19. Shopping

Despite being called stupid, Precious refused to let go of the beast she held tightly. She found solace in her action, and if that meant being perceived as foolish, she willingly embraced that label. Chris remained unmoving, patiently allowing her to seek comfort.

Eventually, Precious released her hold on him and met his gaze. Her words almost mumbled, she expressed her uncertainty. "I don't know if I should apologize, but I wouldn't be in this state if you and your family hadn't taken me from my father," she admitted, fearing his reaction to her statement.

Chris heard her words but offered no response, simply turning and exiting the room. 

Was that all? Precious felt a sense of disappointment as she hadn't even had the chance to observe her surroundings yet.

Not knowing her way around, Precious hurriedly followed after Chris to keep track of her environment. She couldn't afford to get lost, as they wouldn't show any concern if she did. Caution was necessary.

While still carrying the pain of her separation from her family, Precious recognized that good things could never exist without the presence of bad things. She understood that strength was essential for both survival and facing death.

Precious found Chris waiting for her in the lobby, ready to accompany her for shopping and preparations. However, the sense of happiness eluded her. 

Precious had originally planned these activities with her father, envisioning him by her side as they completed school registrations and made necessary arrangements. But circumstances had taken an unexpected turn.

Given Veronica's unavailability and Lucas's preoccupation with his tiger and other nefarious tasks, Chris offered to assist Precious. Though not free himself, he couldn't defy Edgar's authority. 

Precious even doubted that Edgar would allow her to see her father, considering their mission of wickedness. 

Precious believed there was no chance for her to see her father, accepting the harsh reality with a heavy heart. Despite the difficulty, Precious resolved not to dwell on her longing for her father; instead, she would focus on pushing forward and making her father proud until he found a way to set her free and reunite them.

Precious was well aware of the immense challenges her father faced in his efforts to secure her freedom like obtaining a substantial amount in millions. The thought weighed heavily on her, occasionally causing her breath to catch and her heart to ache. 

Nonetheless, she reminded herself that she couldn't waste her time in grief. She needed to remain determined, achieve her goals, and bring her father pride until the day they could be together again.

Hence, Precious had to summon her strength and endure the agony of living among ruthless creatures. 

As Chris drove along the highway, a surge of life surged through her veins. 

It had been three long days since she last laid eyes on the outside world, a world that existed beyond the confines of those malevolent walls.

Seeking permission, Precious mustered the courage to ask Chris if she could open the car window. 

To her surprise, he obliged, granting her a precious moment to feel the natural breeze against her skin. 

For that fleeting second, she felt a taste of freedom before her thoughts once again consumed her mind, reminding her that she remained trapped.

Precious was left astounded as Chris parked the car at an exclusive mall tailored for the affluent. It left her speechless, surrounded by opulence and wealth. 

"Choose any dress you desire, without limitations," Chris instructed her after finding a place to sit within the mall. 

Precious heard his words, yet her eyes and mind remained captivated by the grandeur of the mall's interior. Her heart pounded within her chest, and she found herself questioning her very existence—was she truly alive or trapped in some limbo?

Nonetheless, she reluctantly redirected her attention towards shopping when Chris captured the interest of a young lady, likely the sole heir of a wealthy family. 

Recognizing that it was not her place to interfere, Precious respectfully distanced herself from their interaction and proceeded to select clothes with the assistance of a staff member.

Without paying attention to the price tags, Precious impulsively selected dresses that caught her eye. 

As she perused the racks, her thoughts drifted to her father, prompting her to gather shirts and trousers to add to her growing pile of clothing. However, when Precious glanced at the lady beside her, who insisted on holding the clothes, she gasped in surprise. She had unknowingly accumulated a considerable amount. 

Realizing her mistake, Precious resolved to return the items one by one, but before she could start, Chris arrived by her side and intervened.

"Excellent!" he exclaimed, grabbing Precious by the shoulder. "You've done well!" His words puzzled her, leaving her feeling uneasy about her apparent greediness.

"Shouldn't I have taken so much?" Precious questioned, discomfort evident in her voice.

"Edgar is more than willing to spare no expense for you," Chris replied, leading her towards the cashier. 

Despite Precious's attempts to explain that she didn't need so many clothes, Chris brushed off her concerns and engaged in conversation with the cashier attending to him, disregarding the young girl by his side.

Helplessly, Precious stood beside Chris, her mind filled with regret and internal screams. How could she possibly use all these expensive clothes? 

Sensing her discomfort, Chris noticed a set of male clothing among her selections and questioned her choice.

"These are for my father. When we..." Precious began to explain.

"Edgar spends money on you, not your father!" Chris interrupted abruptly, denying her even a chance to plead with him to let her keep the items. 

Instantly, he returned them to a staff member and proceeded to pay for Precious's own clothes alone.

Precious's heart shattered, allowing tears to well up in her eyes as she fought to hold back her emotions in front of the onlookers. 

"How could you be so heartless?" she murmured through choked sobs, her voice barely audible. 

In a moment of overwhelming anguish, she struck Chris once, her hand connecting with his arm in a desperate act of frustration.

Not only had Precious been forcibly separated from her father, but now she was also denied the opportunity to care for him. 

Feeling utterly helpless, she stood her ground, refusing to move from her spot even as their shopping bags were prepared and taken outside to be placed in Chris's car.

Chris grasped her arm, forcefully pulling her towards the exit of the mall. He opened the car door and pushed her inside before attending to the staff members who held the shopping bags. 

Neglecting her pain and emotional turmoil, he completed the necessary arrangements. Soon after, he entered the car and started the engine, signaling the beginning of their next adventure, leaving Precious with a heavy heart and unresolved sorrow.