Chapter 211 Chapter 211
“Are you tired?” Caroline stopped, spotting a lounge area with comfortable leather sofas in the center of the hallway.
She looked at Nicholas with concern. He was just standing there, silently, while she examined the bags. He didn't give his opinion, didn't touch anything. He just followed her like a luxury shadow.
Just thinking about it made Caroline feel guilty and bored for him.
“Would you like to wait for me there?” she suggested, pointing to the sofas. “You don't have to continue this marathon with me. I promise to be quick at the next store and come back to get you.”
To be honest, Nicholas was, in fact, bored to the core. Looking at women's handbags was not exactly the favorite pastime of a billionaire CEO.
But he had made a promise. He said he would accompany her.
After all, this was their official “first date.” He would not make the mistake of leaving her alone to sit on the bench like a tired middle-aged husband. He wanted to be part of every second.
“I'm coming with you.”
Looking at the window display of the next store, Nicholas put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer, ignoring her suggestion to take a break.
The corners of his lips curved into a charming smile.
“If you want to compare prices, we'll compare. If you want to visit every store on this floor, we'll visit them,” he said, his voice soft and patient.
“Don't rush and don't worry about me. I'm not bored.”
“Nicholas, you really don't have to pretend...”
“Honey, have you forgotten what I said?” Nicholas interrupted her, lowering his head to look into her eyes. “Nothing is boring when I'm with you. Whatever you want to do... I want to do it with you. Whether it's shopping for handbags or window shopping.”
Caroline was speechless.
She stared at him, paralyzed.
Her heart, which had calmed down moments before, began racing again as if she were running a marathon.
I'm screwed, she thought.
A voice in her head screamed: Caroline, you're head over heels for him.
She had found a handsome, wealthy husband who knew exactly what to say to melt her resistance. She didn't stand a chance.
...
As they entered the fourth store, Caroline decided to be more efficient. She didn't want to abuse his goodwill.
The handbags in this boutique had younger, more modern designs, perfect for Tania. Caroline went straight to a shelf, her eyes fixed on a specific model.
As soon as she picked up the bag to examine it, Nicholas' deep, gravelly voice sounded softly behind her ear.
“Honey, my phone is ringing. I need to take this call. Feel free to look around, okay? I'll be right back.”
“Sure.”
Nicholas walked away, leaving the store to have some privacy.
Immediately, an elegant saleswoman, who had been watching them since they entered, approached Caroline with a professional and warm smile.
“Miss, you have excellent taste,” the saleswoman complimented her. “This bag is our best seller this season. The leather is imported and the finish is handmade.”
The saleswoman had a “nose” for money. Although Caroline was dressed simply, the man with her exuded wealth. The saleswoman knew that this sale was practically guaranteed.
“We have this model in three exclusive colors: the cream you are holding, a classic black, and a baby blue. If you are interested, I can bring the others for you to compare.”
Caroline lit up.
She really liked the design.
At first, she thought there was only that color, but having options was even better. The blue would suit Tania perfectly.
She nodded. “Sure! I'd love to see the other colors, please.”
“Just a minute, miss. I'll get them from the stockroom.”
As the saleswoman walked away, Caroline took out her cell phone. She held the cream bag up to the light and took a photo.
She opened WhatsApp and selected Tania's contact. She wanted her friend's opinion before swiping her card (or rather, Nicholas's card).
But before her finger could click “Send”...
A high-pitched, arrogant female voice cut through the air behind her.
“Wow! That bag is beautiful. I love it.”
The clear sound of high heels clicking on the marble floor quickly approached.
Click, click, click.
Before Caroline could turn around, a hand with perfectly manicured nails reached out and unceremoniously snatched the bag from Caroline's hands.
A sweet, cloying, cheap perfume invaded Caroline's nostrils even before the voice sounded.
“Mr. Drews, I love this bag! It's perfect!” A velvety, honeyed female voice whispered close to her ear. “Will you buy it for me? Please?”
The woman behind her extended a hand with long gel nails and pointed directly at the cream-colored bag Caroline was still holding (or trying to hold).
Mr. Drews?
Caroline frowned immediately.
“Drews” was not a common surname in this town.
Since Caroline detested Marcus Drews with all her might, his cunning and hateful face popped into her mind the moment she heard the name.
She was about to turn around, driven by morbid curiosity and fear that her hunch was correct, when she heard that familiar male voice—cold and arrogant—coming from behind her.
“Wrap this bag for her,” he ordered the clerk, ignoring Caroline's presence.
“Aaaah! Marcus, you're the best!” The woman let out a shrill squeal of delight, hanging on his neck. “I love you! I love you!”
Her voice rose two octaves, becoming so high-pitched that Caroline felt a shiver of vicarious embarrassment run down her spine.
Caroline's face closed.
There was no doubt now. That imperious tone... it was him.
It's Marcus Drews.
Caroline felt like banging her head against the shop window.
What kind of cosmic bad luck was this? She should have checked her horoscope before leaving home today.
The day had been a marathon of unwanted encounters:
Claire Ford in the morning.
Sheila Turner at lunchtime.
And now, Marcus Drews in the evening, ruining her shopping spree.
She had completed the “Trinity of Disaster.”
São Paulo was a gigantic metropolis with millions of inhabitants. What were the statistical odds of her running into every person she most wanted to avoid in a single day?