The mall is packed when I walk through the sliding doors and into the huge building. I already knew it would be like that as it's only two days until Christmas Eve.

People are rushing past me with loads of bags and boxes in their hands, and Christmas carols boom out of the speakers and fill the air. My day has been quite uneventful so far. I spent my shift with Abbey, chatting about our upcoming trip and her new lover boy. She was talking non-stop about him and how civilized and gentlemanly he acts in her presence. I can't remember a time when she was romantically involved with a man, so it's great to see her happy and excited like this.

With no idea what to buy for Zach, I stroll through the crowds and look at all the different shops to see if I spot anything suitable. I don't want to gift him anything silly or boring, I want my present to be special and meaningful. On my way here, I passed that fancy wine store where I bought a good wine once before and asked the saleswoman to recommend me a good wine for our Christmas dinner.

A small lingerie store catches my eye, and I spontaneously decide to make this a part of my present. Me in some cute underwear. I know this is kind of cheesy, but he would love it for sure.

As I step into the small store, packed with red, green, and golden underwear, the smell of vanilla and cinnamon rises in my nose.

"Hello, my dear, may I help you?" the tiny, gorgeous salesgirl who is standing behind the counter greets me with a sweet smile. I happily accept her offer for help, and a few moments later, I'm already surrounded by half a dozen of beautiful, glittering, and velvet pieces. Some of them are daring, others rather cute, but all of them are beautiful and tempting.

After I bought three new sets of underwear, I just couldn't decide between them, I leave the shop and continue my ramble through the mall.

One hour and a half later, I tiredly sink down on one of the white benches and close my eyes for a second. My shopping trip wasn't that successful so far. The only thing I bought for Zach by now is a thin leather bracelet with a little silver infinity symbol on it. I think he'll like that one as it's plain and simple, and I find the message behind the infinity symbol kind of cute. Of course, I don't know if our relationship will last, but a woman can dream, can't she?

When I passed by a shop where stationery and office supplies are being sold, I couldn't help but buy a leather notebook and a set of charcoals for myself. The moment they caught my eyes, I felt taken aback to the times in my youth when I used to love drawing. My fingertips started tickling and before I knew it, I've already bought it.

As I have no more ideas where else to go, I decide to shop for an outfit for tonight's dinner. It's been ages since I've had enough money to shop for more than strict necessaries, and that's because of my big win at the casino the first time we've been there. I'm not the biggest shopping fan, but I must admit it's really nice to do it without constantly thinking about the money.

I enter a fancy boutique with loads of stunning evening gowns in the shop window, and I quickly find the perfect dress. A long-sleeved, wine-red, velvet dress, which ends just above my knees. It has a v-neck and a fake wrap design. Some cute ruffle details at the front give it a lightly playful touch, so it's not too sexy. I leave the shop with the dress in a bag and a happy smile on my face.

Just as I decide to head back home, I pass a little booth and stop to look at the framed quotes which are sold there.

"Hello miss, we sell personalized, framed quotes. It's the perfect Christmas gift for anyone." I look at the tall and very slimly built man who tries to sell me his goods.

I smile at him and open my mouth to thankfully decline, but than I remember something. When Zach read the Hobbit to me at the hospital, he told me his favorite passage of the book.

"I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone." I smile as his dark and husky voice echoes in my head.

"Actually, there's something I'd like to get framed!" I tell the young man, who gives me a radiant smile and happily notes my requested quote.

Twenty minutes later, I contentedly leave the mall with plenty of bags in my hands and get myself an Uber to drive back home.

~

"Hey beautiful," Zach greets me as I open the door and put my shopping on the floor next to the mirror.

I puff wearily and give him a thankful smile as he helps me out of my coat.

"I see your shopping trip was successful?" Zach states, peeking at my bags.

"Don't you dare prying!" I playfully reprimand Zach, earning a deep chuckle from him.

He steps closer and wraps his arms around my body.

"How was your day?" He rests his head on my hair and starts gently caressing my back.

"Uneventful. Abbey endlessly raved about her new acquaintance, Liam," I reply with a soft laugh. I know all too well how she's feeling. Only a few weeks ago, I was the one who was talking non-stop about Zach.

"How was yours?" I ask him back.

"Uneventful," Zach repeats the word I just said with an amused voice. "I did some laundry, went for a little walk, and I told Felix that I'll take the apartment."

I pull away and look up into Zach's smirking face.

"You did?" I ask him with raised eyebrows.

"Yea. It's perfect. I already made up my mind when we were there to be honest, but I wanted to sleep on it first," Zach tells me. His hazel eyes are shining, and I can't help but smile along.

"I'm so happy for you," I say and then add with a grin, "Even though, I enjoy having you here."

"Only because I'll have my own place again soon, it doesn't mean that you'll get rid of me that easily," Zach jokes and nudges my nose with his finger. "Having my own apartment means for example that I can invite you over for dinner."

I cross my arms and giggle.

"Or you could invite me into the hot tub," I suggest with excitement.

"I knew you would go crazy about the hot tub," Zach laughs and then tilts his head. "We have to leave in an hour. Can you make it?"

"Sure. Let me take a quick shower," I say and walk towards the bathroom.

~

"You know you'll probably earn some lewd remarks wearing that, right?" Zach notes as he steps into the hallway where I eye myself in the mirror. He's wearing black slacks paired with a plain white dress shirt. Simple, but still chic.

"I thought I should dress to impress?" I ask with a slight smirk forming on my lips. "Don't you like my new dress?"

"You look hot as hell, Liv. I just don't know if I'm okay sharing that sight with a table full of needy fuckers to be honest." Zach steps behind me and sneaks his strong hands around my waist.

"You know, what I'm wearing beneath this cute piece of cloth is for your eyes only, babe," I state and shoot him a suggestive glance through the mirror.

"Did you just call me babe?" Zach asks with amusement in his voice.

"Uh, I did, yea. Do you think it's weird?" I ask with a frown and feel a bit of embarrassment creeping into my body.

"No, not at all. I actually like the sound of it," Zach replies and rests his head on my shoulder. His wavy, dark hair is pushed back with a small amount of gel to prevent it from falling into his forehead like it normally does. A warm smile plays upon his full lips as he strokes over my belly, causing a bunch of butterflies going crazy inside my stomach.

I return his smile and turn around.

"Come on. Put on your coat or I will have to find out what's under that cute little piece of cloth before we've even left the house," Zach demands with a wink, and gives me a soft slap on my butt.

I giggle and grab my beige coat. Zach, who has already put his jacket on, slips on his black oxfords, the ones he always wears at the casino, and grabs my hand. We head outside where the Uber is already waiting for us.

Fifteen minutes later, we come to a stop in front of a huge property. I swallow as I get out of the car and eye the white house in front of us, which rather looks like a whole castle to me.

"Whoa. Don't tell me this is all Franco's!" I whisper to Zach and point at the building and all the fancy cars in front of it.

Zach presses his lips together and raises his eyebrows.

"He's a fucking rich bastard," he remarks and then turns to me, grabbing my shoulders and faces me with his hazel eyes piercing me. "Remember all the things I told you?"

"Yes," I say and give him an uneasy smile. I don't like this place and would much rather spend the evening on my sofa cuddled up with Zach.

"Hey, don't worry. I will not leave your side, Olivia!" Zach reassures me and wraps his arm around my waist. We take the few steps to the entrance and Zach rings the bell.

A few moments later, the door opens, and an elderly man appears in the door frame.

"Good evening. Mr. Wood and his consort, I suppose?" he politely greets us.

Zach nods and the man steps aside and motions us to enter.

"A fucking butler?" I whisper as soon as we are out of earshot.

Zach chuckles deeply and leads me further into the building. We reach a massive foyer with white wood-paneled walls and marble floor. Right in front of us, two winded stairs lead up to the first floor.

"Holy shit!" I mutter as I spot the giant crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling right above our heads.

"Right this way, Mr. Wood," the butler guides us through a broad doorway on the right side.

We step into an at least as impressive room as the foyer, a lounge, where suddenly numerous pairs of eyes are focused on us.

"Zachary! I see you made it. Come in!" The man who surprised Zach in the casino on Sunday, Franco, approaches us with open arms. His Italian accent is thick in his voice and his full lips are formed into a smile which doesn't reach his piercing, green eyes. He's wearing a black dress shirt, half unbuttoned, paired with a tight pair of black dress pants, and a black suit jacket.

"Franco," Zach retorts in a cool tone, reluctantly grabbing Francesco's hand.

The macho man turns to me and holds out one of his with many swanky gold rings adorned and tanned hand for me. I haltingly place my hand in his and watch him as he brushes a kiss on it, giving me a toothy smile.

"You must be Olivia then. May I say you look exceptionally beautiful tonight," he tells me in a flirty voice.

"Thank you, sir," I say and give him a forced smile.

"Call me Franco, please!" He winks at me and then turns around and walks towards the round bar in the middle of the room.

I take a moment to take in the interior of the spacious lounge. The marble floor from the foyer continues in this room and the walls are also paneled with wood, but in this room the wood is grey painted. To make it more comfortable, a few grey carpets are spread on the floor and on each of it is placed a cozy seating area, also in a shiny grey color tone. All in all, the whole house radiates pure luxury.

I look at the bar, which has a couple of bar stools around it and eye the four men sitting around it. All of them are smartly dressed and have their hair gelled back smoothly.

My eyes widen and a gasp escapes my throat when I spot a familiar face amongst them.

*****

Who do you think came into Olivia's sight? Any ideas?

Please comment and vote! ✨

Katie❤️