“I think you’re just overreacting,” I said as I waved off his concerns.
“Also, it is inaccurate to say that you don’t matter,” Zain said so softly that I almost didn’t catch his words at first.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked as I tore my gaze away from the sparkling diamond necklace that I had been eyeing.
“You do matter...” Zain replied in short.
The way he said those words to me sounded sincere enough to make my chest feel tight. I wanted to believe him but that didn’t mean that I completely understood what he meant. I cocked my head slightly to the side as I pondered and flipped around his words in my mind. The movement of the boutique door opening caught my attention as my eyes focused on the person that had just walked in. For a moment, I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing.
“You’re finally here...” Zain said without hiding his relief.
It felt like he was truly glad to be somewhat relieved of his duties. I was too stunned to react to Zain’s words as my eyes felt glued to the tall blond man that had just walked in. My heart beat faster in my chest as I watched him approach me. I could feel his eyes focused on me as if he couldn’t see anything or anyone else in his field of vision.
“Why are you here?” I asked as he came to stand right in front of me.
“I heard my wife was here shopping so I thought I should accompany her,” he replied smoothly.
“I thought you were busy entertaining your guest,” I replied.
All Bradon did in response to my provocation was to smirk a little at me. I watched as Bradon walked casually past me to pay attention to a very extravagant emerald and diamond necklace on display in a large glass case. It felt challenging for me to understand what I was truly feeling the moment that I saw Bradon walk in. Unbelievably, just like Zain, I must have felt at least slightly relieved that he turned up. As I watched him pay attention to the various jewelry pieces on display, I couldn’t help but realize that the fact that he turned up made me feel better than when I was on my retail therapy shopping spree.
“Do you want to get something?” he asked as he turned his attention back to me.
That was when I realized that I was still glued to the same spot and that I was busy watching him rather than the jewelry on display.
“I don’t know...” I muttered in reply.
The truth was that I wanted to know exactly why he came here. Zain must have informed him where we were, so that didn’t surprise me. What was unexpected was the fact that Bradon had decided to follow me here.
What does he want?
“Excuse me. Could you please show us some of the best diamond rings that you have?” Bradon requested as he spoke to the store manager.
“Of course...” she replied with clear delight.
“Come here, Diana,” he said as he waved me over to his side.
I snapped out of my trance as my mind raced to figure out what kind of twisted plan that he had in mind. What he was doing seemed so out of character and made no sense at all to me.
“What are you doing?” I hissed softly when I stood close to his side.
“I’ll buy a ring for you,” he announced before smiling at me.
“Why? Why do you need to get a ring for me?” I asked as I tried to stop myself from frowning in frustration.
“Why? Do you want more than one?” he replied mockingly.
“No, that’s not...” I denied as I started to frown.
“I don’t need to, so let’s just say that I want to...” he replied casually like it was nothing.
“People don’t just randomly buy a diamond ring for another person...” I pointed out in case he wasn’t clear about that.
“I’m not just randomly buying this and you’re not just some random ‘other person’...” he replied before grinning at me.
I blinked rapidly a couple of times while he chuckled. Whatever he was doing, it just felt like he was toying with me and playing me for a fool. Just when I was about to protest, the store manager came back.
“Please follow me this way to the private room,” she said before gesturing with her hands for us to follow her.
“There’s really no need...” I began protesting to Bradon before I had to stop.
The firm pressure that I felt around my elbow as he held my arm told me that it was already too late for me to back out of this. For some reason unbeknownst to me, Bradon seemed determined to purchase me a diamond ring.
“Just come along,” he urged as his grip around my elbow tightened a little.
The private room at the back of the boutique was clearly reserved for the VVIP customers. The store manager proudly presented a few black velvet trays with various diamonds ring sitting on it. Perhaps it was because Bradon had asked them for the best that they had, all the rings presented had very large diamonds as their center stone. Although diamonds were worn as ordinary jewelry as well, I couldn’t help but think that all the rings presented just looked like impressive engagement rings. I glared up at his face before narrowing my eyes suspiciously as I wondered what kind of trick he was playing on me this time around. My accusing glare was met with bright innocent blue eyes before he smiled charmingly at me.
“Do you have a particular diamond shape in mind or perhaps a specific setting?” the store manager asked.
“What do you think, Diana?” Bradon quickly passed over the question to me.
“Umm...” I murmured as I hesitantly diverted my gaze from his face to the rings being displayed.
The way the store manager seemed to be holding her breath in anticipation of my choice so that she would make a massive sale had me feeling slightly uncomfortable and guilty.
--To be continued...