Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 445

"What are you mumbling about?"

"Nothing, just saying how my mom seems to be getting younger and more gorgeous by the day."

Becca chuckled and playfully flicked her forehead, "You silver-tongued devil."

Under the gentle prodding of her dear mother, Cecilia had no choice but to drag Owen, the big-shot CEO, out to go shopping and buy clothes.

Even though it was the afternoon, the sun was still blazing outside, scorching enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk.

Watching a delighted Owen stride towards the car, an impish thought struck Cecilia and she called out to him, "Since we're going shopping, let's not drive. Walking is what real shopping is all about."

After all, they were in the heart of the city, brimming with pedestrian zones perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Owen glanced up at the sun then back at her and said, "Cecilia, with the sun this fierce, let's take the car. Wouldn't want your skin to get a tan."

He circled back, adding, "And you're in heels. Trudging under the sun will not only tan you but will have you exhausted in no time. You'd be the one suffering, while I don't mind either way."

Cecilia said, "Fine, I'll ride the e-scooter."

Seeing her determination, Owen didn't argue further.

He wanted to give her a lift, but she refused, so he obediently sat behind her. As soon as the scooter started, he naturally wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Stop hugging me."

"If I don't hold on, I'm afraid I'll fall off. You drive this e-scooter as if it's a jet. I'm scared."

Cecilia was beyond words.

"Besides, we're a couple now, right? Couples cuddle. It's normal."

Cecilia surrendered. Happy now?

She noticed that ever since she developed feelings for him, their playful arguments always seemed to tilt in his favor.

Could it be that he had always been letting her win before?

"Mr. Martinez."

"Cecilia, you can call me Owen now. Look how quickly my mom-in-law changed her tune."

"Owen! We aren't even married yet. Stop getting ahead of yourself. You're like a fox, sly to the core. I used to think you were the naive one, but now I realize I'm the fool."

Owen rested his head against her back, tightening his embrace, causing Cecilia to nearly crash into a streetlamp.

"Cecilia, I've told you, there's so much about me you don't know. You'll need a lifetime to discover it all. But trust me, I'm a treasure. The more you explore, the more delightful surprises you'll find."

Cecilia laughed but didn't contradict him.

"Where do you want to shop for clothes?"

"With your boyfriend's dashing looks, we definitely need to hit up some designer boutiques."

Today was destined to be a day of budget shrinkage.

Thanks to her savvy friend Lucinda, Cecilia was well-versed in the city's upscale fashion haunts.

She thought Owen, being a man, wouldn't be picky about clothes and would settle quickly. How wrong she was.

Owen had the stamina for shopping and was incredibly selective.

Cecilia trailed after him until her feet ached.

Finally, after choosing a few outfits and some ties, Cecilia was relieved when he signaled her to pay.

Even though it meant parting with a hefty sum, she didn't feel the pinch, eager for the prince to head home so she could rest her weary legs.

She vowed never to accompany him on a shopping spree again.

Coming out from the boutique laden with bags, Owen looked like a walking department store while Cecilia's hands were empty.

"Mr. Martinez, Mrs. Martinez."

Jay and Rex, the bodyguard, appeared out of thin air, it seemed.

They promptly relieved Owen of his packages and handed him a set of car keys, "The car is parked right over there, sir."

Owen acknowledged with a grunt.

"And bring back the scooter too."

Taking Cecilia's hand, Owen instructed Jay and then led her towards his car.

The once fiery Cecilia was now meekly following his lead.

Once in the car, Owen leaned over to fasten her seatbelt with a caring touch, suggesting, "Cecilia, the sun's going down. No point heading back to the store. Let's go home for dinner. Grandpa will be thrilled to have you over."

"I had some new clothes, jewelry, skincare products, and bags delivered for you. We can have dinner, and you can check them out. If you don't like anything, we can exchange them on the spot."

After scoring a few outfits from Cecilia, Owen was generously compensating with even more.

After all, he'd be wearing the clothes she 'bought' for him to work tomorrow.

Cecilia paused, asking him, "When did you arrange all this?"

Owen pinched her cheek with a smile. "While you were shopping your heart out, I took care of everything. You got me so many clothes; it's only right I reciprocate."

"That wasn't a gift; it was compensation!"

"But you paid for them, right?"

Cecilia had no comeback; it was her money after all.

"If you paid for them, then it's like you gave them to me."

Cecilia, speechless, couldn't refute.

His scheming was relentless, one step ahead, leaving her utterly outplayed.

Once again, Cecilia confirmed the old Owen had been holding back.

How she missed that Mr. Malicious whom she'd talked out of his suicidal bluff by the cliffs.

"I'll join you for dinner, but what if your mom turns sour again, ruining the mood for everyone?"

"That won't happen. My mom wouldn't dare pull a face at you again."

Owen had already briefed Grandpa, ensuring Cecilia wouldn't even see his mother's face when they returned home.

With Grandpa around, his mother wouldn't dare say a thing.

Yet he couldn't resist teasing Cecilia, "Even the plain bride meets the in-laws eventually. You'll have to face my mom sooner or later."

"Who are you calling a plain bride?"

Owen pinched her cheek again, "Okay, okay, my Cecilia isn't the least bit plain. To me, you're as beautiful as a goddess."

Love is blind, as they say.

But indeed, Cecilia's beauty was beyond reproach.

He was handsome; she was lovely.

With such exceptional genes, any child of theirs was bound to be smart, beautiful, and utterly charming.

"Who said after we get married we've got to live with your mom?"

Owen's eyes crinkled with mirth as he said, "Well, you've gotta marry me first, and then I'll whisk you away to our own place, away from my mom's nest."

Cecilia was speechless.

Great, she'd walked right into his trap again.

Glancing sideways at his smug look, Cecilia's eyes twinkled mischievously as she crooked her finger at him, coaxing him closer. "Owen, come here a sec."

"Uh-oh, what's up your sleeve, Cecilia? You plotting something?"

"I just wanna give you a kiss, that's all."

"If that's all it is, why didn't you say so? Here I come, ready for a smooch fest."

The confident young man leaned in, anticipating a kiss from the beauty, but the next moment, he yelped in pain.