Chapter 28 - GARNERING UNNECESSARY ATTENTION
They finally arrived back in City A and they went to the largest supermarket. Chris parked the car at the basement and the two of them alighted the car, leaving Chris to look after their vehicle. It would be difficult if someone would do something to an expensive car.
"Are we going to buy the equipment first or are we going to buy the groceries?" Cayenne asked while picking up her bag from the backseat. Stefan was waiting for her and when she turned around to face him, he gave her a cap. "What's this for?" she asked while holding the end of the cap.
"That's to hide your face. Someone might see us and I don't want to put you in a difficult situation."
"O-okay." Cayenne just put on her face mask that she brought from home to hide her little face. Stefan just smiled before walking beside her towards the elevator.
People in City knew of him – the man who changes his girl like how often he changed his socks. Which means every day. People see him every day with a different woman beside him. He would always show them around and he never bothered hiding their faces. He dated celebrities, writers, young directors, managers, nurses, doctors; anyone that can catch his attention. The only thing that he didn't do was to date his employees. Now, everything has change.
He wasn't really dating Cayenne but he planned to keep her to himself. He needed her – an employee in his hotel who can cure his insomnia.
The two of them went to the appliance's store and bought an oven toaster and coffee maker first.
"Let's just get the latest model. It will be better compared to the old items." Stefan mentioned to Cayenne while looking at the oven toaster in front of him.
"We won't really need the latest one. I don't think we'll be using it so much so the old models should be fine. Besides, they have the same usage. There's not much of a difference."
"But I think the latest ones are better." Stefan tried to convince her again. "Well, I'll be the one paying for it so, I can choose."
"Why did you even bother to listen to my opinion?"
"Because you also have a point." Stefan responded and grinned at her. "Anyway, let's just get the latest models for the oven toaster and the coffee maker."
"Alright. I don't mind. I won't be spending my money, anyway."
Stefan just chuckled and asked the saleslady to get their latest models for both items. After buying these two things, they went to the grocery area.
"Was that Stefan Dumrique?" one of the salesladies questioned her co-worker who sold them the appliances.
"I think so. I don't know anyone with that face aside from him." The saleslady answered.
"Who was that girl? New woman to play with?"
"Who knows? All those girls are just the same. They would bed him for money."
"But don't you think it's odd this time? The lady was covering her face. Before, they would always show themselves."
"Maybe she was the shy type. Shy to show her embarrassing self."
The gossiped about Cayenne and Stefan when the two finally left. This was what Stefan was worried about. He didn't want anyone to see Cayenne because they will judge her badly because of his own past actions. He didn't want her to suffer because of him.
Cayenne knew about his reputation but ever since they got to live under the same roof, she realized that he wasn't that bad. At the same time, she still stayed alert around him knowing that he's a man. Any moment, he might do something uncalled for against her.
The two of them went to the grocery store under the obvious gazes of people. He was a known person in city A and his relationships with women was known as well. This time, they were curious of the identity of the woman beside him. Sadly, Cayenne was wearing a cap and a face mask to avoid them seeing her.
"Let's buy the bathroom necessities first. Then, the dry goods and lastly, would be the cold cuts and the meat." Cayenne told him to make sure that there's order to their shopping and for them to save time as well.
"Sure. I've got no problem with that." He chose a large cart and pushed it while Cayenne walked beside him. Cayenne was smaller and petite thus, her strides were also smaller in distance compared to Stefan's. Seeing that he was walking too fast, he adjusted his pace for her and they walked side by side together.
"Thank you for the sweets earlier. I really love them."
"I'm glad you like them. I wasn't really sure which one you like so, I bought one slice of each kind."
"I like matcha the most." Cayenne told him. "How about you? Do you have any favorite food? Maybe I can make them for you."
"I don't really have any favorite food but I like the dishes you cook for us. It reminds me of my brother."
"Does he like to cook food as well?"
"He cooked for me and no one else."
"He must have loved you so much."
"He did. He was the only one who cares for me." He responded while pushing the cart. Realizing what he said, he immediately looked at her and took back his words. "Forget what I just said."
"There's no way I'd forget that but, I won't bring it either." Cayenne replied. Her faint smile was reassuring and she was being sincere in front of him. "Anyway, you have me now. I'll take care of your sleeping problem until you can fully sleep on your own without me beside you."
"No way!"
"Huh?" Cayenne looked at him in confusion. "No, what?"
"N-nothing." His eyes looked a little sad but he didn't say anything more than that.
They continued to buy stuff as if nothing happened. Cayenne ignored the curious eyes directed at her and Stefan made sure to keep her close to him.