Harper

SHOPPING & RECONCILIATION

Harper's pov:

I was deep in my thoughts, contemplating how to deal with my so-called brother Hardin's betrayal when I heard a knock on the door. 

"Get out," I said, not particularly interested in who it might be. "Did I interrupt anything?" Caroline asked as she peeked into my room, fully aware that I hadn't given her full access. "Yes, now get out," I said, glaring at her saddened face.

"I heard about what happened, and I'm really sorry about Hardin's behaviour," she said as she stepped into my room, completely disregarding my earlier request for her to leave.

"I don't need your apology," I shouted, despite the pain it caused my broken ribs. But I had to express how I felt. "I hate it here. Why can't you let me go?" I screamed so loudly that I think I made the pain worse.

After I was done, I could see the tears rolling down her cheeks. I didn't understand why, but it really affected me. I never meant to offend her, but I guess I did, and it hurt really bad.

As Caroline stood there with tears streaming down her face, something inside me shifted. It was as if a veil had been lifted from my eyes, and suddenly, everything became clear. Despite my anger and pain, I realised that Caroline wasn't just an outsider looking in; she was a part of this tangled web of pain and sadness just as much as I was.

In that moment of clarity, I saw the depth of her own struggles and the burden she carried from being caught in the middle of our family drama. Her tears were not just for me but for herself as well. 

I looked at her, saddened, and realised that I needed to apologise. "I'm sorry I was just angry. I didn't mean anything I said," I mentioned as I hugged her tightly. It was a moment of vulnerability and sincerity that surprised even me.

***

We talked for what seemed like an eternity, asking each other various questions about our hobbies, favourite colour, preferred food, and beloved season. Caroline and I were lounging on my bed, engrossed in conversation as she regaled me with tales of her high school escapades.

"Have you ever been in a relationship with a boy or a girl?" Caroline inquired, eagerly anticipating a detailed account of my romantic history.

I hesitated for a moment before admitting, "Nope."

Caroline's response was unexpected. "That's rather unfortunate," she muttered under her breath. Sensing the need for a change in topic, she swiftly redirected the conversation. "Have you ever indulged in a shopping spree?"

I shook my head. "Not really," I confessed, reaching for my phone to check the time. "I haven't eaten all day, and I'm famished."

"Oh my goodness! I completely forgot to remind you about breakfast," Caroline exclaimed, promptly dragging me out of bed and into the kitchen.

***

Caroline's sudden idea of going shopping took me by surprise. I had been content with just having some orange juice, but she insisted that we should grab some clothes and have a proper meal. Reluctantly, I agreed to join her on this unexpected adventure.

In the closet, Caroline surprised me once again by barging in with an armful of clothing items. She handed me two gowns with flowery designs, a leather jacket, and two pairs of boots and heels. After trying them on, I found that one of the gowns suited me perfectly. As I admired myself in the mirror, Caroline complimented me on how well it suited me while she put on her own gown, looking stunning herself.

"Aren't we supposed to ask for permission? It's already 3:00," I questioned as we hopped into a black RV.

"They won't know, I promise," she reassured me as she revved up the engine.

As we approached the gate of the house, much to my surprise, they let us pass without any questions. It seemed that they were unaware of our departure or perhaps didn't feel the need to inquire about our plans.

.....

    As we stood in front of the entrance, I couldn't help but notice the gigantic sign that simply read "mall." I mean, seriously, who needed a sign to tell them that they were at a mall? But before I could ponder this further, Caroline's stern voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Make sure you stay beside me at all times," she said firmly. This caught me off guard because she wasn't usually so serious, but I decided not to question it.

Once inside, we made a beeline for the first shop - Gucci. As soon as I laid eyes on a stunning bag, my jaw practically hit the floor when I saw the price tag - $1500! Who in their right mind would pay that much for a bag? Clearly not me. But before I could voice my concerns, Caroline noticed my shocked expression and reassured me that she would happily buy it for me if I liked it. "I promise that won't make a dent in my account," she said with a smile. Reluctantly, I agreed and placed the bag in our shopping basket.

"What else?" I asked as she dragged me to a different store. I saw different types of clothing, and it was really hard for me to contain my excitement. 

"Okay, let's play a game," she said as she dragged me to a corner where they sell hats. "Close your eyes and touch the hat of your choice," she said while giggling.

 I didn't really understand the game but followed her instructions.

My fingers grazed a Burberry Reversible Gabardine bucket hat, and I felt a spark of excitement. We played this game for hours, trying on and choosing various clothing items that caught our eye.

The pile of clothes was impressive, to say the least. I got a cross zip-up hoodie, a Louis Vuitton Trio Mini Icones, and two designer hoodies for Hennie and Denny, all in their favourite colours. I even got one for myself!

After a long day of shopping, we decided it was time to eat.

**

As I sat in the car, munching on the leftover mall food, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. Caroline and I had just spent the entire day shopping, and now we were on our way back home. Just as I was about to take another bite, my phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, I noticed that it displayed no name. "Probably just a telemarketer," I thought to myself, and decided to ignore the call.

We made a quick stop at a grocery store to pick up some essentials for the house and decorations for my room. The clock was ticking, and it was getting late. We both agreed that it was time to head back home.

Little did we know, 7 fine gentlemen were waiting for our arrival