Chapter 20: Unexpected Encounter While Shopping
Ava smiled bitterly. "What kind of comfort is that? Don't people care about saving face?"
Finn continued, "There was also a classmate who knocked over his lunch bowl and cried, wanting to go home to find his mom. The teacher spent a long time comforting him."
"And, and two people got into a fight. One of them got his nose all swollen!"
Kids this age love to play and are mischievous - this was indeed typical behavior for kindergarteners.
The two of them went back and forth, talking about fights and wet pants, adding details to each other's stories, describing everything vividly as if they'd discovered a new world. Especially Cleo with her gossipy energy - she got more and more excited as she talked.
"Mommy, the kids at kindergarten are so interesting. I want to go to school every day from now on."
Ava was speechless. Why were these two kids only focused on other people fighting and wetting their pants? "So what did Finn and Cleo learn today?"
"What the teacher taught, our private tutors already taught us all that." Finn said without hesitation.
"Yeah, I already knew it all too." Cleo chimed in.
When the two kids were three years old, they followed Ryan around causing trouble. Ava couldn't stand it anymore and hired private tutors for them, so these kindergarten lessons were indeed too easy for them.
"But Mommy, the teacher's class was really interesting."
Ava was driving and chatting with the two kids when her phone rang. It was Isabella.
"Hello, Isabella, what's up?"
"Ava, did you pick up the kids?"
"Yes, we just left the kindergarten." Ava glanced at the two kids in the back seat playing with toys.
"Ava, let's go shopping! Since you came back to the country, we haven't had a proper shopping trip together. Plus it's the kids' first day of school - I should celebrate. After shopping, I'll treat you all to dinner!"
"Today? Today might not work..."
"Let's go, let's go, Mommy, let's go shopping with Isabella!" Cleo's ears perked up at the mention of going out to play, and she jumped up excitedly. "I haven't seen Isabella in so long."
"So long?" Ava raised an eyebrow and smiled, seriously doubting that word choice.
"Yes, yes!" Cleo counted on her fingers. "It's been a whole night plus a whole day!"
"Cleo, I think you're right. Ava, let's go, let's go."
"Mommy, let's go. I don't want to stay home either." Finn had no objections either. Ava smiled helplessly. "Okay, see you soon."
"Great!"
Ava changed course toward the mall.
After parking, she saw Isabella not far ahead. Finn and Cleo flew over and gave Isabella a big hug.
Isabella was grinning from ear to ear.
"My precious darlings, I just love you two so much."
Ava walked up with a smile. "Love them so much? Then go have your own."
"No way, I only love your two kids. Come on, I'm buying you presents. Pick whatever you want, my treat."
"Yay! Isabella's the best!"
Ava ruffled Cleo's hair, feeling a bit jealous.
Isabella continued teasing, "So who's better, Mommy or Isabella?"
"Mommy." The two kids said in unison.
The kids' expressions made both Ava and Isabella laugh.
The group chatted as they walked inside. Just as they entered the mall, a Rolls-Royce radiating luxury slowly pulled up by the curb.
Joshua and Mia got out of the car.
Mia smiled sweetly. "Joshua, thank you for coming with me today to help pick out a birthday gift for my dad." As she spoke, Mia naturally hooked her arm through Joshua's.
Joshua glanced at Mia casually, his magnetic, low voice neither warm nor cold. "I promised you, I won't go back on my word. Let's go in."
Joshua walked ahead first, and Mia's hand gently holding his arm slipped away.
Mia looked down at her empty hand, her smile almost faltering. She quickly caught up with Joshua's pace, and once she was walking alongside him, her face regained its brightest smile.
It was Monday, so the mall wasn't crowded, making the various stores quite empty. The sales staff were especially enthusiastic when they saw customers coming in.
As soon as Ava and Isabella entered, several salespeople surrounded them. Shopping seemed to be every girl's natural talent - within half an hour of entering one store, they were already carrying bags in both hands.
Then Ava bought the two kids several new outfits. Cleo was thrilled when she put on her new dress.
Isabella doted on the two kids. Finn liked Legos, and Cleo liked toy dolls. If Ava hadn't stopped her, she would have packed up an entire shelf of Legos and dolls.
When they reached the children's section, various toys and play equipment caught Finn and Cleo's attention. Playing was natural for kids their age.
"Mommy, you and Isabella go shopping. Don't worry about us. I'll take good care of Cleo." Finn and Cleo were having a great time playing with other kids in the toy area.
Ava and Isabella exchanged a smile. It was rare free time, and there was no danger here, so Ava naturally wouldn't spoil the kids' fun. She nodded. "Okay, I'll come back to get you later. Don't wander off."
"Okay, we promise. Don't worry, Mommy." They said in unison.
"Go shopping with Isabella. Girls need to dress up pretty!"
"You two little smarties."
Ava and Isabella linked arms. "Ava, there's a new store over there. I saw it the other day - the clothes are all in light colors. Don't you always like light-colored dresses? Come on, let's check it out."
Ava had always preferred light-colored dresses. With her gentle yet cool temperament, she could pull off any color, and light colors on her looked especially classy.
As soon as they entered the store, Ava spotted a light blue dress. It had no extra decorations, with flowing chiffon that lifted slightly in the breeze, featuring a subtle gradient and a simple, elegant design.
The saleswoman immediately came over enthusiastically. "Miss, you have great taste. This dress is a new style in our store, and it's limited edition. There are only two in all of Silverlight City, and they're both in our store. If you like it, you should try it on. You're so beautiful with such a great figure - it will definitely suit you."
"Ava, if you like it, go try it on."
"Okay." Ava took the dress into the fitting room.
Isabella browsed around but didn't find anything she particularly liked. As she sat on the sofa waiting expectantly for Ava to come out, she heard a familiar voice. "Joshua, what do you think of this water-blue dress?"
"It's okay."
The familiar male voice came through. Isabella frowned and peeked through the clothes, spotting Joshua and Mia.
Isabella's eyes widened. What was Ava's luck? Running into Joshua and Mia while shopping!
"Miss, you have great taste. This dress is a new style in our store, and it's limited edition. There are only two in all of Silverlight City, and they're both in our store. Another lady just looked at this dress too. If you like it, you should try it on."
"This dress has a very special color." Clearly Mia was also very interested in this dress. "Joshua, wait here for me. I'll go try it on."
"Okay." Joshua responded coolly and sat down on the sofa, his powerful presence seeming out of place in this women's clothing store.
Isabella quickly pulled out her phone to message Ava, trying to warn her to avoid an awkward situation.
But Ava had already come out of the fitting room.
"Miss, this dress is absolutely perfect for you!" The saleswoman's eyes lit up, unable to hold back her praise.
"Yes, it's really beautiful, like a fairy descending to earth."
"Miss, you're so beautiful. This dress looks like it was custom-made for you."
"Isabella, how does it look?" Ava walked around the clothing rack. She was originally looking for Isabella but ended up making eye contact with Joshua.
She wore the water-blue dress with a small V-neck design that showed off her delicate collarbones. Her skin was already smooth, and under the bright lights it seemed to glow. Her back was perfectly straight, and she wore a pair of clean, flat shoes.
Her lightly made-up face was incredibly beautiful, with her curled hair falling gently on her shoulders, like an angel descended to earth.
Exquisite and perfect, with an inherent cool nobility that was beyond reach.
Isabella couldn't help but gasp.
The moment their eyes met, Ava's smile froze and her good mood instantly vanished.
This was what they meant by running into your nemesis at every turn.
Joshua's eyes flickered slightly, his eyebrows raising with a hint of amazement.
At that moment, Mia also came out wearing the same dress, with the saleswoman helping her adjust the belt.
"Joshua, what do you think of this outfit on... Ava?"