Chapter 13 - A Reminder Of Past (1/2)

Seeing how Dylan had ticked off Xiu, Nora silently drove the car towards their destination. And even Xiu didn't ask her where they were going. Not even when she saw that the route didn't lead to their apartment complex.

Only when Nora parked the car in the parking area, Xiu noticed where there were.

The Galaxy Mall...

Looking at the tall and magnificent building before her eyes, Xiu raised her brow at Nora inquiringly.

”Hey, Duo Shou[1]! You promised me something last time.” Xiu reminded Nora in a mild tone which somehow felt worse than her ice-cold one.

Nora Cartwright was a classic example of a shopaholic. If a product catches her eyes, she'd get it at any cost. Just like boys. No one could escape her clutches or charms. She had sworn last time that she won't do shopping unless she really was in need of something. But here she was again...

”Heh...” Nora smiled awkwardly. ”Er... Aiyo, my baby Xiu'er! When have I ever gone back on my words?” Nora wrapped her hand around Xiu's arm and pulled her along saying, ”Trust me, I'm not gonna buy anything for myself. I promise.” She raised three fingers to show her sincerity.

”You better keep your word,” Xiu warned again while letting herself being dragged along.

Xiu was observing Nora's expressions in amus.e.m.e.nt. The latter had lowered her head as low as it was possible. She was looking at the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in this world. Only to keep the products on those mannequins out of her sight. As they say, out of sight, out of mind. She was using the same strategy. Xiu knew Nora didn't have strong willpower when it came to shopping and she was wondering why she dragged her here.

They took the elevator straight to the fifth floor and stopped before the glass door of an Italian Handmade Clothing Brand's outlet. Xiu squinted her eyes at Nora in perplexion. Although The Galaxy Mall was a home to top International Brands, this particular one was reserved for men ONLY.

”Don't tell me you're gonna buy a suit for your new boyfriend? Did you already found one?” Xiu asked while glaring at Nora who raised her hands in a frantic manner and waved them saying 'no'.

”No way. I just broke up, don't want another one on my plate yet. Also, why would I buy an expensive suit for a boyfriend who doesn't even come with a guarantee himself?” Nora's response eased up Xiu at some level.

”Then what are we doing here?” Xiu asked further.

”To buy a present for my dad,” Nora answered matter-of-factly.

Xiu's lips took the shape of an 'O' as she understood what Nora was doing here. Nora's parents had been abroad for months and Xiu remembered that Nora told her they were coming back in a week. However, instead of buying a present for her biological mother, here Nora was looking for an amazing gift for her stepfather.

The kind of love, care, and protectiveness Nora's stepfather showered her with really could make one green with envy. Especially someone like Xiu who had never known what fatherly love was all about.

As Nora's shopping companion, Xiu had to look around the extravagant store with interest. But no matter how hard she tried to keep her memories buried some still found a way out. Just like this specific brand store... Only once she came to a men's store in her previous life and that too because she wanted to buy a suit for... him.

In the end, what followed her was a string of accusations and scandals along with internet trolls. She could bear all that but he had to make it all worse with his sharp and cutting words, ”Who told you to show up at a menswear shop?”

”I just went to buy a suit for you...”