12

Chapter 12

"How about you start calling me Fabian? You keep saying 'sir'," said Fabian. We are now facing each other at the dining table. I shyly shook my head.

"I'm not comfortable yet," I replied, now looking down. For some reason, Fabian suddenly laughed.

"Are you still shy? After we shared a kiss and—"

I was surprised and quickly covered Fabian's mouth. My face turned red as I told him to keep quiet.

I looked at France, who was sitting next to the manager. The manager was examining France and it seemed like he didn't hear anything.

Fabian held my wrist and gently lowered it.

"You almost knocked over the mug."

I stopped and then looked at the table. Fabian was holding the mug in front of me. It looked like I was about to knock it over when I bent down.

"I'm just joking. Sit down," said Fabian. Embarrassed, I sat down—looking at Fabian, who suddenly became serious. I wanted to ask if he has a split personality.

I just watched Fabian take another spoon. He wiped it with a tissue and then—placed it on my plate.

"Eat. After this, we'll go shopping," said Fabian. I didn't know what expression I made then because I felt a mix of shock, fear, and anxiety. Going out in public—with Fabian?

"I— I can go shopping by myself," I said. I wasn't sure, but it seemed like Fabian was planning to attend a masquerade party and intended to make me his date, based on what I heard from his conversation with Jomar.

"I'll also choose what I'll wear, so? It's better if we go together. You don't need to worry because I will be in disguise."

That wasn't what I was worried about. It's hard not to attract attention even if I cover my whole face with a bandage.

I felt Fabian's gaze. Our eyes met. Surely Fabian knew I was worried, so he held my hand.

"Sorry, I just want to date you. There's nothing wrong with dating you, right?" asked Fabian. Immediately, France said he would come along. Fabian turned to his son and answered with a poker face.

"A date is for two people only. No need for a third wheel," Fabian replied. All my worries seemed to disappear after the father and son started arguing again. I just laughed. It was impossible to refuse Fabian then.

"No! You're monopolizing my mom. I'm coming too!"

In the argument, of course, France won. We went shopping and ate out with France.

Fabian was carrying France when we got out of the car and entered a well-known shop. I was only wearing one of the dresses given to me by Fabian and I put on a longsleeve.

I just wanted to hide my face after seeing the kinds of looks thrown at me by people there.

"Fabian, I'll just stay in the car," I whispered, holding the edge of Fabian's sleeve.

I stopped when Fabian held my hand, which I looked at him. We were now at the entrance of the shop.

Fabian slightly bent down and brought his face closer to mine.

"Do you want me to reserve the entire shop and make everyone leave?" whispered Fabian. I stopped and immediately said no. What the heck, was he serious about that?

It seemed because I doubted him, Fabian immediately raised his hand and called the manager of the shop.

"Ah! Fabian! No, no," I blurted out in panic, holding one of Fabian's hands, saying it wasn't necessary.

I tried not to pay attention to the looks of the people there and chose clothes to wear.

I should have chosen for France first, but Fabian said he would take care of France and I should pick a dress for myself.

There were many beautiful clothes and I tried all of them. As expected—none of them suited me.

I stared at my face while wearing a red dress. No matter how beautiful the dress is, if someone with a face like this wears it—even if I surround myself with gold, it's impossible to be satisfied and look beautiful.

A few women passed by and looked at me directly. I saw them in the reflection, laughing at me.

"Hey miss. Where are you going to wear that? Halloween is over," said one woman, and she was immediately smacked by her companion as they laughed.

"Babe, have you chosen a dress yet?"

Two men approached the woman who asked if I was attending a Halloween party.

"Babe, what's this? It's your sister's shop. You let such people in. It ruins the ambiance of the shop."

The man looked at me then raised an eyebrow and looked at his girlfriend.

"He's a customer, why not let him in?" asked the man. The woman stopped immediately and asked if he was siding with someone ugly like me.

I wanted to laugh because of that. The woman's comments were so nonsensical. She even managed to fight with her boyfriend.

"Just pick something to wear and let's leave. Don't radomly bother people ," said the man. I turned around this time and approached the woman.

"Why are you approaching?"

She immediately hid behind her boyfriend. Her companions also acted up, saying not to come closer or they might catch something from her skin.

"My eyes are just really blurry. I'm just checking if you're really a human or a bee. You're so noisy," I said. The woman blushed and was about to respond when someone shouted for mommy.

Small hands suddenly hugged my legs and I looked down.

"France?"

I quickly picked up France and carried him. He was wearing a cute suit.

"Mommy, look! Am I handsome now?" asked France, showing off his suit. I smiled and said there was no change. France is still handsome.

France looked at the people in front of me and suddenly shouted uncle.

"France?" said the man and I looked up. He called the guy who was with the girl earlier who was insulting me, uncle.

"Sonia? Have you picked a dress?"

Fabian approached, dressed casually, and also looked at the people I was facing.

"Lance? You're here too."

Fabian came up to us then shook hands with the guy from earlier.

"Long time no see. I haven't seen you in a while. Anyway—"

The guy Fabian called Lance looked at me. Fabian immediately wrapped an arm around my waist.

"Did you receive my email? This is Sonia, the future wife I was talking about."

The man just laughed and said he was surprised when Fabian suddenly announced he was getting married.

"I was more surprised to meet your future bride here. Anyway, sorry for the late introduction. I'm Lance Martinez. Fabian's first cousin and closest friend— it just doesn't seem like it."

The man extended his hand. Embarrassedly, I took it and introduced myself as Sonia.

"Babe," said the woman and dramatically grabbed Lance's hand. My hand was pulled, and I almost fell after stepping on my dress.

Fabian quickly grabbed my waist before we fell to the floor with his son.

"What are you doing?" the cousin irritably asked his girlfriend. I felt Fabian's glare at the girl, so I quickly held his arm.

"I'm okay," I told Fabian. He checked if the back of my hand was scraped, because it was scratched by the woman's nails earlier.

"We're breaking up. Fuck off," the man irritably said. I was shocked by that.

"Babe—"

"Are you leaving, or should I drag you to the guard?" the man irritably asked. The woman angrily left, but before leaving the area, Fabian's cousin told her to pay for the dress before leaving or take it off.

I wanted to laugh at the woman's face, now red with annoyance and embarrassment.

"Your taste in women is really ugly, Lance," said Fabian. I felt Fabian wiping my hand with a wet tissue. That's when I felt the sting. It seemed my hand was scratched by the woman's nails.

"When will the invitations be out? Don't forget me," said the man, hugging Fabian and then looking at me.

He winked at me and said he was pleased to meet me. He whispered something to Fabian, but I couldn't hear it.

"Don't be loud," said Fabian then elbowed Lance. I couldn't help but think about what he said. Was he insulting me or what? His look seemed teasing.

The man left because someone called his phone. The other guy who was with him just bowed to us and then also left.

"Don't overthink it. He just said we match. You seem like a feisty woman," Fabian said. I looked at Fabian. I wanted to ask if he could read my mind.

"It's obvious from your face."

Fabian released my waist and then called a staff member who had been following me.

"I'll take everything she picked and tried on."

My eyes widened and I stopped Fabian.

"That's too many. I only need one dress for the party," I said, eyes wide. He looked at me.

"After our wedding, you won't just attend one party. You'll need many dresses, of course. Actually, we still need to go to shops for accessories, bags, and then shoes."

Fabian really planned to bring me along. When I heard that, I couldn't help but laugh. Fabian was so cute thinking about the shops that had nice bags, shoes, and accessories for me.

Actually, I have a strong feeling that it would be impossible for me to wear the dresses I bought that day to the parties Fabian mentioned.

I looked at the staff now showing us the couple set of dresses for formal parties.

Fabian wants a couple set. Everything was beautiful, so I couldn't choose when Fabian asked me.

Suddenly, I remembered Victor, who also took me shopping last time. I remembered that he accidentally yelled at me because I took too long to choose a dress and he said they were in a hurry. But Fabian— I looked back at Fabian, who was just looking at the staff and the dresses in front of them.

He just said to take my time and asked for her opinion. It seemed like Fabian felt my gaze on him, so he looked at me.

"What's the problem? Don't you like the dresses here? Do you want us to move to another shop?" Fabian asked. I quickly shook my head and said that all the dresses were beautiful.

"I can't choose," I said. Fabian just laughed and said I should have chosen earlier.

I stopped when Fabian said he would buy them all.

"Sir Fabian, that's too many and—"

"You said everything was beautiful. Try them on at the mansion and then choose which one you want to wear first. Make sure to prepare my suit that matches your dress before the party," Fabian said and stood up. My jaw dropped after hearing that.

France laughed and said not to worry because his mommy said,

"Daddy is rich," France said as he got off the sofa and held my hand. Gosh, it might be better if I choose next time. Fabian is too generous; he might even buy the whole shop.

"Just send them to the mansion. Here's my card and address," Fabian said after giving his card to the manager. The manager couldn't stop smiling because of that.

"Let's go," Fabian said. We were about to leave when a beautiful and sophisticated woman called Fabian.

"Sophia? I thought you didn't plan on leaving your office."

The woman laughed as she stopped in front of us and said she was curious about who the couple set was for, and Fabian bought all of them.

The woman looked at me and then immediately took my hand.

"Did you order these? Thank you!"

Fabian quickly took my hand and gave the woman a sharp look.

"My name is on the card, right? I'm the one who ordered," Fabian said. The woman acted surprised.

"For real? You're so stingy, and yet—"

The woman suddenly laughed and said she was just joking. She looked at me and introduced herself as Fabian's cousin.

She remembered Lance Martinez mentioned earlier that this shop belonged to his sister, so? That's Lance's sister and Fabian's cousin.

"Don't bother us. We're leaving. Sonia likes your designs. Next time, I'll invite you to the mansion to make a dress for Sonia. Always leave a reservation for me," Fabian said, patting his cousin's shoulder, who widened her eyes.

"Sir Fabian," I called after pulling his sleeve. Fabian looked at me and then brought his ear closer to me.

"Why are you ordering her around?" I asked. Fabian looked at me and said he wasn't ordering Sophia. He would pay his cousin to make a dress for me.

Fabian's cousin squealed, which surprised me. She took both of my hands again and started jumping.

"You're heaven-sent. I don't know what you did to my cousin to make him so generous, but thank you!"

She said her income would increase and her shop would be popular.

I couldn't help but smile after seeing Fabian argue with his cousin. I didn't know, but it seems most of Fabian's family is like him. Special and non-judgmental.

They didn't treat her differently even though she looked like that. They were also close to Fabian.