The car moved smoothly through the morning traffic.
I sat in the back seat, hugging my bag, while the Cat Queen sat proudly beside me—
her tail flicking like she owned the road.
In the front seat, Advik sat perfectly straight, eyes fixed ahead, posture sharp.
Too sharp.
"So…" I leaned forward slightly, peeking between the seats.
"This is what you call safe shopping?"
Advik didn't even blink.
"We're going to a boutique."
I nodded slowly.
"Ah yes. A boutique."
I glanced at the guards, then at the black car tailing us.
"With this many people, it feels less like shopping and more like a mafia funeral procession."
He glanced at me through the rearview mirror, replied flatly, "This is for your safety."
"…Does my safety really require a mini army?" I asked.
"Or are you secretly auditioning for a crime documentary?"
He checked the rearview mirror.
"Yes."
I stared at him.
"Wow. No hesitation. Impressive commitment to paranoia."
Then I pointed at Meow.
"And when I asked you to take care of the cat—"
I paused.
"—you kidnapped her too."
Meow let out a proud meow, clearly siding with him.
Advik sighed.
"She insisted."
"She kidnapped herself," he added seriously.
I laughed.
"Great. Even my cat has more freedom than me."
He ignored that.
"You will choose your dresses, materials, and designs quickly," he said.
"No wandering. No distractions."
I smiled sweetly.
"That depends."
He glanced back, already tired.
"On what?"
"On whether wedding dresses count as distractions." I replied to irritate him.
His jaw tightened.
"Miss—"
I leaned back, completely relaxed.
"Relax, Advik. I'm just shopping."
Then I tilted my head, smirking.
"I'm not planning to run away from the wedding."
I paused.
"…Yet."
He closed his eyes for half a second.
"Please don't joke about things that shorten my lifespan."
I smiled brightly.
"Then stop guarding me like a national treasure."
At the Boutique
We reached the boutique.
Advik stepped out first, instructing the guards before heading inside to inspect every corner.
I stayed back for a moment.
My heart pounded.
'I didn't expect security this tight.
I've put Meera in danger.′
I swallowed and took a deep breath.
I just need time.
Inside the Boutique
The boutique was stunning—
soft golden lights, ivory walls, endless mirrors, and bridal dresses hanging like fragile dreams.
I made sure to slow everything down.
"Oh, this one is beautiful," I said casually.
Five minutes later—
"No… the fabric feels wrong."
Another rack.
Another suggestion.
Another trial.
Advik stood near the entrance, arms crossed, alert, refusing to step into the inner sections.
"Miss, please be quick."
"I am being quick," I replied sweetly.
I deliberately asked to see bridal inspiration catalogs, flipping through pages, comparing designs, asking unnecessary questions.
Then I tilted my head thoughtfully.
"I need to see how these look under different lighting," I said.
"And I'll need the mirror trial room."
"The private one."
The staff hesitated. "That room is staff-assisted only."
"Is this how you treat your VIPs?" I coldly said.
"I'm sorry, miss," the staff apologized immediately.
Only staff entered with me.
Advik stopped outside—exactly where I needed him.
"I want to try that bridal dress," I said.
After changing, I stepped out and stood in front of the mirror.
Inside the mirror room, reflections multiplied endlessly.
Me… and her.
For a brief second, our eyes met through the mirror and then
He turned away awkwardly, then instantly snapped back into his usual serious, disciplined army-man mode.
"Advik," I called out.
He stopped.
"Tell me… how do I look?" I asked softly.
"It's the first time I've worn something like this. Is it okay?"
He hesitated.
Then quietly said,
"You look… very beautiful."
I blinked.
"It reminds me of the first time I saw you," he continued.
"On your fifteenth birthday. You were wearing a white gown then, too."
I stared at him in surprise.
"You remember that?" I smiled, then waved my hand casually.
"Alright—now listen. Give Cat Queen to me and take some nice pictures.
She's my inspiration. I'm my own inspiration."
He actually took many photos.
Then suddenly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small chocolate box, holding it out toward me.
"Sorry," he said, guilt clear in his eyes.
"Yesterday… I might have gone too far."
He offered the box sincerely.
But my chest tightened instead.
Because whatever I was about to do next would put Advik in danger too.
Just then, my eyes caught a staff member nearby.
It was Meera—disguised perfectly as boutique staff.
She was holding a tray of juice glasses.
I understood immediately.
I took the chocolates, slightly emotional.
"Sorry… and thank you," I said softly.
"For always staying by my side."
Then, casually—
"I need some juice."
As expected, Advik stopped me.
"Allow me to check it first."
He poured a little into another glass and tasted it.
"It's fine," he said.
"You can drink it."
"Hm," I nodded.
"But I need to change first. You wait outside."
Before he could respond—
Door closed.
Time stretched.
Guards waited.
Advik waited.
No suspicion—
because nothing seemed out of place.
Soon…
the boutique doors opened.
As a bride , stepped out.
Veil drawn low.
A delicate hand holding a white fan, hiding half her face—
graceful, slow, unhurried.
The guards straightened instantly.
Heads turned.
"Client leaving," someone muttered.
No one questioned it.
No one stopped her.
Because everyone knew—
Nora Singh was still upstairs.
To be continued...
Author's Note:
This chapter was fun to write—chaotic, sarcastic, and slightly dangerous, just the way I like it.
If you enjoyed the tension, the banter, or that quiet twist at the end…
don't forget to like and comment.
Your thoughts keep this story alive 💙
See you in the next chapter.