Catarina's expression turned slightly darker, her eyes narrowing as she looked at the old woman, Skyler. She didn't like being called "little girl" and she especially didn't like being forced to accept something she didn't want. She tried to pull her hand back, but Skyler held on tight, her grip surprisingly strong.
"No, thank you," Catarina said, her voice firm but polite.
"I don't need it." Skyler's face fell, but she didn't let go of Catarina's hand.
"Oh, come now, dear. It's just a little something. Old Man Jenkins, tell her to take it." Old Man Jenkins looked uncomfortable, but he didn't intervene. Catarina's frown deepened, her eyes flashing with annoyance. She didn't like being pushed around, and she especially didn't like being treated like a child.
Catarina gave up she took the bracelet she just felt so annoyed by this. Skyler walked off with a happy smile on her face and Catarina stared at the bracelet. Outside Rosemary, David, Evelyn, and Catarina ex boyfriend Justin were all outside.
"Mrs. William who is that man?"
"Oh you mean Old Man Jenkins?" Skyler said sweetly. They saw Catarina pushing that old man wheelchair. "His a famous mage painter you can say his my teacher." Rosemary scuffed off.
"It's just a painter," David said. Skyler looked confused but didn't say anything. After all Catarina family is poor from the slums.
Catarina's eyes narrowed as she watched the group from a distance, her gaze fixed on Justin, her ex-boyfriend. She could sense the condescending tone in their conversation, and it only added to her annoyance. She didn't like being pitied or looked down upon, and the fact that they were discussing her family's financial situation made her feel even more uncomfortable. She turned her attention back to Old Man Jenkins, who was watching her with a knowing glint in his eye.
"Let's go," Catarina said, her voice low and firm, as she began to push the wheelchair away from the group.
"Lucas I need to go somewhere," Catarina said her voice was firm.
"Isabella how about you take Catarina to the place needs to go to," Aunt Charlotte said to her daughter.
"No mom I have a photo shooting I don't have the time to be a driver," Isabella said.
"Sorry Cousin I actually need to go on a movie shoot," Alexander said gently.
"Alexander you go. As for you Isabella your shooting isn't like until six hours."
"Yes and it takes time for beauty," Isabella said.
"Little sis I can't take you something came up," Lucas said.
"I will take her," Ryder said his voice was chilling everyone felt it.
Catarina's eyes locked onto Ryder, her expression unreadable. She didn't say a word, but her gaze seemed to bore into his very soul. The air in the room seemed to grow thick with tension as everyone else fell silent, sensing the undercurrents of power and intensity that Ryder's words had brought to the table. Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze flicking to Ryder before returning to Catarina, as if gauging her reaction. Aunt Charlotte's eyes widened, her expression a mixture of surprise and curiosity. Isabella's eyes rolled in exasperation, while Alexander's eyes darted between Ryder and Catarina, his expression neutral. The silence was oppressive, heavy with unspoken questions and unmet expectations. Finally, Catarina spoke, her voice low and even.
"Let's go."
Catarina's eyes never left Ryder's face as she nodded curtly and turned to head out the door. The tension in the room seemed to dissipate slightly as the others watched her go, their faces a mixture of curiosity and concern. Lucas's eyes lingered on Catarina's back before he turned to Ryder, his expression questioning.
"Ryder, what's going on?" he asked, his voice low. Ryder's gaze never wavered from the door, his eyes fixed on the spot where Catarina had disappeared.
"Nothing, Lucas," he said, his voice cold and detached.
"I'm just taking care of something." The room fell silent once more, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioning and the distant murmur of voices from outside.
Catarina got inside the car and Ryder got in the driver seat he has countless of beautiful woman but this woman is so different he wondered what her kids where like. Ryder had a reputation and that reputation well lets people fear Ryder for all kinds of reason.
"Where are we going?" Ryder asked in a smooth sexy voice.
"South 51 St," Catarina said coldly she went back to her Seru phone as she played a game.
Ryder's eyes flicked to Catarina, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths. He raised an eyebrow at her cold tone, but his expression remained smooth and unruffled. He started the car and began to drive, his eyes occasionally glancing at Catarina as he navigated the roads.
"South 51 St, huh?" he said, his voice low and smooth.
"That's a pretty rough neighborhood. What's waiting for you there?" He didn't expect her to answer, and his gaze returned to the road as he waited for her response. His eyes, however, lingered on her for a fraction of a second longer than necessary, his interest piqued by her enigmatic behavior.
When the got at South 51 Gate. Catarina grabbed her clear backpack which Princess was sleeping she looked at a building Aullura Mage Store. When Catarina walked inside she disappeared from Ryder sighed. Ryder texted one his friend about this place.
Ryder: do you know about Aullura Mage Store?
Axel: It's a place where mages buy their goods there it's hard to get an appointment there it opened up year and half ago. Bro are you having finally having problems with your powers!? Is the world dying!?
Ryder: Scram Ryder turned off his Seru phone. Ryder drove off after that.
Ryder's eyes narrowed as he drove away from the Aullura Mage Store. He had a feeling that Catarina was more than just a ordinary woman, and her connection to the mysterious store only added to his curiosity. He couldn't shake off the feeling that she was hiding something from him, and his instincts told him that he needed to be careful around her. As he drove, his mind wandered back to their conversation, or rather, the lack thereof. He couldn't help but wonder what she was doing at the store, and what kind of "goods" she was looking for. The more he thought about it, the more intrigued he became. He made a mental note to look into the store and its owners, and to keep a close eye on Catarina. Little did he know, his life was about to get a lot more complicated.
Catarina was inside she pushed the button to the tenth floor which was the last floor she walked over as people greeted her respectfully she walked inside a office and she saw a man sitting there that man worked for her his name is Julian Gray.
"Oh Boss I called you and called you I am so heart broken!" Julian playfully said and Catarina sat down she crossed her legs as she yawned.
"Shut up."
"I am your boyfriend!" Julian whined. "Ex boyfriend," Catarina said. Julian rolled his eyes.
"Anyway the market is going crazy with your new elixirs I swear Kitty each time I turn you just shock me!"