---
After a long debate, they finally left the hotel room that night.
"I'll drive. Prepare the car. I'm going down to the hotel lobby with my wife," Vino said on the phone.
Vira followed her husband from behind as they headed to the elevator and descended to the lobby.
"You don't have a problem wearing my shirt, right?" Vino asked, glancing at his wife, who looked very casual in a T-shirt and flip-flops.
"I don't mind. I like your T-shirt. It's very comfortable, and the material is soft," Vira answered honestly.
"That's for you, but I don't like secondhand clothes," Vino said with an arrogant face.
"Heh..." Vira let out a little laugh, clearly annoyed. "I usually wear secondhand clothes, so if you have clothes you don't wear anymore, just give them to me. I'll gladly accept them."
Vino gaped at her words. "Are you kidding?"
The look in his wife's eyes was serious, even though she didn't answer. Vino could tell she meant it.
He shrugged in confusion. "How could you possibly wear someone else's used clothes? Imagine the germs or body odor!"
"Even just imagining it makes me nauseous!" he said, waving his hand to end the discussion.
Vira leaned back against the elevator wall. "You don't know what it's like to be poor, not being able to buy a single new piece of clothing for a year. I've been wearing Lisa's used clothes since I was a kid!" she grumbled.
Ding!
The elevator doors opened.
Vira walked behind Vino, feeling uncomfortable walking next to him, as they clearly looked different.
"Why are you walking behind me? You look like my assistant!" Vino said, noticing Vira's slower pace.
"Why?" she asked back.
"You're my wife. Walk beside me. Tomorrow, you'll hold my hand," he said.
"Are you delirious?" she shook her head. "You don't like people wearing secondhand clothes, but now you want me to hold your hand tomorrow?"
Vino nodded.
Vira pouted. She muttered to herself, "He said all that with a straight face?"
Vino quickened his pace, leaving the hotel lobby. In front of them, a shiny black car was parked, with a miniature jumping horse on the hood.
"Wow, wasn't that the car that picked you up at the airport?" Vira asked, amazed.
The valet handed Vino the car keys very politely. He also opened the door for him.
"Please, young master," said the valet obediently.
Vino didn't get in the car right away. Instead, he opened the passenger door first for his wife.
"In my life, women come first!" Vino said.
"Ha!" Vira was surprised by what Vino did. She didn't expect this arrogant man to open the car door for her.
"Please…" Vino said, gesturing for her to get in.
Then he walked to his side and smiled at the valet, who stood stunned.
"Next time, open the door for my wife first!" he said.
"I'm sorry, young master. I will remember what you said," the valet responded, apologizing and closing the door of Vino's car.
The black car drove away from the hotel.
The valet remained silent, staring after the car.
The security guard approached him.
"Why are you staring?" the security guard asked.
"Did you see how the young master treated his wife earlier?" the valet asked.
"Yeah, it's the first time I've seen him treat a woman like that. That girl is lucky!"
---
"What did you say to the valet earlier?" Vira asked curiously.
"Nothing important, just some extra work," Vino answered casually.
"Why did you do that?" Vira asked, feeling like Vino's attitude was over the top.
"Which part?" Vino asked with a calm face.
"You opened the door for me. I think that's too much," Vira said reluctantly.
Vino smiled a little. "Don't overthink it. I'm your husband!"
"Exactly, which makes me think. And remember! We only got married because of an agreement that I didn't agree with!" Vira said with an annoyed look.
"I'll spend anything for you tonight—clothes, bags, shoes, jewelry… You just have to choose. Is that enough?"
Vira was taken aback by Vino's words. "Are you bribing me?"
Vino didn't argue.
"Isn't that what you always say in email replies to my assistant?"
Vira made a face. "I've already said, it's not me! Lisa and I are different."
Vino turned his head slightly, his expression irritating Vira even more.
"Just so you know, I'm the type who doesn't trust people easily!"
"Whatever!" Vira complained, irritated, and leaned back in the car seat.
"Oh yeah, about tomorrow—we really need to hold hands, seriously! I don't want people to think our marriage is fake. It'll affect my reputation!" Vino continued, just before the car pulled into the parking lot of a luxury boutique.
"I even made a good impression with the valet earlier. Sometimes, my father likes to ask random people!" Vino said as he got out of the car.
"So, he pretends to be sweet in front of people just for his reputation? What a rascal!" Vira hissed, unable to believe Vino's behavior.
A line of boutique employees greeted them, bowing politely as Vino took Vira's hand.
Of course, Vira tried to pull away, but Vino's grip was too strong.
She glanced at his face, which was smiling broadly as he greeted the employees.
He's a great actor! Vira thought irritably.
Vino caught the irritated look on Vira's face from the corner of his eye, and his smile widened even more.
"Pull up your lips. You have to smile so everyone will smile back at you…" Vino whispered between his wide grin.
Vira opened her eyes but still followed her husband's request, offering a small, nervous smile.
Vino placed her hand on his arm, forcing her to hold it like a newlywed couple in love.
"Welcome, young master. We're happy to serve you tonight. Ah, look at you two!" a man in formal attire greeted them at the boutique lobby.
"Sorry to bother you, sir manager, but my beloved wife needs comfortable clothes," Vino said, gesturing to his wife with his chin.
The manager turned to Vira, his expression stiff.
"Hello, young lady," he greeted, his face looking stiff and made-up.
"Congratulations on your marriage. Ah, you're a lucky woman to hold the young master's hand tonight," he added, his tone laced with envy.
Vira returned his greeting with a friendly smile. "Thank you..."
"Ah, young master, would you like to drink or eat something? I'll order something delicious for you," the manager continued, still focused on Vino.
"No need. I want you to choose the best clothes for my wife," Vino said, staring at Vira's face.
"Oh, okay..." the manager replied, turning his attention back to Vira.
Oh my gosh, even her face is so ordinary! The ordinary woman with no advantages! the manager thought, eyeing Vira.
"Whose designer do you prefer?" the shop manager asked.
The manager led Vira through the room as Vino sat down on a sofa to wait.
Vira followed nervously, her face stunned by the displays of expensive clothing.
"Who's your favorite designer, young lady?" the manager asked.
"Hm... favorite designer? I... don't have one."
The manager immediately turned around in shock. "Huh? You didn't choose one? Are you confused because there are too many options?" he asked.
"Stella, LV, Prada, Chanel... You must be confused, right? Young madams are always confused by so many choices," the manager remarked, clearly used to complaints like this.
"No, I mean... I don't have a favorite designer. I've never worn branded clothes. I prefer secondhand clothes," Vira said.
"Heh..." the manager laughed, clearly amused. "You're making jokes, young lady."
Vira raised her eyebrows. She looked confused as she was handed so many beautiful clothes.
She picked up a dress and raised it with both hands, amazed.
"This is amazing! This is the first time I'm seeing and holding expensive clothes."
"You can try them on," the manager said, still puzzled by her response.
"Are you serious? Can I try on all these clothes?" Vira asked excitedly.
The manager was speechless, his tongue heavy. "Yeah..." he answered briefly.
He pointed toward the changing rooms.
Excited, Vira ran toward the changing room with the clothes in her arms.
Ugh! The manager sighed heavily.
"Sarah will hate this so much!" he whispered exasperatedly.
---