Chapter 71 71.Brotherly Love
Tabitha’s POV
“Hi, there you are!” Evelyn enthusiastically greets us when we meet at the KL Mall’s main atrium, right in front of the giant water fountain surrounded by boutique shops and cafés.
She looks effortlessly chic as the last time I saw her. She is wearing a white cropped top with puffed sleeves and a pink pleated skirt that flares lightly when she moves. Her hair is styled in loose curls, a shiny claw clip keeping it half-up. And I almost feel self-conscious with just a swipe of lip gloss while her face is perfectly done yet still somehow looks effortlessly natural.. She looks like a gorgeous doll from where I’m standing.
“Sorry I’m late—something came up,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck.
“That’s fine, don’t worry abou—” Evelyn’s bright smile falters as her gaze slides past me. Her eyes widen slightly, following the figure walking behind me. “Oh! Is that…”
I step aside and gesture awkwardly toward Jace, who looks far too smug for someone who wasn’t even invited. “Yeah. This is Jace. My… uh, stepbrother. I’m sure you know him already.”
Jace flashes a polite, charming smile. “Pleasure to see you again, Evelyn. I thought I’d come along for the day, if that’s all right.”
I quickly add, “But if you’re not okay with that, we can just ask him to—”
“Oh, this is perfect! We’ll have someone to carry our shopping bags.” Evelyn clasps her hands together, her eyes gleaming.
There goes my attempt to get rid of Jace.
Jace grins wider, obviously pleased. “I don’t mind a little workout.” He flexes his thick biceps which makes Evelyn laugh.
“Perfect,” Evelyn says again. Then, she loops her arm through mine before steering me toward the escalator.
“You know what, I heard there’s this newly released alligator-skin bag in—” I’m only half-listening to Evelyn when my gaze drifts behind me. Jace catches my eyes and has the audacity to wink. I frown, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at him.
“Mhm,” I hum distractedly, forcing myself to focus back on Evelyn.
“—anyway, I’ve been dying to get my hands on it. And maybe a new dress for Saturday wouldn’t hurt either.”
“Right, can’t go wrong with a new dress,” I reply absentmindedly, still feeling Jace’s smug gaze burning holes through my back.
Evelyn leads us to the mall’s third floor where all the luxury boutiques are located. The moment we step off the escalator, I’m surrounded by glass storefronts displaying mannequins in designer clothes that probably cost more than my entire allowance before. This place is for people who shit gold. I never thought I’d actually step foot inside these fancy stores, but here I am.
Evelyn immediately takes charge as soon as we enter one of the boutiques. She bounces from rack to rack like a seasoned pro while I stand in the corner feeling a bit overwhelmed. There are so many beautiful clothes to choose from, I’m not sure where to start.
A woman in a black sheath dress approaches us with a poised smile. “Good afternoon, Miss Sharpe! It’s a pleasure to have you back. Would you and your friend like to use the VIP suite today?”
“Of course,” Evelyn replies with a flick of her hair. “And please have the new arrivals from the Paris collection brought in. Oh—and that alligator-skin bag I was promised last week.”
“Right away, Miss Sharpe. Please, this way.”
We follow her through a hallway lined with crystal mirrors until we reach a private room that looks like something straight out of a fashion magazine. Wow. I take in the plush velvet couches, racks of designer clothes in neat rows, and a chandelier that probably costs more than my entire education.
Another attendant wheels in a tray topped with champagne flutes and a silver platter of delicate snacks—tiny crackers with caviar, cheese cubes, and what looks suspiciously like edible gold flakes.
“Would you like some refreshments while you browse?” the attendant asks politely.
“Yes, thank you,” Evelyn says, grabbing a glass without hesitation. She turns to me and grins. “Go on, Tabi. When in Rome, right?”
“Right,” I say, taking a cautious sip. The champagne fizzes pleasantly against my tongue. I think I can get used to this.
Meanwhile, Jace doesn’t wait for an invitation. He casually grabs a flute of champagne from the tray, pops a cracker topped with cheese into his mouth, and leans back on the couch. He already looks more comfortable than me.
“They redecorated. It looks better now. Brighter.” Evelyn hums approvingly as she looks around.
“Yeah, totally,” I reply, even though I’ve never seen the place before in my life.
The personal shopper returns with a rack of clothes draped in silk covers and that smug smile people wear when they know they’re about to make a very expensive sale.
“These just came in this morning from Paris,” she says while uncovering a row of dresses so beautiful they almost hurt to look at.
“Fabolous!” Evelyn claps her hands together. “Tabi, we’re dressing you up first.”
“What? Me?” I choke slightly on the champagne. “No, no, no. I’m good just watching.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she insists, already waving the attendant over. “You’re my doll for the day.”
I sigh, knowing resistance is futile. “Fine. But if I end up looking like a glittery marshmallow, it’s on you.”
Evelyn just laughs and plucks a silky champagne-colored dress from the rack. “Trust me—you’ll thank me later.”
Evelyn moves through the rack, holding each dress at arm’s length and then glances at me before deciding her pick. She clicks her tongue thoughtfully, pulling one out, rejecting another, pairing one with a necklace from a nearby display. Meanwhile, the two shopping assistants stand beside her while she filters through everything.
“Hmm, no—too formal. What about this one?” She glances at me, eyes sweeping from head to toe before shaking her head again. “Nope. The color washes you out.” Then her face lights up as she pulls a new hanger from the rack. “Wait—this one!” She holds up a fitted emerald green dress, the fabric shimmering faintly under the boutique lights. “Elegant, bold, and absolutely you.”
She passes it to one of the attendants before turning to a shelf of heels. “We’ll need something to match. Not nude… not gold…” Her eyes narrow, scanning the display until she spots the perfect pair. “There—those dark green stilettos with the gold accents.” She snaps her fingers, and the attendant immediately fetches them.
Within minutes, an array of dress, heels, earrings, and clutch are waiting for me.
“Go on, Tabi,” Evelyn urges, shooing me toward the fitting room. “Let’s see the magic!”
The fitting starts with Evelyn handing me one dress after another. I change, step out, and wait while she studies every look. Sometimes she nods, sometimes she waves me back to try another one. Jace sits on the couch, watching quietly with his usual smug look. The staff move around us in silence, taking each dress as soon as I’m done and bringing the next one in perfect order. The air smells like perfume and new fabric. It feels like I’ve stepped into someone else’s world.
Evelyn keeps pulling new dresses from the rack while I change in and out of them. Each time I step out, she studies me with the same sharp look.
“Turn around,” she orders, motioning with her hand. I do, and she tilts her head. “Hmm. Pretty, but not the one. Next.”
The attendants move quickly, taking the dress and helping me into another. When I step out again, Evelyn’s eyes light up. “Now that—yes! That’s closer.” She glances at the staff. “Keep the pieces coming. I want more options like this.”
For someone who looks angelic, Evelyn sure looks intimidating when she’s shopping. She knows her thing, alright. I have a feeling she’ll get along with my mom.
The staff nod and hurry off to fetch more pieces that will satisfy Evelyn’s eyes. Evelyn sinks onto the couch beside Jace, crossing her legs as she points at a display shelf. “And can you please bring out those heels too—the metallic ones? I wanna try them on”
She smiles at me over the rim of her champagne glass. “We’re not stopping until you look perfect.”
After another round, she rises and gestures to a rack near the mirror. “Alright, my turn. Let’s see if any of these are worth the hype.”
The attendants rush to assist her while I rest for a moment. They watch her slip into a pair of strappy heels with the confidence of someone who’s done this a thousand times. I envy her a bit.
“So,” Evelyn begins while trying on a pair of strappy heels. “Have you decided whether you’re coming to the Tropical Thunder Circuit yet?”
I stiffen while looking at my reflection at the full-length mirror. “I… I’m still thinking about it.”
My gaze drifts toward Jace, who’s sitting on the love seat, watching us in silence. His eyes meet mine briefly, and my heart skips for no good reason.
Evelyn waves a hand, not noticing. “Well, I still have those VIP tickets, so if you change your mind, they’re yours.” She winks before turning her attention to a new pair of shoes on the display shelf. “Oh, wait! These would look so good on you. Can you try them on?”
“Uhm, okay…” I say, reaching for the pair. I bend down to unbuckle the heels I already have on, but the tiny clasp refuses to open. I frown, tugging at it again, and it still won’t budge.
Evelyn waves a hand, not noticing. “Well, I still have those VIP tickets, so if you change your mind, they’re yours.” She winks before turning her attention to a new pair of shoes on the display shelf. “Oh, wait! These would look so good on you. Can you try them on?”
“Uhm, okay…” I say, reaching for the pair. I bend down to unbuckle the heels I already have on, but the tiny clasp refuses to open. I try again, twisting my ankle at an awkward angle. Nothing.
“Oh, come on…” I mutter under my breath, digging at it with my nail. The strap is too tight, and the buckle feels welded shut. I pull a little harder, but it only pinches my finger.
The buckle just won’t cooperate, and I’m about to give up when Jace suddenly stands up and kneels down in front of me.