As I look through the rack of dresses of different masterpiece, I carefully look upon the price before I start to examine its design. Even if I said that my blog is steadily earning a nice income, I cannot just waste a huge amount of money on something I'll just probably wear once.
And knowing Grandma, she's not as extravagant as mother. She doesn't require anything else but presence whenever there's occasion. I can wear a simple dress and it's fine for her but mother would be there. I cannot have her nagging me in a party where close friends, relatives, acquaintances, and other guests could eavesdrop in.
I walked to another rack when I didn't find anything that's suited to my taste and began trying to pick one that I can both afford and actually feel confident in. I have dresses in my apartment where I could easily pick from but considering it's our Grandma's 75th birthday, I should at least buy something nice for me to wear and after I'll be going over to another shop inside this mall and find grandma a nice thoughtful gift.
There are many choices I can see that somehow I managed to find pretty. There's an off shoulder dress with small flower designs at the bottom, a nice plain dress with a U-neckline, another is a cute pastel blue spaghetti strapped dress with ruffles at the end, and a slightly daring dress in emerald color.
I paused for a minute for a little thought process. There are plenty to choose from but which one should I pick? I nibbled on my lips and decided to take emerald color dress and looked for a fitting room. I found one at the division between the men's section and the women's section.
Once I locked the door of the fitting room, I turned to look at myself in the mirror and tried on the dress. The dress looked sexy in general. Sexier than what I usually wear but it's beautiful. But I know even how beautiful my choice of dress is, Luna will still try to find fault in it. That seemed like a hobby of her. I don't understand why.
When I was putting it on, I intently stared at myself in all sides. The dress in front looked fine while I wasn't so sure at the backside because I really cannot see fully.
"Is there another fitting room here?"
I stilled from what I accidentally overheard from outside.
"The others have no light while the other has a huge crack on the mirror and others are locked with no apparent reason"
"I apologize, Sir. You can try this one sir if the person inside is done"
I gulped. My heartbeat starting to race with assumptions and most, something inside me awakened. The familiar feeling when I was with Valen before.
Unlocking the door, I opened it and immediately met coal black eyes looking straight in mine.
"Louise, what a surprise" Valen said. He was holding a three sets of shirts, "Nice to see you here. Doing a shopping, I suppose?"
His eyes sweep over to my whole figure where I was sure I saw fire behind those eyes. I played with my tongue inside my mouth as I grip the side of the dress I tried on. The way he was leaning at the wall, eyes darting over to me and the way I noticed that he looked at me twice from head to toe, I have started to feel a little bit more as if I am floating but at the same time, walking on burning fire.
"You look dazzling" he complimented me, voice calm while I was dealing with my own storm.
"Do you take suggestions?"
Unable to understand what he meant, I spoke, "Huh?"
He lifted himself off from the wall and began approaching me. For seconds, I had the urge to take a step back to keep our distance, afraid that he might hear how loud my heart is but as I motioned my left foot, about to really take a step back, he stopped inches in front of me.
He raised a hand, "May I?"
"W-what?"
"Asking for consent to feel the dress' material"
I sucked in a sharp breath. Why does he have to do that?
My eyes are beginning to look all around the place. Feeling the heat arising to my cheeks and I faked a cough.
Please control yourself, Louise. This is not what a proper Grey should be feeling.
"I'll take that as a no" Valen smiled and when I find the courage to look back, there was no disappointment on those eyes.
"I can offer suggestions if you'd like." Valen repeated.
"What suggestions?"
"You're beautiful in that dress already but I think you'll look gorgeous if you wear something red. Really will make your skin color stand out even more"
I looked at him, surprised for the suggestion he gave me, "I. . . might consider that. Thank you"
"You're welcome" he winked, "You're going somewhere?"
I shook my head, "It'll be my grandmother's birthday"
➴➴➴
"Do you need a ride?" Valen asked me as we walked out from the mall.
It has been another one intense hour that felt longer than that. I really cannot understand what's happening anymore. I cannot specifically note what I see in Valen's actions. He's acting gentleman but then, in another second, acts as if there's a fiery light reflecting in his gaze.
And the way I feel and think like this is not even making me feel better. I should never think about a man this way.
I shook my head, "I can take a cab" I answered.
"That's going to be a waste of money. I can drive you back to our apartment"
I blinked and stopped for a moment. Unsure and doubted whether I heard what I think I heard correctly, "Our?"
Valen smiled excitedly and winked at me that I once again felt a heat in my cheeks, "We're neighbors"
"W-what—h-how?"
"I had to move out from my condo unit because I've had some issues with their security. I asked a friend to look me a nice place temporarily and when he gave me the address, I saw it was the address you're also staying at" Valen answered, ignoring the way I stuttered.
I gulped. This just got something bigger. I have honestly thought after this another coincidence, I will be able to get away from him and clear my thoughts but then, I received something more that rocked my world more than I thought it would.
The beginning. If what I feel whenever I am with him continues, who knows what future lays ahead for me?