Moon's rough tongue brushed against Amelia's arm, his warm breath fanning her skin. She froze, eyes wide, barely daring to breathe.
Don't move. Don't breathe. Don't die.
"Moon."
Aldric's calm voice cut through the silence like a whip.
The tiger stopped instantly and padded obediently back to his master. Amelia remained rooted in place, face pale, heart pounding so hard she could almost hear it.
For a few seconds, the world felt painfully still.
Then Aldric turned toward her, gaze cool but faintly amused. "Are you planning to keep standing there like that?"
"Huh?" She blinked, snapping out of her trance.
"I said" he repeated, slipping his hands into his pockets, "it's time to go."
Aldric swallowed hard, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "R-right. Coming."
She trailed after him, throwing one last look at Moon, who simply yawned, completely unbothered, as if he hadn't just scared her half to death.
It was her first time sitting in the same car as Moon.
The air felt heavy, too quiet. Amelia sat beside him, fiddling with the hem of her shirt while Alderic gazed out the window, his expression unreadable.
Only the soft hum of the engine filled the silence.
She turned to look outside, watching trees and streetlights blur past, but her mind wandered back to the tiger, to the man beside her. Cold, unpredictable… and far too hard to figure out.
When she sneaked a glance his way, his eyes flicked toward her. She quickly looked away.
Her heart skipped anyway.
The car stopped in front of a towering building of glass and steel. Above the entrance, gold letters gleamed: LUXE BOUTIQUE.
Amelia stepped out, blinking at the elegant display of designer clothes. "Are we… really shopping here?" she whispered.
Alderic didn't bother answering. He was already walking ahead.
Amelia hurried after him, feeling completely out of place. People turned to look, not at her, but at him. Aldric had that kind of presence, sharp, composed, impossible to ignore.
The receptionist froze mid-greeting when he entered. Her smile faltered for a second before she straightened, voice softening. "W–welcome to Luxe Boutique, sir."
Aldric barely glanced her way. "I'm here to shop."
"Of course, sir! May I have your card?"
He handed her a gold card without a word.
Her eyes widened. She'd seen wealthy clients before, but this, this was different. She picked up the phone with shaking hands. "M–Manager! You should come. Right now!"
After hanging up, she flashed Aldric a shy smile. "Would you like a cup of coffee while you wait?"
Aldric ignored her completely.
Before she could try again, the manager burst out from the back, panting.
"Mr. Aldric" he exclaimed, bowing low. "My apologies for the delay! Please, tell me what you need, I'll handle it personally."
The receptionist's jaw nearly dropped. The manager was bowing? He had never bowed to anyone, not even the richest businessmen in the city.
Who on earth is this man? she thought.
"I'm here to shop for my girlfriend" Aldric said casually.
"Of course, sir" the manager replied instantly.
The receptionist blinked. "But… sir, there's no one with you—"
"I'm right here."
Amelia stepped forward from behind Aldric, looking small but composed. Her confident little wink made the receptionist's face stiffen.
"Right this way, please" the manager said quickly.
They were led to a private section lined with luxury racks. Assistants rushed in, carrying dresses, handbags, and shoes.
Amelia stood awkwardly as clothes piled into her arms. Every time she stepped out in a new outfit, Aldric gave her a single glance.
"This one?" the manager asked.
"Pack it" Aldric said.
"And this?"
"Pack it."
Amelia felt like a mannequin being dressed on command. "You really don't have to buy everything" she whispered.
"I decide what I buy" Amelia replied codly.
She pressed her lips together, too shy to argue.
Before long, a mountain of glossy boxes surrounded them. The manager looked ready to faint from joy.
Just as Aldric was about to pay, he paused. "Wait."
Everyone froze.
He turned toward the ladies section, picked a few items, and handed them over. "Pack these separately."
"Of course, sir" the manager said, bowing again.
Aldric handed over his gold card. The terminal beeped, and the total flashed onscreen. The receptionist's mouth fell open.
The manager motioned for staff to carry the purchases to the car, but Aldric stopped them.
"No one touches that."
The room went silent.
"Understood, Mr. Aldric" the manager stammered.
Aldric took one smaller bag himself and turned toward Amelia. "Let's go."
She nodded, still stunned. "O-okay."
As they walked out, the receptionist stood frozen behind the counter, disbelief written all over her face.
Amelia glanced back and couldn't resist smiling sweetly, but just smug enough.
Outside, the car door opened. Aldric gestured for her to get in first. As the car pulled away, she caught sight of the store's glass doors and the receptionist's still-stunned expression.
A tiny laugh escaped her lips.
Aldric glanced sideways. "What's funny?"
She blinked. "Nothing. Just… that woman looked like she saw a ghost."
His lips curved faintly, though he said nothing.
Amelia leaned back with a tired sigh. "What a day…" she murmured.
When they got back home, Amelia went straight upstairs without saying a word.
The moment her door closed, she let out a small sigh. Silence filled the room, soft and still.
She sat on the bed and began unpacking the shopping bags. One by one, she pulled out the things Aldric had bought, elegant dresses, sleek heels, silk blouses that shimmered under the light.
Her fingertips lingered on the fabric. Everything was beautiful, flawless. And yet, instead of joy, a strange weight settled in her chest.
We're not even dating, she thought. Why would he go through all this trouble for me?
Her brows knitted. It feels wrong… like I owe him something.
She exhaled slowly, folding each outfit with care. "Why does he always have to make things complicated?" she muttered under her breath.
A soft knock broke the quiet.
Knock, knock.
Amelia turned toward the door. "Coming" she called, padding over to open it.
Butler Noah stood there, his posture calm and precise, holding a large, elegant box.
"Miss Amelia" he said gently, "Master asked me to give you this. He said the box you brought was too small for your belongings."
Amelia blinked. "Oh… I see." She accepted it, running her fingers over the smooth surface. "Thank you, Butler Noah."
He nodded politely and left.
Amelia stared at the box for a moment, her lips curving faintly. "Even now, he's still one step ahead" she murmured.
She got to work again, transferring her folded clothes, books, and little personal things into the larger box. When she finished, she stood still for a moment, glancing around the room.
It already looked empty.
She drew in a breath. "Alright" she whispered. "Let's do this."
Downstairs, a few servants were waiting. They took the box from her carefully and carried it toward the car.
Outside, Moon, the massive white tiger was being guided into another vehicle. He gave a low growl but stayed calm, his golden eyes flicking toward Amelia.
She waved lightly. "Try not to terrify anyone on the way, okay?"
The tiger blinked, almost in acknowledgment.
Then she turned and climbed into the car beside Aldric.
The silence inside was thick but oddly peaceful. The hum of the engine filled the space between them.
Amelia sat quietly, her gaze shifting to Aldric's reflection in the window. He looked the same as always composed, unreadable, yet somehow… grounding.
Who are you really? she wondered.
After a long drive, the car slowed and turned onto a wide driveway lined with tall trees and marble statues.
When the gates opened, Amelia's breath caught.
The mansion ahead gleamed under the afternoon light grander than the last, impossibly elegant, like something out of a dream.
The car stopped before the grand steps.
Aldric stepped out first, and Amelia followed, eyes wide as she took it all in.
"Wow" she breathed. "This is… your house?"
Before Aldric could answer, a bright, cheerful voice rang out.
"Daddy!"
Amelia froze.
She threw her arms around Aldric. "Daddy, you're back!"
Ameila went rigid. Her mind blanked.
He has a daughter?