The Black Scorpion
Ch. 9

"But we want to take a walk to the mall" whined Damien again.

"Awhile yeah. Mom asked Dad for permission first" said Adrienne.

The twins nodded and finally stopped whining. Adrienne went to Aaric's table.

"Aaric, can I take the twins for a walk to the mall?" ask Adrienne carefully.

Aaric looked up at Adrienne and looked at the twins. He was astonished by the twins who no longer whined. Usually the twins will continue to whine to disturb him and be forced to give work to the Bellagio and follow the wishes of the two children.

"Alright but make sure you keep a good eye on them both. Nikolai will drop you off and once my work is done, I will follow. Use this if the twins want to buy anything. And you bought yourself a few pieces of clothing" said Aaric, handing Adrienne a card.

Adrienne received the card and nodded. Then Adrienne informs them that they are allowed to travel to the twins. The twins are happy not to play and express their happiness by jumping on the sofa. One command from Adrienne made the twins get off the couch and sit sweetly and all that did not escape Aaric's sight.

Ten minutes later, Adrienne and the twins were on their way to the Laurent family mall accompanied by Nikolai. Arriving at the mall, the twins forget what Adrienne has taught them and return to express their happiness by shouting and running. The woman was quietly flinching in the lobby where they were taken down by Nikolai earlier. It didn't take long for the twins in front to run back to Adrienne's place and apologize for their behavior. Instantly the smile of the woman expands and holding the two children into the mall. Again Nikolai was amazed by the charm of the woman against the twins who are notoriously wayward and difficult to follow.

After parking the car, Nikolai rushed after Adrienne and the twins safely to avoid suspicion. The twins pointed to a fairly large toy store and wanted to get in there. They wait for Adrienne's reaction and after the woman nods a sign of approval, the twins go straight inside and start picking out the toys they like. Fifteen minutes later, Adrienne was already at the cashier with Aaric's black card paying for all the twins' groceries.

Suddenly Adrienne gets the idea to spark the twins' interest in reading and takes them to a large, full-fledged-looking bookstore. He immediately searched the children's bookshelves and asked the twins to choose books that interest them. After making sure the twins were busy choosing, Adrienne went to the classic bookshelf not far from the twins and she could still monitor them both from the shelf. He picked out some books that he thought were good but he remembered that he had no money at all and then put the five books he had chosen back on the shelf.

"If you like, just take it," a baritone voice from behind his back shocked Adrienne.

He turned his head and found Aaric already standing before him. Their distance was very close and Adrienne could smell the fragrant masculine perfume that Aaric wore. They were both stunned for a moment until the sound of the twins resuscitated them.

"It's okay Aaric. Later I just wait for payday," said Adrienne nervously then put the books back and herded the twins to the cashier.

Unbeknownst to Adrienne, Aaric retrieves another five titles of books put back on the shelf by the woman and follows the three of them to the cashier. Abellard chose the children's book smelled of music while Damien chose the children's book smelled of cuisine. Adrienne herself had chosen two children's story books that were planned to be read to the twins as their bedtime. As she was about to pay, Adrienne's eyes swept over the surrounding area in search of Aaric. Since Aaric was already there, he thought that Aaric would take over the payment but because he did not find the figure he was looking for, he finally finished the payment with the black card that the man gave. Finished paying, the three of them walked out of the shop as Adrienne's eyes continued to sweep around her trying to find Aaric's figure.

"Searching?" aaric said from behind Adrienne and surprised the woman.

"Aaric, you surprised me" said Adrienne in a soft and spoiled voice without realizing it.

Adrienne's soft, spoiled voice made Aaric's heartbeat race faster and he had never felt that way again since Sasha, his lover and fiancee, died in an accident. Her memory goes back to her happy times with Sasha before the woman is snatched from her side. A wave of hands awakened Aaric from his daydream.

"Aaric, are you okay?" adrienne asked as her hands continued to wave in front of Aaric.

"I'm fine" said Aaric flatly.

"Where are we going?" ask Adrienne.

"Follow me," said Aaric as he set foot.

The four of them entered a famous boutique that provides clothing for all people. Adrienne immediately delivered the twins to the child's clothing section while Aaric was seen chatting with the salesman there.

"Can I help you sir?" ask a saleswoman named Isabel who is called Aaric.

"Find a few pieces of casual clothes, formal dresses, casual shoes and formal shoes that you think are suitable for women there" said Aaric, pointing at Adrienne, who was seen choosing clothes for the twins.

"All right, sir" said Isabel then passed from there and immediately did as Aaric asked.

Before long, Isabel went back to meet Aaric to inform him that what was requested was prepared. Aaric nodded then walked over to Adrienne and the twins.

"Follow me," said Aaric flatly.

Adrienne simply nodded without answering and then led the twins to follow Aaric with hands containing several pieces of child clothes. The four of them entered a special section of adult clothing and there was a sofa. The twins sit on the couch and play with the new toy they bought, followed by Aaric. Adrienne is confused as to what to do until Isabel arrives and delivers her to the dressing room right in front of the sofa. Adrienne was asked to try on some of Isabel's clothes. Several times Adrienne back and forth opened the curtain of the dressing room cover showing the clothes he tried on Aaric. When Adrienne opened the curtain after wearing a long dark red silk dress featuring her shoulders and neckline.

Aaric's breath was choked at the sight before him which was so beautiful. Coupled with matching high heels, making Adrienne very charming in the eyes of Aaric. He was stunned unblinkingly looking at the beauty of the scenery in front of him.

Seriate...