REBORN: MEET MY BROTHERS-Chapter 29: THEY’RE STRANGERS TO ME

Ava stood outside ’House of Vyetta,’ the most expensive boutique in the mall with Evelyn, who had a wide smile on her face. Everything had been a blur. One moment, she was in Maximus’s office, and the next, Evelyn had picked her up, and led her out of his office, bringing her here for shopping.

"This is gonna be fun," Evelyn’s excited voice broke Ava from her thoughts, and Ava smiled as she followed the woman into the store, with their hands entwined. Evelyn had refused to let go since she took Ava’s hand in Maximus’s office. At first, it felt weird for Ava. But right now, Ava felt so comfortable around her that she didn’t want to let go as well.

They walked to the lobby where two ladies sat at the front desk. On seeing Evelyn, one of the ladies quickly rushed to them. "Mrs. Quinn. It’s so good to have you back. Please, follow me. Violet is waiting," she gestured.

Evelyn nodded at the receptionist as they followed the girl to a private section of the boutique, where Violet stood, waiting for them.

"Mrs. Quinn," the beautiful girl greeted as soon as they entered the place.

"Hi, darling," Evelyn said happily. Violet has been her personal shopping assistant in this boutique for years. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Please," she gestured into the room for them to proceed with what they came for, and Evelyn took Ava inside, still holding her hand.

As soon as the duo walked past her, Violet turned to the receptionist. "You know how Mrs. Quinn hates shopping with people around. This place is off limits," she instructed, and the girl nodded. She hurriedly went back to Evelyn and Ava who were going through racks.

"You’re in luck, Mrs. Quinn. New stocks came in only last night," Violet gestured toward the new racks that Evelyn hadn’t noticed.

Very excited, Evelyn plucked an emerald gown from it and held it up against Ava. "What do you think of this one?"

"It’s beautiful," Ava admitted.

Evelyn smiled. "Of course it is," she said as she pulled out more outfits from the rack and handed it to Violet. Turning back to Ava, she said excitedly, "I want to see you in all of them."

Ava obeyed, smiling as she went into the plush dressing room with Violet who stood at the door of the closet in case Ava needed assistance. A few minutes later, Ava walked out with the Emerald dress first.

Evelyn gasped, and her hands flew to her chest. She knew Ava was really beautiful, and she’d look good even in a sack of potatoes, but still, her daughter-in-law’s beauty stunned her. "Perfect!" She said breathlessly. Running toward Ava as she held her hands, "You look like a goddess, Ava," she complimented genuinely.

Ava smiled shyly, turning to catch herself in the mirror.

"This gown was made for you, Miss," Violet complimented as well. "And there’s only one piece in the world."

Ava smoothed her hands over the fabric. Evelyn was right. The gown really fitted her, and the emerald color made her eyes pop.

Evelyn practically beamed as she circled around Ava. "Mark it sold, Violet. I don’t want any other hands on this," she ordered. Turning to Ava, she picked up her hands again, "You should wear this to my party on Sunday," Evelyn said charmingly.

Ava smiled. Evelyn had been talking about it throughout their drive here, so Ava expected the invitation to come anytime soon. "Of course, Evelyn."

Evelyn smiled even more. "Go on," she turned Ava toward the dressing room. "I want to see the rest on you."

Happily, Ava walked back into the room.

Outside the boutique, Matilda and Sasha strolled inside the mall with some men behind them who held the numerous bags they held. As they walked past ’House of Vyetta,’ Matilda held Sasha’s hand, stopping her from walking any further. It would be an abomination not to make a quick stop here, Matilda thought as she led Sasha into the boutique.

They were received by a different receptionist since the previous girl took a quick break. "Good afternoon, ma’am," the receptionist greeted politely. "Welcome to House of Vyetta. How can we assist you today?"

Matilda eyed the girl. She felt insulted that the girl couldn’t recognize her when she was a regular. "Are you new?"

"Yes, ma’am," the girl said politely. "Is there a problem?"

Matilda didn’t answer. Instead, "I’m here to check your exclusive collection," she said. "My daughter and I require something spectacular from your vintages."

"Of course," the receptionist replied smoothly, but her face dropped when she remembered something. "I’m sorry, ma’am, but I should inform you that our private sector is currently closed for a VIP guest."

Matilda felt insulted by her word and she made no effort to hide it. "Closed for a VIP guest?!" She barked. "Do you know have any idea of who I am?!"

The girl felt flustered from Matilda’s loud voice. "I apologize, Ma’am. But the place has been reserved for quite sometime now. If you like--"

"Get me Violet!" Matilda interrupted, not wanting to hear anything from the girl. "Now!"

The girl flinched and hurriedly went to fetch Violet.

~~~~~

Violet held out jewelry boxes for Evelyn and Ava who studied various designs, contemplating which to pick from. "This..." Evelyn finally made a choice. "...I like this one. It’ll go beautifully with the dress."

Violet removed the necklace from the box and helped Ava with it. Holding out a mirror for Ava to see, "Mrs. Quinn has really nice tastes. This suits you so well, Miss," she complimented.

Admiring the necklace on Ava, Evelyn started to imagine how the other pieces will look on her. She wanted to see them badly, so she told Violet, "Pack them all."

Ava’s eyes widened at Evelyn’s words. She knew she shouldn’t be surprised anymore from her extravagance, seeing the way she’d been spending lavishly, but somehow, Evelyn just happen to shock her more than the last.

When she’d tried to refuse a gift earlier, complaining about how she was satisfied with everything Evelyn had already gotten for her, Evelyn became sad. It was only then that Ava believed Maximus’s words about how relentless his mother could be, and while it overwhelmed her, she also found it endearing. Evelyn genuinely seemed to care about her. Henceforth, Ava decided to stop complaining.

Ava smiled as she studied the necklace. It was truly as beautiful as they’d said, but her smile faltered when the receptionist hurriedly entered the room, panicking.

Violet turned abruptly to the girl. "We have a situation outside, Violet," the girl said impatiently. "A woman is causing a scene."

Violet’s face paled instantly, but she quickly covered it up with a tight smile. "Mrs. Quinn. I am so sorry. I need to take care of something quickly, but I’ll be back soon."

Evelyn nodded.

Just as Violet was about to exit the room, furious Matilda stormed in with Sasha behind her.

Matilda had expected to see someone else inside the room, but when her eyes fell on Ava, her expression darkened. She found it impossible that she was treated like garbage because of the child.

Sasha was also greatly enraged on seeing Ava. "Mother, isn’t that Ava," she asked, trying to make sure she wasn’t seeing things that wasn’t there. Matilda’s jaw clenched. "What is she doing here, mother? And who is she with?"

Matilda was as curious as Sasha, and she hated that she had no answers. "I don’t know, honey."

Sasha eyed Evelyn. The woman didn’t look poor, but she doubted Evelyn was wealthy since she was associating with Ava. An idea suddenly came to her mind, and she smiled. "I wonder why Ava is associating with someone like this," Sasha said with fake concern. "Something tells me she’s definitely the reason why Ava’s attitude has changed, and why she’s suddenly sleeping over at men’s place." She held her mouth as a thought came to her head. "Don’t tell me... Is Ava now a prostitute? Is it how she’s able to afford these?"

At Sasha’s words, Matilda felt like going mad. "I thought I was chased out of the private sector because of someone important. Who would’ve thought that it was just you, Ava," Matilda sneered, and her eyes shifted to Evelyn, "with whoever this is."

When Sasha’s eyes fell on Evelyn, she frowned. "Are you not going to tell mother who she is, Ava?"

Ava, who had been shocked since they walked in stared at Matilda and Sasha nonchalantly.

Evelyn turned to Ava. "Do you know them?" She asked softly, and Ava simply shook her head. "No, Evelyn. They’re strangers to me."

Matilda and Sasha’s eyes widened. "Ava Whitlock!" Sasha yelled. "You openly reject your family for that peasant over there who obviously cannot even afford what she’s holding in her hands?! How shameless can you be?!"

Matilda flared. "We were generous enough to accept your retched ass into our family and you have the effontery to say you don’t know me?!"

Sasha turned to Violet. "Miss, I advise you take those necklaces and dresses from them. Call security if possible. We know Ava. She is a thief and the woman beside her is the one misleading her. How can a child reject her own mother openly in public without feeling shame?!"