9 Let's Go Shopping!

Nicole was quietly waiting for Ashley on their spot and is looking around to keep herself from getting bored until her eyes landed on the magazine.

She stared at it and read the words on the cover until she decided to pick it up.

She opened it on the table of contents to look for an interesting topic and when she found one, she opened it to that page.

The Glam Magazine has a highlight topic that features the most influential and successful families that's powerful and has placed a stand on the society every issue that has at least 10 pages.

"Highlight: Vargaz's Empire" Nicole read the article's title. "Wow, we have the same surname... so we do have relatives who are rich and powerful."

Nicole skimmed and scanned the article and learned that the family is known for having a real estate company that's build by the patriarch and a famous fashion line owned by the matriarch. The couple is said to have 3 beautiful and wonderful offsprings which made her curiosity rise and jumped right in to the page where the pictures are.

There is an old family photo on the center surrounded by some stolen and formal pictures of the family members which either are from events or from their posts on Instagram. But what made Nicole wonder is why does the majority of the pictures only show the four family members? Why is the other member of the family seldomly shown and merely had two pictures in this page?

As Nicole was thinking about this, Ashley came back to their spot with an excited expression.

She called out for Nicole but she didn't heard her as a result of being submerged in her own thoughts. So, Ashley patted her on the shoulder and called out to her again. "Uhh, Nicole. Hey, Nicole."

Nicole only came back to her senses on Ashley's last call. "Huh? What?" She looked around being jumpy.

Ashley lightly laughed at her reaction. "I said, let's go shopping later."

"Huh? I don't have money as of the moment, Ash. I think I'll have to pass."

"Meh. It's my treat. So, all you gotta do is accompany me at the mall later, okay?"

"Why didn't you say so earlier? I would've said yes immediately. " Nicole grinned at Ashley.

"Yooosshhh! We're gonna go shopping! Haha! I'm so excited!" Ashley said while biting her lower lip with her whole body shaking.

"Alright, alright. Calm down. Your adrenaline's too high." Nicole softly laughed.

"I can't help it! I'm just so exciteeeddd!!!"

"Yeah. It isn't even obvious." Nicole said sarcastically.

The bell then rang and the two cleaned the spot on where they ate.

When the duo reached Ashley's floor, the two of them parted ways on the stairs and headed for their own classrooms.

...

[4:00 pm]

Dismissal time came.

Ashley went to Nicole's classroom to fetch her as usual.

On the way, her phone vibrated which means she has a text message.

'Don't forget the deal.'

Ashley rolled her eyes at what she'd read.

'He doesn't really have much confidence in me.'

She thought and slid her phone back in her pocket. She then fasten her pace and reached Nicole's room faster.

Nicole, who's arranging her things in her bag, saw her best friend at the door immediately.

"Let's go?" Ashley asked as she approached Nicole.

"Sure." Nicole replied and the two of them went out of the campus together.

Ashley led Nicole to the parking lot where Ashley's driver, who's at his early 40's, is waiting.

"You've got a new driver?"

"Yeah. Dad said business is booming which will make him and mom busy in the next few months. So yesterday, they hired a driver to send me to and fetch me from school from now on until I reach the age of 18."

"For them to do that, the schedule must be so hectic."

"Yeah. I can't even imagine myself being like that in the future."

As soon as the driver saw the two of them approaching him, he immediately went to open the door of the back seat and greeted the two.

"Good afternoon, young ladies. How's your day?"

"Good afternoon to you too, Manong* Elmer. The day went well but it's tiring." Ashley answered and went in the car first.

"Hi po* Manong Elmer. Thank you for opening the door and good afternoon." Nicole kindly said before getting in the car.

Manong Elmer then closes the door gently and walked to the drivers seat.

"Are you gonna head home right away, iha*?" He asked to Ashley as he buckled his seat belt.

"Nope! We're gonna go shopping! So, hmm, let's go to the mall po, Manong Elmer."

"Right away, young lady."

Manong Elmer started the engine of the car and drove their way out of the countryside and headed to the city.

After a one hour drive, they finally reached their destination. The Platinum Grand.

Platinum Grand is one of the most famous malls in D City. Branded clothing lines, accessories, and shoe lines dominated the whole place. Each corner full of stores selling valuable stuffs. It's also known as the "Mall for the Riches". Well, it was just the exaggeration from the crowd though.

"Manong Elmer, I'll just text or call you whenever we're done shopping. While we're still not back, you can do your own thing. And..."

While Ashley's giving orders to Manong Elmer, Nicole went out of the car first.

She was fascinated with the sight before her.

"Wow.... So this is the so called Platinum Grand... it really is humongous."

Nicole was in awe and Ashley came out of the car. She just giggled at her friends reaction.

'So cute!' She thought then grabbed Nicole by the elbow. "Let's go?"

Nicole nodded then Ashley led the way.