The Love of Lady Dimitrescu X Female Reader || One-Shots

Mistrust

"Mother! Mother! Are you out here?"

"I'm right here." Sitting out on the deck beneath a shaded area, Alcina continued to sort through and review a pile of papers from work. A mundane task. If it weren't for the deadline, she would've much preferred to spend her day off with her family.

"Guess what?" She circled the table to get her mother's full attention. "You know how I've been trying to find a new hobby to get into?"

"Yes. Photography, correct?"

"That's right! For the last few weeks, I've been doing my research and figuring out what camera brand I'd like. I obviously had to settle for Canon. But I've finally found the one I want!"

She smiled softly at her. There was nothing more that pleased her than seeing her daughter brighten up over a hobby. One of which she believed offered many opportunities to spark creativity and further open one's eyes to view the world through a new perspective. "I'm happy for you. How much is it?"

"Less than $500! Great deal, huh? I need your permission if you'll let me take the car to pick it up?"

"I don't see why not? You've been saving all summer. If you've settled for a camera that you find satisfactory, then I don't know why you'd need my permission? From what store are you getting it from?"

"It's not from a store."

Suddenly puzzled, she set down her papers, crossing her legs. "You don't intend to buy a new one?"

"I wanted to at first, but if I'm being honest, the one I'm looking at is priced around $700 or more at retail price. The lady told me she'd sell it to me for $450. From the pictures she shared on Craigslist, it seems she's taken good care of it. It looks as if she's hardly used it, which is even better!"

"Craigslist?" Creasing her brow, she shifted uncomfortably in her chair, not liking where this conversation was going. "Is that not an advertising app full of scammers?"

"No! Well, I mean, I'm sure there are plenty of swindlers out there. But it's popular and lots of people use it all the time. If you're smart about it, you can play it safe by meeting with them in a public area and bringing someone along with you. I'll take Cassandra with me!"

"Hold up, what?" Her sister backtracked to the screen door after hearing her name. "Where is this Cassandra going?"

Bela giggled. "I've yet to ask her if she'll accompany me to pick up a camera. Will you ride with me?"

"Oooh, it's that one you were showing me last night, right? The Canon with the 4k video recording? Nice! Yeah, I'll come with you, but only if you get me a milkshake on the way back."

"Deal!"

"Just wait one moment," Alcina protested, holding up a palm. No way in hell was she letting her daughters interact with a stranger. She didn't care if it was in a public area, for you could never be too sure of one's intentions. Why did her daughter insist on buying a secondhand camera? If she was this desperate to get a price cut, she would be more than willing to pitch in and help her with the cost of affording a new one. "I am not good with letting you meet with some individual you met on your app — phone. Who is this lady? Is she the mother of one of your friends from school?"

"Not really. But we're technically not strangers anymore. Her name is Hailey and she seems nice."

"I don't care how 'nice' she seems. This isn't someone neither your mom or I know."

"But it's a steal! I can't turn down an offer like this."

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Alcina couldn't stand it whenever Bela gave her that pouty face of hers. Unlike you, she didn't buckle as easily as you did. "Darling, I'm sorry. But I do not want you and Casandra going out to see her."