Fame being purely new to Anya, it didn't cross her mind she might have to cover her face or think before appearing in public.
Going out with her friend to shop for Christmas gifts for her parents, Zane, and his friends, Anya kept pointing at the malls, and shopping streets where she usually goes. However, Krystle shrugged her and straight drove to the luxurious shopping complex Anya wouldn't think of dropping there, to even get a coffee.
Considering Krystle was going to shop, Anya alighted the sports car in front of the complex and asked curiously, "From when did you start shopping for Christmas?" Krystle's mother always handled everything at the Lewis family.
Anya's face brightened recalling Krystle's boyfriend. None of Krystle's one-nights ever lasted as a boyfriend and Linus was the first man Anya didn't hear any complaints about. "Buying something for Linus?" She was thrilled thinking of their smooth sailing-relationship.
Although the plan was Anya's sexy lingerie shopping, Krystle's eyes shone upon hearing Linus's name. "Should I get something for him?" She got excited. She could buy anything anytime for Linus but thinking as a gift for Christmas tickled her.
Anya chuckled helplessly witnessing how her sexy bold friend turned into a lady in love causing the valet to forget his job and swoon. "You should." Anya mused and followed Krystle who held her hand and started planning what she could buy.
Anya's bright smile on her face started to vanish slowly when she noted people were looking at them. She was used to the eyes on Krystle but she could feel the one who was grabbing attention wasn't Krystle but her.
Those weren't the eyes of admiration but judgy and gossipy. Those gazes weren't envious of her or hoped to get close to her, instead maintained distance and tried not to cross her path.
Since the mall or the shopping complex was mainly for international and expensive domestic brands, the crowd was less compared to other places. Nevertheless, Anya noted people were inconspicuously recording them and hiding mobiles as soon as her eyes were going on them. It started to make her uncomfortable and also conscious.
Conscious because the Matthews family was suffering, her son was almost kidnapped the day before yesterday. And people love to twist the truth and use simple things against them.
"Krystie…" Anya tugged at Krystle who had spotted the lingerie brand shop where she wanted to take Anya.
Assuming Anya was stopping her, Krystle pulled Anya to the shop with a mischievous grin, "Don't be shy, Annie. I promise not to take a photo and send it to your husband. Surprises are good." She grinned brightly, trying to tease her.
Anya furrowed as soon she was taken inside a new world of lingerie. She was rendered speechless when Krystle was picking the fits that could barely cover anything.
Despite never directly working on cases of women trafficking and red-light areas, Anya had assisted her colleagues and seen many kinds of lingerie and fetish clothes. Honestly, she had wondered where those people were getting such clothes as she never saw in any kind of mall or shop. Now she realized, it was high-brand clothes.
Taking a step slower than the speed of a snail, Anya's eyes fell on the skirt that could cover nothing. She wanted to faint when her eyes fell on the price tag of it.
Krystle picked the one which caught her eyes, "Annie, this will look tempting on you." She excitedly said without noticing uncomfortable Anya or the eyes on them.
Anya almost coughed up blood when Krystle turned to her holding a black strappy thing in hand. She couldn't help but think about what that thing will cover on her body. Yet she imagined herself in it and Alvin in front of her. The deeds of the night and morning became fresh in her mind leaving her baffled.
Behind Krystle, Anya noticed the manager and a salesgirl who was approaching them to serve, froze as soon as they identified her. Their faint gasps didn't go unnoticed by her. She didn't turn to the other side feeling the eyes and mobiles towards them.
Krystle, who was waiting for Anya to be shy and reluctant, noticed Anya's frowns and Anya's attention wasn't on her or the clothes.
Brushing her eyes around, Krystle witnessed the attention she used to gather was on Anya. No one bothered about her fame, her family name, or her stylish clothes. Instead, they were oddly peering at Anya.
Her eyes settled on Anya who was covered top to toe and looked rather pretty. Krystle wished those eyes were of admiration for her friend but they weren't. She didn't miss noticing people whispering to each other and looking their way, precisely Anya.
She quickly moved her hand that was showing the lingerie to Anya. She placed it on herself, she tried her best to sound normal while asking, "How does it look on me?"
Krystle least wanted anything to make headlines against Anya. She hadn't expected the people there to also try taking their pictures. Those people were usually from the upper circle and they get to see or meet celebrities, politicians, and businessmen easily.
Why were they making Anya uncomfortable? Krystle wanted to gauge their eyes.
Anya was an amazing mother who cared for her son and a woman who has a life beyond her work and the disgusting Matthews family.
What was wrong with shopping for lingerie?
Nevertheless, Krystle didn't want people to judge Anya because she brought Anya there. So she was trying to be mindful while cursing herself for not being careful prior.
Anya, who sensed the anxiety in Krystle's voice while trying to maintain her image, chuckled trying to cool off the air. She can't stop living because of problems. She shouldn't make her friend feel awkward because of people's eyes. Nevertheless, she didn't think she could buy that piece of garnet and wear it.
Stepping forward, Anya mused looking at Krystle top to toe, "You wear these things beneath?" There was a tease in her tone and her smiling mischief.
Krystle was tongue-tied for a moment. She wanted to shriek in excitement. She loves her best friend who dares to face everything boldly. Krystle whispered, resting her elbow on Anya's shoulder, "You learned my secret of seduction."
Thinking about it, Krystle did have some sexy lingerie but never bought so sultry ones. How would Linus react? Should she also shop for some?
Krystle suddenly beamed looking at the large collection in the store, "Should we get two pairs in everything?"
Anya: "…"
Although there was a hint of worry about how things would turn out, she was dragged into the shop while Krystle shopped for both ignoring her refusal.
…
In the Skylark,
Alvin was working when Rob placed his iPad on the desk as he reported, "We have taken care of the post." His expression was stiff wondering if Skylark was established in Narnia to do PR for Anya and Alvin instead of doing some business.
Ean strode inside the office without knocking and growled at Alvin, "Alvin Matthews, are we doing business or cleaning up your wife's mess?" All his plans were delayed as the teams were busy handling Alvin and Anya's social life. And he was getting calls to make an appointment with Anya. He was a bloody CEO, not her assistant.
Rob turned to Ean. He was handling Anya's media exposure. Why was Ean pissed?
Alvin's fingers paused on the keyboard. He discerned the deleted post wasn't about them against the Matthews family but Anya was on the news. He assumed both of them were there for the same issue.
He leaned back on the seat and looked at his friend who was faking his anger, yet annoyed for dealing with the media instead of focusing on their projects.
Was Ean expecting him to get angry at his wife for causing some ruckus? How naive!
Alvin mused in a calm tone, "CEO Watson, do you have a misunderstanding?"
He saw Ean raise his brow without understanding his counter. He deadpanned, "Skylark is started for my wife."
Rob and Ean: "…"
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om