The Billionaire

Part 24 Mia

Finally, we move on into the bookstore. It's a really big bookstore, and I'm going to need at least an hour in here because I always like to spend a very long time in here. 

I walk around with Christian behind me. We're not talking, and he has his usual expression on. That's good. I hope he stays like this. I don't want to see that breakdown again, it will only make me upset and feel regret. It will make me rethink all of my decisions. That's the last thing I want right now. 

'You need help with that?' Christian asks as he sees me struggling to grab a book. It's too high up for me to reach, and it's the perfect height for Christian. 'Oh, yeah. I do. I can't reach it.' I say, awkwardly. 'Let me help you with that.' Christian says, reaching up to grab the book for me. 'To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.' He reads. 'You really are a Rory Gilmore, aren't you?' 'I guess I am.' I smile. 'Here.' He says, passing me the book. He somehow tripped and squashed into me. Now, I'm pushed up against the bookshelf. I know this sounds like some k- drama shit. But I swear to god, it's less cheesier than that. 'Sorry about that.' Christian says, still not getting off me. His eyes leave mine and trail to my nose, then down to my lips. He's staring so intently at it, like he's gonna pounce at me any moment. I'm going to burn from his gaze. 

Suddenly, his lips are on mine. Kissing me so passionately. I'm drowning in his kiss. It's a good drown though. What am I saying? He breaks off the kiss, leaving us breathless. 'That was..' I start. 'Unexpected.' I manage in between breaths. 'Sorry.' He says, still looking at me like he wants more. 'No, Christian.' I tell him, before he does anything. 'Not here. We're in a bookstore.' 'Oh, so you wanna do it?' 'What? No! I don't! I mean. I do. But not now. I mean.' I don't know how to say this to him without hurting him. 'I wanna fuck you but not in this bookstore, and I'm scared you'll get attached again, and you'll have another mental breakdown. And you're going to beg me not to go, and I'll reconsider everything. And that'll make me cry again because I can't decide which path I want to go on. And I'm NOT dramatic.' That's what's in my mind. But I can't say that out loud. 'That's alright. You don't have to. I'm not forcing you to. I just thought you meant you wanted to, you know, when you said that.' 'I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry.' Though he gave no further reply, he gave a nod. And that was enough for me to know he understood me.

We walk aisle after aisle. And although I've been here many times before, it always makes me happy. This bookstore is really big, but so far, I see no one. 

We end up leaving an hour later and I got five books. I know, I know. It's a lot, but it makes me happy. And besides, Christian told me to get whatever, he'll pay. And he did. 'Count that as our first date.' Christian says after we leave the bookstore. 'What?' I swing my head to look at him. He's not looking at me, his eyes are trained in the front. 'You heard me. That was our first date.' I gape at him in shock. I was not expecting that, but okay. 'Thank you for the books.' I manage. 'Sure. I expected you to get more. It only totaled up to 72 dollars.' This guy... 'Christian. 72 dollars is not cheap.' 'Yes, it is. I wouldn't mind if you spent 1000 dollars in there either.' Rich, smug, bastard. 'Oh my god. You might as well buy the entire bookstore for me.' I tease. 'I might just do that.' He says with a grin on his face.

We ended up getting boba on floor 2 and went back up to floor 4 to check out their cosmetics and clothing. I bought some concealer and mascara and some other products while we were there. I also shopped for some dark academia clothes. I now learn that Christian will be the worst person to come shopping with. No, it's not because he doesn't pay. He pays, but he encourages you to buy more things just because he has the capability to buy them. He's a good companion though. And a gentleman. Maybe he just wants to win my heart. He offers to hold my stuff while I look for more. He's a real sweetheart.