Suits and Secrets

4. Intersections and Intrigues

Avery entered the mall with an exaggerated swoosh of her arms, kicking off her steely lawyer persona for the day. "Welcome to the Shopping Kingdom, where stress dissipates and retail therapy reigns supreme!" she announced dramatically, pivoting on her heels as she made her way past the oversized fountain, surrounded by splashes of sunlight and the chatter of weekend shoppers.

"Let's hope the therapy works today," Eveline replied with a laugh, adjusting her designer sunglasses as they made their way to their first stop: the shoe store. "Because if we don't manage to bring back some fabulous finds, I might just have to start charging you for emotional support!"

Avery smirked, clutching her shopping tote. "You mean to pay you in compliments? Because I'm low on cash today. But feel free to remind me how lucky I am to have you as my fashion therapist."

"Right," Eveline retorted, rolling her eyes. "Consider it a package deal. But let's be honest—I'm the lucky one. You know that, right?"

"Of course! How could I forget how you dragged me out of work to focus on our 'sacred healing ritual of consumerism'?" Avery sighed melodramatically. "Now where are the shoes?!"

They made their way into the shoe store, an eruption of color and creativity surrounding them like a tide of inspiration. But as they began to browse through the trendy display racks, a familiar figure stalked into view: Ace Santino. Emilio's right-hand man stood at the entrance, an unmistakable silhouette of confidence and intensity. The polished leather jacket he wore could've doubled as armor, and his dark eyes had a sharpness that could cut through steel.

"Is that Ace Santino?" Eveline whispered in a tone that betrayed a mix of excitement and disbelief. She was practically bouncing on her toes as she nudged Avery. "You need to talk to him!"

"Why would I do that?" Avery scowled, trying to maintain her composure. "He's a criminal's right-hand man, and I'm... well, not in the mood for a tête-à-tête."

Eveline wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Oh, please! He's unbelievably hot! Plus, I can already tell his whole brooding thing is totally your type!"

Avery shot her friend a glare that could curdle milk. "My type is not men who orbit crime lords, thank you very much. More like 'men who can hold a normal conversation' and don't have a body count."

"Pfft. You say that now, but I guarantee you'd give him a shot if he threw you one of those smoldering glares," Evelyn challenged, a glint in her eye that suggested she might have more fun with this than Avery was prepared for.

"Come on, let's just find some shoes." Avery turned back to the rack, pretending to be engrossed in the latest stiletto offerings while Eveline's eyes were glued to Ace, who was making his way through the store with a purpose.

"Okay, but look at him! If that man doesn't scream 'mystery and danger,' I don't know who does," Eveline gushed, her voice a breathy whisper as Ace moved closer.

"Perfect! Let's just add that to my already long list of reasons to avoid him!" Avery quipped, still scanning the footwear in front of her.

It wasn't long before Ace noticed them, his keen eyes landing directly on Evelyn. A slow, measured stride brought him closer, exuding an air of confidence that only seemed to amplify in the bustling ambiance of the mall. Avery felt the sudden tension in Eveline, who was suddenly fixated on him as if he were the only light in a dim room.

"Ladies," Ace said, his voice low and smooth, settling into their space like the calm before a storm. "I didn't expect to see such lovely company in a place like this."