One Night With A Mysterious Billionaire (The Heiress's Revenge)-Chapter 57: The boutique romance

The boutique doors slid open before them, and cool, perfumed air wrapped around Lena like silk. The place smelled of fresh fabric, polished wood, and expensive taste.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, scattering soft light over racks of designer dresses arranged like art pieces. A sales attendant hurried forward, her smile widening at the sight of Raymond.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Black. Ms. Smith. We’ve prepared the private section for you."

"Of course you did," Raymond replied smoothly, one hand resting at the small of Lena’s back as he guided her in.

Lena rolled her eyes slightly. "You planned this?"

"I merely ensured you wouldn’t have to wrestle with a crowd," he said. "You’re welcome."

She shook her head but couldn’t hide her smile.

The private section was a dream, mirrors framed in gold, plush cream couches, a raised platform for fittings. Dresses in every shade imaginable waited for her attention.

Lena ran her fingers over a red satin gown.

Excellent choice ma, that is one of kind design, the designer only made one of this. It is a custom gown.

"What do you think?"

Raymond leaned back on the couch, crossing one leg over the other. "Try it."

"That’s all? Try it?" she teased. "No dramatic speech about how red means danger and temptation?"

He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. "Red means you’ll distract me the entire evening and I won’t be able to take my eyes off you. But yes, try it."

She laughed and disappeared behind the fitting room curtain.

A few minutes later, she stepped out in the red gown. It hugged her curves shamelessly, the slit climbing up her thigh with bold intent.

Raymond went silent.

The attendant looked between them nervously. Beads of sweat forming on her head. "Sir?"

Raymond cleared his throat. "Turn around."

Lena slowly twirled. "Well?"

He stood, walking toward her with measured steps. "It fits perfectly. Too perfectly."

Her brow lifted. "Is that a complaint or a compliment?"

"It’s a warning," he murmured, lowering his voice.

"If you wear this, I’m not responsible for my behavior."

She folded her arms. "We’re going to an auction , not a honeymoon suite."

"All the more reason," he replied calmly.

She burst into laughter and retreated to change again.

Next came an emerald mermaid gown with

delicate beadwork. It was elegant, less daring, but regal. When she stepped out this time, Raymond’s expression shifted.

He didn’t speak immediately.

Lena tilted her head. "You’ve gone quiet again.

Should I be worried?"

He approached her slowly. "This one..." He

adjusted the strap gently on her shoulder. "This one makes you look like you own the world."

She glanced at her reflection. "Too serious?"

"No," he said. "Powerful. Untouchable and fuckable"

She smiled faintly. "I like that."

"I know you do, daring suits you" he said as he eyed her body dangerously

"But," he added, stepping back, "the red one makes you look like you’d burn the world down for fun."

She placed a hand on her hip. "So which version do you prefer? The queen or the villain?"

Raymond’s lips curved. "I prefer both."

Her cheeks warmed at that, and she quickly disappeared again before he could notice.

The third outfit was unexpected, a tailored white pantsuit, sharp and fitted, with a plunging neckline beneath the blazer. When she stepped out, Raymond actually blinked.

"Oh," he said simply.

"Just Oh?" she asked. "Not to your taste?"

He stood immediately this time. "Who told you to try that?"

"The mannequin," she replied innocently.

He circled her slowly, hands in his pockets. "This is giving a professional vibe, that is not the look we are going for tonight, I want you to give everyone present at the auction tonight a sho "

"Very dramatic Raymond, don’t worry everything will go well."

"Well I like it, so you can keep it. Maybe for your first day at the office."

She laughed. "Be serious, Raymond."

"I am serious." He stopped in front of her. "Buy it."

The attendant quickly noted it down.

Lena studied his face. "You’re enjoying this too much."

"because I’m doing it with you?" He shrugged. "It’s a surprise to me too."

She shook her head, but her eyes softened. His words and actions doing something to her poor heart .

After nearly an hour of changing, debating, and Raymond offering his very specific "two cents"—which mostly consisted of possessive compliments and calm critiques, they got three outfits for important dinners and parties with other clothes for work and house wear.

As the attendant went to process the purchase, Lena sank onto the couch beside him.

"You know," she said, slipping off her wedge heels

"You could have just said everything looks good and saved us time."

Raymond glanced at her. "That would be lazy, and it would prevent me from feeding my eyes"

She raised a brow.

"You deserve precision," he continued. "If something doesn’t elevate you, it doesn’t deserve you."

Her expression changed slightly,less teasing, more thoughtful.

"Since when did you become poetic in boutiques?"

"Since I realized you listen more carefully when I’m not in the bedroom."

Lena coughed vigorously as some of the attendees were still close to them and had probably heard what he said. Mortified, she quickly lifted her hand to cover his mouth, trying to stop him from uttering anything more outrageous. But Raymond only leaned his head back slightly, his lips curving into a small, infuriating smile.

"Raymond!" she hissed under her breath. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Before she could think better of it, she lunged at him, attempting to tackle him into silence. The movement caught him off guard, and the next thing they knew, they both tumbled to the floor. Lena landed on top of him, one hand pressed firmly over his mouth as though she had successfully sealed it shut.

For a split second, she smiled triumphantly, convinced she had won.

But her victory was painfully short-lived.

A heavy silence settled around them. Most of the attendees immediately looked away from the awkward scene, pretending sudden fascination with clothes, mirrors, or their phones. Lena’s triumphant smile slowly faded as she became aware of their audience. Her cheeks burned.

"Oh my God..." she muttered, scrambling to her feet.

"I’m so sorry," she apologized hurriedly, dusting herself off before retreating to sit farther away from Raymond.

Raymond, on the other hand, appeared completely unbothered. He rose gracefully, adjusted his jacket, dusted invisible lint from his trousers, and resumed his seat as though nothing had happened. Leaning slightly toward her, he lowered his voice.

"It seems someone cannot get her hands off me even in public," Raymond muttered teasingly.

"You wish," Lena shot back, rolling her eyes though her ears were still red.

He chuckled softly before straightening. "We do have somewhere else to be."

Right on cue, the attendant returned with neatly packaged boxes and elegant garment bags. As they stood to leave, Raymond collected the bags effortlessly, while Lena slipped her hand into his without hesitation.

"Next time," she said lightly, glancing up at him,

"Due to our tight schedule, I’m choosing your outfit."

He smirked. "Welcome idea."

She laughed, squeezing his hand as they walked out together. The boutique doors closed behind them, leaving a trail of whispers in their wake. Many people already knew Raymond was engaged, and some had an idea who Lena was. But the bold display of affection he had just shown sent a clear message, Lena was not someone to be taken lightly.

Everything had been planned by Raymond. The fall, the teasing, the subtle intimacy, it was all part of the image he wanted the public to see. What he hadn’t planned, however, was the undeniable chemistry between them. It was far stronger than he had anticipated, almost off the roof.

Their next stop was a stylist who would prepare Lena for the evening auction.

The car came to a smooth halt in front of an upscale spa. Raymond stepped out first, walked around to open Lena’s door, and retrieved three of the outfits they had purchased. Taking her hand again, he led her inside. From afar, they looked every bit like a couple deeply in love.

The spa was bustling with activity. Soft music floated through the air while attendants moved gracefully between clients. Some guests had facial masks on; others were having their hair styled or makeup carefully applied. The atmosphere smelled of essential oils and luxury.

A woman who appeared to be in her late thirties approached them with confident strides. She blew kisses to both sides of Raymond’s cheeks.

"Raymond! Long time no see. What brings you to my spa? Don’t tell me you finally decided to try the facial treatment I’ve been begging you to try for years?" she teased with a bright smile.

"And I keep telling you no," Raymond replied calmly. "No, is my final answer."

"So serious," she laughed.

After exchanging pleasantries, Raymond leaned in and said something quietly to her. She turned her attention to Lena with a warm smile.

"Leave her to me."

Raymond nodded before stepping closer to Lena. He informed her he would be stepping out to handle something and would return once she was done preparing.

"When I asked if I would be staying with her that long," he replied, "knowing Mama, I know she won’t let you go until your skin glows like a mirror."

He paused, his gaze softening.

"And take the time to pamper yourself. I notice you hardly do."

Before she could respond, he leaned down and kissed her.

The gesture left her completely dazed.

Her mind struggled to process what had just happened. Did Raymond actually kiss her in public? Her fingers drifted to her lips as she watched his retreating figure disappear from sight.

To Raymond, he was simply building his plan toward an epic finish. A photographer was already in place, capturing strategic moments from flattering angles. Yet as he walked away, one thought lingered in his mind. The kiss..

That kiss had felt different.And for the first time, he couldn’t quite explain why.