha went into the bathroom, splashing her body with cold water to suppress the adrenaline that still felt like it was buzzing in her fingertips. After dressing casually but elegantly in a white silk blouse and trousers that fit her body, she went downstairs.
The main hall felt very quiet. She only found a few servants busy with their morning routines.
"Sila, has Xavier sent any news?" Agatha asked when she saw the senior servant tidying up a vase of flowers.
Bi Ijah turned and bowed respectfully. "Not yet, Madam Agatha. Mr. Frans only reported that the meeting is still ongoing."
"Then what about Mother? Is she awake?"
"Not yet, Madam. She left a message not to be awakened because her head is still very dizzy. She needs total rest today."
Agatha stood silent for a moment. The silence of this house began to make her feel suffocated. She needed freedom.
"I am going out for a while," Agatha said shortly.
She stepped toward the front door, but her steps were stopped by the figure of Dion who was already standing tall there.
"Where does Madam want to go?" Dion asked with a stiff formal tone.
"I am bored, Dion. Prepare the car, I want to go to the mall."
"I am sorry, Madam. Mr. Xavier left very strict instructions. Madam is forbidden to leave the residence area without direct supervision from him, especially after the incident at the festival yesterday."
Agatha looked at Dion with a flat gaze. "Dion, I am not in the mood to argue. I just want to shop. I need to spend my husband's money so my head does not explode from boredom."
"I cannot let that happen, Madam. This is for your own safety."
Agatha stepped closer. She narrowed the distance with Dion until the man looked a bit awkward. Agatha reached into her pants pocket, then with a very smooth and fast movement, she touched her fingertip to a nerve point on Dion's neck. She did not press it, just showing that she could do it at any time.
"Dion, you know I highly respect you as a head butler. But never forget who I actually was before I became Xavier's wife," Agatha whispered in a very low voice but full of threat. "I can make you faint in one second without a single servant in this room noticing. Do you want me to prove it?"
Dion swallowed. He felt the cold aura radiating from Agatha. He knew the woman in front of him was not just an ordinary woman.
"Madam, Mr. Xavier will be very angry with me," Dion said with a voice that vibrated slightly.
"He will be even angrier if you let me go alone without protection because you are being stubborn. Now, take the car keys or I will go out of here in my own way."
Dion was silent for a long time before finally nodding in resignation. "Fine, Madam. But I will bring two guard cars behind us. Please do not reject that."
"Whatever you want, as long as we leave now."
Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the most luxurious shopping center in the city. Agatha got out of the car with a very graceful style. She wore large black sunglasses, hiding the gaze of her eyes which were actually constantly moving to monitor the surroundings. Dion and four other guards followed at a determined distance.
Agatha stepped into a famous bag boutique. She was immediately greeted by the shop manager who had sensed a wealthy customer arriving.
"Good morning, Madam. It is wonderful to see you. We just received a limited collection from Paris this morning," the manager greeted with a wide smile.
Agatha only nodded slightly. "Show me the most expensive bag here. I want a color that is not too flashy."
"Of course, Madam. Please come this way."
Agatha sat on a comfortable velvet chair while sipping the champagne provided. She saw the manager bring out a crocodile skin bag in solid black decorated with pure gold hardware.
"How much is it?" Agatha asked without looking at the price tag.
"For this one, the price is eighty five thousand dollars, Madam."
"Take that. And I want a matching wallet too. Give me one more for my assistant at home, in brown color," Agatha said while handing over Xavier's black credit card.
Dion who stood not far from there could only let out a breath. He saw how Agatha spent thousands of dollars in less than five minutes.
"Madam, are we finished here?" Dion asked softly.
"Not yet, Dion. I have only just started. Now I want to go to the shoe store on the top floor."
Agatha walked down the mall corridor with steady steps. She looked like a wealthy woman in general who was enjoying her day. She entered the shoe store and chose five pairs of high heels at once.
"Pick the right size for me. Send all my shopping to the house address," Agatha ordered the shop assistant.
"Yes, Madam. We will process it immediately."
After that, Agatha moved to the jewelry store. She looked at the rows of diamond necklaces shimmering under the shop lights. She pointed to a ring with a large blue sapphire.
"This is beautiful. I will take it," Agatha said casually.
"Of course, Madam. Do you want to wear it right away?"
"No, just put it in the box. This is just for my collection."
Agatha left the jewelry store with a slightly calmer feeling. Spending Xavier's money turned out to have a good therapeutic effect on her tense nerves. She felt like a normal woman who did not have the burden of a dark past.
"Dion, has Xavier called?" Agatha asked while walking toward an open cafe.
"Mr. Frans just sent a message. Mr. Xavier will likely return around five in the afternoon. He asked about Madam's whereabouts."
Agatha stopped her steps. "What did you say to him?"
"I said that Madam was resting in the room. I was forced to lie, Madam."
Agatha smiled thinly. "Good. You learn quickly. Now, accompany me for coffee. You also need to relax a bit."
"I cannot sit, Madam. My duty is to stand and serve you."
"Sit down, Dion. This is an order. If you keep standing like that, people will know that I am being strictly guarded. Sit at the next table and order whatever you want. I will pay."
Dion finally sat at the table right behind Agatha. Agatha ordered a cup of black coffee and a small piece of cake. She sat while watching the people passing by in front of her. There was a young couple laughing, there was a small child running, and there were office workers who looked hurried.
She felt envious of their lives which looked very simple. No knife in the pocket, no enemies lurking in the shadows, and having a complete family.