The ride home was filled with Belinda’s nonstop chatter. She had bags in both hands and a grin that reached her ears. Kael was helping her carry some of the heavier bags while Rowan responded to her every word with small nods and chuckles. I just leaned against the window, pretending to listen.
My mind wasn’t on the shopping.
It wasn’t even on Belinda.
It was on a stupid little doll.
And the girl it reminded me of.
As soon as we walked into the house, Belinda spun around and clapped her hands. "Nobody’s going anywhere!" she sang. "I want to try everything I bought!"
Kael groaned. "Bel..."
She pouted. "Please? Just give me twenty minutes. I’ll model them one by one. You all owe me, remember?"
Rowan laughed lightly. "We remember."
I sighed. "Alright. Let’s get it over with."
Belinda rushed upstairs, her heels clacking quickly against the marble floor, arms full of bags like a kid on her birthday. She was practically glowing from excitement. Kael and Rowan dropped onto the living room couch while I stayed standing, hands in my pockets, mind half in and half out of the moment.
We didn’t have to wait long.
Within minutes, Belinda reappeared at the top of the stairs, her head held high, her eyes sparkling like she was stepping onto a runway. She descended the staircase slowly, her body moving with confidence.
She wore a silky wine-red dress that hugged every inch of her figure. The fabric shimmered slightly under the lights, flowing like water around her hips. It had a slit at the side that showed just enough leg to make a statement, and the neckline dipped just low enough to draw attention. She had slipped on gold heels to match, and her lipstick was the exact same shade as the dress, dark, bold, and commanding.
She placed one hand on her hip and tilted her head, posing.
"Well?" she asked, smiling like she already knew the answer.
Kael gave a little smirk and nodded. "Looks good. Shows off your curves."
Rowan leaned forward slightly, eyeing the details. "Nice color. Matches your lipstick."
I gave a small, polite smile. "Yeah. You look fine."
Her smile grew even wider like she had just won a prize. "Okay! Next one!" she chirped, turning around quickly and disappearing upstairs again with a twirl of the dress.
As soon as she was gone, Kael leaned in toward me, lowering his voice. "You better act more interested. She’s doing this for us."
I didn’t look at him. "Yeah."
A few minutes passed before she came down again, this time in a golden gown. It sparkled like sunlight, covered in delicate beading from shoulder to ankle. The straps sat gently on her shoulders, and the fitted bodice gave her a royal look. She twirled in it gracefully, letting the light bounce off every bead.
"Too much sparkle?" she asked playfully.
"No," Kael said, shaking his head. "That’s actually my favorite so far."
"It’s elegant," Rowan added.
I gave her another small nod. "It’s nice."
Each time, Kael and Rowan gave compliments. I gave mine too. Flat ones. Emotionless ones. I wasn’t trying to be mean, I just couldn’t focus.
My hand was still brushing over the small black bag in my pocket.
And the way I was itching to see her face when she saw it.
After the fifth outfit, Belinda came out in tight jeans and a crop top.
"You’re not going to tell me I look hot?" she asked, pouting at me.
"You always look hot," I said with a shrug.
She laughed. "Finally! A proper compliment."
As Kael and Rowan laughed and teased her about her "mini fashion show," I slowly slipped away.
They were too busy cheering her on.
I made my way down the hall, turned the corner, and stopped in front of the maid’s quarters. Specifically, Lisa’s room.
I pushed the door open and walked in.
Lisa was folding clothes, her back to the door. She spun around so fast it startled me.
Her eyes widened when she saw me, then narrowed.
She didn’t say anything.
She crossed her arms. "You could knock."
I scoffed. "It’s just me."
She rolled her eyes. "Exactly."
I stepped inside, letting the door close behind me.
Didn’t sit. Didn’t smile.
She just kept glaring.
I pulled the small bag from my pocket, then slowly sat on her little bed.
She watched me, confused.
It looked even more like her now. Same brown eyes. Same soft pout. Same messy hair.
"This thing," I said, smirking. "Looks exactly like you."
Her brows furrowed. "What?"
I held it higher, swinging its legs. "Yeah. See? Big eyes. Grumpy face. Like it wants to slap someone but doesn’t have the energy."
She frowned. "Are you making fun of me?"
"No," I said, then chuckled. "Okay, maybe a little."
She stared at me like I’d grown two heads.
I looked at the doll again. "You know what? I’m going to call her... Grumps."
Lisa blinked. "Grumps?"
Her eyes narrowed even more. "You really came here to insult me with a doll?"
I held the doll out. "No. I came to give it to you."
She froze. "Wait, what?"
"I bought it," I said simply. "For you."
Her arms dropped to her sides. "You bought... me a doll?"
I shrugged. "Saw it in the store. Thought of you. So I got it."
Just stared at me like I was speaking another language.
"You can take it," I added, still holding it out.
She took a step forward. Slowly. Like she was afraid it would disappear.
Her hands were shaky when she took it from me.
The moment she touched it, her face changed.
I didn’t expect that.
She looked... soft. Quiet. Almost sad.
Her fingers ran over the doll’s dress, then the stitches on its face. "It’s... handmade."
"You bought it for me?"
I blinked. "I don’t know."
She looked at me now, really looked. "That’s not an answer."
I leaned back on the bed, letting out a breath. "Because you’ve been making things interesting these days."
She snorted. "You barging into my room doesn’t exactly make me feel close to you."
I gave a crooked smile. "You’re cute when you’re mad."
She rolled her eyes again but didn’t give the doll back.
She sat down on the chair near the bed, still holding it close.
"I don’t get you, Damon," she muttered softly.