More Than Meets The Eye
"We should wrap this up. We've got a lot of work to do. Oh! I've contacted a dentist friend of mine, you'll have to drop by tomorrow to get a mold of your teeth."
Brandon nodded,
"Don't forget about the bail for attaching the pendant to the chain."
Elise nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Of course. I'll have the team work on it right away."
"Uhmm… Lunch?" Brandon suggested, hopeful.
Elise shook her head, already lost in thought.
"I need to get to work, I want to make sure everything's done perfectly."
Brandon chuckled, recognizing the familiar spark of creative passion.
Brandon watched as Elise's demeanor shifted, her business mode taking over. She straightened her posture and smoothed down her skirt, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"Alright, its time for you to go," she said, her tone playful but firm.
She placed her hands on Brandon's shoulders and began guiding him toward the door.
"Wait, what about dinner?" Brandon protested, though he couldn't help but grin at her sudden enthusiasm for work.
Elise shook her head, her blonde hair swaying.
"No time. I've only got a few days left till the gala."
She gave him a gentle push, her touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary.
"But-" Brandon started, turning to face her.
"Shoo, shoo,"
(Q'-')=»
Elise interrupted, making shooing motions with her hands.
Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she continued to usher him out of the conference room.
"I'll make it up to you, I promise."
Brandon raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Oh? And how exactly do you plan on doing that?"
♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)
Elise's cheeks flushed slightly, but her smile remained confident.
"You'll see. Now go on, I've got work to do thanks to your brilliant ideas."
With one final push, she maneuvered Brandon out of the room.
He turned just in time to see her blow him a quick kiss before closing the door.
٩(*❛⊰❛)～❤
Moments later, he found himself leaving the Regalia Couture Boutique, strolling down the sidewalk of the city's high-end shopping district, Gordon at his side.
The sun warmed his face as he took in his surroundings with fresh eyes.
"What's next on your agenda, Young Master?" Gordon inquired.
Brandon inhaled deeply, savoring the crisp air.
"You know, Gordon, I'm not sure. It's been a whirlwind since I woke up in that hospital bed."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the opulent storefronts. Gleaming displays showcased the latest designer fashions, each window a testament to luxury and excess.
The sidewalk bustled with well-heeled shoppers, their arms laden with bags from exclusive boutiques.
"This is all so... overwhelming," Brandon mused, gesturing at the glittering world around him.
"I've been so caught up in BMG and NOA, I haven't really had a chance to take it all in."
A sleek sports car purred past, its polished surface reflecting the sunlight. Brandon watched it disappear around a corner, still marveling at the casual display of wealth.
"It's quite a sight, isn't it?" Gordon remarked, following Brandon's gaze.
Brandon turned to Gordon, surprised by the sudden shift in the older man's demeanor. The usually stoic assistant's eyes softened, a hint of pride gleaming in them.
"You know, Young Master, you've always… worn the mask of a rather timid, introverted young man,"
Gordon said, his voice taking on a gentler tone.
"It's led you to deprive yourself of many of life's finer pleasures, especially after you left home the past year."
Brandon's eyebrows shot up.
"You knew where I was?"
Gordon nodded, a profound smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Young Master, do you really not remember...?"
Brandon felt a chill run down his spine. There was something in Gordon's tone, a weight to his words that suggested far more than a simple runaway adventure he had assumed.
"D-didn't... I leave to attend school on my own," Brandon said, his voice faltering. "the accident, happened during graduation after all…"
Gordon's eyes narrowed slightly, studying Brandon's face with an intensity that made him uncomfortable.
"Is that all you recollect?" Gordon asked, his voice carefully neutral.
Brandon's mind raced, grasping for memories that seemed just out of reach. Flashes of unfamiliar places, faces he couldn't quite place, and a sense of purpose he couldn't define flickered at the edges of his consciousness.
"I... I'm not sure anymore," Brandon admitted, running a hand through his hair.
"There's so much that's fuzzy, Gordon. What aren't you telling me?"
Brandon felt his heart rate quicken.
What had the old Brandon been involved in?
'On second thought, the idea of the heir of a multi-billion dollar global elite running away from home because daddy had an affair does seem a little… illogical…'
Gordon's expression softened, a mix of concern and something else—was it pride?—crossing his features.
"Young Master, your time away was... complex. Master Victor says that perhaps not remembering is a blessing. You've become such a… happy… fine young man."
The pride in Gordon's voice was unmistakable, and Brandon felt a warmth spread through his chest.
He'd never seen this side of Gordon before – it was almost grandfatherly.
But the weight of Gordon's words hung in the air, hinting at a past he couldn't quite grasp.
For a moment, he was tempted to press further, to unravel the mystery of his body's lost memories. But as quickly as the urge came, it faded. Brandon took a deep breath, steadying himself.
'What good would it do to dig into the old Brandon's past?' he thought, his mind racing.
'I'm not him. Whatever he did, whoever he was... it's none of my business'
'Maybe it's better this way,' Brandon mused.
'A clean slate. A fresh start.'
'It's not like the whole I'm a transmigrated imposter topic is one I can delve into.'
Brandon turned to Gordon, a small smile playing on his lips.
"You know what, Gordon? You're right. Maybe not remembering everything is a blessing. I've got a whole new life ahead of me, and I intend to make the most of it."
Gordon's eyebrows raised slightly, but he nodded, a look of approval crossing his face.
"Now then," Gordon continued, gesturing to the luxurious shops lining the street, "why don't you indulge yourself a bit? There's no point in being from one of the world's richest and most powerful families if you don't enjoy it once in a while."
Brandon hesitated, having crawled up from the gutters in his previous life, old habits die hard.
"I don't know, Gordon. It seems a bit..."
"Extravagant?" Gordon finished for him, chuckling.
"My dear Young Master, that's precisely the point. Based on your performance so far, you're definitely deserving. Allow yourself to experience the world you've been born into."
Brandon grinned, shoving both hands into his pockets.
"Hah! So… Shopping?"