Chapter 67

67 What was Mine

“I wonder if it’s still there...” I mumbled to myself.

There used to be a sweet shop a short walk from our university where Brandon and I would drop by often for me to restock my supply of sweet goodies. The old couple that ran that shop was a loving couple and they always gave me free extras. Brandon would tease me about getting fat or rotting my teeth out from eating too many candies. However, whenever I got depressed or we got into a fight, he would buy me candies from that store to cheer me up all the time.

“The store? It’s not...sadly,” Brandon replied.

“Really?” I exclaimed with disappointment as I turned to face him.

“Yeah, I checked...” he replied with certainty.

He checked? Did he go back there just to check on it?

I looked at Brandon as he casually picked up a pink heart-shaped lollipop. Just like back then, the cute candy doesn’t seem to fit his image when he held it in his hand. I was going to ask him why he went back to check but I decided not to.

“That’s too bad. Well, the old couple is probably enjoying their retirement right now...” I said with a small smile.

When I turned around, Brandon was gone. I spotted him paying at the cashier and walked to his side. Although I was tempted to buy so many things from the store, I held back because I knew that it was unhealthy, and I cannot afford to gain weight. My looks are part of my job and that’s that.

.....

“What are you buying?” I asked curiously as I tried to peek to see what he held in his hand from behind him.

Instead of answering my question, Brandon turned to face me and then I felt a taste of sweetness between my lips. Brandon smiled down at me as he gently pushed a lollipop into my mouth. I blinked rapidly in surprise as the cherry flavor of the lollipop filled my mouth.

“What...” I began slurring.

“Don’t speak with your mouth full. You sound so funny,” Brandon warned as he laughed before walking past me.

I hurried after him while sucking busily on the lollipop in my mouth. The sweet taste felt extremely pleasant on my tongue and my body rejoiced at the extra sugar that it was receiving. It had been a long while since I walked around with a lollipop in my mouth like this.

“Are we done?” I asked after taking the lollipop out of my mouth.

I can’t believe he took me all the way here to buy a single lollipop. If we’re done for the day, I could use a good and relaxing rest in bed.

“Nope. Follow me,” Brandon said as he waited for me to catch up to him.

He grabbed my hand and held it firmly as he strode along the sidewalk. Since it was the middle of a weekday, there wasn’t many people around. I walked by his side while very conscious of the fact that he was still holding my hand and that he had slowed his pace to match mine. Brandon didn’t say anything, and I began to really wonder where he was taking me.

...

“That was a longer walk than I thought...” Brandon complained a little.

He opened a glass door for me and led me inside a boutique. I felt like I should be the one complaining because for the same distance that he covered, I walked it in heels.

“Tell me about it...” I muttered underneath my breath.

He grinned at me and pouted at him.

“Welcome. I’ve been expecting you,” a young woman with dark hair and sparkling green eyes came to greet us.

“Thanks for putting them on hold,” Brandon said.

What on hold?

The boutique, I realized seemed to be selling a various mix of used luxury products. Everything from branded bags, accessories, furniture, and antiques. Honestly, I was curious about what Brandon wanted to buy for me here. If I had to bet, it’ll probably be some rare antique furniture or art because I don’t think Brandon would have difficulty buying me a brand-new branded handbag. Not that I wanted one.

He urged me to follow the woman and I followed purely out of curiosity to see what he had apparently put on hold for me to see. The woman gracefully led us to the second floor of the store before showing us to a private room that was located at the back. When she opened the door and stepped to the side, Brandon urged me in by placing his hand at the small of my back and giving me a gentle push forward.

Hesitantly, I walked into the room.

“Oh my...” I whispered after I gasped with a mix of surprise and utter shock.

The sight that greeted me was a sight that I was used to but had never dreamt of ever seeing again in this life. On the display shelves were the handbags from my personal collection that I had collected rigorously during my marriage to George. On the walls were rare paintings that were part of my personal collection. Everything that had been taken from me was now elegantly displayed right in front of my eyes.

While I was still struggling to recover from my shock, I heard the sound of the door closing behind me and then I felt a firm touch on my shoulder and realized that Brandon had wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

“I think it’s missing a few paintings because sadly they have already been auctioned off but apart from that, it should all be here...” Brandon said with a hint of regret in his voice.

I had no idea why he was doing this for me or why he seemed so regretful after he’s done so much. Reaching my hand out, I brushed my fingertips softly against the soft calf leather of a flamingo pink handbag. It’s real...I can touch it.

I turned around to face him and then I threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly to me. His warmth along with his scent enveloped me as I buried my face in his chest. Tears started to sting my eyes. It wasn’t about getting these luxurious things back, but I just hated losing what was mine...

–To be continued...