REBEL
The plan was to spend the afternoon shopping with Klaus's wife, Catya, to unwind. As an alternative, it became a scene from a soap opera. I spent hours trying on dresses in a posh boutique, from flirtatious sundresses to exquisite evening gowns, before I eventually discovered a handful that made me feel amazing. Ready to pay, I walked up to the desk and took out my sleek black card. The cashier gave a tense smile. "Oh, Miss Rebel, payment is unnecessary. All of this has already been resolved. I blinked. "Paiď for?" Indeed. Actually. She paused, her gaze darting between her computer screen and me as though she was concerned about how I would respond. "It appears that you own the deed to this shop. I went nùmb. How can I own something and know nothing of it? Catya leaned against the counter and gave a low whistle. "You know your man can make a statement, don't you?" "A Statement? This is outright ridiculous! I fumed as I fumbled to dial Daniel on my phone. My thoughts were racing. Purchasing clothing for me was one thing. But a whole store? Without informing me? When the phone went directly to voicemail, my heart raced. Smirking, Catya inspected a purse adorned with diamonds on exhibit and remarked, "Calm down, Rebel." "What's with your anxiety? Billionaires like Daniel and other guys like him thrive on spoiling women like us. Their DNA contains it. I paced close to the bar and said, "I don't need him to spoil me." "I have more than enough. I don't require-"His Billions ?" Her well-defined brow arched as she spoke. It's not about need, honey. It's about letting the man show he cares. Now, what if Klaus got me a store? Dreamily, she trailed off. "Let's just say I wouldn't be complaining." I sighed, still staring at my phone. "Catya, this has nothing to do with the shop. He's doing things without telling me about it. It's... dominating. "Or romantic." She gave a shrug. It depends on your point of view. But why don't you go confront him if you're this agitated? Thirty minutes later, we found ourselves in Daniel's office building. As soon as I went in, the sleek receptionist at the front desk seemed to want to sink into the floor. She clutched her clipboard as she stammered, "M-Miss Rebel." "Mr. Daniel is in a meeting right now. Maybe I can-" Let him know I'm here? Thank you, but I'll handle it myself," I said sweetly as I brushed past her, Catya following closely behind, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. The meeting room door loomed ahead, and I pushed it open without knocking, and the room fell silent as all heads turned towards me. Then I saw her, perched uncomfortably close to Daniel, her glossy red lips dangerously close to his ear as if she were whispering sweet nothings, or licking it. She was gorgeous in a way that felt manufactured: sharp cheekbones, perfect skin, and a blouse that revealed more than it covered. Catya took a sharp breath behind me. She mumbled, "Well, this is interesting." Daniel tensed up as soon as he spotted me, and I didn't miss it. After a moment of what could only be characterised as panic, his eyes widened, and he hurried to his feet. I wasn't going to cause a scene, though. Not quite yet. I walked into the room with a calm smile on my face and sat down at the table, gracefully crossing my legs. Not wanting to miss any of the drama, Catya sat down next to Klaus, who was staring at her as though she had just entered a minefield. The woman with the painted-on blouse spoke first, her voice brimming with disdain before anyone else could say anything. Who are you? Excuse me? And why do you believe that barging is acceptable? This meeting is classified; you cannot be here. Daniel winced significantly, but I smiled at her and cocked my head before he could react. "Oh, I'm Rebel," I said with ease. Daniel's lover. You? Her cheeks lost colour, but she bounced back fast and straightened her stance. "My name is Mia. His ex-fiancée and his true love. She gave me a sweet little smile. "How much would it cost you to break up with him?" The room fell silent. Catya had to poke Klaus in the ribs to stop him from laughing as he loudly choked on his coffee. I blinked, quite shocked by her boldness. Then I let out a long, loud chuckle. I wiped a fictitious tear from the corner of my eye and murmured, "Sweetheart, you don't make enough money to afford to buy me off." Catya snorted and hastily pretended it was a cough. Daniel turned to Mia, his tone piercing, his jaw clenched. "Mia, please stop talking to Rebel in that manner. She is the love of my life, not simply my lover. Mia's self-assured smile wavered, but she immediately covered it up. Her tone became cold as she remarked, "Well, you certainly have a type." "Aren't we bold?" I shot back, "Bold enough to walk in here and handle you." "Don't worry, though; I'm not here to waste time on you." Daniel stepped towards me with a heavy sigh. "I can explain, Rebel-" I stopped him by raising a hand. "Don't waste your time. I'm not angry. Just a little... shocked. "There isn't much happening here, Rebel. He cleared his throat in an apparent attempt to ease the tension. We were talking about a business crisis. Mia is a member of the legal staff of one of our shareholders. "Are you a member of the furniture or the team?" Catya muttered to herself. Mia sent her a dagger-like gaze, but Catya appeared totally unconcerned. Daniel stared at me while running a hand through his hair. "Rebel, I promise you that this was not how it appeared. She was simply- "Licking your ear practically?" I arched a brow and finished for him. Daniel interrupted Mia as she was about to reply. "Enough," he murmured forcefully, keeping his eyes fixed on mine. "You know that I would never allow anything or anyone to stand in our way, Rebel." I looked at him for a while, observing the concern in his eyes. Then I sighed. "All right, I'll overlook it for the time being. But we need to talk about the boutique." His lips quirked into a tiny smile. "What about it?" "What about it?" I repeated incredulously. "You bought the entire business and put it in my name without even asking me!" He shrugged as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "I'd give you the world if I could. A boutique seemed like a good place to start." I stared at him, divided between amusement and frustration. "You're impossible." "And you love me for it," he said, drawing me into an embrace. "Maybe." Before we could depart, Mia spoke up again, her tone dripping with venom.I smiled sharply as I turned to face her. "Oh, honey, you both ended before you even started." I put my arm around Katya's, and we left the room, leaving Mia and the tension behind. Catya whistled softly as we entered the lift. "Well, that was fun. Klaus will discuss this for weeks to come. With a tiny smile on my lips, I shook my head. "I suspect Mia isn't finished yet. She is going to cause trouble. "Oh, of course," Catya concurred. "But you're the only one who can deal with her." As the lift doors shut, I couldn't help but wonder how far Mia would go and how prepared I would have to be.