Once they were out of the store, Leo's phone rang up. When he took out the phone from the pocket, he recognized the call was from Edward Gu.
"Dear, I will have to receive this call," Leo voiced out, "why don't you check out this clothing store for a while? Pick some pretty dresses for you."
Leo pointed towards a branded store in the mall. Leah stared at him hesitantly before nodding.
After the man patted on her head, Leah gathered her courage, pushing away her nervousness and stepping into the store.
Once he saw Leah enter the store, Leo received the call.
"Have you finally decided to meet up with me?" Leo went straight to the point.
"I apologize for pushing back the appointment date. These past couple of days, I have been swarming with work." Despite his words, there was no guilt in his gloating tone.
Leo nonchantly replied, "I was ready to wait a week more, but you seemed to have panicked. What about tonight at Starlight? Ten pm?"
The corner of Edward's lips twitched. Even in his downtrodden state, Leo didn't let go of his arrogance.
"Rather than Starlight, let's go to Oasis," Edward said, "both of us prefer a club over a fancy restaurant. And apparently, they have new attractions out."
During this time in his previous life, Leo enjoyed exciting activities and visiting clubs. Once he was done with work, he would get drunk with his friends at a club or go racing. Occasionally, he would try out new adventurous hobbies for the thrill.
Leo declined. "I am a married man. My wife will be displeased with me visiting such a rowdy place."
Although Leah wouldn't mention it, he wished to give his wife full sense of security in this life.
In his previous life, he used to frequent these places, and every now and then, he ended up on the tabloids with new women. Leah frowned every time she found them and grew more disappointed.
Maybe, that's why, even until her death, he couldn't earn her trust.
However, this time he wished to be a respectful man in her eyes— someone whom she could rely on and trust with her life.
"Cut the crap," Edward said, "Leo Zhen, being faithful to the wife forced upon him— as if I would buy that. Show up at Oasis today or the cooperation is cancelled."
With that, Edward maintained a domineering attitude before hanging up the call.
Leo pinched his forehead.
What a troublesome situation.
°°°
After she entered the store, Leah's eyes skimmed around the place before stopping on the suit worn by the mannequin. Leah made her way over to it.
The black suit had subtle intricate details into it, giving it a mature and elegant appearance. Leah thought about how it would go well with Leo's temperament.
"Should I get this for him as a gift?" Leah muttered, "he brought me all these art supplies. It's only fair I reciprocate."
With that, Leah convinced herself. Her hazel eyes held a twinkle in them, thinking about how Leo would be happy to receive the gift.
Leah reached out to read the price tag.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five.
There were five zeros.
Fifty thousand.
This was slightly over her budget.
She had exactly fifty thousand in her card.
Once she purchased the suit, there will be no money left in her name.
However, Leo had only been kind to her so far. She couldn't bring herself to be stingy and settle for second best when it came to her.
With much tugging in her chest, she decided to get the suit for Leo.
Anyways, now that she had so many properties under her name, the money will only keep flowing in.
Making the decision, Leah raised her hand. Her eyes fell on the saleswoman, raking in the courage in her voice to call her.
"Excu—"
Before she could carry on, a female voice cut her.
"Now, that's face you don't see often," came a snarky comment. "If you didn't show up today, I would almost forget about you. Leah, was it?"
Leah instinctively turned her head. A frown settled on her forehead when she recognized Julie Chen, standing beside Arianna.
Negative memories began to pour in her head when she saw the sneer on Julie's face.
For the sixteen year old Leah filled with hope for new school, Julie was the first and only friend she made after being isolated by the entire class.
After saving up money, Leah spent a long time to make a friendship bracelet for the girl, harboring hopes in her chest that the girl would be as happy as her.
She prayed this would only strengthen their friendship.
However, just as she was about to enter the classroom, she faced with the cruel truth.
A boy nudged Julie.
"Hey, you have been spending an awful lot of time with that country bumpkin," commented the boy, "don't tell me you have actually taken a liking to her."
Julie rolled her eyes. "Don't disgust me. She runs after me all day, calling me Julie, Julie, where are you? Annoying bitch!"
"I bet you enjoy all the attention!"
"I admit that it's fun to see her wag her tail like an obedient dog. The other day, I said to her, 'Leah, I badly wish to have cupcakes from that bakery that newly opened, but what to do? You have to line up very early in the morning'."
Julie then looked at her friends, bursting out into laughter. "Guess what she did? She actually lined up for an hour. Crazy, right? That's what being unloved does to you! You became crazy for little bit of attention."
Another girl shook her head. "You're too mean."
Julie scoffed and grabbed on to Arianna's arm, resting her head on her shoulder.
"I don't care," Julie said, "as long as Arianna is happy."