Lauren''s POV
"I can''t believe that we haven''t done this in a while."
My eyes went to my friend when she said that. The woman has a satisfied smile stered on her pretty face.
M walked ahead of her. She is already holding several shopping bags in both her hands. She was every bit of a shopaholic at the way she looked at the moment.
"Come on. We have more shops to visit."
I sighed. They were are at the mall.
Earlier this morning, M came to me to asked me to go shopping. Since their first time doing it in territory of Midnight ws Tribe was interrupted by the incident caused by a witch, I immediately agreed. However, I wanted to regret my decision when I remembered that M is a beast when ites to shopping.
My friend has the energy of a child whenever she decided to shop. She literally embody the words, ''shop until you drop.
"I''m done. I am going to a coffee shop and wait for you until you''re done." I said in resignation.
We have been going from one store to another for about a couple of hours and my feet are hurting already. "Oh, no, you don''t."
I was pulled back and pushed to the nearby store.
"I have no more money to spend, M. May I remind you that I am on my leave of absence at the moment?"
I sat at the couch of the store. I sent a smile to the female attendant who drew near when we entered the clothing store.
"Do not worry about the money, dear. I have that cover."
I squinted at the other woman.
M pulled out a ck card and waved it between us.
"Your sweetheart gave this to me when we cross path this morning. I told him that I am going to ask you toe with me to the mall." M exined with a smirk.
"He did?"
"Yeah. He told me to pay for every purchase you will make and also to buy gift for your Grandma Anna."
I scratched the side of my forehead when I heard her. Eventually, I chuckled when I remembered Victor''s reaction of my grandmother''s invitation. I have not told M about it. For sure, her friend will have a goodugh, too. And Victor will not like it that he will be embarrass that another person learned of it.
"Is this for keeps, Lauren? I mean, that handsome alpha looks yummy and everything. He is for keeps. Are you keeping him?"
Her friend is looking at her like a celebrity reporter waiting for a very juicy detail.
"Yes, I am." I immediately responded and pulled the ring that I kept in my pocket.
I was supposed to keep the engagement between me and Victor until I told my grandmother but this person is M. She has been my good friend for so long. She also stayed with me despite the issues and challenges from personal to career. She has been saving my ass for a long time. M deserved to know.
"Oh, my!"
M grabbed my hand and stared at the gorgeous jewelry on my finger. Her other hand covered her mouth since she was attracting attention already. Even the female attendant was trying to hide her smile because of M''s reaction.
I am also grateful that aside from us, there was only one other customer in the store and she was on the other side.
"By the way, can you get us scarves to choose from? Thank you." My friend requested to the staff before turning her attention back to the ring. "This is so beautiful. When did this happen?"
"Last night?"
"Before or after the best part?"
"After."
"I would have said yes not because the ring is to die for but because you looked like a girl who has been made love with thoroughly."
"That, too."
We giggled like school girls after I said that.
"This calls for a celebration. I buying us an early dinner."
"Sure. Use your own money."
"But of course."
After they paid for the silk scarves, they went out of the store. Since it was alreadyte afternoon, we decided to walk along the busy streets of the central territory where restaurants and bars were stationed.
After a short walk, they stopped in front of shabby restaurant. The fa?ade showed modesty but even from the outside, we could smell the enchanting scent of the grilling meat.
We thread the cobbled path walk leading to an open cottage with a few stairs out front.
I was surprised to see that inside the ce was already bursting with life that only a few tables were avable. The diners paid us no made as they chatted away with their ownpany. "Great! They are serving drinks."
M grabbed for my hand and pulled me inside the restaurant.
My mouth watered when I reached the door. The smell of grilling meat assaulted my nose that my stomach rambled in hunger.
"I''m so excited to eat, my friend."
We upied the nearest table that can amodate four persons. The shopping bags were ced below the table.
"What can I get youdies?"
"I would like to try your bestseller rib barbeque." M answered quickly. "And while you''re at it, please bring us our first set of beers." "Would that be all?"
"For now."
The moment the wait staff left, they both looked at the busy ce.
It was homey and rustic. The wood paneling and the table and chairs were made of good lumber that created an ambience of an old tavern that can be seen in the old movies. Even the dim, yellow, hazy light dwell well with the rest of the designs inside the restaurant.
The rib barbeque was to die for. The meat is very vorful and tender. It has the smoky taste but very savory. Just great for beer. M and I dug in when the moment it was served.
We tried other assortment of grilled food. The beers kept oning, too, that their giggles turned to louderughters.
"Give me a minute, woman. I''m going to thedies'' room." The tipsy M muttered as she was also stands.
"Take your time. Powder your nose, too. We''ll never know, you might bump into your future man."
"Future man, my ass. Cheers to that!"
They clinked their bottle and drunk half of its content. I was able to ce the bottle of beer on the table but M chose to bring it with her when she turned her back. "Ooops!"
My head lifted and focused my attention to the owner of the familiar voice.
M was only a couple of steps away from the table that we are upying. She was having a stared off with an angered woman.
"What the hell? Watch where you are going, woman."
"I''m sorry. Are you alright?"
"Of course not!"
The woman started patting her bag. At first with her bare hand but she grabbed for the napkin from the nearest table. All the while, she was spouting words that the bag was damaged. Meanwhile, M kept on apologizing. Guilt was written on her reddened face.
The scene is already attracting unsolicited attention.
"What is happening here?"
It was from a tall man who drew near.
"Darling, she ruined my bag."
My attention went from the bag to the woman that M bumped into. She grabbed the man''s arm and shoved the ''ruined'' bag to his chest.
"What? But its new."
"Exactly!"
"This clumsy woman dumped her drink on it." The womanined with exasperation.
"I''m really sorry. Look, I will pay for the damages." M said calmly.
"Do you know much this bag cost?!"
The design was familiar. I have the same variety but of different color.
My eyes zeroed on the bag. I looked for the damaged that M made.
It was not visible at this distance and the dim light did not help, too.
"I don''t but I am willing to pay for the damages."
"This bag costs eighteen grand, you idiot!"
I heard collective gasped from the customers in the restaurant.
The woman''s voice is already so loud that it resonated in the area. Also, the conversation in each table already stopped that themotion was the only thing that can be heard. "I''m really sorry, okay. I will shoulder the cleaning fee for that bag."
"You should, idiot."
I breathed out and stood up. I made my way to my friend.
"How much for the damages?" It was me who asked the woman.
The conversation in the dining hall started again. They are done listening to the incident.
"It would be two thousand dors." The woman dered.
"What?" The startled M asked. "Is that a limited-edition bag?"
"It''s a Birkin bag. I told you, this bag cost eighteen grand." The snob woman eximed.
"It''s the cost of your clumsiness, woman." The tall man said with annoyance.
"The price that you are asking from my friend is already the cost of the bag that you are holding." I uttered in defense for M.
"And who might you be?"