Oh God, yes.
"Oh God, no "
"Are you sure? "
"Let's keep looking "
Hadyan surreptitiously nods at the salesperson, who quickly walks away. A moment later, she returns with the silk gown, another dress on display, and an off-the-rack outfit.
"Hadyan! "
"I know you better than that, Lea. You're picking one of these "
Hadyan guides her into the dressing room, closing the door behind her both.
"It's $500 "
"Let's then the silk one "
"And still too expensive! "
"It's Prada, Leal what did you expect? "
"Not going bankrupt "
"No one is going bankrupt. I told you, I'm paying for it "
"I can't repay you for this, Hadyan "
"Seeing you wearing the dress is repayment enough "
"Oh? And when, exactly, am I supposed to wear the dress? "
"I'm sure we'll think of an opportunity "
Hadyan grabs the outfits as she changes back into her old outfit. She exits the dressing room.
Hadyan's already paying for the dress. He grabs the garment bag and grins at her when he's done.
"So. Frozen yoghurt next? "
"Um. Why? "
"Because I'm hungry "
He's hiding something. " Hadyan, is this a date? "
"Lea, if this was a date, you would know "
"Then what is it? "
"It's just you and me, shopping " she looks down, realizing that Hadyan is holding her hand again. Hadyan notices her looking.
"It isn't, Lea. Just trust me "
"Then why are we getting frozen yoghurt? " he just smiles, refusing to answer.
***
Lea walks into the open-area food court, right up to the frozen yoghurt stall.
"What flavour do you want? "
"I want vanilla "
"Boring, but safe "
"Speak for yourself. I find it exciting and delicious "
She approaches the dispenser, frowning at the contraption. She notices the little red lever to the right. " So do I just pull on one of these thingies? "
"Well, I prefer the word stroke :
Suddenly, she feels Hadyan's breath on her neck. The flush creeps into her cheeks.
"Go on, Lea. Stroke the dispenser until it squirts " Hadyan leans forward. He whispers into her ear…
"I'm waiting, farm girl "
"Um, could you just get it for me, please? " his face falls in momentary disappointment. He nods quickly, taking the cup from her.
"Your wish is my command, farm girl? "
"Right. Well. Should we pay for the food? "
"I got it "
Hadyan approaches the cashier, handing over his ID and a wad of cash. The cashier's eyes go wide at the ID. He quickly hands the cashback to Hadyan, shaking his head.
"What the hell, Hadyan? Are you like the Godfather or something? "
Hadyan turns away with both of her frozen yoghurts, leading her to a table. " Let's just say, he doesn't want to upset me "
"Um… let's just eat "
"Happily "
He smiles wide, even though his smile is tinged with a bit of worry. He sits at a sticky red table. She takes a seat opposite him, his guards still hovering in the distance. He slides her yoghurt across the table, handing her a small wooden spoon.
"How do you like to eat your frozen yoghurt? "
"Well, I've never eaten it before, so I will… drink it like a smoothie " she wait a few moments for the frozen goo to melt, and then drink it down.
"What you just did is utter blasphemy to all lovers of frozen yoghurt. You know that, don't you? "
"It's just yoghurt. Calm down " she offers the remnants of the yoghurt to him "
"Want a sample? "
"Only if you feed me "
"I don't think that's a good idea "
"No. You're right. I'd get too excited "
"We should finish up. Your guards have already been waiting a long time "
Hadyan nods. There's a strange, far-away look in his eyes. " What's wrong? "
"I was just thinking of a memory I had, from when I was young "
"Is it a bad memory? "
"Not at all. It's from when I was six years old. My best friend and I used to feed each other food " she gazes at him in surprise.
"Hadyan… that's strange. I used to do it with my best friend, too "
"That is strange. Anyway. If you're done, we should go. We just have one more stop"
"Another stop? I thought we were done shopping "
"Oh, it's not shopping "
***
She follows Hadyan into the Escalade. A few minutes later, she pull up to a bank.
"Um… what are we doing here? "
"We're getting you cash, silly "
"I have cash from my grandpa "
"Lea, this isn't up for negotiation. Let's go " ignoring her protests, Hadyan leads her into the bank, past the tellers, and straight to the basement.
***
The basement houses row after row of safety security boxes. A man is guarding them. When he sees Hadyan, his face breaks into a broad grin.
"Hadyan! "
"Lea, this is my uncle Taky. Take, we need to open an account "
"We? "
"Well, technically I need to open the account. But it's for Lea here "
"Ah, right. Sounds pretty normal for the life of Hadrian. Welcome to the family, Lea"
"Also, what family? "
"Our family "
"Yeah. Um. Not sure we're quite there yet "
"Yeah, Uncle Taky. Talk about jumping the gun
Take raises his hands in a mean culpa. " All right, relax. I'm just saying, I've never seen you like this before, Hadyan "
"Maybe you weren't looking hard enough "
"Oh, trust me. I was " Taky winks at Lea
"You've done a number on my nephew here, Lea " she blushes, sneaking a glance at Hadyan. His red cheeks, surprisingly, match hers.
"Alright, let's get this going. Do you have your social security number, Lea? "
"Grandpa said it was lost in the move "
"Where did you move from? "
"Chicago "
Taky and Hadyan exchange an indecipherable glance. A flicker of suspicion appears in Taky's eyes. " Why did you move? "
"Um… my parents were killed in a car accident "
"An accident? My sincere apologies for your loss "
"It was a long time ago. I'm sorry. What does this have to do with opening a bank account? I'm not trying to be rude. I'm just exhausted "
"Shopping does that to you "
"I'd say Hadyan does that as well "
"Very funny. Get a move on, Taky "
"All right, all right. Miss Kinandita, was it? I'll work my magic and open the account without your social security number "
"Thank you "
"Thanks, Taky. See you Sunday "
"Don't forget the time, or your pops will throw a fit. Bye, Lea. Hope to see you again "
"Um. I hope I see you again, too " Lea smiled at Taky. He returns her smile.
"Come on, Lea. We gotta get back to school "
Safely ensconced back in the Escalade, she has quiet for a few minutes. But there's something on her mind.
"Hadyan, something isn't adding up for me "
"What is it, Lea? "
"Well. A few days ago, you were telling me that I was the cockroach beneath your shoe. And now, you're taking me shopping? It doesn't make any sense. None of this does "
"Yeah, well. Life rarely does. And just because I'm being nice doesn't mean you can stop following the rules "
"I'm so sick of the rules! Any time I ask you a question you don't want to answer, you bring up the rules "
"The rules are your answer. The Elect exists because of them. I am here because of them. "
She sighs, wondering how to articulate her concerns better.
"I just want to give a choice "
"Any choice you had was gone the minute your gramps dropped you off at Elite "
"Oh God, why are you so cryptic? "
"Take a wild guess "
" Uh, you're.. the president's dirty little secret? "
" Not the president's, and not so little "
" So it is a secret? "
" I may be cryptic, but you are nosy, Lea "
" I have to be! You don't tell me anything "
" I tell you plenty of things "
" Like what? "
" How much do I like you "
She blushes, even though she knows what he's doing. " Hadyan, stop changing the subject "
" I will if you kiss me again " she gaped at him in shock.