The late afternoon sun had mellowed into golden hues as Jeremy and Gabrielle stepped out of the restaurant.
A light breeze tugged gently at Gabrielle tailored silk blouse, lifting wisps of her sandy blonde hair from her cheeks.
She exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself from the emotional ripple of their lunch, trying not to dwell on how his smile and little actions still made the ground shift beneath her feet.
The valet bowed slightly as he opened the car door, but Jeremy didn't step in. Instead, his gaze drifted across the bustling street, and something caught his eye as he adjusted the cuffs of his suit and his face lit up.
Across the boulevard was a towering structure of glass and light just adjacent to the restaurant.
"Oh look". He said, nodding toward the opposite side of the street. "Perfect timing."
It was a glass-walled mall, sleek, shimmering, its minimalist name etched in brushed gold above the entrance. And Gabrielle followed his gaze.
The Atrium.
Of course. Another Mckenzie owned estate, she recognized it instantly though this one fell under Jocelyn name, as part of her inheritance.
It was a luxury mall housing only designer labels, elite boutiques, and the kind of curated exclusivity that turned heads and opened wallets.
"You're going shopping now?". Gabrielle asked, one brow arched in disbelief. "Midday impulse?"
Jeremy shrugged like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Nope". He grinned, motioning toward it. "I just remembered something."
Gabrielle arched a brow. "What is it?"
"It just hit me. I should get Abigail something. She's wrapping up the final episode of her series tomorrow night, and she's been working like crazy lately. Figured I'd surprise her ."
Gabrielle's chest tightened, but she kept her smile steady.
"That's so thoughtful of you. You must keep a mental calendar for everything she does."
He chuckled, casually running a hand through his hair. "That's the point, isn't it?".
"You know I'm terrible with dates. But somehow, I remember hers. Maybe because she always reminds me three times." He grinned, his hands tucked in his pocket of his pants.
"Must be love". Gabrielle said lightly, though her voice barely concealed the quiet ache beneath it.
Jeremy oblivious, grinned.
"Thank God you're here. I'm going to need your taste. Help me pick something nice?"
She said nothing for a moment, then turned toward the gleaming entrance of the mall. "Well, lucky you have me then. I could use the distraction, and you could use the help."
Jeremy laughed. "Perfect. Let's shop."
They crossed the street together, their footsteps in sync. The moment they stepped inside, the mall's energy subtly shifted. Staff straightened. Security repositioned. The floor manager descended the marble steps with polite urgency.
"Mr. Jeremy. A pleasure as always." The floor manager hurried over, bowing slightly.
"Afternoon, James. Just browsing today. No parade necessary." Jeremy smiled politely and offers a nod.
"Of course, sir. Let me know if you need anything at all."
Gabrielle trailed behind him, her heels tapping softly on the tiles. She let her eyes scan the rows of boutiques absently until they turned into one of the more exclusive jewelry galleries a pristine space lit like a museum, where the diamonds sat under velvet domes of glass : Valentino, Cartier, Van Cleef.
She'd worn them all. Modeled for some. But her attention wasn't on the merchandise.
It was on him.
He moved like he owned the place, which, in essence, he did. Not just because of his wealth, but because of his ease. The kind of ease that made people stand straighter, speak softer, try harder.
Jeremy paused at a glass case glinting with necklaces under surgical lighting. She slowed beside him, her eyes drawn to a dainty piece: rose gold with a garnet pendant shaped like a teardrop. It wasn't loud but yet it whispered elegance.
And Jeremy caught her gaze almost immediately.
He tucked his hands in his pockets, smiling slightly.
" Still as unique as ever."
"What?"
"Your taste". He said. "Always quiet yet elegant. Always unexpected."
She smiled and looked away from the piece of jelwery.
"Thanks. So let's find something of Abby's style. I know she'd prefer white gold. Something bolder, a statement piece actually ."
Jeremy tilted his head at her words.
"I wasn't talking about Abigail".
But before she could reply, a movement caught her eye.
A flicker of discomfort , that crawling, skin-prickling sensation of being watched.
She turned her head slightly and saw him , a man near the watch section, heavyset in a gaudy sports coat. He wasn't browsing but pretending to. He was staring at her in a predatory way that made her shift her heels.
Jeremy probably noticed it too and his expression sharpened.
"Excuse me". He called out to a nearby staff member. "Clear the floor."
The woman blinked. "Sir?".
"Empty the store". He said, tone quiet but commanding. "Now. A VIP is present. Use the east wing if you must."
Though visibly startled, the woman bowed and moved quickly to obey.
Within moments, the remaining guests were gently ushered out by staff, confused murmurs rising in their wake. Gabrielle looked at him both surprise and amused.
She turned to him with a raised brow. "Really? Showing off, huh?".
He looked at her but didn't laugh. His eyes were hard as amber.
"Nope.
"Then what was that ?". She scoffed.
" Just clearing out some unwanted trash."
She blinked and raised an eyebrow.
"The guy near the entrance. He was practically leering at you."
Her cheeks colored slightly, surprise flickering in her eyes. "You noticed?"
He nodded. "Of course I noticed. You didn't?"
"I did". Gabrielle glanced away, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I try not to pay attention to every set of eyes on me. Comes with the job, yunno".
Jeremy's brows lifted slightly. "You get that look a lot?"
"Not really". She said quickly. "I mean, maybe sometimes. Perhaps he probably recognised me from one of the Milan lingerie ads."
He smiled wryly, then added with quiet seriousness, "Doesn't mean you have to tolerate it. I don't like it ".