Chapter 39: Shopping for Clothes

Focal Mall, an exceedingly renowned shopping mall in Horington, boasted almost every major brand. Jared was therefore surprised when Josephine brought him there.

“Did you bring me here to accompany you shopping?” he asked apprehensively. Accompanying a woman shopping was a terrifying prospect, a fact reinforced by a previous, traumatizing experience with Sandy, which had lasted all day.

“Why, are you unwilling?” Josephine countered, meeting his gaze.

“Of course not!” Jared denied, shaking his head. “Honestly, I’m proud to accompany you—your status and looks are top-notch. Countless men would envy me! However, I have a prior appointment with Walter at noon.”

“I have a prior appointment at noon, and I’m afraid I’ll be late,” he explained more formally.

“I don’t care about your appointment. Your main task now is to keep me company while I shop!”

With that, Josephine dragged him into the mall. Amidst the dazzling array of products, she steered him to the men’s clothing section, holding up shirt after shirt.

“Are you planning to buy me clothes?” Jared exclaimed, astonished.

“Who else? My closet is bursting at the seams,” Josephine replied, flipping through clothes. She selected a suit and placed it in his hands. “Try it on!”

Jared stood rooted to the spot. Josephine smirked. “Hmm? Are you waiting for me to help you into it?”

“No, it’s okay!” he said frantically, hurrying into the fitting room.

Josephine giggled at his terrified expression, her eyes softening. When Jared emerged, her eyes lit up. “I didn’t expect you to have such potential! You’re much more handsome in a suit!”

Noticing her admiration, Jared checked his reflection, realizing he did look striking. Since his imprisonment and training with Draco, his desire for material possessions had waned. Despite having money after his release, he still wore his old clothes; training seemed a better use of his time than shopping.

“What are you planning to have me do? Attend a wedding?” he asked.

“Never you mind! This is even more important than a wedding!”

Josephine bought him shoes and a watch, transforming him into a dapper man. Jared simply went with the flow as she continued shopping, adding a tie, a belt, and even a small, tens-of-thousands-dollar lighter to his ensemble. The total cost was several hundred thousand.

“Aren’t you being a bit lavish?” Jared nervously observed, feeling uncomfortable in such an expensive outfit. “I really don’t understand the mentality of rich people. Hundreds of thousands for a suit, tens of thousands for a lighter?”

“Nope, not at all. You were dressed too shabbily. I can’t allow you to dress like that anymore, or people will be laughing at me,” Josephine replied placidly, then blushed, realizing her slip.

Jared smiled. “Why would people laugh at you if I’m dressed shabbily?”

Josephine’s face blazed. Glaring, she snapped, “I’ve publicly declared you my boyfriend; people will believe me. You’d be embarrassing me dressed shabbily! This matter is closed. I’m going to the washroom. Wait here.”

She hurried away.