The car came to a halt after hours of driving, parked in front of an upscale mall.
“Sweetheart, let’s go. Buy whatever you like, alright?” Priyank’s words filled the air as he opened the door and stepped out of the car.
Priya followed suit, opening the door and stepping out into the cool evening air.
Her senses overwhelmed by the sight of the brightly lit mall against the backdrop of the starry night sky.
The cool breeze brushed against her skin, offering a momentary sense of relief.
In another situation, Priya would have revealed the beauty of the scene before her.
However, the purpose of their visit-her so-called marriage shopping-cast a shadow over her mood, robbing her of the ability to fully enjoy the moment.
“Let’s go inside, sweetheart,” Priyank urged, taking her hand in his with a gentle yet firm grip.
Priya glanced around, taking in the grandeur of the mall.
While she had been to malls before with Mother Mary, none had been as extravagant as this one.
The opulence of the place was evident from the moment they stepped inside.
As they made their way to the exclusive section for party and wedding gowns, Priyank surveyed the surroundings.
The area was deserted except for the staff, the evening hour ensuring they had the place to themselves.
Priyank had deliberately chosen this time to avoid drawing attention to their activities.
“Sir!” A woman behind the counter gasped as she spotted Priyank, rushing forward to greet them with a bow.
Priyank smirked at her reaction, revelling in the recognition that came with his status as a billionaire.
While Priya may not have recognized him during their initial encounter, it was clear that others were well aware of his identity.
Priyank’s smirk widened as he observed the woman’s flustered demeanour.
Being a billionaire certainly had its perks, and the deference he received from others was one of them.
The woman at the counter quickly composed herself, her eyes darting between Priyank and Priya. “How may I assist you today, sir?” she asked, her tone deferential.
Priyank gestured towards the racks of elegant gowns displayed around them. “We are here to buy your collection of party and wedding gowns,” he stated, his voice carrying an air of authority.
The woman nodded eagerly, eager to assist the esteemed guests. “Of course, sir. We have a wide range of designs to choose from. Please feel free to explore,” she replied, gesturing towards the racks.
Priya felt a sense of unease creeping over her as she followed Priyank deeper into the exclusive section.
The lavish surroundings only served to remind her of the stark reality of their situation. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that she was being dragged further into a world she didn’t belong to.
The luxurious surroundings failed to lift Priya’s spirits. While she appreciated the beauty around her like any other girl, she couldn’t find joy in it knowing the purpose of their visit.
“Sir, what exactly are you looking for? Party gowns or wedding dresses?” the woman asked in a soft tone.
“Both. I want an elegant yet simple wedding dress, nothing too heavy. And for the party, I want a grand, elaborate gown,” Priyank replied, settling down on a nearby couch.
The woman nodded and disappeared into the section to fetch the dresses.
Meanwhile, Priya stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, avoiding Priyank’s gaze. She could feel his eyes on her, making her uncomfortable.
Priya’s discomfort grew as Priyank’s gaze lingered on her. Her attempts to avoid his eyes, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of being scrutinised.
As the woman returned with a selection of dresses, Priya forced herself to focus on the task at hand. She sifted through the options, searching for a wedding dress that matched Priyank’s criteria of elegance and simplicity.
She retreated into the changing room, clutching a few dresses.
One by one, she slipped into them, emerging to show Priyank each time.
“No, it’s not right.”
“It’s too revealing.”
“Not good enough.”
Those were the only responses she received from him, leaving her feeling exhausted and disheartened.
After numerous attempts, Priya finally found a dress that felt right. It was a simple yet elegant gown, adorned with delicate lace and flowing gracefully around her.
Stepping out in front of Priyank, she awaited his verdict.
“It’s beautiful,” Priyank remarked, his approval bringing a sense of relief and satisfaction to Priya.
Priya couldn’t contain her happiness, not just because Priyank had finally approved of a dress, but because it meant the pain of shopping for one was finally over.
Shopping had turned into a torturous experience, unlike anything she had ever endured before.
Her hands and feet ached from trying on countless heavy wedding gowns, but at least the one Priyank chose was light and comfortable.
She couldn’t deny that she liked it too.
“Are you tired, sweetheart? We’re not done yet. We still need to shop for the party dress, and that’s the main event,” Priyank remarked, standing up and approaching her.
The saleswoman discreetly excused herself, leaving them alone.
“I told you, you’re so thin. Look at how even trying on a few dresses has drained your energy,” Priyank said, gently massaging her wrists as he held her hands.
“You should try one on yourself, then you’ll understand how heavy they all were and how challenging it was for me,” Priya retorted, feeling stung by his comment.
While Priyank had been sitting and casually giving his opinions, it was Priya who had to endure the physical discomfort of trying on each dress.
To make matters worse, she had opted not to seek assistance from the saleswoman, as she disliked being seen undressed, which made the process even more difficult for her.
“I can’t do that. I don’t wear women’s clothes,” Priyank responded, pausing before continuing, “But I can still help you with the rest of our shopping. We have a lot more to buy besides the party gown.”
Priya felt a twinge of annoyance at Priyank’s response.
“What do you say? I could help you get in and out of the dresses more easily since you didn’t want the saleswoman’s assistance. I’ve seen undressed before,” Priyank teased, a playful grin on his face.
He felt a surge of happiness seeing how stunning she looked in the gown.
It was hard to believe that he would soon be marrying her; she looked like an angel.
He was relieved that she hadn’t exposed herself to the saleswoman or allowed her to touch her.
Despite being a woman, he couldn’t help but feel possessive over her.