Eunoia

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She was quick to yank her headphones out and blush furiously at the mam before her who held a stoic look. She was only wearing shorts and a large t-shirt which swallowed her whole and made it look like she wasn't wearing pants.

"H-Hi, Dante," she gulped nervously, folding her hands in front of her and fiddling with her fingers, pulling at them.

He cleared his throat, eyes flickering over her outfit.

"Dante is taking you out to find a dress for this evening," her mother spoke, pushing on her back a little to nudge her towards him.

"O-Oh that's really okay I'm sure—"

"It's not up for discussion," she interrupted with a harsh stare that had her bowing her head.

"Yes ma'am,"

Dante watched the interaction between the young girl and her mother with interrogating eyes. He watched how submissive she was to her folks, how she bowed her head in the case of domination.

"Let's go, Ophelia," he gestured to her.

"But I don't look…"

"You look fine. Come. We won't be out long," he said, his voice smoothed and honeyed which had her blushed. I'm going out. With just him, she thought.

She gulped and followed him out, seeing a lavish car waiting for them in the driveway. It looked like some type of race car, but she then recognized it as a corvette. A black corvette.

He walked in front of her to grab the door for her, opening it up and helping her inside as he did last night. She quietly thanked him as he shut the door.

He walked around the hood and got in on the drivers side, cranking up the car and hearing the sound of the engine roar with all its might.

The ride was quiet, and she had brought her book with her to read on the way into town since it was a thirty minute ride. She didn't know where they were going, but figured it was the mall which was about forty-five minutes away which gave her enough time to finish two chapters.

"What are you reading?" He suddenly asked as they neared their destination.

"The Becoming," she smiled, seeing him glance from her and back to the road.

"A fine read,"

"You read?" She wondered.

"In my free time," he kept short, pulling into the parking lot of the mall and finding a parking space near the front of one of the stores.

"Stay," he said when she began to pull at the handle. He circled the hood and opened the door for her, holding out his hand for her to take and help her out.

She blushed as he held her hand ever so gently, holding it even as he shut the door and didn't let go until they started walking.

She looked up at the stoic man as he slipped his hands in his pockets, and for some reason she began to miss his touch. Miss the effect it had on her, how her heart would skip a beat.

He looked down at her, seeing her quickly turn away with a blush darkening her caramel skin. She was now tugging on her fingers in front of her as she walked.

He couldn't help but find it slightly adorable.

He placed his hand on the small of her back while leading her through the sliding doors into a store filled with evening gowns and tuxedos. They even had shoes to go along with each. 

The two looked around, chit-chatting about a few of the dresses they came across.

She came across a red dress hanging up on one of the displays, running her fingers over the soft material of the dress and taking it from its hanger, holding it to herself to see how it would look.

She glanced at Dante who was watching her, "go try it on, 'Lia," she blushed at the little nickname he had given her and quickly nodded her head, venturing towards a dressing room where she changed out of her clothes and into the dress.

It was fitting and stretchy, fitting on her body and to her every curve perfectly. Not that I really have any. She sighed, running her hands over her waist where it fit the best.

The dress was a rich red color, and there was a slit in the dress, letting her legs not be confined to a tight bound. The straps were thin, but short to not reveal much of her cleavage. The dress reached a bit below her knees.

She smiled at her reflection and quickly changed back, putting the dress back In the hanger and walking out.

"I like this one," she smiled sweetly up at the silver eyed man who awaited her just outside.

He nodded and gently took it from her hands to go and check out.

"O-Oh you don't have to, I can—"

"Don't worry about it," he spoke gently, pressing his hand into her back to nudge her towards the check out line.

They left the store, Dante carrying the bag in his hand and having her hand in his other. She was a blushing mess the whole time, why he had chosen to hold her hand was confusing but she wasn't complaining. He had said that needed to stay close by as they wandered through the mall and looked at all the little shops.

She saw a pastry shop, and couldn't help but drag him along in it. Papa never really let them have treats in the house, everyone mostly stuck to a healthy food style.

But Ophelia loved treats, and Kate snuck her some every once in a while.

"C-Can I please get something?" He looked down at her as she looked up with her doe eyes. He could see the hint of hazel in them, as they weren't a dark brown but more of an amber-ish brown.

"Pick what you want and I'll buy it for you," she nodded quickly and let go of his hand to gaze upon the delicious display case. There were peanut butter cups, candy apples, delicious, rich brownies and cookies.

But what caught her eye were the chocolate covered strawberries.

She pointed to the, bouncing on her toes as she turned towards Dante. "Can I have these please?" She asked quietly, slightly afraid that he was going to say no but excitement flooded her when he nodded his head and stepped up to the counter.

"Six of the strawberries," he ordered to the woman behind the counter, and Iphelia couldn't help but notice the way she looked at him. She was practically drooling.

But Dante didn't even spare a look, just kept his eyes on the girl beside him.

The two left the shop, him holding everything, and headed towards the food court to sit down and snack.

They took their seats in one of the booths, and Ophelia was practically bouncing with joy to get her hands on those strawberries. Just by the looks she knew they were juicy and sweet.

He took them out of the bag, setting them on the table as they were wrapped up in a little pink box for concealment.

He undid the ribbon and opened the box, grabbing one by the stem and holding it up to her.

She went to grab it, but he made a noise of disapproval and shook his head.

"Eat it," he spoke, his voice gravelly and low.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she hesitantly leaned forward and bit into the sweet fruit before her.

His eyes watched her, and he slowly smirked.