CHAPTER 8

The next day around noon.

The brightness from the window beside the bed fell on Hope's face and she moves slightly trying to open her eyes. She felt a weight on her body and when she lifted her blanket a small and very soft hand was hugging her. She was startled and wakes up immediately to realize that it was Emma hugging her in sleep. She smiled to her and left the room without disturbing Emma. When she came out to the living room, she could see Ric cooking in the kitchen in his casual clothes.

"Ric, did you sleep here? Where did you get those clothes?"

"Yes sleepyhead. I did sleep in the guest room. Liam helped me buy some clothes from the nearby mall in the morning as my home was far from here."

"oh… why are up so early and cooking?"

"Early? Do you even know what time it is?"

"What time is it?" she asked sleepily and unlocked her phone to see that it was almost lunch time. She was shocked and rushed to the bathroom.

"Hey… don't worry. Liam said he has cleared your schedule and you are completely free today. That's why I didn't wake you up."

"Really? then should I get some more sleep?"

"Don't even think about it. Go shower and I will wake that another sleepy head. We can all eat together and go out."

Ric was so excited to spend another day with his friend but when he didn't get any reply from her, he raised his head from the kitchen station to the living room to see Hope sleeping in the couch. He walked furiously and literally dragged her into the bathroom and shut the door.

"I will give you 15 minutes. If don't get ready by then, don't even think about eating dinner. I will just lock you up in the bathroom itself."

Then he went to the bedroom and woke up Emma and gave her the clothes he got for her and went to complete his cooking task.

After 20 minutes, both Emma and Hope washed up and came to the dining table. By then Ric has already filled the table with delicious food and has also called Liam to dine with them.

The four of them had their meal and when Ric took the responsibility to do the cleaning, Hope stopped him and asked to just leave it for the maids to clean.

"Boss, these are few of your cards for shopping. This is the car key I have prepared for you. I will take care of the work in the company and call me if you need anything."

Liam gave the cards, car key and a few money bills he withdrew for her to spend in case.

Then the three friends went to the nearest mall in Hope's car and wandered around the mall with an ice cream in hand.

When they entered an clothing shop, the suit displayed on the mannequin caught the eyes of Ric and he was just asking the sales staff about the material and design.

"I want that suit", suddenly someone from behind said in a loud voice. Even though Ric liked the outfit, he felt that it was too expensive to spend on a suit. Thus, he just smiled and moved from that place to give way for the girl fully dressed in expensive branded clothes.

When Ric was about see a different suit, the girl said in a very louder manner, "I don't know why the store allows such people inside when you can clearly say that they can't even afford the least expensive cloth in the store."

Ric was dressed in a casual white t-shirt and blue jean which made the girl to think that he can't afford the suit. But he was working in a reputed company and he earns tens of millions as his monthly salary. still, he doesn't like to show off. Thus, he just decided to move from there.

Hope and Emma also came there because of the girl's louder voice. Emma was very simple minded; she was used to speaking her thoughts frankly. Thus, she couldn't witness her friend being bullied. "how dare you talk down about my friend? If you say even a word more then I will just rip your tongue apart. Mind it."

The girl was very much angered by Emma "I just stated the facts. I can clearly see that he can't afford this suit. He is just making it dirty by touching it."