Taming of the beast - Completed.

Chapter Twenty

Approaching a designer dress shop, Riyad paused looking around, realising something was missing. Callie. She normally had his arm and found her, stopping suddenly at his side. That special glow of hers gone, cursing himself under his breath. Not here. Not now.

"Shall we?" Wordlessly she followed him into the dress shop that carried many designer labels from Coco, Decor, Saab, to Armani, even Valentino. He had to go more romantic. As he had said, it had to be classic also original. He didn't have to have one made to order, so this was the next best thing.

"Can I have a look around?" she asked softly, not quite looking at him.

"Of course," He watched as she walked away and looked over what was on display, while he was approached by the head assistant. He would know it was soon as she saw it.

Although was aware of her lack of joy. This was supposed to be a fun day for her. If only she didn't keep bringing up his past. Coming home had opened that wound, deep and wide. Maybe he needed to do this and get some sort of normality back into his life. She had opened new possibilities he never thought he could have.

Dismissing the assistant, he joined Callie instead who looked over the dresses, touched, yet he could tell nothing had caught her attention. "Do not worry if you cannot find anything here, there are plenty of shops to wander through at your leisure." Callie inclined her head and moved on. Not a good sign. "Tell me, Callie, how I can fix this."

"There is nothing to fix," she stated softly, flicking through more dresses without-a-care. Sighing, she stepped back. "Let's be honest here, this isn't my thing. I have no idea what to look for or let alone what to wear." Shaking her head. "I think it is best if I just didn't go."

"That is not possible; you are expected as my wife and at my side."

Troubled eyes lifted up to him. "Why did you do that, Riyad? You must have known it wouldn't have worked. I would never be good enough. I'm just not princess material and never would be."

"Let me be the judge of that. I see this is a mistake, Callie," he turned and headed out. He needed to change this and she would never be happy in a place like this. He should've known that from the last shopping expedition.

Stunned Callie stared at his departing back, just like that. Slowly she followed him out, giving the assistant a passing apologetic smile. She had ruined a sale for them, stopping outside the shop. Her heart clenched tightly, as panic set in, looking around frantically. He wasn't to be seen, gone just like that. She never thought he would leave her stranded, especially in a foreign country.

A strong hand clamped on her arm. Gasping she spun around, heart slammed in her tight chest, paling. Riyad! Relieved she sank against his chest. "I thought you had left me," she choked, blinking back threatening tear, pressing a hand against his chest.

"As if I would, I think I have something you would enjoy very much."

She peered up, blinking at him. "I'm sorry. You need to buy a dress. I mean it, just one dress. I do have the other one."

"Did you see anything that took your eye, something you liked?"

"Not really," Chewing on her bottom lip, curling her hand at her chest, stepping back.

"I think it is best if I organise something else for you. Let's go," he offered his hand that she looked at, then took hold of it and was led away, back down towards the escalator to the ground floor, but in a different direction, passed the fountain and the fishes and exited the mall, down a pathway and entered a different type of mall, called a souk. An open market place yet undercover.

There was an assault of colours and items, stall with opened doors covered in scarfs, shoes, camels, also shops with lanterns, carpets, robes where Callie lost herself in.