She meticulously selected a black chiffon dress adorned with gold sequins at the waist – a subtle touch of luxury. The elegance of her choice was further enhanced by her decision to drape a white furry shawl over her shoulders. Simple, yet Eloise was confident it would exude extravagance when she wore it.
After settling the bill at the cashier, she gracefully transitioned to another upscale boutique, her discerning eyes scanning the display of luxurious footwear. Lucas, feeling a mix of exhaustion and boredom, suggested heading home. But Eloise had another destination in mind.
"No," she replied decisively, pointing towards a boutique. "I need to buy shoes." Lucas sighed inwardly but complied, trailing behind her as she ventured into the world of designer footwear.
As Eloise immersed herself in the array of shoes, Lucas couldn't help but voice his curiosity. "You didn't show me what you bought."
"It's a surprise," she responded with a secretive smile.
Eloise's attention shifted to a pair of beige-silver shoes, their six-inch heels catching her eye. Considering she typically wore five-inch heels, she hesitated. "I'm not sure... What's the size?"
"Seven," came the response.
"I'm a size five," Eloise stated matter-of-factly.
"For real? Your feet are so small," Lucas remarked, and laughter bubbled between them.
"Don't mock my petite feet," Eloise quipped, warning him. Lucas, unperturbed, summoned the sales agent for a size five while Eloise continued her exploration.
While trying different pairs, she heard Lucas say, "Hey, rich girl." The term caught her off guard, and a frown marred her features as she looked sternly at Lucas.
"Don't call me names!" Eloise snapped with unexpected intensity.
"Woah! Tigress!" Lucas chuckled, amused by her sudden assertiveness. The duo shared a moment of laughter, the tension dissipating as Eloise continued her quest for the perfect pair of shoes.
Eloise couldn't help but shake her head at the enigma that was Lucas. The thought often crossed her mind – was he indeed a vampire? He seemed ordinary, a paradox to the mysterious allure often associated with vampires. Lost in contemplation, she sat on a low stool, ready to try on the shoes she had just purchased.
To her surprise, Lucas knelt before her, presenting a pair of shoes as though seeking permission. His action struck her as oddly chivalrous, a gesture that clashed with the typical vampire mystique. "Tsk, just give me that! I'm not Cinderella, okay?!" Eloise asserted, playfully dismissing any notion of a fairytale moment. She snatched the shoes from Lucas and tried them on, their perfect fit accentuating her petite and flawless feet.
"Oh, believe me, honey. No one will dream of you as Cinderella," Lucas teased with a mischievous grin, earning a glare from Eloise that only elicited a chuckle in response.
"A*sh*le!"
"Feisty, I love it!" Lucas grinned, a gesture that sent shivers down Eloise's spine. His charm and that unsettling smile hinted at a hidden agenda, leaving her both intrigued and wary.
Exiting the mall, Lucas seamlessly transitioned into the role of her shopping assistant, effortlessly handling the bags. Accustomed to an assistant's presence during shopping sprees, Eloise began to appreciate the unexpected camaraderie. The realization dawned on her – she had friends, but none were genuinely close. The yearning for connection seemed to fuel her constant pursuit of attention.
"Aren't you hungry?" Lucas asked as they drove away, a mundane question punctuating the peculiar events of the day. The simple inquiry served as a reminder that, beneath the enigma, Lucas was just a companion on this perplexing journey.
"No," Eloise responded, her gaze fixed on the road, where billboards showcasing flawlessly posed models caught her attention.
"But it's past lunchtime. You're supposed to eat, Sweetheart," Lucas insisted.
Eloise shot him a puzzled look, her frown deepening. 'Why is he calling me a lot of names?'
"Stop with the endearments, Lucas!" she exclaimed, catching the glint of mischief in his eyes as a mischievous smirk formed on his lips.
"I'm used to calling everybody some endearments, baby."
"You're annoying, know that?" Eloise retorted.
"Darling, you have to deal with my hotness. We're living together, remember?" he playfully wiggled his eyebrows, a confident grin accompanying his statement.
"Then it's settled. I will call my assistant to find me a new penthouse," Eloise declared, determination in her voice as she rummaged through her bag in search of her phone.
Eloise's fingers hovered over her assistant's number, poised to initiate the call, when Lucas abruptly executed a hard brake, thrusting her forward. The seatbelt, a simple safety measure, became her savior, preventing any injury to her face. The sudden jolt left Eloise seething, and she didn't hold back her frustration. "What the fu*k, Lucas!" she screamed, her annoyance palpable.
"Be grateful I am letting you stay in my penthouse for free, sweety. So if you want to move, it's fine with me. But you have to pay me for your stay. If you're going to stay, I won't ask anything from you, even a cent," Lucas declared with a gravity that cut through the tension in the air.
Now fully engaged in this unexpected negotiation, Eloise inquired, "How much should I pay you if I move to another Penthouse then?"
"Thirteen million per hour. So you owe me. Three hundred twelve million only," he stated matter-of-factly.
Eloise's eyes widened in disbelief. 'What the! It was even more expensive than the Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President in Geneva, Switzerland. It only cost me three million and three hundred twelve million with him? His unbelievable!'
"No way!" Eloise yelped.
"Then stay, okay baby?" Lucas winked. Eloise felt more irritated.