Blake family gathered around the breakfast table. Amid the soft clinking of plates, Sophia's voice rang out cheerfully.
"Elysia, let's go shopping today."
Elysia blinked, her fork pausing mid-air. "Shopping?"
"Yes! We need to get you some new clothes and jewelry. It'll be fun."
"I already have plenty, Mother," Elysia replied softly, not entirely keen on the idea.
Sophia gave her a knowing smile. "For a woman, it's never enough. Trust me, you'll enjoy it."
Across the table, Benjamin and William exchanged amused glances before joining in.
"She's right, Elysia," William said, leaning back in his chair. "You've been cooped up in the house since you were discharged from the hospital. A little fresh air will do you good."
"Explore the city a bit," Benjamin added. "It'll be a nice change of pace."
Caught between her family's enthusiasm, Elysia relented with a faint smile. "Alright, I'll go."
Once William and Benjamin left for work, Sophia wasted no time. The two of them got ready and set off for the city's largest mall.
As they stepped out of the car, all eyes seemed to turn toward them. People were struck by Sophia's elegant grace and the breathtaking beauty of the young woman beside her. Elysia's striking green eyes drew particular attention, a feature so rare it seemed almost otherworldly.
Elysia noticed the stares but kept her expression calm. It wasn't the first time, and she doubted it would be the last.
Sophia led the way into a boutique filled with designer clothing. The saleswoman greeted them warmly, momentarily stunned by Elysia's presence. Wearing fitted jeans and a tucked-in black shirt paired with heels, she looked effortlessly stunning.
"Hello, ma'am. How can I help ?" the saleswoman asked, her voice tinged with awe.
Sophia smiled warmly. "We're looking for dresses for my daughter."
Elysia's eyes caught on a mannequin displaying a green fishtail gown with delicate straps. Something about the dress reminded her of the attire from her past life.
Sophia noticed. "Oh, you like that one?"
"No, Mother, I was just—"
"It's perfect for you," Sophia interrupted, signaling to the saleswoman. "We'll try it."
Elysia barely had time to protest before she was gently pushed toward the fitting room. With a resigned sigh, she slipped into the dress.
When she stepped out, both Sophia and the saleswoman were momentarily speechless.
"Wow…" Sophia breathed, her eyes wide with admiration. "You Look beautiful" Sophia whispered.
The dress hugged Elysia perfectly, accentuating her figure while the green fabric brought out the vivid hue of her eyes. The delicate straps framed her shoulders elegantly, giving her an ethereal appearance.
"This was made for you," Sophia declared, already signaling for the purchase.
From one store to another, Sophia's excitement only grew. Elysia, meanwhile, struggled to keep up with her mother's unrelenting energy. Bags began piling up, and each time she tried to suggest , Sophia waved her off.
Finally, after what felt like hours, Elysia stopped in her tracks. "Mother, it's too much. Let's leave something for another day."
Sophia laughed. "Alright, alright. Let's take a break and grab some lunch."
They found a cozy restaurant with seats by the window overlooking the bustling mall. As they waited for their food, Elysia felt a sudden prickling sensation at the back of her neck. Her gaze instinctively shifted across the restaurant, beyond the glass that revealed the mall's lively interior. Near a distant pillar, she caught a fleeting glimpse of a dark figure slipping out of sight.
"Is something wrong?" Sophia asked.
Elysia forced a smile. "No, nothing."
Their food arrived, and they ate quietly, but Elysia couldn't shake the unease.
After lunch, as they walked toward the mall's exit, Elysia felt it again. The presence was closer this time, deliberate. Her instincts flared, and she turned sharply, but there was no one.
She narrowed her eyes. Whoever it was, they were skilled at hiding.
"Mother, could you wait here for a moment? I just remembered something I need to check," Elysia said.
Sophia nodded, distracted by a jewelry display.
Elysia slipped away, her steps silent as she moved toward the shadowed corners of the mall. "You've been following me," she said aloud, her voice low and sharp.
The man with a mask turned slowly, startled by her sudden approach. His expression hardened, and without a word, he bolted toward a nearby fire exit.
Elysia pursued him without hesitation. She caught up in the stairwell, grabbing his wrist and slamming him against the wall.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice like steel.
The man struggled, surprised by her strength. "Green eyes…" he muttered under his breath, His words sent a chill down Elysia's spine.
Elysia's grip tightened, but before she could press further, the man kneed her in the stomach. She stumbled back, and he took the opportunity to escape.
Her phone buzzed. It was Sophia.
"Where are you, dear?"
Elysia straightened, catching her breath. "Just looking around, Mother. I'll be right there."
After smoothing her clothes and calming her nerves, she returned to Sophia, who was now holding a sparkling necklace.
"There you are! I thought I lost you," Sophia said with a laugh.
Elysia smiled faintly. "I'm here, Mother.
Inside, her mind raced. Whoever that man was, he wasn't here by chance. And the word he'd uttered—green eyes—lingered ominously in her thoughts.
They continued browsing for a while longer, but Elysia's thoughts were far from settled. The man's whispered words—green eyes—lingered in her mind . She couldn't shake the feeling that his comment wasn't random.
Why green eyes? she wondered. Are they following me because of my eyes?
As her thoughts swirled, a memory suddenly came rushing back—the man in the bathroom when she had first arrived in this world. His piercing gaze, his dangerous aura. She had concealed her face in that moment, but she couldn't hide her eyes. Could this masked man somehow be connected to him?
Her reflection in the store windows caught her eye, her striking green gaze staring back at her like an accusation. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to think clearly. If my eyes are what they're after, I need to do something about it.
Later, as they passed a cosmetics store, Elysia noticed a poster advertising colored contact lenses. The image depicted a model wearing lenses that had completely transformed her natural eye color. Elysia paused, her curiosity piqued.
"Mother, could we stop here for a moment? I want to check something."
Sophia raised an eyebrow but agreed, following her inside.
Elysia approached the counter. "Do these lenses... really change the colour of your eyes?"
The attendant smiled warmly. "Yes, absolutely! They can completely cover your natural color. Many people use them for fashion or to try something new."
"Do you have something in hazel or dark brown?" she asked.
"Of course," the attendant replied, pulling out a selection of lenses.
Sophia, still curious, leaned closer. "Lenses? What for, dear?"
Elysia hesitated but quickly thought of an excuse. "Just for fun, Mother. I've always wondered how I'd look with a different eye colour."
The attendant handed her a sample pair, a deep hazel shade that could mask her vivid green. Elysia tried them on, turning toward a mirror.
She turned toward a mirror, staring at her reflection. The green that had always defined her was gone, replaced by an unassuming hazel.
Sophia clapped her hands lightly. "They look beautiful! Almost as if it's your natural color."
Elysia nodded, satisfied. The lenses concealed her unique eyes well enough. If they're after my green eyes, I'll make sure no one sees them.
She purchased a few pairs and tucked them into her bag, still feeling a strange unease in the pit of her stomach.
As they left the shop, Sophia playfully nudged her. "You've been full of surprises today."
Elysia smiled faintly, adjusting her bag. "Just trying something new, Mother."
The truth weighed heavier than she let on. She wasn't trying something new—she was preparing for something she couldn't yet understand.