Ich rode off on my motorcycle, consumed by the hatred I felt in that moment towards Rebecca. I wanted to tear her to pieces. Who the hell did she think she was, getting so close to him? My thoughts fueled my speed as I raced along. What a bitch she was. Parking the motorcycle on the sidewalk, I dismounted. Removing my helmet, I shook out my hair. Jin woo approached me. 

"How did it go?" he asked.

 "All good. I should have his attention now, once and for all," I replied.

 "Let's hope so" 

"How's Anastasiya?" 

"She spit up on me" 

I laughed "You deserved it," he scoffed, and we went inside.

The midwife held Anastasiya in her arms, playing with her. Anastasiya recognized me from afar and squirmed excitedly. I hurried over and scooped her up, hugging her tightly. Her baby smell filled my senses. 

Whispering in her ear, I said, "I love you, my darling."

 She giggled. Jin woo joined me.

 "I think she pooped; it stinks in here," he remarked.

 I checked the diaper and wrinkled my nose.

 "You're right"

We went to the changing room, and he followed me, leaning against the door frame. 

"I want to change her". 

I looked at him, puzzled "Why?"

 He shrugged and smiled at her. 

"Because I want to," he replied.

 I laid her on the changing table and stepped back to give him space. He didn't hesitate at all, which was surprising for someone of his status. Still wearing his expensive suit, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. 

"You've quit smoking," he observed. 

I sighed "I had to," I said, gesturing towards Anastasiya with a smile.

 He hesitated for a moment and then said, "You love him a lot, don't you?"

 My eyes widened at the question "Who?"

 "Dante," he clarified. 

My heart skipped a beat "Why do you ask?", feeling unsettled.

 "Just answer the question" .

 "Yes, why?"

He disposed of the diaper and lifted her up, gazing into my eyes  "Just curious," he said, a strange intensity in his gaze. 

Weird guy, I thought. He handed her back to me, and I took her gently.

 "When is that event again?".

 He thought for a moment  "Saturday,".

 I took a deep breath "It's all or nothing that day. Are you sure you want to come? It's going to be bloody, and a law-abiding citizen like you might not be able to handle it." 

He scoffed and sat down on the couch in front of me, crossing his legs. He exuded authority. 

"You don't have to be a cartel boss to be dangerous," he remarked.

 I grinned at him 

"You do know it's a masquerade ball, and you haven't gotten anything yet," he reminded me. 

I rolled my eyes at the memory and muttered to myself, "Damn, you're right."

 Anastasiya rested her head against my chest, and I smiled down at her. 

"We can go shopping today," he suggested.

 "We? I can go alone,". 

He shook his head "No, I'll pick it out," he insisted. 

I raised an eyebrow "Since when?".

 "I've been familiar with these events for a long time," he replied. 

I sighed. "You're right," I conceded. 

"When can you?" he asked, glancing at his watch. 

I thought for a moment. "Give me 20 minutes to put her to sleep". 

He nodded understandingly  "I'll call you when you can come out", then left. 

I settled on the couch, gently laying Anastasiya on my chest, and began to rock her. She sucked her thumb, looking incredibly adorable. I was so happy that I had decided not to have an abortion. I smiled at her, and sunlight streamed through the window, casting a peaceful atmosphere. I stretched out on the couch, feeling relaxed. Slowly, both her eyes and mine began to droop. The atmosphere was just too comfortable. I fell asleep without realizing how much time had passed, only waking up when I felt a hand touching my face. Opening my eyes slowly, I saw Jin woo above me, gently brushing the strands of hair from my face. 

Sitting up, I panicked, "Where's Anastasiya?"

 He placed a hand on my shoulder, reassuring me, "She's fine. I put her in her bed and informed the midwife."

 I breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought I dropped her".

 He chuckled, "You slept for 40 minutes." 

"Oops," I said, embarrassed. 

He raised an eyebrow  "Come on now," and I followed him outside.

 At least he had manners and opened me the door car. I got into the car, fastening my seatbelt, and he started driving. The fresh breeze flowed in through the open windows, tousling my hair. 

"Have you heard anything new about my mother?"

He scratched his nose briefly. "It's still the same, but it seems like she's still not doing well mentally". 

I looked out the window, concerned. "We need to resolve this quickly so I can see her again".

 He didn't respond to that. Apparently, we had arrived because he parked the car. I got out, and so did he. 

The area already indicated luxury, with elegant cursive writing displayed prominently, spelling out "Victoria's."

 It was a high-rise building. I had heard of this store before. Special and famous designers worked here. He went in, and I followed. I was amazed by the interior. Shiny beige tiles, employees greeting us at the door, and taking our jackets.

 One of them asked with a pretty smile, "Do you wish for a custom design or something ready-made?"

 I glanced at Jin and then back at her. 

"Ready-made, please," I replied.

 She nodded "Follow me, please." 

We followed her. Famous designers' works adorned the walls, along with certificates and crystal-shaped designs everywhere, making you feel like you were in a palace. She led us into a room with a high-quality couch in the center and various dresses displayed on mannequins. I couldn't help but marvel at the beautiful dresses. She turned around. 

"What would you like to drink?"

 Jin decided, "An espresso, please."

 "And you, young lady?" she asked me.

 I smiled at her. 

"The same," I replied.

 "Very well, then. I'll go get the drinks, and you can start trying on the clothes," she said before disappearing.

 One dress caught my eye immediately. A dark blue one adorned with various diamonds and crystals. I took it off the rack and went to the fitting area. I undressed and put on the dress. It was long, off-the-shoulder, tight-fitting, with the chest area adorned with crystals that formed a pattern down to my intimate area. On the right hip side, it was adorned with diamonds and crystals again. It also had an accessory necklace that I put around my neck, but I couldn't zip up the dress from behind, and the woman hadn't returned yet.

 I sighed and went back out into the room. Jin froze at the sight of me, his mouth hanging open. 

"Jin, could you please zip up the dress for me?"

 He hesitated for a moment, then slowly got up. I turned my back to him and moved my hair away from my back for him. I held onto the wall, and he took hold of the edges of the dress, pulling them together and zipping up the zipper. His fingers accidentally brushed against my back, and I got goosebumps. The dress now fit perfectly. I looked in the mirror, realizing the size difference between us. He was standing right behind me and suddenly started fixing my hair again, putting on the necklace for me. But he came too close to my face. 

"You look beautiful," he said. 

I smiled at him. "Thank you." 

The woman then entered with the tray, gasping. 

"Wow, you look stunning!" she exclaimed. 

I giggled. "Thank you!"

 She placed both espressos on the table. 

"Do you wish to make any changes to the dress?"

 I turned around in front of the mirror, noticing that Jin's eyes never left me. 

"No, everything is perfect, but I have a question. Do you have masks for a masquerade ball that would go perfectly with this dress?"

 She thought for a moment and said eagerly, "Yes, we do!" 

She hurried into the other room and returned with a special package containing shoes and a mask. She opened it and handed me the mask, which was perfectly adorned with dark blue feathers and crystals that hung down at some places. I put it on my face, and Jin grinned. 

"It looks perfect," he said.

 I clapped my hands in excitement. 

"What size shoes?"

 "Size 39, please," I replied. 

She nodded and picked them out for me, and I tried them on. She smiled broadly at us. 

"You both look like the perfect couple."

 "We are—" I started, but he interrupted me, "I agree!"

 I glared at him and then looked away. 

"We'll send everything to you via the service tomorrow," she said. 

I nodded and went back into the fitting room to change back into my clothes, taking the dress with me.

 "Where can I pay?" I asked her. 

She looked confused, glancing between me and him. 

"He's already paid," she replied. 

"What—"

 He grinned at me. 

We left the room and headed back to the car. I was annoyed.

"What was all that in the store? First, you deliberately get close to me in the store, then you agree with her that we're a married couple, and you even pay for me!" I exclaimed. 

"I don't know what you're talking about, Rose," he replied.

 I scoffed and ignored him for the rest of the time.