Shopping!

The town center at this time isn't too busy. Lina is seated beside Henry in the backseat of the car Mr Lanny is driving, Wang seated in front. Mrs Lanny didn't come with them, she had chores to do, as she had said when she shooed them out of the house.

They stopped at a fairly sized boutique right by the main road. The samples by the windows are swimsuits and trendy dresses, exactly what a woman will need in Kulu. They hopped out of the car and went in, a beautiful lady with big curly hair opened the door for them. When she saw Henry, she released an excited shrill and went to hug him, jumping up and down with excitement.

"Wei! It's you! Oh my, I didn't know you were coming to Kulu, much less my store." She said excitedly.

"Hello Hanna, congratulations on the new baby. Sorry to bother you like this." Henry said.

"Oh don't worry. Pops said to close the door and send the staff home, a VIP is coming. I should have known it was y-." Hanna stopped midway her sentence when she saw Lina.

"Oh my, you are not the VIP, she is!" She again excitedly bounced in her feet, pushing Henry to the side. "Oh my, its Lina Cohen, in my store! Aaaahhhh."

"Okay Hanna, calm down now." Henry said, laughing at her childhood friend. She always had a wild energy.

"I'm calm now, I'm calm." Hanna said as she tried to calm down. "How can I help you Ms Lina?" she asked Lina in particular.

"You can just call me Lina." Hanna's energy and happiness is contagious. "I need help with island clothes, I'm afraid I came ill equipped to Kulu. I don't have the right clothes. This is the biggest one from my luggage and it's getting harder and harder to breathe. Especially after the delicious meal your Mom had made for us." Lina confessed to Hanna as the men found comfortable seating spots for them in the shop, Mr Lanny prepared tea for the 3 of them.

"That is a pretty dress but it does look tight, come I'll show you our new items."

As the girls happily looked around the place for clothes that will suit Lina, the men were drinking tea, having small chats about whatever men talk about in situations like this.

Lina and Hanna decided on the clothes that they both liked. Lina made sure to buy extra, especially the locally made ones or from the neighboring islands because of their unique and pretty designs. Lina picked a pale pink halter neck dress with a low back and long enough hem that reached her knees to wear before leaving. She went to the dressing room while Hanna went to pack the rest at the register.

"Done?" Henry asked Hanna as she started packing the clothes by the register. He approached and handed her his card. "Do I get a discount? " He asked.

"Oh yeah, for sure. I'll give you a surprise friend discount which is additional 10%." Hanna sassily replied as she processed their purchase.

"So… what's the deal? Why are you together?" Hanna asked him quietly.

"She's the new Mrs Wu." Henry simply said.

"WHAT!" Hanna screamed loudly.

Lina came out of the dressing room all dressed, holding her blue clothes on one hand. "What happened?" She asked Hanna.

"You married him?" Hanna asked Lina then turned her head to Henry, "You got married?"

The married couple just nodded their head, "Give me back your card, I need to charge you another extra 20%. Why didn't you tell me?"

Laughing at Hanna, she went to her side and said, "It was very, very sudden and given my job, we have to keep it a secret for some time."

"Rich people have complicated lives." Hanna stated earning the laugh of everybody there.

"That, I agree." Lina said, nodding her head.

"You look very pretty Lina!" Hanna told her, the men chorusing with their agreement.

"Do you want to take a picture of me holding your shopping bag? Maybe it will help with publicity." Lina offered Hanna who was dumbstruck.

"Really? Oh my gosh, I would love to. I'll post it after you leave." Hanna excitedly grabbed her camera and they did an impromptu photo shoot in her shop.

Shortly after that, Wang and Henry carried Lina's purchases back to the car after they said their goodbyes to Hanna. Lina made fast friends with her so she was the last one to leave as they were gossiping about other actors and actresses Lina has encountered before.

Mr Lanny dropped Wang, Henry and Lina by the house and went straight to their house. Wang just went in and dropped the bags he is carrying by the living room and left them alone.

Lina went to the fridge to take out a bottle of cold water, took a long drink and brought one back to Henry who started pulling out the clothes out from the bags, separating them in bunches.

"Thanks" he said as he reached out the water she offered.

"What are you doing?" She asked as he continued.

"Choosing my favourite." Henry teased her as he continued what he was doing.

Lina stepped out of the house through the open sliding doors. The house' backyard is a very spacious open space with perfectly manicured glass. There are tropical trees planted all over and an infinity pool with a whirlpool tub attached to it. There's also a seating area where you can cook barbecue on one side. And to top it all, you have an uninterrupted view of sea and the clear sky. Lina chose one of the reclining chairs by the pool, laid down and finally got to enjoy the beauty of nature right before her eyes.

"Put on sunscreen." She heard Henry tell her but she chose to ignore him, still taking in the view.

Given her parents heritage, she has a natural light olive skin tone so she doesn't burn easily. It's actually hard for her to get darker as well even when she's exposed to the sun.

Lina closed her eyes, enjoying the breeze when suddenly a shadow covered her. The garden umbrella that was closed earlier was now open, shading most of the chair she's on.

"I was enjoying the sun." She tells Henry, the primary suspect.

"Put on sunscreen and I might let you." He tells her, leaning casually by the door.

Huffing, she went back in, making sure to bump into him as she went. Grabbed the navy-blue swimsuit by the sofa and went back to their room. She might as well go for a swim.