Married To My Ex's Brother, Reborn Miraculously
Chapter 39: The chaos at the shop (Part – 3)

Chapter 39: The chaos at the shop (Part – 3)

Audrey had left after receiving a phone call.

Anne shifted on her feet, eager to leave, but Augustine was insistent. As they strolled through the elegant displays, Anne took in the dazzling array of gowns—each a masterpiece. However, her appreciation was clouded by a sense of unease. She knew these dresses came with exorbitant price tags, far beyond what she was comfortable spending.

Then, amidst the glimmering collection, a silver gown caught her eye. It was breathtaking—elegant, adorned with intricate beadwork that shimmered like stardust under the lights. She couldn’t help but to reach out, her fingers brushing over the delicate fabric. But the moment she glanced at the price tag, she flinched and pulled her hand back.

The sheer amount written on the tag made her stomach twist.

Augustine noticed every reaction. He took a step closer. "Do you like this dress?"

Anne shook her head almost immediately. "No... it’s too expensive. And besides, where would I even wear it?"

Augustine could see how her eyes had lingered, how she had traced the fabric with silent admiration. But she had suppressed her desire because of the price.

That only strengthened his resolve. He would buy it for her.

Anne, desperate to shift the conversation, cleared her throat. "Let’s go and make the payment for the shirt and the tie," she suggested quickly.

"Don’t worry about the payment. It must be done already."

The third salesgirl, who had been silently standing in the corner, stepped forward. She held out a sleek carrying bag along with the black card, her hands trembling slightly. Her head remained bowed as she spoke.

"It’s here, sir."

Her throat felt dry. Fear coiled inside her as she recalled everything that had unfolded inside the manager’s office. She had heard everything – seen everything.

The realization that the man standing before her was none other than the boss sent another shiver down her spine.

"Th-Thank you, ma’am. Thank you, sir..." She tried to offer a smile, though it wavered at the edges. "It’s truly an honor that you visited our shop. And... I’m deeply sorry for all the trouble you faced. We should have treated you with the utmost respect from the start."

Augustine regarded her for a moment before asking, "What’s your name?"

Her heart nearly stopped.

Was she in trouble? Was he going to fire her just like the manager and her other two colleagues? Panic welled up in her chest as she struggled to form words.

"It’s... Ni-Nicole," she stammered.

Augustine’s lips curled into the faintest smirk. "Nicole... You’re different from those two arrogant women earlier. You did well. I’ll make sure to leave a good review about you."

Relief flooded her veins, loosening the knots of fear in her stomach. She finally dared to lift her gaze, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, sir. Thank you so much," she said, bowing deeply.

Augustine pulled out his phone and quickly sent a message to Gustave: ’This woman, Nicole, seems competent. Promote her to shop manager.’

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, he turned to Anne, his expression gentle. "Are you hungry?"

Anne nodded slightly, only now becoming aware of how empty her stomach felt after the day’s events.

A knowing smile played on his lips. "Let’s go. I have somewhere special in mind."

He had already arranged a dinner reservation at an upscale restaurant. After missing the chance to spend the previous evening with her, he was determined to make this night perfect.

Intertwining his fingers with hers, he led her out of the shop.

Just as they reached the mall’s entrance, Augustine’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and answered the call.

Gustave’s voice came through, crisp and to the point. "Those bastards have been removed."

Augustine hummed softly.

"And I’ll look into Nicole.

"Good." With that, Augustine ended the call.

Holding Anne close, he walked toward the exit.

Several minutes later, they arrived at the restaurant.

Augustine led Anne to a cozy corner table, pulling out a chair for her before settling in across from her. She sat stiffly as her gaze wandered over the elite guests, making her feel slightly out of place.

Augustine picked up the menu. "What would you like to eat?"

Anne barely glanced at the menu before answering hesitantly, "Something simple. Maybe a bowl of creamy tomato soup and some garlic bread... and a plate of buttered pasta."

Augustine raised an eyebrow, surprise flickering in his expression. "That’s all?"

Anne nodded.

For a moment, he simply observed her, fascinated. He had expected her to choose something extravagant, given the refined setting. But instead, her choice was modest.

A slow smile spread across his lips. "You enjoy simple food."

Anne tilted her head, a little puzzled. "Is that surprising?"

A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. "Not surprising—just rare. Most people associate luxury with excess, but I’ve always believed true comfort lies in the simple things."

Anne blinked, momentarily stunned by his words. For the first time that evening, she relaxed. Unlike Denis, who had always exuded arrogance and dismissed her preferences as insignificant, Augustine was different. He didn’t mock simplicity; he valued it.

A quiet comfort settled within her, easing the tension.

The waiter arrived. Augustine ordered, "We’ll have two bowls of tomato soup, garlic bread, and buttered pasta."

Anne watched him, a peculiar warmth stirring within her. She had spent years molding herself to fit Denis’s expectations, adjusting her choices to align with his. Somewhere along the way, she had lost the habit of choosing for herself.

But now, someone was considering her preferences, ensuring that her likes were heard. The thought left her unsettled yet comforted, stirring an undeniable emotion deep within her.

"Thank you for today," she murmured, lowering her gaze to her fingers. "And... I’m sorry for how I spoke to you this morning. I regret my words."

"It’s okay," he dismissed her concern. "Let’s not talk about that."

Anne had intended to tell him that she had discovered who had killed Billy, but since he seemed unwilling to discuss it, she decided to let it go. Instead, she shifted her focus to the carrying bag beside her and gently slid it toward him. "This is for you... I’m not sure if you’ll like it, but I thought you should try wearing something other than white."

Amusement flickered in his eyes. He looked at the blue shirt inside the bag. His heart warmed. This was the first thing she had chosen for him. It meant more to him than she could possibly know.

He carefully pulled the shirt out just enough to see its color, to feel the fabric. The deep royal blue stood in stark contrast to the whites that he always wore. "I love it. The color is so vibrant... I can’t even recall the last time I wore something this bright." He set the bag aside, then looked at her with a newfound warmth. "But I’ll definitely try it."

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