The Don's Wife

Side Story : "First" Date

As promised, James took Rosalind out to buy her a new phone. And of course, wanting the very best for his Rosie, he made sure of it to be the newest release. White titanium was the color she chose. 'It suits well in her hands.' James thought.

Rosalind did not forget to thank her husband's generosity wholeheartedly with a loving peck on his cheek. A harmless little kiss it was, however, bear in mind that anything Rosalind does is never just harmless to James.

While Rosalind was humming and beaming with a grateful heart, James had already begun fantasizing about the infinite of forthcoming kisses he'll receive in return for each and every luxuries he'll shower her with.

'Today shall be a hundred.' He decided for himself.

And a hundred Jameson Salvatore wants,
a hundred he gets.

As for his wife, who had no say to his devious scheme, could only smile through her obliviousness.

Poor girl.

Thus, the scheme commenced. Starting from the very corner of the street ; a simple yet elegant, mansard-style, seven-story building, which happened to be known as the most prestigious department store in the States. The global pinnacle of style, service, and modern luxury, as they say.

"What are we doing here?" Asked Rosalind, looking up the grand building in awe as they stood before the entrance.

James send her a quick glance, gave a simple answer.
"Shopping."

"Choose whatever you like."
The man told, so his wife did.

She chose, tried it on, then showed off her new look to her husband. He would ask her to give him a quick twirl, and she would gladly do it with great delight.

"How do I look?" Such question would arise from her, wishing for his compliments every time. And every time, he would admire her in every way, yet for some reason, instead of expressing the said admiration, he hid it behind the bland word ; "Good."

But Rosalind saw. Although he lacked words, as well as expressions, she saw the way his forest eyes lit up upon seeing her emerged from the changing room, the way his gaze lingered on her for a second too long, and if she were to be bold, she'd even dare to assume that he's captivated by her.

That's how Rosalind knew she had chosen the right fit. It made her feel pretty, fed her confidence and made her swell with pride. It made her bloom. And that's all it took for James to wave his hand at the shop assistant and say ; "We'll take these."

First it was one piece per try, then three, five, until it gradually became ten. Ten pieces of clothing Rosalind had to try in one go. And as James waited while his wife was mingling with the pile of clothes, he roamed around the boutique, handpicked every garment that he deemed it would do her beauty justice to try on next.

'This one, that one, those ones.' Next thing James realized, he's had all three shop assistants following behind him like chicks with their hands full.

What more can he say? Everything looks cute on his Rosie.

Store after store, outfit after outfit, tap after tap of his card, even then it still wasn't enough for James.

More, more, more. More dresses, more shoes, jewelries, accessories, more and more. If all the things Rosalind had tried and purchased were to be gathered over her, she would've been buried underneath a small mountain of it.

Rosalind began to fret at her husband's reckless spending.

'Is this how he usually manage his finances?'