Tristan walked through the mall with his three secret bodyguards, as usual, keeping a low profile. Today, however, he had no business meetings or deals to attend to. His thoughts were elsewhere, following a quiet curiosity he had developed over the past weeks.
He wasn't the kind of man to be drawn into trivial things like shopping sprees or public displays, but there was something about Raine that had caught his attention in a way that he couldn't quite place. She was the kind of person who noticed the little details—the intricate stitching on a sundress, the way fabric could flow or fall with such grace. But she never bought any of it. He had noticed the way her smile would light up when she looked at something she liked, only to fade a moment later as she checked the price tag.
Today, Tristan couldn't shake the feeling that he wanted to do something about it.
His bodyguards, as always, flanked him with a quiet presence, each one walking with a practiced ease that allowed them to blend in perfectly with the crowd. They were there to ensure his safety, but they were also used to his odd habits. They had long learned that Tristan was not someone who enjoyed attention—he preferred to keep to himself, out of the limelight.
But today, he was tracking Raine, something he didn't quite understand himself. He watched her from a distance as she wandered into the first high-end boutique, her eyes scanning the racks of dresses. Her face lit up as she saw a few sundresses that seemed to catch her attention. Tristan kept his distance, hiding behind a row of clothing, careful not to draw her attention. He didn't want to be noticed, not yet.
Raine moved gracefully through the store, inspecting each piece as if savoring the beauty of them. Her smile widened as she ran her fingers along the fabric, admiring the intricate details and the rich colors. For a moment, she seemed lost in the dresses, her eyes gleaming with appreciation. But then, as she glanced at the price tag, her smile faltered.
Tristan observed this from his concealed spot. He had seen it before—a flicker of hope, followed by a quiet resignation. Raine was used to admiring things from afar, knowing that they were out of her reach.
With a soft sigh, Raine put the dress back on the rack and quietly left the store. Tristan stayed hidden, his thoughts swirling. He wanted to do something, anything, to change that expression on her face—to make her feel like she deserved the things she admired.
Raine didn't stop at just one boutique. She moved from one store to the next, each time repeating the same pattern. She looked, admired, and then left without purchasing a thing. Tristan followed her, carefully maintaining a distance, but keeping his eyes on her all the while.
As she stepped out of the fifth boutique, a quiet sadness in her eyes, Tristan couldn't take it anymore. He pulled out his phone and dialed Nick's number.
"Nick," Tristan's voice was steady, but there was an underlying determination in it. "I need you to make a call to every boutique in this mall. Set up a deal—60% off for all of them. I want to make sure Raine can buy whatever she likes, without having to think twice about the cost. Can you make it happen?"
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Nick responded, his voice curious but understanding. "You sure about this, boss? You don't usually do these kinds of things."
"I'm sure," Tristan replied, his tone firm. "Just make it happen."
Without another word, he ended the call, slipping his phone back into his pocket. His bodyguards, who had been silently observing him, exchanged glances. They had grown used to his mysterious ways, but even they couldn't help but wonder what had caused this sudden shift in his behavior.
Tristan walked slowly toward the mall's exit, keeping a casual distance behind Raine. She was just stepping out of the last store when her phone rang, a message buzzing through.
Raine checked her phone quickly, and her brows furrowed in confusion as she read the text. She stopped, glancing around, before stepping into a small boutique and looking through the dresses once more.
Tristan watched from the other side of the mall, a faint sense of satisfaction filling him. It wasn't about impressing her or grand gestures—it was about making her feel special, giving her the chance to experience the things she admired without hesitation.
After a few minutes, Raine emerged from the boutique, her expression still thoughtful, but her movements were slower, more deliberate. Tristan knew she was considering whether or not to buy something. His plan was in motion.
She passed by the security desk and noticed a flyer on display—an advertisement for an exclusive discount at all the mall boutiques. It caught her eye, and she paused. There was something about the flyer that seemed... off. A generous discount for all boutiques, especially today? She'd never seen anything like it before.
For a moment, Raine hesitated. But then, she smiled. It wasn't a huge, exuberant smile, but it was enough to tell Tristan that she was considering his gesture. She headed back into the boutiques, her steps a little more purposeful this time.
Inside the boutique, Raine looked at a few sundresses with a renewed sense of possibility. She picked up a light blue one, the fabric soft and flowing, and ran her hand over the delicate embroidery. The price tag no longer seemed as daunting.
With a small, thoughtful smile, Raine took the dress to the counter and purchased it without a second thought. It felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself the simple pleasure of indulgence.
As she stepped out of the boutique with her new purchase in hand, she glanced at her phone again, where another message popped up: "Enjoy your day, Raine."
She didn't know who it was from, but somehow, the gesture felt warm, as if someone had been thinking of her, even without her knowing.
Tristan, watching from the distance, felt a sense of relief. It wasn't about the dress, or the price tag—it was about giving her the chance to enjoy something without hesitation. A small thing, perhaps, but for Raine, it could make a world of difference.
As she walked away, a little lighter than before, Tristan allowed himself a rare smile. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something new.