Older Brothers | Mafia Overprotective

chapter six - first friendships

I cheered as I won yet another game at the arcade, feeling a rush of triumph. "Yes! I won again!"

Xavier laughed beside me, leaning against the game console. "Alright, champ, I think that's your fifth win in a row. We should probably head back."

As we walked out of the arcade, I noticed a girl with short, dark hair, dressed in a tiny, stylish dress, rushing toward us. Her arms were overflowing with shopping bags, each one from a different high-end store. She smiled brightly at Xavier and then turned her gaze to me.

Xavier groaned, clearly exasperated. "Annabelle, did you really have to wear that dress?"

Annabelle rolled her eyes, adjusting her bags. "Oh, come on. I look cute, and you know it."

She extended her hand towards me, but before I could shake it, one of her bags slipped off her arm. I quickly bent down to pick it up and handed it back to her.

"Thanks," Annabelle said, finally managing to balance all her bags. "I'm Annabelle, by the way. Xavier's sister."

I smiled back. "Isabella, Vincent's sister."

Annabelle nodded, her face lighting up with recognition. "I know! Xavier texted me, telling me you were tired of shopping, so I finished the spree for you. By the time I'm done with you, you'll love shopping as much as I do!"

I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, though the idea of more shopping didn't exactly thrill me. Xavier, however, seemed more concerned with the sheer volume of bags she was carrying. "How much did you buy?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Annabelle grinned mischievously. "Everything."

She grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the elevator. "Come on, I have to show you everything I got!"

As we stepped into the elevator, she pulled out a sleek black card and scanned it over a panel, unlocking a different floor. I blinked in surprise. "What's that?"

Annabelle shrugged casually, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. "I shop here so much they gave me access to the VIP area."

Xavier rolled his eyes, holding out his hand. "You shop so much because you're always using my card. Hand it over."

With an exaggerated groan, Annabelle reached into her bag and handed him an Amex black card. I stared at it, shocked.

When the elevator doors opened, I was greeted with a stunning sight. The VIP section of the mall was unlike anything I'd ever seen. It was a sleek, modern space filled with luxurious designer boutiques, each one more extravagant than the last. The floors were polished marble, the walls adorned with elegant art, and the lighting was soft and warm, casting a golden glow over everything. Plush seating areas were scattered throughout, with attendants ready to cater to every need. It was a shopping paradise, reserved for the elite few.

Annabelle barely took a breath before grabbing the next bag. "This one's filled with shoes," she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "I got you a variety—heels for when you want to dress up, and then some Converse, Nikes, and Jordans for everyday wear. Oh, and there are a few bracelets in there too."

I watched as she rifled through the bags, producing a seemingly endless array of items. "Oh, and I almost forgot," she said, pulling out a sleek box. "I got you a MacBook too—for schoolwork. It's top of the line, so you should have no trouble with anything."

My mouth fell open as I looked at the expensive laptop. Before I could even begin to process that, Annabelle was already reaching for the next bag. "This one's all hygiene essentials," she explained, pulling out a shaving kit, along with hair care and skin care products. "I talked to a dermatologist, and everything here was recommended specifically for you."