"I love choosing clothes for you. You know what? That's probably one of the happiest things in my life. Even if you never get the chance to wear them, I'll still buy them for you! Who knows? You might need them one day. I mean you look proud in your uniform, but look at you! How could you waste such a nice body? You know how men are like. They'll get bored if you don't doll yourself up and change your style every now and then. You catch Edward's eyes, you keep his heart."
Deep down, Cynthia knew her son wasn't that kind of man she was describing. Once Edward fell in love with someone, he would love and cherish her forever. But this was how the world worked. There were lots of women out there drooling over Edward. Although Edward showed no interest in them, it didn't mean they wouldn't do anything to seduce him or sabotage his relationship with Daisy. Cynthia figured she'd better warn Daisy beforehand about it.
"Okay. I see. Thanks, mom. Let me get out of this dress first. I'll be quick." Daisy obediently answered with a nod. She knew Cynthia was trying to be nice, and she took her words seriously. It wasn't like that she had no faith in herself or Edward's feelings for her. The problem was that Edward was too amazing, and there were all kinds of women trying to lure him. There was a chance someday Edward would find Daisy boring and he needed some new excitement. Daisy knew love couldn't be maintained by just exchanging 'I love you'. She was a woman, and women knew these secrets by nature.
"Okay, take your time. We can find a cafe and have a rest after you're done. And then we can go to another shopping mall." Daisy, who was on her way to the changing room, almost slipped and fell to the floor out of shock when she heard what Cynthia had said. 'What? Another shopping mall? Seriously?' Daisy didn't know what to say. They had been shopping here, at this mall, for nearly two hours. And they had bought more things than they could carry. If Cynthia intended to go to another few malls and buy more clothes for her for the rest of the day, Daisy might need a new walk-in closet to fit her things in.
"Watch out, my dear child!" Upon seeing Daisy stagger, Cynthia cried out worriedly. Her words surprised every one inside the boutique, including the shopping assistant. They all curiously gazed at Cynthia and Daisy all of a sudden. If they heard her right, Cynthia just said 'child'? They all thought Cynthia and Daisy were sisters! So did that mean they were mother and daughter? This was so unbelievable!
Daisy blushed. She tripped over because of what her mother-in-law had just said. But did she really have to cry out loud like that? Now everyone was looking at them. Daisy felt a little embarrassed.
One of the shopping assistants couldn't hold back her curiosity, so she approached Cynthia and discreetly asked, "Ma'am, is she your daughter? She is so gorgeous, and she has a nice body." She hesitated for a short while to consider how she should address the woman who seemed to be 'the mom', and she thought it couldn't go wrong to politely start with 'ma'am'. They all heard her call the other woman in the changing room 'my child'. Were they really mother and daughter?
"No, she's my daughter-in-law. But she's practically my daughter. She's beautiful, isn't she?" Cynthia beamed with pride when someone else complimented Daisy. She lavished her love and affection on the girl. Daisy was beautiful and gentle and elegant, there was nothing to complain about! She felt so lucky that Daisy had grown into such a wonderful woman, and she also felt delighted and relieved thinking about the promise she made to Daisy's mother years ago.
"What? Is she your daughter-in-law? You are so close and cheerful while talking and choosing clothes for each other. And you both look so young. I thought you were sisters hanging out together! To be honest, your daughter-in-law is really stunning, I hardly meet someone more beautiful. And her curves are perfect. She looks good in everything!" Right after she received a response from Cynthia, the shopping assistant immediately complimented Daisy again. Every word she said was heart-felt truth. She didn't mean to flatter them; she really thought Daisy was as beautiful as a goddess.
"Haha! Is that so? Do we really look like sisters?" Cynthia burst into chuckles as soon as she heard the shopping assistant. It meant that in bystanders' eyes, she and Daisy were more like families by blood rather than by law! That was exactly what Cynthia had wanted! She felt more connected to Daisy now.
"You certainly are! Ma'am, you're so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law, with a beautiful face and a kind heart. I'd say both of you are blessed by God." The relationship between mother and daughter-in-law could be tricky. There was always a smokeless war between two women in many families. Based on their conversations, the assistant assumed they were from a affluent family. She figured the relationship between them would be worse because rich people didn't have feelings and married simply for interest. It was nasty when money was involved. But Cynthia and Daisy looked so close. She hadn't seen a mother who would shop with her daughter-in-law hand in hand like that before.
"Thank you. All the dresses she has tried on, I want them packaged up and sent to my house. Here is the address, " Cynthia replied with a joyful smile as she handed her card to the shopping assistant. No matter if the girl meant what she said or she just wanted to flatter them so they would buy more, Cynthia was genuinely happy with what she had said.
All of them?" The shopping assistant was shocked. Every single clothing and accessory in the boutique was beyond expensive. Besides, they had tried almost all the new arrivals of this season in their shop. This lady wanted to buy them all? How much money were they talking about? 'Wait a minute! Does that mean I'll have extra bonus this month?' The assistant was thrilled at the thought of extra money.
"Right. All of them. She looks lovely in each one of these, doesn't she? So why not buy them all?" Cynthia answered with a tender smile on the corner of her lips. Although she was talking to the shopping assistant, her eyes were fixed on the door of the changing room all the time. One could easily tell how much she loved Daisy from her look and tone.
"That's because your daughter-in-law is so beautiful, and our clothes become more beautiful when she wears them. I'll pack them for you at once, please wait just a moment." The shopping assistant was experienced and professional. She complimented Daisy while selling their goods. Every one liked to be flattered; it seemed that Cynthia was no exception. She was delighted even after they had left the boutique and sat down in a cafe. There was a big happy smile on her face the whole time as she hummed a cheerful tune every now and then.
Mom, you seem to be in good mood today, Daisy said and took a sip of her coffee. Although she had no idea why Cynthia was extremely excited, she felt satisfied as long as Cynthia was happy. She didn't care why, she just wanted to see her family all happy and healthy.
Yes! You know what? This is what I have wanted to do for so many years! Shopping all day long with my daughter, and buying her most beautiful dresses in the world! I've always wanted a daughter. But clearly Jonathan doesn't. So Edward is our only son, and I didn't give birth to any other children. Do you know how much I envy my friends who could go shopping with their daughters and enjoy their precious mother-daughter time? And finally you granted my wish today! I feel so happy right now. Thank you Daisy.