After properly handling the situation at the warehouse, Ricardo decided it was time to head out. As he walked back toward the car, he turned to Antonio and said, "Tell the driver to stop at High Fashion Nova on our way back."
Antonio raised a brow slightly , it was unlike Ricardo to make such stops, especially without prior notice. But he gave a nod and relayed the message to the driver.
They soon arrived at the High Fashion Nova shop, and as the car came to a smooth halt, Ricardo stepped out with quiet authority
He walked in with effortless majesty, his presence commanding attention the moment he stepped through the doors. Tall, dark, and tailored to perfection, Ricardo Castillo moved with a quiet dominance that turned heads without a word. The boutique, usually hushed and exclusive, shifted as curious glances trailed him.
A group of stylish women near the accessory section paused mid-conversation, their eyes instantly drawn to him. They whispered among themselves, unable to look away. His sharp jawline, slicked-back hair, and cold confidence made it nearly impossible.
"Who is that?" one of them murmured.
"Definitely someone powerful... and dangerous," another replied, biting her lip.
Ricardo barely noticed. His focus remained sharp as always. He wasn't there to impress yet he didn't need to try. Power didn't beg for attention. It owned it.
He walked into the boutique with a commanding presence, his every step echoing confidence and quiet power. The moment he entered, the receptionist, young and poised just moments before she froze. Her mouth parted slightly, completely swayed by the unexpected sight before her. She forgot to greet him, her words lost in the awe of his aura and elegance.
Ricardo didn't wait for pleasantries.
"I want to see your most expensive outfits," he said calmly, his voice smooth but firm.
The receptionist blinked, quickly snapping out of her daze. "Y-Yes, sir… right this way," she stammered, already leading him deeper into the store.
After walking further into the boutique, Ricardo's eyes caught a stunning dress, elegant, bold, and undeniably captivating. It immediately reminded him of Elisa. Without hesitation, he pointed at it.
"Pack that one," he said to the receptionist.
He moved on to the shoe section, his eyes scanning quickly until they landed on a sleek Louis Vuitton pair, very classy and timeless. He nodded with satisfaction. "That too."
Finally, he strolled over to the wig section. A voluminous, bouncy wig caught his eye, soft with a natural shine. "Add that."
The receptionist, still in awe, gathered the selected items and headed to the payment point. She tapped quickly on the system, and when the total displayed ₦5 million, her eyes widened. She glanced at Ricardo with a new level of respect, quietly thinking the woman receiving these is incredibly lucky.
Just as she was wrapping things up, the CEO of the boutique appeared, dressed sharply and ready to step out. The moment she saw Ricardo, she froze, struck by his presence. His elegance, mystery, and power were impossible to ignore.
She began to approach with a flirtatious smile, ready to engage him.
But the receptionist, eager to maintain her professionalism and perhaps impress Ricardo, quickly spoke up. "Ma'am… he's a special customer. Just spent five million."
The CEO's eyes lit up instantly. She saw her opportunity. With a charming tilt of her head, she looked at Ricardo and said sweetly, "That's impressive. A man of taste… May I have your number?"
Ricardo gave her a polite but unreadable smile, reached into his pocket, and handed her a sleek black card with his number engraved on it. The CEO's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she took it.
Without another word, he turned and handed the shopping bags to Antonio. With his usual calm confidence, Ricardo walked out of the boutique, Antonio following closely behind.
They stepped into the car, the doors shutting quietly behind them as they drove off leaving stunned whispers and admiration in their wake.
As the car sped through the city, Antonio couldn't resist taking a discreet peek into the shopping bags beside him. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of the luxurious dress, the designer heels, and the elegant wig all clearly chosen with care and intention.
He glanced at Ricardo, who sat quietly, his eyes fixed on the road ahead but his mind clearly elsewhere.
A knowing smile tugged at the corner of Antonio's lips. So the boss really is falling.
Meanwhile, Ricardo tapped his fingers against his thigh, restless and impatient. He wasn't the kind of man who sought validation but for some reason, he was anxious to see how Elisa would react to the gifts. He had no idea what she would say, bu
t he hoped, just this once, she would smile for him.
As soon as they arrived at the estate, Antonio quietly handed over the shopping bags to Ricardo, who took them without a word and walked briskly into the house. His steps were calm, but there was a flicker of anticipation in his expression.
The old woman, who had just finished arranging the evening fruits, informed him, "She's in her room, sir. Rested well today."
Ricardo nodded in appreciation and headed straight to Elisa's door. He paused briefly, then knocked once before letting himself in.
Elisa turned, startled by his sudden appearance. She had just stepped out of the bathroom, her hair damp and a towel wrapped tightly around her. Her eyes widened, not in fear but surprise. Ricardo froze for a second, clearly not expecting to find her in such a vulnerable state.
Still, he kept his composure and handed her the elegant bag. "This is for you."
Elisa blinked, her fingers wrapping around the bag handles. "What's this? How was your day?"
Ricardo gave a small nod, already turning to leave. "Long day. But everything's under control now."
Elisa looked down at the bag, then back at him. "Thank you… I appreciate this."
He paused at the door for a moment, glancing back at her towel-clad figure as if he wanted to say something more. But instead, he simply nodded and stepped out, closing the door softly behind him.
Elisa gently placed the bag on her bed, curiosity urging her to open it. As she pulled out the contents, her eyes widened in amazement. The dress was stunning, sleek, elegant, and breathtakingly beautiful. She carefully ran her fingers over the fabric, feeling its luxury.
Next came the heels, very classy, designer, and clearly tailored to match the outfit. But it was the final item that truly caught her off guard: a voluminous, bouncy wig that radiated sophistication. Elisa stared at it, stunned. Every item was carefully selected, expensive, and deeply thoughtful.
She sat on the edge of her bed, overwhelmed. Why would he do this for me? It was unexpected especially from a man like Ricardo, who barely showed emotion. She looked at the gifts again and knew instantly: this wasn't just a gesture. It was intentional.
Unable to ignore the gratitude building in her chest, Elisa stood up, slipped on a robe, and made her way toward Ricardo's room. She needed to thank him personally.
Elisa changed into a simple yet flattering outfit, a soft white tank top that hugged her gently and a short jean skirt that stopped mid-thigh. She looked at herself briefly in the mirror, unsure why she even cared how she looked. But deep down, she knew Ricardo had stirred something in her.