The moment Elias's gaze locked with hers, Alexia turned—too casually—breaking eye contact as if she doesn't know them and she continued conversing with her business associate.
"She is not even looking at me ," Elias sighed with relief .
While Eryx mysteriously continues looking at Alexia's direction with a piercing gaze, highlighted by long lashes and slightly arched brows at the man beside her admiring her.
"You always manage to bring alluring attraction and precision into every room you walk into, Ms. Alexia," the man speaks out alous with more than respect smoothly "Frankly, it's rare to see that kind of glamour wrapped in such effortless grace."
The compliment, sugar-drenched and smug, echoed across the space. Elias eyes also got locked up to their conersation.
"Shut it." she said, with her cold clipped and razor-edged tone.
The man went silent instantly. She tilted her head slightly at him, eyes glinting like frost under flashed bright light.
"If you're done wasting breath, we can continue."
Even the other business associate beside her straightened like they'd been slapped with silence. The man excused himself for a moment after that reminder of his original place.
Eryx's lips curved into a knowing smile as he taps Elias. "You know," he said nonchalantly, "The reason why I am dressing differently today than usual."
Elias turned to him and he spilled out with smile of happiness," I am on a date with Alexia".
Elias blinked, "Excuse me!" her mouth slightly parted in disbelief. "What ?"
"We are," Eryx insisted, gesturing between their mismatched outfits.
"Look—see. We both are wearing a casual charm dress outfit perfect for a date. Didn't you thought for a second ?"
He pointed toward Alexia, and Elias checked her out along with Eryx's outfit.
Alexia clad in a dusty rose dress , a sheer blouse bloomed—its flowing sleeves embroidered with delicate vines and patterns and lace-trimmed cuffs adding a romantic victorian vibe. Her long, flowing pleated skirt swayed gently with her every movement—echoing something… forgotten.
Elias's mind got deepened with force pulling her into a void. She sddenly then, saw pendant.
The pendant—she'd seen it before.
But not that she was wearing. But the gold plated vintage one.
Her vision blurred, as she sees a swallow bird on pendant and suddenly she was somewhere else entirely.
A dimly lit room. A woman unconsious on the ground, and a man beside looked at her .And then—A bark. A flash of blood. A faceless man. A gunshot.
"Elias?"
Eryx's voice snapped her back.
She gasped, swallowing hard as she blinked her way back into reality.
"That pendant.." she gestured. "That's not her usual one."
"Yeah! You're right?" Eryx said looking at Alexia neck lovingly in his own thought.
"Wait, what?" Elias speaked out aloud. Eryx brushed it off scratching his back neck ,"I mean, she gave it to me to hold for a bit earlier. Said it didn't match the dress. "
Elias suddenly gets pressed deeper into her mind, —until suddenly, a vivid image struck her like lightning. The same event, the same moment.. Alecia, standingwith the same business associate, wearing the exact same dress—but this time, unmistakably adorned with her signature vintage pendant.
She gasped. "Eryx," she said urgently, "give me her pendant."
Startled, Eryx instinctively stepped back. "Pendant! You mean Alexia's" he asked, voice low but firm.
"I can't do that. Alecia is... sensitive. If she notices, it could break her trust in me. If you want like that I can buy it same from somewhere but not this"
Just then, Eryx caught sight of Alecia making her way to boutique, her presence impossible to ignore. Without missing a beat, he turned to Elias.
The staff finally approached Elias and offered her a gentle, respectful nod. "Miss Elias, it's time. Please come with us."
Elias hesitated, glancing down at her hands before slowly rising. Her heart thudded with a mix of nerves and curiosity. She followed them quietly, entering the boutique shop nestled in the heart of the mall.
It wasn't large, but it was tastefully luxurious—soft lighting, white floral arrangements, and shelves lined with Alecia Co.'s signature designs. At the center, beneath a delicate golden chandelier, stood Alecia herself. Surrounded by guests, she posed for photos, greeted couples, and offered warm smiles to each group of girls who approached her.
Elias stepped in silently, slightly forward to cover her face with her dog. The boutique was already filled with elegant chatter and the clinking of glasses. Trying not to draw attention, she slipped into a seat in the corner.
Then Alecia lifted her glass, and her voice rose above the soft music.
"Thank you all for being here," she said, her tone gracious yet poised. "This event was arranged at the request of someone very special to me—not for business, but for something more meaningful."
The crowd grew quiet, intrigued.
Staff members moved around the boutique, handing each guest a fancy glass of an expensive champagne.
Elias accepted hers, bowing her head slightly handed with care.
Just then, Alecia's gaze shifted subtly toward the boutique's front window. Outside, across the open hallway of the mall, Eryx stood by the glass railing, leaning back with a confident, sexy ease, one hand casually tucked in his pocket. With the other, he signed a brief message, just for her eyes.
Five minutes left. Next meeting is waiting.
Alecia held his gaze for a moment, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. Then she turned back to her guests, her smile never faltering.
But Elias had seen it—the private exchange, the hidden urgency behind Alecia's grace.
"I'm sorry, but I must leave now," Alecia said softly, excusing herself. She left behind a manager, a poised woman who stepped forward to take charge.
Soon, Alecia excused herself softly, apologizing for her limited time leaving behind a manager, a poised woman who stepped forward to take charge. She left the boutique with Eryx by her side, , his attracting presence drawing even more attention. Their presence sparking whispers among the girls lingering nearby.
One girl called out filtateously," Is that her boyfriend?"
and Gossip fluttered like butterflies—curious, eager.
The manager stepped forward to address the guests. "Ladies and Gentlemen, in celebration of Alecia's remarkable achievements and as a thank-you from Alecia Co., you have been specially selected to enjoy a unique mystery experience. As part of this event, each of you may choose one item from every category in the shop—completely on the house. Please, take this opportunity to indulge in our exclusive offer."
The room erupted in delighted chatter, eyes sparkling with excitement. They exchanged wide-eyed glances, struck by the sheer luxury of the opportunity.
Gasps rippled through the room. The guests, including Elias, froze for a moment, their eyes widening in disbelief.
"Wait... did she say one item from each category?" one girl whispered.
"Designed by Alecia herself?" another added, nearly breathless.
It took a few stunned seconds before the realization sank in—yes, they could each select one item from every category in the boutique. And not just anything—the signature designs by Alecia Co.
Elias stood in awe, holding Sadie close to her chest as the staff guided them gently.
One by one, they began to shop.
Shoes.Dresses.Tops.Skirts.Pants.Watches.Accessories—elegant necklaces, shimmering earrings.
Excitement buzzed through the boutique like electricity. For many, this was a dream they never thought they'd live—to walk away with expensive and luxury pieces personally designed by Alecia, each one a masterpiece.
As they made their final selections, the staff returned once more—this time with surprises. Four extra shopping bags were handed to each guest, including Elias. One held wellness products, another a luxury gift basket, a third filled with gourmet sweets, and the last—a gleaming bottle of champagne nestled in velvet wrapping. The final touch? A sealed mystery gift bag tucked neatly inside.
By the time Elias stepped into the car that night, the city had grown quiet. The boutique lights were far behind, and the world outside the window faded into gentle shadows.
Elias stepped through the garden of her home, her hands full of carefully balanced bags. Sadie, her dog, darted playfully around her feet, tail wagging with boundless energy.
The soft rustle of leaves and the cool night air surrounded them as she made her way to the front door.
Once inside, Elias gently set the bags down on the table, exhaustion settling into her bones. She sank onto the couch, the weight of the day pressing down, her eyes heavy with sleep.
But then something caught her attention—a mystery box sitting quietly among the bags.
Curiosity sparked, she reached for it and carefully opened the lid.
What could be inside? she wondered, gently unraveling the golden ribbon.
Her eyes gleamed with wonder as the contents inside revealed themselves.