Carabella didn't want Jefferson to buy her so many luxury items. Although she knew he was trying to protect his reputation, she didn't like wearing luxury items. She had always lived a simple lifestyle, and being suddenly given luxuries made her very uncomfortable.
Tired of arguing with Jefferson, she lowered her head and looked away. "Jefferson, thank you for your kindness. But you can buy clothes and accessories at the boutique for cheaper."
His lips quivered. "Maybe it's because you've never worn such a luxurious item before, that you're so hesitant to accept my gift."
"Thankfully, you know what I'm thinking now. But I still don't want to accept any lavish gifts from you." Her piercing gaze made Jefferson feel even more challenged.
Jefferson rolled his eyes, pulled a black card from his suit pocket, and handed it to the stubborn woman. "I've already proven that I have the ability to buy anything. Is it that hard for you to use my gift once in a while?"
"Still I–"
Jefferson casually placed several baskets on the cash register and handed the cashier his black card. "Don't misunderstand. I bought all these gifts so you'll look perfect in my eyes while you work in my office. I don't like seeing someone look messy."
A heavy sigh escaped her lips. "Okay, I'll accept all your gifts. I'll wear them when I'm at work."
"Since you seem uncomfortable wearing all my gifts, I want to give you the freedom not to force you to try on all my chosen clothes now."
"Thank you for your understanding, Jefferson."
Carabella hadn't dared to raise her head openly, embarrassed to argue with a famous CEO in public. Although Jefferson had deliberately left the area empty so no one would witness them, she still didn't trust the cashier on duty. Could she trust her to keep a secret? What if she leaked the secret to the media and spread fake news? The consequences of her life of constant abuse and deception from childhood to now made it difficult for her to trust anyone.
Jefferson led Carabella out of the boutique. Carabella carried numerous paper bags to make it seem like she was working as Jefferson's assistant. In reality, all the items she was carrying were her.
"Are you hungry? Do you want to eat first?" Jefferson asked suddenly, surprising Carabella.
"No."
"You ate a little earlier. Are you really not hungry?"
Her footsteps stopped abruptly as she ran into a man no less handsome than Jefferson. Carabella stared at him with sparkling eyes, making Jefferson frown. The man was Flint, Jefferson's cousin, who had known Carabella since childhood. Whenever Carabella played at Jefferson's house, they often met and played together, which made their relationship quite close. Even now, Flint and Carabella still communicated secretly.
"Flint, I didn't expect to see you here," Carabella greeted enthusiastically, making Jefferson flick his shirt collar.
Flint smiled sweetly at his jealous cousin. "Jefferson, it's unusual for you to be walking around a shopping mall in broad daylight. Aren't you busy?"
"No. I'm not busy." He casually patted his new assistant on the shoulder, showing off that he was the one who would win Carabella's heart. "By the way, you two seem close. Have you been seeing each other often?"
"Of course. Have you forgotten that Carabella and I have always been quite close?"
Jefferson nodded, folding his arms. "Why didn't you ever tell me something so important?"
Flint furrowed his brows. "Is this something important that I have to report to you?"
"Yes, because Carabella is my friend too."
Carabella took a moment to step back from the two handsome men arguing, making her head ache. "Why are you two fighting? You've only just met."
"We weren't arguing." Jefferson put his arm around his cousin's shoulder casually. "We were just having a casual chat. Isn't that right, Flint?"
"Of course." Flint chuckled, scratching his head. "Sometimes we talk until it looks like we're arguing."
"By the way, I wanted to take Carabella out for cupcakes."
"Can I come with you?" Flint asked, winking repeatedly at his cousin.
"Of course you can," Carabella replied enthusiastically, Jefferson's gaze immediately widened.
Finally, Flint was able to join Carabella and Jefferson eating cupcakes at the cupcake shop. Actually, he had peeked at the behavior of this pair of friends who were too sweet in his eyes when he was in the boutique. What was on his mind when he witnessed the moment directly outside the boutique, could Jefferson have liked Carabella? However, if that happened, had Jefferson really lost his mind? A perfectionist CEO who had always looked down on Carabella since childhood, it was impossible for him to suddenly fall in love. Then, what about Larissa? Now all he could do was sit opposite Jefferson and Carabella. He felt like a third person trying to destroy the relationship of the lovers.
"By the way, Jefferson, why did you suddenly invite Carabella to go shopping with you? It's unusual for you to want to relax on a weekday."
Jefferson smiled awkwardly as he looked at Carabella, who was eating a cupcake. "I haven't formally introduced Carabella to you yet. She's my personal assistant now."
"What?!"
"Don't worry, I need it because I've been busy lately. I need someone who can help Raul too."
"But what if Larissa finds out about this? Do you want to be responsible if she gets angry?"
"She won't be mad if I explain to her that Carabella is just my assistant."
Observing the intense look in Jefferson's eyes at Carabella, Flint could already guess that Jefferson had special feelings for Carabella, only now he was pretending not to know anything.
He nodded, taking a bite of a chocolate cupcake. "If I were you, I would definitely hire a woman as my assistant."
"Why? Is it because that woman is attractive in your eyes?"
The sarcastic question made Flint unable to contain his irritation any longer. He immediately grabbed Carabella's wrist, not caring that Jefferson was watching.
"Carabella, can I talk to you after this?"