Kelsey's POV
{City Shopping Mall 2:30 PM}
My father hurried us when coming to country B. We weren't even allowed to pack most of our stuff. Lila had just a few clothes and she'll need more since she'll be starting her life here.
She's to attend a school very close to the estate. It's also rumoured to be owned by the same military company that owns the estate.
'Just how loaded is that cold-blooded Marshal? Well, that shouldn't be my business,'
My aim is to use Lila to get close to the wives of other officers. I lowered my head, watching her lick the ice cream in her hand like she'd never had one before.
Of course, she never had one before.
"I'm sorry Lila, for not being a better mother,"
"Huh? Mommy?" She called for me, stopping to also look at me. I smiled at her, tightening my grip around her hand.
"It's nothing, baby. Let's hurry and get some dresses for you," I couldn't afford to allow her to get kidnapped again.
Sylus and the guards were behind, blending into the crowd. It took a while for them to agree to stay away and not treat me like a mafia princess. I don't want any attention.
"Mommy? What is that?" Lila snapped me out of my daze, pointing.
It was brown in colour, brand-new, which was definitely her favourite colour.
"It's a bike. Would you like to ride it?" I asked her, patting her head.
"Would you join me?" She asked, fidgeting.
"It's for kids. I won't be able to join you on that,"
Her shoulders dropped, hiding her hands behind her back.
"Then I don't want to play with it. Daddy will play with me when he comes today," she said.
Just when I thought we'd avoid the daddy topic... She still brought him up. I sighed and turned to Sylus, giving him a small nod toward the bike. He got the message.
"Alright, baby, let's grab mommy's clothes first," I said.
She followed me silently to the women's section. There were a lot of beautiful dresses. I don't have to buy any clothes for myself. It wasn't necessary, but since I'd be working for the company my father arranged, it's proof that I really need them. I only have oversized long-sleeved shirts and pants. I have no corporate dresses.
One would think I'm not ladylike.
"Can I help you with anything, ma'am?" One of the employees in the store walked toward me as I was holding a peach dress in my hand.
She had that standard customer service smile on her face. It's so obvious that it was fake.
"Yes, I was looking at this peach..."
"Oh my gosh! This peach dress would look stunning on me. Don't you think, babe?"
Just like that, the dress was snatched out of my hand and also from the hanger.
I stared at my empty palm and turned to look at the petty thief. I froze immediately when I saw her. That familiar blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. It's her... Fiona Doyle.
The snake who pretended to be my best friend, betrayed me and couldn't keep her hands off my fiancé. Here she is, also trying to steal my dress. She snatched it from my hand and didn't even bother to look at me.
Unbelievable.
"That dress is already taken," I spoke, grabbing her attention. She shuddered, heard my voice, and turned to look at me.
Finally, she could see me. The fear in her eyes... I loved it. She staggered backwards as the man behind her caught her before she could fall.
The man behind her was my ex-fiancé, Cassian Greyson. He has a handsome face and a perfect body with a charming smile that I fell for. We met in high school, and that's when I fell for him.
Looking back now, I'm disappointed in myself for falling in love with such a trashy man.
"Kelsey?" He called my name, also wearing the same shocked expression.
Why? Did they think I was dead or something?
"How are you alive?" He asked.
Bingo! They really thought I was dead.
Five years ago when I walked in on them, with their bodies wrapped around each other, it was just after a few minutes when my father broke into the house and took me with him to Country A. My father looked terrifying with his men behind him carrying weapons.
They must have thought he was there to kill me.
"How can she be here, Cassian?" She turned to him, pressing her body against his. He ignored her question, still staring at me.
"Kelsey, you're alive. I'm glad..." A fake smile tugged at his lips as he tried to approach me. I stepped back, stretching my hand to stop him. "We thought that man killed you. Fiona said he was the one you slept with in the hotel. Did he pardon you?"
Disgusting!
The audacity.
I flashed a glare at her and she buried her face into his chest. I'd rather not speak to them in front of Lila. I got closer to her and snatched the peach dress from her.
"No! It's mine," she yelled, faking her tears. She suddenly looked back at Cassian, her hand caressing his chest. "Cassy, I like that one..." she said.
Ugh. Pet names now?
He looked at me, not knowing what to say. It was obvious that she snatched the dress from me, yet she was acting like she first saw it. Her stupid boyfriend was going to support her and talk me into giving her the dress. The old me would have done so, but not the present me.
"You want it?" I asked her, holding the dress up.
She nodded, wiping the fake tears off her cheek.
"The fact that you want something I touched is enough to make me want to burn it..." I paused and turned to the employee. She had a hairpin in her hair. I approached her, flashing her a charming smile. "Mind If I borrow this?"
Her cheek flushed red as she nodded.
With the pin in hand, I turned back to Fiona, ripping the dress into shreds. Her eyes widened in shock. She couldn't believe my actions.
Yes, bitch! I ripped it right in front of you... What are you going to do next?
"Oh no... it's ruined. Guess you'll have to shop elsewhere," I smiled.
"You bitch! You did that on purpose," she charged towards me but Cassian held her back.
"Don't cause a scene, Fiona; there are many eyes. We'll definitely find the same dress in other stores," he assured her, but she broke into tears again.
"She's bullying me because we fell in love with each other..."
He turned his gaze to me, annoyed.
"Kelsey! Fiona is innocent. You can't just-"
Without waiting for him to continue his sentence, I turned to the employee, fixing her hairpin back into her hair.
"Thanks," I said and turned to Sylus. "Pay for the mess. I'll be outside,"
I glanced at the backstabbing pair one last time
"Some two-faced homo sapiens just have to ruin my shopping, don't they?" I took Lila by her hand and stormed out of the mall.
I reached the car and wrapped my hands around Lila. The adrenaline still buzzed through me. That was the first time I stood up for myself like that.
And it felt... incredible.
Exciting, perhaps.
"Lila, I'm sorry, honey. We'll finish shopping another day, okay?"
"Don't worry, Mommy, I'll just go with Daddy," she gave me a thumbs up.
I smiled, hugging her even tighter. She didn't care about what just happened in there, all she cared about was her father.
Huh? Did I just accept the fact that he's her father?