The One

Shopping Part 1

In the living room, the atmosphere erupted as everyone stifled their laughter, barely containing themselves until Karol was safely in her room. Once silence reclaimed the space, Jason broke it with a teasing tone. "Dude, that's mean of you to play her like that."

"What play? I've never played her," Christian replied with a straight face.

"Are you serious about only massaging her leg?" Jason pressed.

"Yes, absolutely serious. I've never held anyone's legs before, not even my parents, let alone massage them."

"What? Is that weird?" He glanced at the others, who nodded vigorously in agreement.

"Yes, dude, it is weird! I'm this big and I sometimes massage my parents' legs," Jason insisted, the others chiming in their support.

"Sometimes Karol massages our legs too, you know," added William, a knowing grin on his face.

"Okay then, erm, let's change the subject. So Mum, Dad, Sharon, remember I told you about our secrets and our bond as mates at the BBQ that night?" Christian inquired earnestly, locking eyes with them.

"Yes, we remember. It was a shocking revelation— a heavy secret for ordinary folks like us to bear," they replied in unison.

With a serious demeanour, Christian addressed his future in-laws, "So can I seriously pursue her? Can I chase after her and make her mine, please?" His face was a tableau of hope, and Sharon couldn't help but interject.

"I thought you already were?"

Anna smiled warmly at Christian. "You can, but be cautious. There are limits to what you can do, and ultimately, it's up to her to accept you or not. But do your best, and just be yourself." The others nodded in agreement, offering their support.

"We'll do our best to make it easier for you, so try your hardest and just be yourself," Sharon encouraged, her words wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. "Thank you, seriously thank you," he replied, full of warmth and gratitude towards the Randale family as they returned to their cheerful chatter.

A few hours later, at exactly ten o'clock, Karol glided down the stairs into the TV room, where everyone still sat, immersed in lively conversation, radiating the warmth of familial camaraderie.

"It's ten! Are we going or not?" she declared a hint of impatience in her tone.

"Is it? Time really does fly when you have stories to share!"

"Oh no, the one who claims to despise shopping is actually punctual," Jason snickered.

"If you lot keep talking, I'll retreat to my room and never emerge until—"

"Let's go!" Sharon exclaimed, springing to her feet and pulling her mother along with her.

"Well then, let's go, Mummy!"

Karol raised an eyebrow at them. "Wait, just us? The boys aren't coming?" She glanced at her sister, who was fighting a grin.

"No thank you, we'll happily skip the shopping," William replied, along with the boys who nodded in agreement, while Karol muttered, "Not fair, please take me with you," glancing at them pleadingly as her father averted his gaze.

"Nope, you're coming with us! This shopping trip is strictly for the ladies," Sharon insisted, leading the way to the front door. One hand poised on the handle, she called, "Come along, Mummy, let's leave them behind."

With that, they stepped outside, leaving the boys in their wake. Without a hint of hesitation, the women dashed towards one of the city's largest shopping malls, eager to find the perfect dress. As was tradition, they stopped first for nibbles, ensuring their bellies were satisfied before embarking on their dress quest— a prerequisite to avoid crankiness during their hunt.

After nearly an hour filled with indecisive searching for a suitable place to eat, they settled on a traditional Theodulf restaurant, a choice made in exasperation as her patience thinned while searching for the perfect dining spot that would please both her mother and sister.

As they stepped into the restaurant, the trio was immediately enveloped by its charming hipster aesthetic and a welcoming, cosy atmosphere. The enticing scents wafting from the kitchen hinted at the authentic Theodulf-style dishes they had ordered, each plate promising a divine taste experience.

After savouring their meals, they meandered outside, taking their time to browse from window to window until they stumbled upon an intriguing shopfront.

"Oh, this shop looks promising. Let's go in," one of them suggested with a sparkle of excitement.

"Hi, welcome to FABS. How may I assist you ladies this afternoon?" greeted a striking sales assistant, her warmth instantly putting them at ease.

"We're on the hunt for beautiful, elegant yet sexy evening gowns," one of them replied, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Right this way, ladies," the sales assistant beckoned, leading them deeper into the store through a discreet middle door that separated the main boutique from a private room. Karol's brow furrowed in suspicion at this unexpected detour—why bring two high-maintenance friends and a casually dressed adventurer like her into a private space?

Inside, her reservations began to wane as she marvelled at the stunning array of dresses on display. What particularly caught her eye was the complimentary glass of champagne and tantalising titbits offered to their VVIP customers while they shopped and tried on dresses.

With an expert flourish, the sales assistant showcased their collection. "Here we have dresses ranging from short to long," she said, gesturing towards the beautifully arranged racks. "This is our limited edition line—only two identical styles are available, each designed in-house."

The trio nodded, their eyes eagerly scanning for the perfect gown, Karol lingering on the exquisite hangers. They settled down their bags on a plush sofa strategically placed in the middle of the room before diving into their dress search.