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Hazel didn't want to owe Liam anything. "I can pay him back later. My legs are killing me in these shoes," she thought as she pointed at the fifth attendant.
"What's your size?" the attendant asked.
"Size 37."
Liam's eyes darkened slightly. How small. "Get her size 37 for all the shoes you're holding," he commanded.
Hazel stared at him in shock. "Is this guy making my life harder on purpose?" she screamed in her head. The attendant brought over the shoes she had chosen. Hazel slipped off her old pair, about to try them on when she caught sight of the price tag.
"Ten thousand dollars?! This is worth half my savings! What is this, a shoe that can make me fly?" But she shoved the thought aside and slid her foot in. It was ridiculously comfortable.
Then the attendants wheeled in racks of sweaters. One yellow sweater caught Hazel's eye. She pointed at it, but before she could speak, Liam said, "We'll be taking all the sweaters. Get her some clothes, bags, skirts."
Hazel's lips parted in disbelief. "We came here for one sweater and one pair of shoes. He's buying half the store!"
When they were done, they got back into the car. Hazel sighed quietly.
"Where are we going now?" she asked.
"Kitchen Table," Liam replied smoothly.
Hazel's eyes widened. Kitchen Table was a two-star restaurant where a simple appetizer cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Per person, it was at least $375,000.
When they arrived, a waiter led them to a private VIP room. The restaurant was empty. "Did he…reserve the whole place? Of course. He's rich. He spends money however he likes," Hazel thought.
A beautiful, seductive waitress approached their table, her dress so revealing it left little to the imagination. Hazel's jaw tightened. "Do they dress like this on purpose? It's practically showing her butt and breasts!" She picked up the menu — and almost dropped it. "Even the salad is a hundred thousand dollars."
The waitress asked Liam, "What would you like to order?" but he ignored her, eyes still on the menu. She tried again, this time with a more seductive tone. Nothing. Frustrated, she turned to Hazel. "What will you like to order?" she snapped.
"Nothing. I'm good," Hazel said softly.
"Get everything on the menu," Liam ordered.
The waitress stalked off angrily. Liam closed the menu and finally looked at Hazel.
"Since you don't know me, let's get to know each other. I'm Liam Gre—"
"Of course you're Liam Greco. Who wouldn't know you? You own multiple companies. Everyone knows who you are," Hazel interrupted.
He smiled. "I see you know a lot about me. Drop the act."
"I'm really sorry for yesterday," Hazel said firmly. She needed to make things clear. She didn't want marriage. She had dreams — dreams of being a superstar loved by everyone. Marriage was not on the list.
"There are plenty of women out there but—" she began.
"But it's you that I want," he said simply, moving closer.
Hazel saw his head lower, about to kiss her. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Liam only smiled. Then the waiters returned, carrying tray after tray of food.
Hazel's eyes lit up at the sight. "It smells so good…" she whispered, her stomach betraying her.
"Eat," Liam said.
"There's so much food. It's not good to waste," she thought, biting her lip before picking up an apple snack. Liam chose his own plate and began eating.
"I'm so full…" Hazel groaned later. She hated that so much would be wasted.
Liam waved to the waitress to pack everything up. When they were done, they went back to the car.
"Where are we going now?" Hazel asked nervously.
"My house. I meant what I said. I want to marry you."
Hazel's heart hammered. "Think. Think. I need to escape this somehow."
"Why don't you give me some time to think about it?" she said.
"Fine. I'll give you a day. If I were you, I'd think wisely, because no matter what your answer is, I'm going to marry you without breaking a sweat."
Hazel nodded quietly.
The driver pulled up to her apartment. "Tell the guards to carry her stuff to her room," Liam instructed.
"Yes, sir," the driver said.
Hazel couldn't see much through the car's black-tinted glass. She turned to Liam, but he pulled her close, kissing her lips for a moment before letting go.
"See you in a day, love," he murmured.
Her cheeks flamed as she stepped out of the car. She noticed at least five or six other cars following them. She walked up to her apartment, the guards behind her.
"You can drop it here and leave," she said sweetly.
"Yes, my lady," one of the guards replied.
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