Calvin and Allison have been driving around town for the past one hour with Calvin making sure that she enjoys every moment of the ride. He sat, driving behind the wheel, while she is on the passengers seat laughing and dancing to the music playing. After driving for a while longer, the car came to a halt in front of a mall. Allison turn to him with questioning eyes.
"Let's stop here for a while," he told her softly.
"Oh, okay."
Calvin came down from the car and walked around to the other side to open the door for Allison, but she already came out.
"You should have let me get the door for you," he complained.
"That isn't necessary. Besides there is nothing wrong with my hands," she defended herself.
Calvin just sighed and stretched his hand to her, she put her hand on it without hesitating. He smiled at that, happy that she no longer found him repulsive.
Calvin holding her hand, walked her into the mall, it was a shopping mall. One of the mall attendant met them inside. He spoke with her for a while before she brought Allison to the clothes section with he trailing behind them and asked her to pick any one she likes.
Allison has always been a lover of new clothes. She didn't often get for herself because she saves most of her money for Kylie's college tuition. So she found this as an opportunity and she was not going to waste it. Allison spent some time scrutinizing the clothes and picking the ones she liked, by the time she was done, she found out that she has already picked up a pile. She turned to Calvin who has been behind her all those while and smiled sheepishly. He just smiled back.
He really didn't expect her to pick so much. With her personality, he thought she would shy away or pick just little. He even planned to pick for her in case she refuses but she took him by surprise. He didn't hate it though, infact he liked that she knew what she wanted and is not afraid to take it.
"Won't you try them on?" he asked her.
"But they are so much." She protested, now feeling a bit guilty.
"We have all day," He said and she just smiled.
Calvin signaled to the attendant and she came with another of her colleague and they both helped Allison to carry the clothes into the dressing room.
As Allison was about to enter the room, Calvin held her hand making her stop to look at him with a questioning gaze.
"Make sure you come out after trying each one. I want to see how they look on you," he said seriously and she laughed.
"I planned on doing that actually." She said and entered inside without waiting for his reply. Calvin just sat down on the chair outside the room waiting for her.
Allison came out a few moments later wearing an orange crop top and a bum short. She turned around as if asking him to judge.
"I really don't like orange but I think you bring out the best in it," he said and winked at her. She just smiled and mouthed a 'thank you' before going back inside. She came out moments later with a baggy jean and a loose Red top with black writings.
"How about this?" she asked excitedly.
"I think you look good in everything," he said seriously. She nodded and went back inside. She came out again wearing a loose purple gown reaching her mid thigh. Calvin smiled and nodded appreciatively making her smile in turn.
"I like this one," he said.
This went on and on until she tried them all on and showed them to Calvin with him liking almost everything. He appreciated her sense of fashion and he would really love to buy more for her.
"I didn't know that trying clothes on could be this exhausting," She said panting lightly and Calvin laughed.
"We are not even done and you are already this wasted," he said teasingly?
"What? We are not done? Oh! You want to buy some for yourself?" She asked curiously. He shook his head.
"I don't think so. I have enough clothes to start up a super market," he bragged.
Allison knew he was joking but she didn't think he was exaggerating, she has seen his wardrobe before. She thought that even if he wears a new one each day for the next one year, he won't run out of clothes.
"So proud," She said and hit him lightly and they both laughed.
"So what else do you want us to do since you said we are not done," she asked curiously.
"I wanted you to get some shoes and jewelries," he said.
"Oh! I think I will get the shoes but I am not so sure about jewelries. I don't really wear them,"
The attendant took them to the shoes section. Allison picked the ones that she likes. She didn't try them on this time saying that she is tired and Calvin didn't insist on it.
Just as Calvin was about to ask the attendant to package everything, Allison suddenly pulled him to the jewelry section. He looked at her in confusion, She just said she didn't wear jewelries. While Calvin was still in his confusing thoughts, Allison picked up a pearl necklace with a heart shaped pendant and showed it to him.
"Do you think grandma will like this?" she asked expectantly.
"I think she will like anything you give her," he replied with a shrug.
The attendants packaged everything they bought after Calvin paid for them and put help them carry it to Calvin's car.
Allison and Calvin came outside holding hands, they were walking towards the car when Allison tugged on his hand making him stop, he looked at her with concern. She looked a bit sullen.
"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly. She just nodded.
"I just wanted to say thank you. I think I have needed an outing like this for a while," She said gratefully.
"Hey!" He called softly. "It's nothing, and I am really glad I could help."
She gave him an appreciative smile making him smile back in return before they walked to his car.
______
~In Calvin's grandmother's room
"Grandma this is for you," Allison said handing over the pearl necklace she bought to the old lady. "I hope you like it," She added.
"Oh dear! It's so beautiful. I love it. Thank you so much. Maybe this grandson of mine will learn a thing or two from you," Grandma said smiling gratefully. Calvin only shrugged.
Grandma and Allison chatted for a while before Allison and Calvin made their way to the door with Calvin in front. Just as he was about to open the door, they heard grandma's voice.
"I want to speak with you alone Calvin."
With that Allison left the room alone. She has only walked a few steps when the person she least wanted to see blocked her path. Lisa!
"I see you are trying to impress my grandmother," Lisa said mockingly.
"Out of my way Lisa," Allison said, uninterested in anything she has to say.
"You know what your problem is? You are not humble. A person of your background should be respectful to everyone. Who knows, we might finally approve of you," Lisa said sarcastically.
Allison just stood there watching her with an expression that says 'if you are done, let me know' and it frustrated Lisa. She wanted Allison to lose her composure but she is failing terribly at that. Her frustration intensified when she saw Allison smirk. She needed to do something.
"Calvin doesn't really care about you." She said but Allison only made an expression as if telling her that she's wasting her time and she is losing her patience.
Allison felt like taking her bath and having a change of clothes, but this annoying lady in front of her is making sure that she didn't do any of those. She really didn't want to do anything stupid but Lisa is getting on her last nerves.
Allison just pushed Lisa out of her way with her right hand and Lisa fell on the ground. Allison was surprised, she didn't expect her to fall just like that. She just shook her head. Rich kids!
Allison was about climbing the stairs when she heard Lisa call her again but she ignored her.
"You are not the only woman in Calvin's life," Lisa said loud enough for Allison to hear. Allison halted on her tracks for a second, then continued to climb. If Calvin has someone else, it shouldn't be her business. Right?
______
Back in grandma's room
"What is it grandma?" Calvin asked his grandmother curiously.
"I like Allison but I don't think everyone here does," Grandma said going straight to the point.
"What do you think grandma?" Calvin asked.
"I think some people will try to harm her," Calvin wasn't really surprised. He knows his family, his parents. They won't stop until they get what want. If what they want is to get Allison out of the way, they won't stop until they get it.
"I really want both of you together but I don't think it is worth risking her safety," Grandma added.
"Are you saying I should let her go?" Calvin asked seeming visibly relaxed but he was really panicking without himself.
"If you can't protect her, I feel you should let her go," Grandma said.
The old lady has spent a lot of time thinking of them. She was really happy that Calvin found someone he finally liked and she really wanted them together, but her conscience wouldn't be able to take it if something bad should happen to Allison.
Calvin on the other hand thought that it was foolish of him to bring her to the family house. He didn't even think of all these things, he just wanted to stop his parents from bringing him a random girl they think will make a good wife for him from time to time. He also wanted to please his grandmother. But thinking deep about it, he knew that they will find out about her one way or the other.
After spending some time thinking back and forth without any reasonable solution, he decided to call Leo.