Tessa was done with her routine for the day, she woke up when she heard a knock on the door that her father was looking for her. She wondered what her father wanted to discuss with her, it had to be important since he sent someone to her very early.
Tessa reached the hunting ground in the manor, this was her father's daily routine if he was available, of course, he would do it with her grandfather.
Sir Mateo was aiming his rifle at the sky when Tessa entered, he was trying to target a bird but the bird's movement was unpredictable, he took the shot when Tessa stopped behind him and he missed. The bird disappeared from sight.
Sir Mateo lowered his rifle and gave it to one of the men close to him, Tessa's cheeks moved a little, she remembered her father was an excellent shooter, he probably missed on purpose, just like grandfather always missed on purpose to let him win.
"Good morning, Father"
Tessa stepped closer to him.
"Why am I here"
She looked around the premises, surely it wasn't another assessment, she didn't see another rifle so it definitely wasn't another drill.
Sir Mateo extended his hand to the man at his left-hand side, the man quickly brought out an invitation card from his suit pocket.
Sir Mateo received the card and faced Tessa.
"Thankfully, king of war Alexander didn't make any move. He left the city yesterday, hopefully, he didn't take what you did to heart"
He displayed the invitation card in front of Tessa.
"This invitation card is a one-on-one date with a head commander"
He extended the card to Tessa.
"This head commander has a strong links with some kings of war, and some mayors are under his wings. We have strong reason to believe he is under the wings of a ninth star king of war"
Tessa accepted the card from her father's hands, she wasn't expecting another invitation card so soon, but it was better this way, she had limited time after all, so she had to find the one suitable for her.
She stared at the invitation card, it was a restaurant date, but not a normal public restaurant, this restaurant was meant for only people in the military. She never knew the country had something like this, perhaps this was opened after the war ended.
Truly, these military men were the next rulers of this country.
Tessa placed the invitation card in her pocket, it was more of a ticket to enter the military restaurant.
She found her father's words interesting, she believed the head commander would be an interesting one. His godfather was a ninth star king of war, meaning many people would think twice before they offend him.
A head commander wasn't all that bad in the first place, but his connection made him outstanding, getting this invitation must've cost her father a lot.
Sir Mateo continued when Tessa accepted the card.
"This was hard to get, I pulled a lot of strings to get it, so don't blow it"
He looked at Tessa's clothes, she was putting on a red vest with a white sleeve and black pants, she probably didn't have anything else to wear.
He forgot Tessa was brought here without her belongings, her clothes from three years ago would probably be uncomfortable now.
Sir Mateo brought out a black business card from his pocket.
"Your date is six hours from now, you should get some new clothes before then"
He handed Tessa the black card, Tessa accepted the card, she thought it was a bank card, but she was wrong, it was a business card.
The business name was written on the card, the owner's name was also written on the card, and then there was a big signature on it. She believed the signature belonged to the owner.
There was a phone number written on the back of the card, she believed the number belonged to the store owner too.
Tessa looked at her father, she had never seen a business card like this one.
Seeing Tessa's quizzical expression, Sir Mateo decided to explain the card to her.
"It's a special privilege card in DK store, and only we have access to it. Show it to the cashier or any of the staff, and you won't have to pay for anything you bought.
"The owner of DK store is indebted to the Wood family, he has a bond relationship with the Wood family so we normally settle things like this differently"
Tessa shoved the card in her pocket, she knew the Wood family had helped a lot of people during bad periods, and those people were forever indebted to the Wood family.
She believed the Wood family must've helped the owner of DK store in one or two ways, for him to create a bond with the Wood family.
"I guess I have to leave"
Tessa left the hunting ground, she had to get some new clothes before the time, she truly didn't have any fitting clothes in her wardrobe so she would be buying a lot, but today, she would go for only one.
Tessa reached the parking lot in the main house, Jeremy had already prepared a car for her, a white mercedes G wagon. Jeremy was about to open the door when Tessa blocked his view.
"Give me the key"
Jeremy was surprised Tessa was still angry with him.
"I was just following orders, I had to report to your father before you"
Tessa's eyebrows pushed to each other, why didn't he tell her, instead of making her look like a fool?
She moved her right hand to Jeremy.
"That is exactly what I am doing now. I am ordering you"
Jeremy hesitated for some seconds before he gave Tessa the key. Without looking at Jeremy's face, Tessa entered the car and left.
Jeremy had been doing this since she was a kid, now she gets to experience it again, being tagged as a fool. Nope, she wouldn't allow it again, if he doesn't become loyal to her, then he shouldn't walk by her side.
Tessa reached DK store, it was a luxury building, and she hadn't been to one for three years now.
David took her once, and that was all, she didn't complain because his mother was always nagging that she married him because of his money, so asking for another set of expensive clothes would give his mom more room to expand her theory.
Tessa frowned deeply when she thought about it, she would definitely get her revenge on David, and the entire Winston family.
The Winston family would not even be considered as a family in the eyes of the Wood family, she could squash them anytime she wanted.
Tessa entered DK store, she could already see many fancy clothes, but she wanted something expensive today, she had to look like a goddess for the head commander, a dazzling one.
Tessa stopped in the most luxurious section in the store, she had her eyes on one of the dresses, it was a simple one, a short backless gown that would reach to her knee, black in color, and it was decorated with white sequin.
She found this one suitable for the occasion, it was just a restaurant date, putting on a long gown or anything extraordinary would be too fancy.
This was simple and perfect in Tessa's eyes.
Her eyes moved to the price written on it.
[Ten thousand dollars]
Tessa glanced at the price, her father didn't tell her if she was limited to a certain amount, which meant there was no limit, she believed her family would be paying for it, but with a lesser amount.
As much as the Wood family had fallen from the number one spot, they were still filthy rich.
Tessa faced the sales girl who had been following her since she entered.
"I would get this one"
"Oh my God!!"
Somebody loudly interrupted Tessa, the voice came from a lady, a young girl.
she reached the scene and pointed at the dress Tessa picked.
"How much is it"
The girl hurriedly said, she was dressed in a short gown, one glance and it was clear that she was from a rich family.
The sales girl pointed at Tessa.
"I am sorry ma, but this lady over here had already picked it"
"Who"
The young girl faced Tessa's direction, she was stupefied seeing the lady the sale girl was talking about. Tessa was dumbfounded when she saw the young girl was David's younger sister. Annabelle Winston.
Among all David's relatives, she was the second hag after her mom. Tessa tried to be on this little witch side, hoping it would help her in her relationship with David, but this little witch used her to clean all her dirty deeds, and still supported her mother.
Tessa's eyebrows pushed down to her eyes.
Just then, Mrs Penelope, David's mom, entered the store.
"Annabelle, don't rush that way into a luxury store like this, you might end up bumping into somebody which might stain your clothes"
She raised her head only to see Tessa.
'What is Tessa doing here'
'How can she be inside a luxurious store like this'
'who allowed her inside'
'Is this real'