Alex sat in the plush waiting chair, his eyes focused to his phone, scrolling through a mindless mobile ga just to kill ti.
So deeply engrossed was he in trying to beat his current level that he almost did not hear the soft swish of the fitting room curtain being pulled aside.
"Brother Alex?"
Alex looked up casually, hoping to see her in the saree, and when he did, he was not able to look away anymore.
His thumb froze mid-swipe on the screen of his phone.
The ga forgotten right in front of her new outfit.
Lucy stood before him, utterly changed once again.
And that deep erald green saree wrapped itself at her perfection-the rich fabric shining bright with gleams of subtle golden threads. The fitted blouse complented her figure while remaining tastefully modest, and her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders.
She just looked absolutely breathtaking.
"Brother Alex?" Lucy's voice again, softer this ti, her cheeks beginning to beca red under his entirely serious gaze. "Is.... is sothing wrong? Does it look bad?"
era had followed Lucy out of the fitting room. She noticed imdiately that Alex was affected.
A knowing smile overspread her face as she watched the young man who appeared to have forgotten altogether how to act or react.
"Well," said era, the sarcasm hardly contained within her voice as she took another step closer, her fingers reaching out to delicately adjust one of the pleats.
"I think we can safely say that sir approves of this choice."
"Ma'am, I must say, this saree was ant to be worn by you. The color, the fitting, everything is just perfect. You are looking absolutely stunning."
"And judging by the way sir is staring at you, I think he would agree. In fact, I don't think he's blinked once since you ca out, miss."
Lucy's face went an even darker shade of red.
"Brother Alex!" Lucy finally found a reason to shout to him.
At last, her words seed to break through whatever trance had held Alex entranced.
He blinked a few more tis, clearing his throat as if to compose himself.
"You look beautiful, Lucy," he said simply trying to look calm, his voice laced with genuine sincerity. "That saree suits you perfectly."
------
After that, Lucy tried on a few more sarees, each ti erging from the fitting room with growing confidence, though she still blushed whenever Alex's gaze lingered too long.
For his part, Alex found himself enjoying the experience far more than he'd expected. Watching Lucy discover these new styles, seeing her face light up with each new saree-it was endearing in a way that made sothing warm settle in his chest.
"Okay," Lucy finally said, erging from the fitting room for the last ti, back in her original white top and jeans. "Brother Alex, we really should stop now. You've already bought so many."
"We're good," he said matter-of-factly, pulling out his credit card. "Just ring it all up, please."
era's eyes fairly glead as she did her addition of the commission that she might going to get from this ti.
"Of course, sir. Your girlfriend has good taste, and you're so generous."
Lucy opened her mouth to correct her, but Alex spoke first.
"She deserves nothing but the best."
The transaction was smoothly completed, and the attendants carefully packed everything in neat shopping bags.
"Thank you so much for your purchase, sir," era said as she handed over the bags. "Ma'am, you're going to look absolutely beautiful in all of these. Please do co back and visit us again!"
------
The walk back through the mall was much quieter this ti.
Lucy still looked around with interest, but the overwhelming shock of the new environnt had vanished.
She was adjusting, Alex realized with satisfaction.
They made their way to the parking lot and climbed into the Grand Wagoneer.
--------
The drive back to Lotus Crown Villa was nowhere near as dramatic as the trip to the mall had been.
"You're getting used to it," Alex noted approvingly as they sat at a red light.
Lucy mustered a small smile.
"I'm trying. It's still terrifying, but less than before, though I would still prefer to ride on horses."
They pulled into the villa's driveway without incident.
"Here," Alex said, handing Lucy the keys to the house. "You go inside first. I'll park and bring in all the bags."
Lucy took the keys, stared at them for a mont, and then nodded.
"Okay, Brother Alex. Take your ti."
She stepped out and headed toward the main entrance, her steps more confident than they had been this morning.
Alex watched her disappear through the front door before driving toward the garage.
-------
Alex parked the Grand Wagoneer in the garage.
He turned off the engine and climbed out, moving to the trunk to gather the shopping bags.
Just as he was tugging the last bag out, a shrill scream pierced from inside the house.
Alex's head jerked up.
"Riya?"
Shit what was she doing her.
He dropped the bags and ran toward the house entrance, his heart racing.
He rushed into the living room and stood dead in his tracks.
There stood Lucy, still near the entrance and with a wide look of shock in her eyes.
And in the middle of the room was Riya,
She was wearing a catgirl cosplay outfit—a tight black bodysuit with a tail attached, cat ears perched on her head, and paw gloves on her hands. The outfit was clearly ant to be provocative, leaving very little to the imagination.
Her face was bright red, her arms crossed over her chest in a futile attempt to cover herself, her eyes wide.
The three stood in stunned silence.
"Alex!" Riya scread, her voice cracking in embarrassnt. "Why didn't you tell you were bringing soone ho?!"
Lucy's eyes turned slowly from Riya to Alex, her expression unreadable.
"Brother Alex," Lucy said strangely calmly. "Is that.... my sister?"
Alex opened his mouth.
It then closed it.
Not one word ca out.
Oh no.
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