Chapter 55: One of mother’s stores.

"Here comes another of your admirers."

And he was gone.

Chris smiled at the door Andy had just exited through. "Is your boss running from me?"

June laughed at that. "He thought you have a crush on me. Maybe this is his way of giving us some privacy."

Chris wriggled his brow in a way June never thought he could. "I like that. Some privacy."

The more she was getting to know Chris, the more she could tell how he could act silly in the presence of those he actually cared about.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, just to change the topic.

The smile on Chris’s lips diminished immediately.

"I got a message from Nate that some man had been with you in the clinic from the moment you got here." His gaze trailed to the door Andy had just disappeared through. "Is it your boss?"

June sighed, pinching her nose. She should have known the guard would also serve as an informant to Chris.

But seeing as he had kept a distance from her, she thought he was busy with something else.

She didn’t know if Chris knew Rauf, but she wasn’t ready to dump all of her affairs on him when they had just reconciled.

"It’s no one."

Chris narrowed his eyes at her. "Are you sure? You know, you can tell me anything, right?"

For a moment, June only stared at him before nodding.

Then the conversation went on in a lighter tone. Chris told her the work he had gone out early for was a success and invited her to a celebratory dinner with him.

But recently, June’s emotions had been all over the place. With the change in her accommodation, discovering her mother and brother, and Rauf pushing himself into her life, all she wanted to do was rest.

Chris shrugged and wasn’t angry about her decision.

"If that’s what you want, then it’s fine."

Instead of leaving, Chris waited for her until she was done with work.

It wasn’t until they were about to leave that Andy came out of the office. He smiled forcefully at Chris and bid June goodnight.

The siblings rode in Chris’s car while Nate, the bodyguard, had to take the car that brought June to the clinic back to the mansion.

It was at that moment that June remembered she wanted to tell him about the car.

"Can you please change it to something simpler?"

Chris frowned. "You don’t like the car?"

Out of all the cars at the mansion, he had carefully selected that one for June.

"It looked too expensive and stands out in this neighborhood."

But Chris shrugged.

"I don’t care about the neighborhood. I picked that car not only because it’s expensive, but also for your safety. It’s one of the bulletproof cars in the mansion. And Nate is one of the most loyal men I have. Knowing that you are in good hands is one of the reasons I could go to work without bothering."

June stared at him.

If he called having the guard text him every one of her movements every minute "not bothering," she hated to see how he would act if he was bothered.

"So, you gave that car to me because it’s bulletproof." ℴℴ𝘮

She decided to hold on to that.

Chris nodded. "Yes. I know you’re living a simple life, but Mother and I, we have lots of enemies. If anyone ended up finding out you’re related to us and you’re not secured in any way, they can make you an easy target."

June’s heart lurched.

This was the life she was trying to avoid for her baby, but someone had pulled her baby directly into this lifestyle without meaning to.

She thought there was no point keeping it from Chris.

If all he was doing was guarding her from harm, then she needed to let him know everything about her.

But since he was driving now, she didn’t think it was the right time.

She made a mental note to tell him the next time he was less busy.

When she focused back on the road, the path was unfamiliar.

Though she might not know every path to the mansion, she had passed the routes twice, and the buildings dashing past her were not familiar.

"Are we going somewhere else?" she asked Chris.

Chris nodded. "Yes. I forgot to tell you. We’re going to get Mother a gift. She decided to see the doctor and probably get surgery before the introduction party."

"You’re still going to do the introduction party?" June asked in surprise.

Chris looked at her for a brief second as if she were joking before focusing his attention back on the road.

"Of course. Mother already sent some invitations out. There’s no way we are taking them back now."

"But..."

Chris smiled. "No buts, sister. I just want you to get yourself prepared for the party. Anything you want, let me know. I promise to provide it for you."

June only nodded as Chris parked the car in front of a mall.

"Wait in here," he told her before getting down.

And as June waited for him, he ran to the other side to open the door for her.

June smiled at the sentiment before leading the way to where they were going to get the gift.

"Is it too early to get a gift for her before the surgery?"

But Chris shook his head.

"This gift I am about to give her is to encourage her to go ahead with the surgery. Once the surgery is over, I have a better gift to show her."

Intrigued, June asked, "What gift do you plan to show her then?"

Chris stopped, making June stop in the process.

Thankfully, the mall wasn’t filled with people as it was already late in the evening.

The few people passing by barely paid attention to them as they went about their business.

He touched her shoulder, looking her straight in the eyes.

"You."

For a moment, all June did was blink.

"Me?"

Chris nodded. "Yes. You’re the best gift Mother could have at this moment. Do you know how many times she had dreamed of seeing you, even before she lost her sight? So, imagine you’re the first thing she sees after regaining her sight again. I’m sure her joy will know no boundaries."

If there was one thing June had known about Chris in this short period she had known him, it was his thoughtfulness.

He never did anything halfway.

He always thought about it deeply before deciding whether to do something or not.

And even though the gift wasn’t meant for June, she felt tears at the corner of her eyes.

Chris saw them and brushed them off with his thumb.

"Do you like the idea of being a gift so much?"

June nodded.

"This is more than just a gift to Mother. It’s a gift to me, too. I really want to see how Mother will look at me."

Chris smiled.

"I’m sure she will be captivated by how beautiful her daughter is."

And then he resumed walking as if to say the topic had been closed.

He led her to the fifth floor, where the jewellery store sat.

"You’re getting her a chain."

Chris nodded. "Mother had always loved chains, especially ones given in special moments. She cherished them. And since this is a special moment, I plan on giving her one."

June stared at him.

"Can I get her one too? I also want to encourage her."

She knew how important that moment must be for her.

"Of course. You’re her daughter."

June nodded, linking her arm to Chris as they entered the store.

The room sparkled with different accessories. The reflection on the jewellery illuminated the room like mirrors.

June swallowed, her heart sinking at the realization that Chris must have brought her to one of the most expensive jewellery stores he knew.

Before she could steer him back towards the door, a salesgirl appeared beside them.

On seeing Chris, she seemed to recognize him and started ushering him deeper into the store while glaring at June as if she were beneath Chris.

"Do you need anything in particular, Mr. Vassari?" she said, addressing Chris as if June were invisible.

Chris looked at June before answering.

"No. We’re going to browse a little."

"Okay, sir."

She bowed slowly before glaring at June as if she were the reason Chris had decided to browse a little, and then she left their presence while murmuring to some of the other salesgirls.

June saw them glance at her before looking away.

Chris, unaware of what was happening, asked her, "Did you see anything you like so far?"

June shook her head.

"It’s not like I don’t like the store, but it’s hard to focus on the things there when people are glaring at me."

Chris looked towards the salesgirl’s direction. He caught them before they could avert their glances.

"Are they being rude to you?"

She shook her head.

"I’m just not comfortable here. Can we go to another store?"

Chris frowned.

"Well, that’s bad, since this is one of Mother’s stores."