The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 134: Shopping

Chapter 134: Shopping

Nightmares. A simple word that can be uniquely harrowing for each person. It’s like a personal manifestation of your deepest fears and anxieties.

When you contemplate them, it feels like your own mind is trapping you in a never-ending horror movie.

In these vivid nightmares, there’s no escape from the terror, and it can be even more overwhelming when you can’t distinguish between reality and the dream world.

The experience becomes so real that it felt like it was no longer a dream.

The dreams had become so vivid and intense that upon waking, they feel like real-life memories.

Damien had experienced another traumatic nightmare, and the agony he had felt in that dream was so unbearable that he wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

The dreams had become a source of constant worry, like a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment.

The guilt he felt for keeping them a secret from Beatrix weighed heavily on him. His mind had started reminding him of his past demons.

It always happened in this time of the year when it was getting close to his mother’s death anniversary.

He couldn’t save her. He wasn’t strong enough to take his mother away from that monster instead he had killed her.

Maybe he was really useless like he had said.

Damien raked his hands through his hair. Beatrix had asked him what was wrong with him but he didn’t want to let her know that his nightmares were getting worse.

She hadn’t tried to push it, but he could tell from the looks she gave him that she knows he was not being honest and she doesn’t understand why.

He needed to talk to Rhys, he needed to let him take her away on a vacation or trip. She had been through a lot she deserved to rest.

Rhys and Beatrix were sitting on the couch, their faces lit up by the glow of the television screen.

They were both completely absorbed in the video game they were playing, laughing and shouting encouragement to each other as they tried to outdo each other.

"Come on, Rhys, you’ve got this!" Beatrix shouted, as she furiously mashed buttons on her controller.

"No way, little mouse, I’m gonna beat you this time!" Rhys replied, his eyes never leaving the screen.

In the background, Damien sat quietly, his arms crossed and a contemplative look on his face. He was lost in thought, his mind wandering far from the action on the screen.

"What’s up, Damien?" Beatrix asked, noticing that he wasn’t fully engaged in the game.

"Oh, nothing," Damien replied, with a shrug. "Just thinking about some stuff."

"You’re not having any fun?" Rhys asked, glancing over at Damien.

"I’m just not in the mood for games right now," Damien said. "But you two go ahead, I’ll watch."

Beatrix and Rhys went back to their game, shouting and laughing as they battled it out. Damien watched quietly, his mind still preoccupied with his thoughts.

"Hey, Damien," Rhys said, pausing the game. "You okay? You seem really distracted."

"Yeah, I’m fine," Damien said, with a forced smile. "Just got a lot on my mind, that’s all."

Beatrix raised her brows at him but she said nothing.

"So I was thinking that maybe Rhys you should take Beatrix out. It’s been almost two weeks since we came back and I think she deserved to have a little fun. Also most of her clothes were lost in the fire. Take her to get some new clothes."

Rhys nodded, "Okay. Tomorrow we will go."

He replied and turned around to play his game.

Beatrix met his gaze and he averted his, guilt coursing through him.

********

Rhys dropped Beatrix at a shopping center.

She looked around the bustling mall lobby. She loved shopping ever since she was a kid but her father had forbidden her from going to a shopping mall after she was nearly kidnapped.

Rhys got down from the car and came to open the door for her. He grabbed her hand as they walked towards the entrance of the mall.

Rhys and Beatrix walked hand in hand into the mall, both excited to spend some quality time together. As they strolled through the various stores, they came across a trendy clothing store and decided to check it out.

Female shoppers were glancing at him surreptitiously but he barely noticed as he curiously observed the crammed shelves and piles of mixed clothes he was walking past.

"What do you think?" Beatrix asked him, holding up a floral dress in front of me. "I love the color!"

"The color’s great," he said, peering at the dress more closely. "It will look great on you for a date."

Beatrix giggled and pressed a kiss on his cheeks, "Then I’m buying it. I will wear it if you invite me on a date."

Rhys smirked at her and glanced at the clothes hanging on the hangers.

"Let’s get it for you then. You’ll look beautiful in it."

Beatrix came out of the changing room, twirling in her new dress. Rhys was awestruck by how gorgeous she looked.

"You look amazing, Babe. That dress was made for you."

Beatrix smiled, a faint blush tainting her cheeks, "Aww, thank you. I will get it then."

They continued to browse through the store, picking out a few more items to try on. They were having a great time, laughing and joking with each other as they tried on different outfits.

Rhys picked out a leather jacket and held it out to her, "I think this jacket would look good on you, let’s see."

Beatrix tried it on and came out of the changing room, striking a pose.

"What do you think? Do I look like a fashionista?" She asked.

Rhys nodded, "You always look amazing, but this jacket takes it to the next level. You have to get it."

Beatrix beamed, "Okay, I’ll get it. "

For another half an hour, they lingered in the store, and Rhys’ willingness to assist with her shopping journey amused her.

He stood guard over her bags, effortlessly stepping aside for other shoppers and groups of chatting girls, securely holding onto her wristlet and the hangers for her coat options. As she tried on each coat in front of the mirrors between the aisles, he handed them to her one by one.

An hour later, Beatrix had already gotten two pairs of leather boots, a couple pairs of sneakers and a new pair of ballerina flats. She also bought a couple of high heels in case they had to attend a function.

She had got half a dozen blouses and shirts, three pairs of jeans, a pair of black trousers, two shift dresses, two sundresses, two leather jackets, a blazer and two scarves.

"It’s there anything else you want?"

The last thing she wanted was some lingerie.

"Y-yes...lingerie."

His smile turned wicked. "I’m so glad you saved that for last. I’lI be happy to help you pick."

Before they headed out for lingerie shopping, he went to put the things in the car and came back then they got a fruit smoothie from a stall.

As they sipped on their tall, refreshing fruit smoothies, they stumbled upon a lingerie store. The store was relatively quiet and before they knew it, three saleswomen appeared, each eager to offer their assistance. However, their eagerness quickly became overwhelming for Beatrix as the saleswomen attempted to win over Rhys.

Feeling a surge of jealousy, she playfully grumbled to Rhys, "I’m never going out in public with you again. I might end up hurting someone out of jealousy and end up in prison."

Rhys, who was seated on a nearby armchair, looked up at her with a hint of dark emotion before breaking into a grin. He teasingly replied, "I had no idea my little mouse had such a bloodthirsty, jealous side." And with that, he pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist, teasingly nibbling on her bottom lip.

Beatrix playfully swatted Rhys’ arm as she tried to get away from him. "It’s not funny," she said, her voice serious. "Doesn’t it bother you that women are always throwing themselves at you?"

Rhys chuckled, planting a light kiss on the tip of her nose. "I can handle it, my love. But you should know, you have all of my attention. There’s no room for anyone else."

To emphasize his point, he wrapped his arms around her and gave her breasts a gentle squeeze. She giggled, slipping off his lap in a halfhearted attempt to escape.

Just then, the saleswoman returned with the items she had picked out and led Beatrix to the fitting room. As she changed into the ruby red silk lingerie set that Rhys had suggested, she could hear the saleswoman chatting with him.

"Come out and show me, my darling," Rhys called out, his excitement palpable.

Feeling a bit shy, Beatrix pushed open the door and stepped out. The saleswoman looked slightly annoyed, standing off to the side as Rhys beamed at her approvingly.

"Wow," Rhys exclaimed, his gaze roaming over Beatrix’s form appreciatively. "You look absolutely stunning in that lingerie.

I was telling Sarah-"

"Sandra." The saleswoman interrupted, clearly annoyed that he had forgotten her name.

Rhys ignored her and continued talking, "here that we should definitely get them in all the other colors - blue, green, purple, and black. What do you think, my love?"

Beatrix turned to look at herself in the mirror, admiring the simple yet elegant design of the lace lingerie. The bra was adorned with delicate lace along the edges and straps, while the cups were smooth and understated.

The boyleg cut panties were just as practical, with a strip of silk covering the necessary areas and the rest of them crafted with intricate lace.

Beatrix couldn’t agree more and decided to get the lingerie set in all the other colors as well.

Encouraged by Rhys, she tried on a few more pieces and by the end of their shopping spree, she had a large bag filled with a mix of alluring and comfortable nightgowns.

She couldn’t wait to put them on for him.

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