Chapter 95: Shopping.

Chapter 95: Shopping.
On the way to the mall, Steven couldn't help but steal glances at Dua as he drove. Each time, he was left enchanted by her effortless beauty. But as he cast one more glance her way, his gaze lingered a moment too long. 
"What? Why have you been stealing glances at me?" she asked, a playful eyebrow raised.
"I'm not at fault here; you're just too pretty that I can't look away," he replied, a teasing smile spreading across his lips. Dua felt warmth bloom in her cheeks, a mixture of embarrassment and delight.
Steven chuckled, enjoying her reaction, but soon turned his attention back to the road. “I’ll be heading to Italy the day after tomorrow,” he informed her, his tone more serious.
“Italy? Why?” Dua asked, her brows furrowing in concern.
“The Mafia Lord,” he replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
“You’ll murder him?” she asked, surprise etched on her face.
“Yeah,” he nodded solemnly, his voice dropping low.
Dua sighed, looking out the window as the scenery zipped by. She wished he didn't have to do that, but did he really have a choice? 
Noticing the shift in her mood, Steven glanced at her and understood the reason behind her silence. He sighed, focusing back on the road as they drifted into a contemplative silence.
“Do you necessarily have to kill him?” Dua finally ventured after a few tense moments.
“That’s the only way, and you know that,” he replied, his voice tinged with resignation.
“But what if that’s not the only way?” she countered, her tone passionate.
“What do you mean?” Steven raised an eyebrow, intrigued yet skeptical.
“I’m saying you don’t have to kill him to achieve your goals,” she insisted, her eyes earnest. “You could negotiate.”
“Negotiation?” Steven laughed, incredulous. “That’ll never work; it never has.”
“Anyone facing death will agree to almost anything to survive. And with your influence, he’ll realize a deal is better than a death sentence,” Dua argued, her voice growing more confident.
“And if it doesn’t work?” he asked.
“If it doesn’t work, then go with your original plan. But please, at least give negotiation a shot first,” she urged, her eyes searching his for understanding.
Steven's hands tightened on the steering wheel as he processed her words. Her earnestness was both comforting and unnerving. Amid the chaos of his impending mission, Steven found solace in Dua’s concern, grounding him in a way he desperately needed. “Okay, I’ll consider it,” he finally conceded, though a flicker of doubt lingered in his voice. Dua’s smile was soft as hope sparked in her eyes.
“Good. Just remember, you’re not just a weapon, Steven. You’re smarter than that,” she encouraged, her tone lightening the moment and washing away the heaviness of their conversation.
He chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “I’m not sure about the ‘smarter’ part, but I appreciate the vote of confidence.” 
"Who says you aren't smart?" Dua raised an eyebrow, a challenge glimmering in her gaze.
"You. You always call me a knucklehead," he quipped back, trying to steer the mood toward lighter territory.
Dua paused, her eyes widening with realization. "Oh, well, you really are a knucklehead," she teased, her laughter easing the tension between them as he joined in.
“Just promise me you’ll think it through?” Dua pressed again, her eyes locking onto his with intensity that brooked no argument.
“Yeah, I promise. I’ll weigh my options,” he replied, glancing back at her momentarily before focusing on the road. A mix of appreciation and guilt flooded him; he didn’t want her to worry about him or the dangerous world he was about to step back into.
As the mall came into view, the familiar sights and sounds enveloped them. The vibrant colors of shop signs and the chatter of weekend shoppers helped momentarily uplift the weight of their earlier conversation. 
“Alright, enough serious talk! Let’s find you the perfect outfit for this Italy trip!” Dua chirped, her excitement infectious, washing away any lingering concerns.
"I thought we were here to shop for our babies," Steven said, his brows knitting together in confusion.
"Yeah, but we can also find something for you!" Dua replied, her enthusiasm unwavering.
"No need. I already packed my luggage," he said with a nonchalant shrug.
"What?" Her eyes widened in shock, disbelief etched across her face. "Didn't you say you'd leave the day after tomorrow?" 
"Yeah," he confirmed.
"Then why do you have your luggage already packed?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"When was I supposed to pack my luggage?” he asked, feigning innocence, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Dua scoffed, her disbelief palpable. "You know what? Let's just leave that aside for now." She shook her head, half-amused, half-exasperated.
“Alright then,” he replied, a mock-seriousness creeping into his voice. “What do we need for this nursery of ours?” He asked.
“Well, since we don’t know the babies’ genders yet, let’s focus on neutral colors and themes that work for any little one,” she suggested, her excitement bubbling up again as she gestured toward the nearest store.
“On your cue, ma’am!” Steven declared theatrically, bowing.
Dua rolled her eyes playfully at Steven’s exaggerated bow, a smile breaking through the earlier tension. “Alright, Sir Knucklehead, let’s make this nursery the coziest place ever!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the bustling mall, excitement radiating from her.
As they strolled past various stores, Dua’s eyes sparkled at every colorful display. She was on a mission to create the perfect nursery for their babies—a space that would be filled with warmth, joy, and love.
“What do you think about pastel colors?” Dua asked, her enthusiasm bubbling over. “I think a mix of soft pinks and blues would be adorable!”
Steven raised an eyebrow. “You’re planning on a color scheme before knowing if it’s two girls, two boys, or one of each?”
“Yes! It just makes it more fun!” she giggled, imagining the whimsical designs in her mind. “Plus, pastel is gender-neutral! It’s a win-win.”
“Fair point. Let’s go with the pastel theme then,” he said, chuckling at her eagerness.
They headed into a home decor store, and Dua’s heart raced with possibilities. She darted from aisle to aisle, picking up cute wall decals, plush toys, and cozy blankets. Steven followed, chuckling at her enthusiasm but also feeling a sense of pride in their shared excitement over their soon-to-arrive babies.
“Look at this!” Dua exclaimed, holding up a fluffy baby blanket adorned with little stars. “This would be perfect for storytime, don’t you think?”
“Definitely,” Steven agreed, grinning at her joy. “I can already picture us wrapped in it, reading to the little ones at night.”
“Right? And I can totally see you making goofy voices during storytime,” she teased, nudging him playfully. “They’ll be begging for more!”
“Or begging for mercy,” Steven quipped back, mimicking an exaggerated, dramatic plea that sent Dua into fits of laughter.
After some time, they gathered an armful of items—colorful crib sheets, adorable wall art, and plush toys that would fit perfectly into their nursery. Dua was practically glowing, and Steven couldn’t help but admire her spirit, feeling grateful for this moment they were sharing amidst the backdrop of uncertainty in his life.
“Okay, we’ve gathered quite the haul,” Dua said, her arms filled with goodies. “Let’s check out and then grab something to eat! I’m starving after all this shopping!” She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement and the remnants of laughter still in her voice.
“Good idea,” Steven replied, guiding her toward the checkout line. As they waited in line, Dua kept glancing down at their treasure trove, marveling at how each little item was going to contribute to their dream nursery.
Once they finished checking out and successfully loaded their bags into the car, Dua took a deep breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “I can’t believe we just did that! It’s all coming together so beautifully!”
“I know! It’s an adventure, and I love being on this journey with you,” Steven replied, his voice warm and sincere. He gazed at her, truly appreciating how each moment brought them closer.
They decided to grab a bite at a cozy café nearby, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafting through the air. But as they approached, Dua's gaze was irresistibly drawn to a kiosk stand where an array of sizzling street foods lay temptingly arranged on a steaming rack. Her mouth watered at the sight. 
“Knucklehead,” she called playfully, her eyes twinkling with anticipation.
“Please tell me you’re not actually considering that,” Steven replied, his tone a mix of concern and disbelief.
“That’s exactly what I want!” Dua beamed, her craving evident.
“Darling, you really can’t eat that. It’s not healthy for you,” he coaxed gently, unwilling to watch her indulge in something he knew wouldn't be good for her and the babies.
“And how do you know it’s unhealthy?” she shot back, raising an eyebrow defiantly.
“What do you mean how do I know? It’s being sold on the street, by the roadside,” he reasoned, gesturing toward the bustling activity around the stand.
Ignoring his protests, Dua took a few steps toward the kiosk, her eyes gleaming with desire. But Steven wasn’t ready to give in. He moved to block her path, concern etched on his face. “Please, darling, don’t do this.”
“It’s not just me,” Dua countered, playfully placing her hand on her bump. “It’s the babies. They’re the ones that want to eat that!”
“Babies,” Steven said softly, resting his hand on her pregnant belly, his expression a mix of affection and worry. “Listen, sweeties, just for your sake and your mom's sake, don’t eat that. It’s not healthy for you.” His voice had a soothing quality, but Dua was undeterred.
With a defiant grin, she made her way to the kiosk and bought the food, her satisfaction palpable as she returned to Steven's side, a steaming box of crispy delights in hand.
As they walked back to the car, Steven’s frown deepened, a mix of exasperation and fondness swirling in his chest. He couldn’t help but admire how joyfully Dua dug into her meal, her laughter ringing out like music. 
Settling into the car, he watched her with a growing smile, the initial concern melting away as he took in the sight of her lost in her own world, blissfully savoring each bite.