Chapter 209: Rejecting Benjamin
Hayley’s POV:
I stepped out of Laguna Tower, not heading home but walking alone along the path. My head was down, and my thoughts were a mess. It wasn’t until Hera started to get excited that I finally looked up. As I did, I saw a familiar car parked right in front of me.
Benjamin got out, walking toward me. He asked, “What’s on your mind? Your mind is elsewhere.”
“Omega is slow to react, and you’re walking so slowly. Don’t you know how dangerous it is to be on the street like this?”
His tone was calm as usual, but I could sense a hint of concern beneath it. I forced a smile and said, “I was lost in thought and didn’t notice. What are you doing here?”
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he asked, “Why aren’t you at school? How did you end up here?”
I shook my head, not wanting to talk. My mood was too low for a conversation.
“Feeling down?”
Benjamin noticed my mood. Immediately, he suggested, “How about going shopping? Or maybe we could grab something to eat? We could even go to a bar for a drink.”
It was clear these were things he thought a girl might enjoy. I didn’t expect him to be so considerate. When he gave those suggestions all at once, I couldn’t help but be surprised, and for a moment, my spirits lifted slightly.
“Well, I guess shopping sounds nice,” I said, not really knowing why, but not wanting to turn him down.
Benjamin glanced around and said, “Alright, I’ll take you to a shopping center run by my company nearby.”
I got into the car, my eyes fixed on the view outside the window. We arrived soon after. As we entered the mall, I noticed that it had been cleared out for us. At the entrance, the staff were standing in two neat rows, bowing respectfully.
“Greetings, Alpha! Greetings, Ms. Carson!” Benjamin grunted. Shortly after, a salesgirl approached us. “Ms. Carson, are you looking for anything today?”
“Are you interested in the latest fashion this season, perhaps some jewelry, or perhaps some beauty and skincare products?”
I thought we were just going for a casual stroll, but Benjamin had set all this up. I said, “It’s fine; I’m just browsing.”
The salesgirl took the initiative and offered, “Ms. Carson, we’ve just received some limited-edition bags. Would you like to take a look?”
Before I could respond, Benjamin whispered, “Buy whatever you like. Don’t worry about it.” He thought I might feel awkward about choosing, so he said that to make me feel more at ease.
“I’ll just take a quick look; you don’t have to follow me,” I awkwardly told the salesgirl. She glanced at Benjamin, who waved her off, signaling her to leave us.
Benjamin stayed by my side as we wandered through the mall. The staff were all personally attending to us. Even the mall manager, upon hearing the news, rushed over to greet us.
“Alpha, if you need anything, just give me a call, and I’ll have it brought to you.” The manager spoke cautiously.
Benjamin returned to his usual aloof demeanor. He said, “It’s nothing, just passing by. We’re not here for anything important; you can go back to your work.”
The manager quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead, still serving us attentively, even after Benjamin’s dismissal.
It was my first time shopping in an empty mall. I hadn’t intended to buy anything, but as I walked around, I found several things I liked, so I ended up buying more than I planned.
Just as I was about to pay, Benjamin spoke up behind me. “Put it on my tab.”
“I can pay for it myself,” I quickly refused. But the salesgirls wouldn’t even consider taking my card. In the end, everything I bought that day was charged to Benjamin’s card.
“Feeling better?” Benjamin asked me.
Honestly, I couldn’t even think about my mood. Shopping was like a paradise for women, a perfect way to release all the built-up tension.
“Benjamin, how do you understand girls so well? Shopping is amazing!” I exclaimed.
Benjamin smiled and said, “I’m glad you like it.”
When I finished buying what I wanted, I walked alongside Benjamin toward the exit of the mall. Suddenly, Hera became restless. I looked up and instantly spotted Madeline.