Chapter 6 A Day Out Together

• The sun was high, casting its bright golden rays over the city as Celia stepped into the sleek black car Alexander had sent to pick her up. She had tried to keep her excitement in check, but her heart raced at the thought of spending the day with him. It had been a while since they’d had any real one-on-one time. And even though Alexander had said the trip was simply about buying her some essentials for the house, Celia couldn’t shake the feeling that it might be more.
• The car’s leather seats felt cool against her skin as they made their way toward the upscale shopping district. Celia glanced out the window, trying to steady her breathing. This is just another trip. Just another errand, she reminded herself. She didn’t want to read too much into it. But it was hard not to.
• When they arrived at the shopping center, Celia’s nerves didn’t subside. The thought of being so close to him—of being around him while he wasn’t quite as guarded—made her feel more alive than ever. She followed him into the store, which was known for its luxurious yet understated elegance, its aisles lined with the latest high-end fashion and accessories.
• Alexander walked beside her, casually flipping through racks of clothes as if he were in a hurry. His usual cool demeanor hadn’t shifted, but Celia couldn’t help noticing the way his eyes would occasionally dart toward her. It was a small glance, but it made her heart flutter.
• “Do you need anything in particular?” Alexander asked, his voice smooth and casual as he picked up a jacket from a nearby rack. “I figured we could get you a few essentials—clothes for the house, maybe a new pair of shoes.”
• Celia bit her lip, trying to hide the thrill of excitement that sparked within her. Essentials. That was all it was, right? But something in the way he said it made her wonder if it could be more.
• “I don’t know… I’m sure I have enough,” she replied, trailing behind him and running her fingers along a row of soft sweaters. But her gaze kept drifting to something else: a pair of dresses hanging nearby. Something that was more daring, more bold than what she would usually wear. Dresses that accentuated curves, that made a statement.
• She paused in front of a deep red dress. The material was soft, form-fitting, with a plunging neckline that was daring but still elegant. It was the kind of dress she’d never consider for everyday wear—too much, too bold. But she couldn’t shake the idea of Alexander seeing her in it.
• What if…?
• A flush of heat crept up her neck, and she tried to push the thought aside. She wasn’t the kind of woman to buy something like that on impulse, but for some reason, today felt different. She could already picture herself in it—how it would hug her body, how Alexander might look at her when he saw her in it.
• “Do you think this might be a bit too much?” she asked, a hint of uncertainty in her voice as she turned to Alexander, holding the dress up in front of her.
• He glanced over, his expression unreadable for a moment. His eyes flicked to the dress, then to her, before returning to the clothing in his hands. Celia couldn’t decipher the look on his face, but his gaze lingered on her just a moment too long.
• “No, it looks... it looks good,” he said, his tone neutral, though there was a subtle undercurrent of something she couldn’t quite identify. He didn’t offer much more, turning his attention back to the clothes he was holding.
• Celia’s heart sank just a little, but she pushed the feeling aside. Maybe he’s just focused on other things, she reasoned, even as a small voice in her head wondered if the dress was too forward. But she couldn’t ignore the tiny spark of satisfaction when she saw him eye the dress for longer than he had looked at anything else.
• Without another word, she took the dress to the fitting room and tried it on. As she zipped up the back, she caught a glimpse of herself in the full-length mirror. The dress clung to her in all the right ways, and for the first time in a long time, she felt undeniably confident. This is who I want to be, she thought, running her hands down the smooth fabric, feeling the curve of her hips accentuated by the dress.
• When she stepped out of the fitting room, she saw Alexander waiting near the entrance of the store, his eyes flicking up to meet hers. The moment his gaze landed on her, his eyes darkened slightly, though his expression remained impassive.
• Celia couldn’t help but hold her breath, waiting for some reaction—some sign that he noticed her, that he saw her as more than just the girl in his best friend’s family.
• “You look…” He trailed off, his words hanging in the air for a moment longer than necessary. “It looks good on you.”
• There it was again—the hesitation, the subtle tension in his voice that made her stomach flip.
• “Thanks,” she said, her voice softer than usual as she crossed her arms, trying to keep her composure. It was a small victory, but she wasn’t sure if he was just being polite or if something more was starting to stir beneath the surface. He noticed, she thought, the thought sending a rush of heat to her cheeks.
• She wasn’t sure if it was his presence that was making her self-conscious or if it was the dress itself, but something about the moment felt charged with energy. Celia waited for him to speak again, for him to offer more—an invitation, a sign that this wasn’t just an ordinary shopping trip. But Alexander remained silent, his gaze still locked on her, though his features were difficult to read.
• After what felt like an eternity, he nodded, almost imperceptibly. “Let’s get it then. You might as well make the most of today.”
• Celia’s heart fluttered as she hurried to grab her things, her mind still reeling from the intensity of his gaze. Did that mean something? she wondered, but she quickly brushed the thought aside. She wasn’t sure what it was that made her feel so electrified by their simple exchange, but one thing was certain—today was a step forward, even if it was a small one.
• As they walked toward the checkout counter together, Alexander’s hand brushed against hers ever so slightly. It was a casual gesture, but the touch sent a wave of heat rushing through her body. She wanted to look at him, to read his expression, but she kept her gaze fixed ahead, afraid that any sign of vulnerability might ruin the carefully constructed facade she had built.