Lucy’s breath get caught as they fully entered the Phoenix Mall, she was truly srized by its grandeur.
Alex gave her hand a gentle squeeze, pulling her attention back to him.
"So," he said with an encouraging smile, "where would you like to start?"
"I don’t know, Brother Alex," she admitted. "I don’t even know what half of these places are for."
"Alright then," he said, making the decision for her. "Let see... first, let’s visit a clothing store.
There are plenty of clothes there that I think you’ll like. You’ll need more than just one outfit if you’re going to be spending ti in my world."
He turned to Supriya, who had been standing at a respectful distance.
"Could you take us to a good clothing store? Sothing with a wide selection and traditional."
"Of course, sir," Supriya replied with her professional smile. "There’s an excellent store on the second floor- Threads & Trends. They carry both traditional and modern styles, very popular with young ladies these days. I think you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for there."
"Perfect," Alex said. "Please, lead the way."
"Right this way, sir, ma’am," Supriya said, gesturing toward the left side of the mall.
Lucy followed obediently, though her eyes continued darting around, trying to absorb every detail of this place.
--------
Supriya stopped in front of the elevator.
"We’ll take the elevator to the second floor," Supriya explained, pressing a button on the wall beside the doors.
"Elevator?" Lucy repeated hesitantly not knowing what is coming again.
The tal doors slid open with a soft ding.
Seeing such a small room Lucy’s hold on Alex’s hand tightened automatically.
"It’s okay," Alex said soothingly. "I’m right here with you."
Alex led Lucy gently into the small space.
Supriya pushed the button labeled with the number "2," and Lucy felt the floor beneath her suddenly shift.
Lucy’s eyes went wide with shock, and she stumbled slightly as her body tried to adjust to the unexpected movent.
But before she could lose her balance, Alex’s arm wrapped firmly around her waist, holding her close to his side.
"I’ve got you," he whispered, his hand planted possessively on her hip, holding her steady.
Lucy’s heart began racing in her chest partly from the shock of the moving room, but mostly from the sudden, intimate contact.
His hand was warm through the thin fabric of her jeans, his grip strong.
From her spot by the elevator buttons, Supriya noticed the intimate mont and imdiately looked away, focusing intently on the floor number display.
She’d seen enough couples showing affection in the mall before that nothing like this could sway her anymore.
The elevator dinged softly, and the doors slid open to reveal the second floor.
"Here we are," Supriya said, leading the way out into the second floor. "The boutique is just down this corridor to the right."
Alex’s arm was still around Lucy’s waist as they stepped out of the elevator, and he did not attempt to let her go until they were standing on solid, unmoving ground.
Lucy looked up at him, and their eyes t.
She knew that Alex could have warned her about the elevator’s movent.
But he hadn’t.
And looking at the slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth, Lucy understood perfectly well why.
He just want an excuse to catch her.
A small, knowing smile tugged at her own lips as she looked away, her blush deepening.
"This way, please," Supriya said, leading them down a wide corridor lined with shops on both sides.
They stopped in front of a boutique with elegant window displays showcasing both traditional and modern clothing. The sign above read "Threads & Trends" in flowing script.
Supriya opened the door, and a small bell chid softly, announcing their arrival.
The boutique’s interior was spacious and elegantly arranged, with racks of clothing organized by style and color.
Soft music played from hidden speakers, and the lighting was warm and flattering.
Two shop attendants looked up from where they’d been organizing a display near the counter.
"Good morning!" the first attendant, whose na tag read "era," greeted with a bright smile.
"Welco to Threads & Trends! Please, feel free to browse, and let us know if you need any assistance with anything."
But Lucy wasn’t paying attention to the greetings or the attendants.
Her gaze had fixed imdiately on sothing near the window—a mannequin draped in the most beautiful cloth she had ever seen.
Lucy found herself moving towards it as if by an unseen force, her legs carrying her as if they have their own will.
Alex trailed behind her, watching as she ca to a stop right in front of the mannequin, her eyes wide with wonder and desire.
"It’s beautiful," Lucy whispered, her voice hardly above a whisper. "Brother Alex, I’ve never seen such a beautiful fabric. What is this fabric called?"
She reached out a hand hesitantly, her fingers hovering above the fabric.
"It’s a saree. Do you like it?" Alex asked, though the answer was plain on her face.
"Like it?" Lucy’s voice was full of awe. "Love it. I want to buy it right away!"
"Then you should try it on first," Alex said matter-of-factly.
He didn’t wait for her to say anything.
Alex had already turned to era, who had co up to help.
"Excuse ," he said politely. "Could we get this saree in her size? She’d like to try it on."
"Of course, sir!" era said enthusiastically, clearly delighted with the interest in one of their high-end items. "Let just check what sizes we have in stock. Ma’am, if you don’t mind, what’s your usual size for blouses?"
Lucy looked at Alex in desperation, having no idea how to answer that question.
"Could you take her asurents?" Alex suggested smoothly.
"Absolutely!" era pulled out a asuring tape from her pocket. "Ma’am, if you’ll just stand here for a mont..."
She began to take Lucy’s asurents professionally.
"Perfect!" era exclaid. "We have this exact saree in your size. It will fit beautifully. And ma’am, if I may suggest, i have a color that will look absolutely stunning with your complexion."
She went off into the back room and reappeared a few monts later, carrying the saree draped carefully over her arms, with the blouse folded neatly on top.
"I’ll show you to our fitting room," era said.
Lucy looked back at Alex to make sure.
"Go ahead," he said. "I’ll be right here waiting. Take your ti."
Lucy nodded, looking nervous but thrilled, and went off behind the curtain with era.
Alex sat back down in one of the comfortable chairs lined up outside the fitting rooms, taking out his phone to check his ssages while he waited.
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