Chapter 8 - Shopping with the Doll

"So what do we intend to do here?" Eternity excitedly asked as soon as they set foot in the mall.

"First," Evan listed. "Buy your basic necessities like clothes and toiletries."

"I know what clothes are." She frowned. "But what are toiletries?"

"I should've let you go in the bathroom before we left," he muttered.

"What's the second?"

"What?"

"You said 'first,' so there's a second!" She pointed out.

"Then we'll let you analyze the mall, and we'll do whatever you would like."

"So..." Eternity trailed. "This is merely an errand job and not a real date?"

Now that she mentioned it, it was.

"I'll give you a proper date after you settle in," he promised. "We're here."

They were now standing in front of a shop that mainly sells soaps, shampoos, lotions, toothpaste, and other products guaranteed to be nature-friendly. They weren't even in yet, and the strong fragrance already greeted them.

"How aromatic!" Eternity sniffed loudly, appreciating the clean and fresh smell of the shop.

Evan liked this particular shop due to their claims that aside from being nature-friendly, they donate a portion of their sales to nature organizations.

He always loved these kinds of initiatives, and he often contributes to charities with his own money because he would like to think that his money is going to the right cause and not the pockets of the heads of non-government organizations.

"Let's go, my robot-like, sex-craved infant." Evan took her hand, and they went inside the shop. "Grab whatever you fancy. I'll buy it for you."

"That's one way to put it," Eternity said shyly. "Thank you, Evan. I'll pay you in some way or form."

"No need," Evan waved his hand in dismissal. "I just want to pamper you, that's all. After all, since you're under my care, you deserve only the best."

Eternity, the angel she was, took it as her cue to smile sweetly.

"I know it's too late to say this, but please take care of me. I'll be in your capable hands."

God, she was so adorable.

***

Even if it was his idea, Evan found shopping to be tedious. Usually, he did online shopping because it's a lot easier and he doesn't need to deal with the claustrophobic space of the malls.

But since today, he had a companion whose sizes and preferences of clothing were unknown, he decided to go to prevent any sizing miscalculations manually.

"What kind of clothes would you like me to wear?" Eternity asked.

They were both carrying a plethora of shopping bags. Evan would've carried all those bags by himself, but Eternity refused.

"Doesn't the personality I chose for you have built-in likes and preferences?"

"I apologize." She bowed meekly. "I merely follow the preferences of my owner."

"But I don't have one," he said. "I know nothing about female fashion."

"This is quite a dilemma," she hummed, fingers on her chin.

"Let's just ask the salesperson for help."

"What is a salesperson?"

"It's a person that assists you when you do your shopping." He almost lost his cool, but he remembered that he might as well be talking to a child, so he needed to be patient.

What a foreign word that was to his vocabulary!

"What a helpful person!" She beamed. "I hope to help you, too, someday!"

Such innocence.

***

Eternity smiled widely at him, holding a white off-shoulder dress with cherry prints.

"What do you think?"

Currently, they're inside an expensive clothing store. It was a tad expensive for Evan's taste since he considered himself a simple man. However, if it were for Eternity's sake, he'd readily burn his money if that's what she wants.

𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘨𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵.

"It's fine."

All of the garments that she suggested to him looked amazing on her. She must be that type of person (doll) who looks good in everything she wears. But then again, she was his. Anything from Evan can't possibly be substandard. He deserves only the best, after all.

She was sporting a loose white blouse, denim skinny jeans, and white flats. She looked beautifully casual, as if she were just on a date. To be honest, they were on a date.

Evan won't admit that their first date was a trip to the mall to buy her clothes and other necessities, not a night in a 5-star hotel while eating a 5-course meal.

God, who knew that Evan was such a hopeless romantic?

He mentally shook his head.

"What's next?" Evan asked.

They're now outside the store, he just finished paying for Eternity's clothes. Like before, both of them were holding the shopping bags equally. "We bought you clothes, toiletries, and an extra pillow even if you claim you don't need sleep…"

Eternity hummed, taking note of her shopping list mentally, as a shopping bag handle dangled around her wrist.

"Uhm… what's left is underwear."

There was a pregnant pause, Eternity looked at him expectantly.

Evan met her gaze.

"You're surprisingly not excited about this." Eternity pouted.

Evan practically snorted. "Eternity, I'm a 28-year-old man. If I was 16, then sure, I might've been excited about seeing some pieces of fabric. But I'm too old for that."

"A pity," She sighed.

So they headed towards a shop that sells all kinds of lingerie. There was a sexy lingerie shop just next to it, but Evan knew that sexy underwear comes with being itchy and uncomfortable. He wouldn't want Eternity to experience that just for his male gaze.

Although, just like any other simple man, sexy lace lingerie is a turn-on for him.

He wouldn't want to admit that, though.

"Shall we go in?" Eternity invited.

"I'd rather not."

She blinked. "Why so?"

"It's awkward."

"But I thought you are a 28-year-old man and not a 16-year-old who gets excited about seeing some pieces of fabric?"

"Ha-ha," He said sarcastically, amused that she threw his words back at him. "Just go inside, and you'll understand."

Hesitantly, she nodded and did as she was told. When she set afoot at the shop, she breathed an "Oh."

"Take your time," Evan loudly said, enough for her to hear from inside the shop. "Remember to choose for your comfort and just not to impress me."

Eternity looked as if she was caught red-handed.

Evan facepalmed.