The Billionaire

Part 23 Mia

'So. Where are we going?' I ask as I strap on my seat belt. 'Is the mall okay with you?' He asks, putting his car in reverse. 'Yeah. That sounds nice.' He backs out of the parking spot and soon we're out of his building. We aren't talking, but the air is clearer. It doesn't feel as if it's sad and gloomy. It's a good type of silence. He turns on the music when nearing a traffic light and we wait for the advertisement to finish playing before the song "Paint the Town Red" by Doja Cat comes on. The drive to the mall was silent but it was a comfortable silence. I didn't mind it at all.

About 10 minutes later, we arrive at the mall. Christian payed for the parking ticket and parked at the nearest spot to the entrance. We took the lift up to the 4th floor, where all the expensive things are. Well, at least for me. To Christian, it would be like buying air. And you don't need to pay for air, do you? Yeah, exactly. 'What we doing on this floor?' I ask. 'Isn't this your floor? Don't you like cosmetics, designer bags and clothing?' Christian says, looking at me confused. 'Well, I like stuff like that. But, I was also hoping to go to the bookstores on floor 3.' 'Oh. You're into reading?' Christian asks, looking surprised. 'Yes. I'm super into reading.' I say. 'Oh, really?' 'Yup. I am.' 'Well then, do you wanna go to that floor?' Christian asks. 'Yes! I would love to!' I said, a little too loud and quickly. Some people turned their heads to look at me. And being in the middle of the floor is not helping right now. Surprisingly, Christian chuckles at that. 'Let's go then.' He says.

We went back in the lift and Christian pressed the button to floor 3. The book heaven. If you're a book lover, you would not be able to leave this floor. When I first came here, I wanted to live here. And I still do. 

The lift finally opens and reveals a floor full of old books, new books, and stationaries. This is what I call happiness. I'm not really into the stationary part because it's just filled with artsy stuff. If you like art, that's your shop. 'Which one would you like to go in first?' Christian asks. 'I've never really taken note of this floor before.' Christian says. 'What? How could you not? It's so pretty! If this floor were mine, I'd never leave. Just look at how autumn-y it looks!' I say excitedly. Christian chuckles. 'You're really that into books huh?' 'Yes. Yes I am.' I am an absolute book nerd. All I want is just, books, books, books. Then I'll be happy. I'm sure bookish people will understand.

'Let's go into that one first.' I say, pointing my index finger at a shop. That one has probably got to be my favourite. I came here so many times that I know the people working here, and they know me. We both walk into the bookstore and surprisingly, there's no people. Normally I'd see at least 50 people at first glance. But there's none. It's dead quiet. 'Mia!' A lady yells all of a sudden. Although I recognized that voice, it still startled me. 'Gabriella!' I yell back. Gabriella is the cash register lady who sometimes help with restocking the books. I mean, everyone who works here helps with restocking the books, dealing with customers, and working at the cash register. Luna is an Italian lady who is about 45 something years old. She is a super kind Italian lady that took me in kinda as her daughter. 'Amore mio, how have you been?' She says, climbing down a ladder and waddling over to kiss me on the cheek. 'I'm doing good Gabriel. How have you been?' 'I've been good, amore. What book are you looking for today?' 'I don't have a particular book today, so I'm just going to browse around and see if there's anything I like.' 'Oh, of course, amore. And who is this?' She asks, looking Christian up and down. 'Your boyfriend?' She says, looking at me now. 'Haha.' I laugh nervously. 'Nope! Not yet!' This is so awkward. I hope Christian's okay with that. 'Mmm...' Gabriel says, still not done with judging him up and down. 'Italiano?' She says all of a sudden. 'Wait. How did you-' I start my sentence but was cut off by Gabriel. 'I know an Italian when I see one.' Wow. 'Sono misto.' Comes from beside me. 'Ah. Vedo.' Gabriel replies. 'Ragazzi, vi frequentate?' Gabriel asks again. 'Spero che.' Comes from Christian. Wow. Suddenly, this is an Italian catch up. I have no idea what they are talking about so I'll have to ask Christian later. 

Gabriel eyes Christian suspiciously, as if he is hiding something. 'Se esci con questa donna, non sprezzarle il cuore. Oppure ti faro a pezzi finche tua madre non ti riconoscera. Capire?' Christian chuckles. 'Si' Another suspicious look from Gabriel. 'Bene.' 'Okay! Why don't we go look around the store, yeah?' I budge in quickly. I have no idea what they're talking about, but from the looks of Gabriel. It's not one I want to know. 'I'll see you later, Mia. You let me know if you need help finding anything.' 'Thanks, Gabriel. You're the best.' Finally!