Harper twirled on her toes as she hopped out of bed, her voice bright with excitement. "I'm so excited today! I'm gonna shop so much, my closet will be filled to the brims!" she beamed, eyes shining like a child on a sugar rush.
"You should be happy," Freya said, smiling as she brushed Harper's hair gently behind her ear. "The courtesan house feels so free now."
Harper paused, pursing her lips. "Should I buy stuff for Quincy?"
"You should!" Freya nodded encouragingly. "He would like that too."
"Thank you, Freya!" Harper grinned.
They arrived at the shopping mall in a sleek black van. The sun glinted off its polished surface as Sage swiftly stepped out and opened the door. Harper stepped down with Sage offering a supportive hand, and Freya held the other like a protective sister.
"Blue! This is the biggest shop here. You don't have to go from shop to shop," Freya said as she led her inside the glossy, luxurious mall. "You can purchase everything here."
"That sounds cool! Let's go in," Harper chirped, her eyes lighting up at the sight of cascading clothing racks and glittering displays.
They strolled inside, the scent of new fabric and perfume heavy in the air. Harper eagerly skimmed her hands across a line of elegant gowns, her fingers catching on a sleek blue one. She pulled it up and held it against her frame in front of a mirror.
"I kinda like this dress, but isn't it too revealing?" she asked, frowning thoughtfully.
"I don't think it is," Freya replied, examining the dress with a critical eye.
"Madam Fransisca will complain if I wear a dress that's too short. She said a courtesan must always look graceful."
"That is true," Freya nodded. "But you can keep it if you wanna go to the club or something. You can even wear it in the penthouse."
"Oh true! It's even my size!" Harper grinned, flipping the tag to check.
Suddenly, a sharp hand snatched the dress from her fingers. She blinked in disbelief and looked up, her brows furrowing as she scoffed. "Why did you snatch my dress?"
A woman with a smirking face and layered diamond chains tilted her head with faux surprise. "Isn't this our little mistress?"
Harper's voice dropped, guarded. "What do you want, ma'am?"
"I'm not your ma'am! My name is Gianna," the woman snapped.
"I dare not disrespect you by calling your name directly," Harper said coolly.
A young attendant in a sleek black uniform rushed forward, bowing slightly. "Good day, ma'am! I'm the attendant here. You can sit down in our VIP lounge to check the design, and I will bring it to you."
"Oh, thanks!" Harper gave a soft, charming smile and followed the lady to a velvet-lined corner. The lounge was elegantly spaced with golden lighting. Gianna strutted in behind her, plopping down beside Harper like royalty crashing a tea party. She threw the dress toward the attendant, who scrambled and caught it midair.
"I want that dress!"
"Yes ma'am! What's your size?" the attendant asked politely.
"Medium is fine."
"It's only available in small size. This is the only one."
Freya folded her arms and stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "Since it's not available in medium size, why don't you let my courtesan have it?" she said, snatching the dress from the attendant's hand with a firm glare at Gianna.
"She's not gonna have it! I want the dress and I'm taking it!"
"But ma'am, it's not your size!" the attendant said nervously.
"It will size me, idiot! Give me the dress back!"
"Miss please, I'm sorry, can you give the dress back to me?" the attendant pleaded with anxious eyes.
"No way!"
"Freya, give it to her back. She can have it."
"But Blue!"
Harper's tone cooled with poise as she tilted her chin, meeting Gianna's eyes. "Even though the dress looks good, it is still indecent. No courtesan should be caught looking like a trash!"
Gianna's eyes widened with rage, her jaw tightening. "Who is looking like a trash?"
"Whosoever is buying a trash clothes! Let's go, Freya. We have an auction to attend with Quincy."
"Yes, Blue!" Freya smirked, looping her arm through Harper's as they walked out gracefully.
Gianna clenched her fists and let out a furious yell. "Ahhh!" She hurled the dress across the room in a fit, breathing heavily.
The startled attendant peeked up and asked gently, "Should I pack the dress, ma'am?" with a hopeful smile.
"Pack what? Are you dumb?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am," the attendant stammered.
"Just get lost!"
"Yes ma'am," she whispered, quickly vanishing behind a curtain.
Gianna stormed out of the boutique, her heels clicking sharply on the glossy floor as her temper flared hotter with every step. Her hands were clenched at her sides, and her eyes burned with resentment.
"Let's follow her to the auction she is attending!" Gianna barked at the broad-shouldered guard trailing her.
"Yes ma'am," he replied without hesitation, opening the door to her sleek silver vehicle. She climbed in with a huff, slamming the door behind her, her jaw tight and eyes fixated on the retreating van ahead
In Harper's vehicle, the mood was lighter. She leaned her head slightly against the window, watching the buildings blur past in a whirl of luxury and life.
"Blue," Sage said from the front, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.
"Yes, Sage?"
"A car has been following us for a while now. Should I go check?"
Harper didn't even blink. Her voice was calm, dismissive. "Leave it."
Sage glanced back again, puzzled. "Why?"
"It's Gianna," she replied coolly, adjusting the folds of the fabric bag on her lap.
Freya, sitting beside her, turned sharply. "Why would she follow you?"
Harper smirked faintly, her voice laced with amused disdain. "She heard me say that I'm going to an auction with Quincy, so she will definitely come along. Just leave her alone."
"Yes, Blue," Sage nodded, shifting his focus back to the road as the car glided smoothly ahead, the shadow of Gianna's vehicle tailing them at a distance.
In the backseat, Freya glanced out the window toward the pursuing car and muttered, "She's so desperate."
Harper didn't respond. Her expression was serene, composed—unbothered. Her fingers drummed lightly on the bag in her lap as she prepared for whatever games Gianna might try next.