Xiran and Aselia then moved toward the fashion design department. Aselia blurted out while stealing a glance at him: "She was not surprised to see me but very surprised when you introduced me, how many girls have you brought here with you before?"

"It’s in the past now, let’s not dwell on it," Xiran met her gaze before replying in a serious tone.

"I want to know," she didn’t want to let go. Xiran sighed before saying:

"A lot, but Rivan trusts her. The only reason I don’t have to wipe her memories. If she spilled our secrets or decides to do it in the future, she will be dealt with severely. Rivan is not like me when it comes down to women who wrong him or me. He shows them no mercy."

Aselia’s heart sank a bit at his words and she asked: "Will he do the same with me?"

"No one will touch you until I am alive, stop dwelling on negativity," he gently squeezed her hand, assuring her nothing will go wrong and she shouldn’t be worrying this much.

Aselia didn’t speak after that and Xiran understood he had been unable to ease the burdens she carry. The guilt was still there and Rivan might act nice but he certainly won’t forgive her that easily. He kept watching her from the corner of his eyes but her face was covered so he couldn’t comprehend what emotions she was carrying.

Reaching the department, the glass doors opened on their own and they stepped inside a vast hall that was bustling with activity. Tens of people were working on arranging and shifting dresses on racks, hangers, and mannequins. Advanced computer screens were being used to bring new designs to life. The whole area was brightly lit with white lights fitted inside the roof.

The place was a hub of activity. There was a gigantic round table in the middle of the hall where different designs lay and several people were huddled together discussing something urgent. Rivan stood in their center in a three-piece black suit as he briefed them about tomorrow’s events.

"Rivan!" Xiran called out to him as they made their way toward the table. Rivan glanced in his direction with a smile that slightly faltered as his eyes fell on Aselia but he composed himself in seconds and kept smiling.

"Dismissed," he said curtly and all the people around him nodded before scurrying away, except Irlana. Who seemed to have joined him now, she kept standing beside him and watched the approaching couple with a smile.

Xiran hugged his friend and Aselia awkwardly said:

"Hello! Rivan," he nodded at her with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

"Hello!" he replied without saying her name because of the people around him, he then focused his attention on Xiran and asked: "Did you get it done?"

"We did, now we need the dress for tomorrow," Xiran replied with a cheeky smile.

"Irlana will take you to Roxie; she is in charge of our new collection. I am sure you will find a suitable dress and she will make the necessary adjustments," Rivan responded.

Then he turned to Irlana and said: "Arrange for refreshments while they choose the dress."

"Yes, Sir!" Irlana answered with a slight smile and nod of her head.

"Thanks, Rivi, and good luck for tomorrow. We will see you then," Xiran beamed at his friend as they hugged again and patted each other’s backs.

Irlana took them to Roxie, who seemed more like a punk star with her dyed pinkish-blue hair and an amass of piercings. She was busy handling several dresses and guiding her subordinates on where to put them while tapping on her Ipad. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

She greeted them with a broad smile and shook hands with both Aselia and Xiran before inquiring:

"Señor, How may I help you?"

"Roxie, we need a dress for tomorrow, it should be as elegant as the one you prepared last time," Xiran informed her while placing his hand on Aselia’s waist.

"Ohh! You are the lucky lady for whom I prepared that dress, that’s one of the finest dresses I prepared. Did you like it?" Roxie inquired with a twinkle in her eyes.

"I did, thank you. It was beautiful," Aselia answered and Xiran held back a chuckle, remembering how Aselia had hated wearing it and called herself celery.

"Fantabulous, this is going to be fun, I have an amazing collection. Let me show you, please follow me," she indicated to them and they followed her. Irlana had left them with Roxie and went on to arrange refreshments for them.

"Can’t I just wear jeans and my hoodie?" Aselia mumbled so only Xiran could hear her and pursed his lips to not burst out laughing. He leaned closer and whispered in Aselia’s ear:

"Let’s do it for Rivan tomorrow. For the rest of the weekend, you can choose to not wear anything. I won’t mind at all," Aselia’s mouth flew open at his open seductiveness and she slightly elbowed him in his stomach and whispered:

"Behave or I would have to punish you," she glared at him while he fakely rubbed his stomach.

"I would very much look forward to your punishments, that’s why I refuse to behave at all. I will keep teasing you, my sweet girl," he blinked his eyes at her as if taunting her.

"I am not half as sweet as you make me, I am bitter like a bitter gourd, only chew as much as you can swallow," Aselia added with a smirk as they entered another colossal room with hundreds of dresses on display in glass enclosures.

"Too bad my sweetie, for I can easily see through this icy facade now. You can’t fool me anymore, you are sweet and soft as a marshmallow and I am having you for dinner tonight."

Xiran winked at her, his velvety voice and his seductive glance had Aselia rooted to her spot as he let her go and confidently moved to the glass cases behind Roxie as if he had said nothing. While Aselia took deep breaths to calm the surging heat her body had started generating at his suggestive words.