As expected the mall they were headed to was huge and filled with luxury brand shops only. Some of those brands were the ones she had thought she would never own. Life really was unexpected.
Firstly, they entered a restaurant for the brunch. Veronica led them to a spot by the window. Warm sunlight hit their table with a beautiful scene outside. Wish felt a little relaxed seeing the view.
" Ahhh, im starving..." Veronica went through the menu and so did Brent. Noticing Wish playing with her fingers, instead of checking the menu, Brent put his menu down. "Are you not going to choose anything?"
" Umm..." she didnt look up, " even if i check i dont know what those foods are..."
Veronica eyed her, confused and Brent continued staring at her.
"...haha...haha" Wish forced a laugh, sensing an awkward situation.
Brent sighed, picking up her menu, " you like eggs right?...how about egg benedict? they have eggs in it." he explained in simple words. " Oh, ill have that then..." her eyes lit up quickly while Brent continued checking the menu for him.
Veronica was surprised at first but smiled to herself watching the scene infront of her. Brent really was changing little by little, " So proud of my lil bro..." she thought in her head, scanning back to the menu.
A little after they started having their lunch with small talks here and there.
" By the way...." Veronica gave a serious look all of a sudden. Wish had never seen her serious look so she became nervous, " you guys....why did you postpone the wedding?"
News travelled faster than lightning in this fancy world, didnt it? Probably all the high-class family that she had no idea about, might have heard the news too. Her father should have gotten the news too and must be in an angry mood or something but he hadnt contacted now. Anyways she had to be ready for his angry tantrums along with that mean stepmother of hers. She sighed just thinking about it.
" Its a matter between us." Brent simply answered.
Veronica rolled her eyes, feeling deceived, " And me your dearest sister doesnt deserve to know that matter between you TWO??"
Brent turned to Wish and stared at her silently. Well, she hadnt said the reason to him as well. He was also waiting for an explanation just like Veronica and rest of the other people. Wish looked down suddenly feeling anxious. Why was she feeling this way? Wasnt putting them in trouble especially Brent like now, her plan anyways? Then why was she feeling bad for him?
She had finally found a starting point to bring her father down. Getting attached like this meant a failure. She should never ever be attached with them.
" I thought it would be too awkward for us to get married now," Wish spoke, " especially when both of us dont have feelings for each other."
Brent heard her and looked the other way. Of course, they didnt have feelings for each other. He wanted to speak up but his throat tightened. What did he even want to say? There was nothing.
Veronica slowly nodded, a little disappointed. " yeah, it would be awkward....i understand."
Wish gulped down her water in a go and breathed in heavily. Why was it so difficult.
---
They started their shopping spree and the mood had lightened up. Wish went through the dresses and gaped at all of their price tags, " Why are they so expensive??" she said to herself.
" Dont worry dear," Veronica said, startling her. she smiled cheekily, grabbing the dress, " Brent will buy it for you anyways."
" Its not about buying...." Wish mumbled but Veronica was already dragging her to a changing room. " Wait!" she stopped, " a changing room?"
" Yes??!" Veronica replied matter-of-factly, " I have already chose some dresses for you. All you have to do is change." she winked, making Wish shiver. " but-"
" No buts. change and come outside. you will be the model and we'll be the judges." Veronica smiled again pushing Wish inside. Why was Veronica saying these cringe lines, it was making Wish uncomfortable.
Once, Wish was inside, Veronica pulled Brent to the sofa just outside the changing room. " what are you doing?"
" Shush..." she put a finger on her mouth, " we will judge Wish's outfit."
Brent gave an annoyed look, " and why would i? you can do that....Im out-"
Suddenly, the door of the changing room opened, revealing Wish in one of the dresses. It was a fitted dress which was a little revealing on her chest. She stood there trying to get a good posture so that she wouldnt look like a potato. Brent had frozen in his spot, his eyes fixed on Wish.
" Wish dear...." Veronica scrunched her brows, her looks screaming that the outfit didnt suit her, " Is it uncomfortable?"
Wish loosened her shoulders, standing in her normal way, "...yes."
She went back inside to change her outfit again. " so...." Veronica looked at her brother now seated on the sofa, " you have decided to judge?"
" I have nothing better to do." he said avoiding her gaze.
Wish came outside in another dress. Brent quickly looked the other way, which made her notice.
" This looks better on you." Veronica smiled. " i dont think so!" Wish replied pouting, " he looked the other way, probably because i look bad..."
This made Brent turn to her in wide eyes, " i...i didnt mean to-"
" Wish dear,...its okay. lets try some other clothes." Veronica consoled her, taking her back to the changing room. Meanwhile, Brent rubbed his forehead, sighing loudly.
Wish changed into a couple more outfits and she wasnt satisfied in any one. " These clothes are just not for me."
Veronica gave her a pitied look. " its okay...lets try one last time. Dont feel discouraged."
Wish shook her head slowly, " they wont look good on me anyways."
In the midst of their conversation, Brent spoke making their heads turn to him, " I think this looks good on you." he pulled the dress she had worn the second time.
" But you looked away when i wore it." Wish pouted again.
He felt bad for her, " I didnt look away because you looked bad..." Wish raised her head, hearing him. " I looked away because....because....."
" Because?" she said waiting for him to complete his sentence. Veronica was also expectantly waiting for him.
" because....." he clenched his fist, " you looked beautiful!" he finally said it and let out his breath. This really was stressful.
Wish blinked her eyes multiple times, not believing his words. William Brent said she looked beautiful? this felt unreal. She could feel her cheeks heating up.
" Oooh...William...i like your spirits." Veronica proudly said, controlling her laughter. These two were entertaining to watch.
Wish suddenly came to her senses and snatched that dress. " Okay...ill go and pay for it." she turned to the cashier.
" Wait!..." Brent caught the dress, " Ill pay for it."
" But-" he had already took the dress, pulling out the card. Wish tried to focus on something else because his words were still lingering inside her head.
" sister-in-law...." Veronica came beside her, " Wanna go to next shop?" she smiled noticing her reaction.
"S-sure..." Wish left the shop immediately while Brent rushed behind her as well.
Veronica watched the two awkwardly walk in front. It surely was entertaining to see them being awkward. " you guys are so obvious..." she smiled lightly but it went right away. " what will you do if you really fall for William..?"
Veronica gave a sad look. She knew about Wish's secret of her being the abandoned daughter of Lennon and how she wasnt brought up in riches. But she also knew, what Wish's motives were.
" Wish dear, we both have the same motives so thats why....." she clenched her fist tightly, " you HAVE to marry William."
.