Chapter 231: Mall Date
Princess took me to the mall, and we spent the day together. It felt more like a date than just shopping. She took pictures of me, both the good and silly moments. We shared ice cream, watched a movie together, and even went to the spa. It was honestly a cute moment for us. We held each other’s hands while getting massages and facial treatments.
While Princess stayed busy on her phone, I happily ate lunch in the eatery. She fed me, and I fed her too. We even took pictures of us kissing and eating together. The phone screen flashed constantly as she snapped candid shots of me with sauce on my chin, laughing out loud while she wiped it away with a napkin.
Since she wanted me to get something for myself, I chose a backpack, sneakers, and a cool-looking blanket that could be colored on. I liked the idea of coloring while wrapped inside the blanket. I ran my fingers over the heavy fabric, already visualizing myself sitting in the corner of the game lounge, markers in hand, filling in the shapes while the heavy bass of their video games rumbled through the ground.
While Princess was busy typing on her phone, I decided to buy something for her too.
She shouldn’t always be the only one buying things for me. As her girlfriend, I should also get her something.
I bought her a stainless steel mug. After paying, the store customized it for me. I told them to make it gaming-themed and write "Faye Loves Princess" on it. I watched the machine engrave the letters into the surface, the tiny sparks throwing bright reflections against the glass partition.
When I saw the finished mug, it looked beautiful and amazing. I gave it to Princess, and she loved it. She said it was always going to stay on her desk. She traced the engraved words with her thumb, her eyes softening into a genuine smile as she tucked it safely into the bag.
Seeing her happy over my gift made my heart race. I had stood in that store for so long trying to think of something she would genuinely like. My chest felt incredibly warm, the anxiety of picking the wrong thing completely melting away at her reaction.
We also stopped by a baby store. I knew Princess had already bought clothes and all the necessities, but I wanted the experience of shopping for the pups too. I didn’t want Princess to be the only one picking things for them. I pushed the small glass door open, the soft lullaby music playing over the speakers making me smile instantly.
Looking at the tiny clothes made me smile. I picked matching outfits for the quads, and we even customized clothes for the babies and for us, their parents. I held up four tiny yellow onesies, my fingers smoothing out the cotton fabric while checking the tags. Princess just kept staring at me while I randomly picked things. She didn’t say a single word, just followed behind my shoulder with a soft expression, watching me stack the little garments in her arms.
While paying, I heard her mutter about needing to stream games for twenty-four hours to recover all the money she spent.
Really? I thought she wanted to buy me whatever I wanted. She should be grateful I didn’t choose the most expensive things in the mall... or empty the entire store.
After our mall date, she dropped me off at the gym before returning to her gaming world. The car door slammed shut, and I watched her porche slide into the traffic stream before I turned around to face the entrance.
After all the arguments and debates about business ideas, we finally decided to keep the gym the way it was, but redesigned in our own style.
Malo would have a section where he could sell donuts and beverages to customers. He was already tracing a square outline on the wall near the entrance, mapping out where his glass display case and espresso machine would go.
Sasha and Haley chose modern gym equipment and became in charge of gadgets, finances, and advertising.
Sasha sat on an empty crate with her tablet, her fingers flying across the screen as she pulled up budget spreadsheets and equipment catalogs.
For now, I was acting manager until we figured out everyone’s true strengths in the business. I leaned against the front desk, watching the team work while tracking the schedule on my phone.
Malo also brought baby Charlie to the gym because his parents were out, and his siblings refused to babysit. I spent most of the day watching Charlie sleep in her stroller. She looked bigger than the last time I saw her. Her tiny cheeks were resting against the soft blanket, her little chest rising and falling in slow, steady movements.
Wow, soon I will be watching four pups like that...
While I watched over Charlie, Haley inspected the gym to see what needed changing, and Sasha worked on our logo and social media pages. Sasha was hunched over her tab, her sketch pad covered in different font designs and color palettes.
The gym’s name became Starpants and Co.
It was decided through voting. Malo and I voted for Starpants, and Sasha added the "and Co." because she wanted to feel included in the name. Haley eventually agreed because, honestly, the whole idea started with me, Malo, and Sasha wanting our own business to cover our actual business.
Whether Haley liked it or not, it started with Malo and me... then Sasha.
Still, Haley agreed because she said being friends with us mattered more than arguing.
I spent time playing with Charlie, making her laugh, giggle, and cry. I also fed her. The little girl finished five bottles like it was nothing. I sat on a low bench, cradling her small body in my arms while she sucked down the milk, her tiny fingers clutching tightly at my sleeve.
Night eventually came after we spent the entire afternoon at the gym. By next month, it would probably officially open for customers.
Malo was driving me home when I realized we were taking a different route. The car turned sharp at the intersection, heading away from the bright city lights.
"Malo, where are we going?" I asked from the back seat while holding Charlie.
"Taking you home."
"This isn’t the way home."
"Your other home."
That was when I started recognizing the trees around us. He was driving toward Eriko’s cottage. The thick branches leaned over the gravel road, the familiar path twisting deep into the quiet woods.
"Henry isn’t even in the car with us, so why are we..."
"Chill Faye, can you just let me drive in peace? I’m only following orders." Malo cut me off, keeping his eyes fixed on the road while his fingers tapped restlessly against the steering wheel.
"You’re lucky there’s a baby in this car, or I would have..."
I stopped talking the moment I saw lights and decorations surrounding the house. Bright string bulbs hung between the porch pillars, casting a warm, colorful glow over the front yard.
Malo parked the car, and we stepped outside. Confused, I slowly walked closer to the cottage.
There were colorful ribbons, balloons, and a giant swinging piñata.
I spotted Kaye and Dina standing outside the entrance. The two kids were standing near the wooden steps, looking dead serious as they watched me approach.
"You need to say the magical word before entering," Kaye said seriously. He blocked the doorway with his small arms crossed tightly over his chest.
Dina immediately smacked him on the shoulder.
"Are you blind? Can’t you see who she is?"
"But Aunty-In-law said everyone has to say the magic word." Kaye pouted, rubbing his shoulder while glaring at her.
"Don’t mind him. You can enter," Dina said with a smile. She stepped aside, holding the front door open for me.
I still had no idea what was going on, but the moment I heard Princess’ name, I knew she was behind whatever was happening.
The moment I stepped inside, I froze in surprise.
