The rest of the morning passed more peacefully than either of them expected. Yuna stayed near Ethan while he handled several calls regarding the upcoming press conference, and even though most of the conversations involved business terms she barely understood, she found herself quietly watching him the entire time.
The way he spoke.
The way people immediately listened when he gave instructions.
The calm authority in his voice.
It reminded her again that Ethan lived in a world completely different from ordinary people.
A dangerous world.
A powerful world.
And somehow now, she stood beside him inside it.
By afternoon, Ethan finally placed his phone down on the table and looked toward her. "The conference location is confirmed."
Yuna, who had been sitting curled up on the couch scrolling through random dress designs on her tablet, immediately looked up. "Already?"
"Yes."
"You really move frighteningly fast."
"That's why I succeed."
Yuna rolled her eyes dramatically before suddenly sitting up straighter.
"Ethan."
"Hm?"
"I need a dress."
"You have closets full of dresses."
"Not for this."
Ethan looked at her calmly. "What's wrong with your old ones?"
Yuna stared at him in disbelief. "This is my comeback conference."
"And?"
"And I need the perfect dress."
Ethan stayed silent for a second before sighing quietly, already understanding where this was going.
"And jewelry," Yuna added immediately.
Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly. "Of course."
Yuna smiled brightly. "Take me shopping."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
"Ethan."
He crossed his arms. "You're recovering."
"I'm recovering emotionally through shopping."
"That's not medically approved."
"It should be."
Ethan looked at her for a long moment before finally shaking his head faintly.
"You're impossible."
Yuna immediately smiled wider because she already knew that meant yes.
An hour later, they were downstairs in the private parking area beneath the penthouse. A sleek black Mercedes waited under the dim lights while security staff stood nearby respectfully.
Yuna looked happier than she had in weeks.
And Ethan noticed every second of it.
As soon as he opened the passenger door for her, Yuna blinked in surprise.
"You're opening doors now too?"
Ethan looked unimpressed. "Get in before I change my mind."
She laughed softly before slipping into the seat anyway.
The drive toward the luxury mall felt strangely normal.
Yuna sat beside Ethan quietly at first, watching the city pass outside the windows while soft music played inside the car. People crowded the streets below, living ordinary lives completely unaware of the complicated world surrounding the two people inside the Mercedes.
After a while, Yuna looked at Ethan suddenly.
"What?"
"You really hate shopping, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you coming?"
Ethan kept his eyes forward calmly. "Because if I let you go alone, you'll probably buy something ridiculous."
Yuna gasped dramatically. "My fashion sense is amazing."
"You once bought shoes you couldn't even walk in."
"They were beautiful."
"You fell twice."
"They were still beautiful."
A faint smirk appeared briefly on Ethan's lips before disappearing again.
Yuna noticed immediately.
"There it is again."
"What?"
"That tiny smile."
"You imagine too much."
Yuna shook her head while laughing quietly.
The moment they arrived at the luxury shopping complex, the atmosphere changed completely.
The mall was massive, glowing beneath endless crystal lights and towering glass ceilings. Expensive stores lined every floor, their displays filled with designer clothing, jewelry, luxury watches, and rare collections most people could only dream about touching.
And it was crowded.
Incredibly crowded.
The weekend rush filled every corner of the building. Wealthy families, influencers, tourists, businessmen, celebrities—all moving through the enormous space beneath the glittering lights and giant digital screens.
Voices echoed everywhere.
Music played softly from hidden speakers.
Luxury perfume lingered in the air.
Yuna stepped out of the Mercedes slowly, immediately taking in the scene around her.
"It's so crowded," she murmured.
Ethan stepped beside her calmly. "That's because normal people shop here too."
Yuna looked at him. "You say that like you own the building."
Ethan stayed silent.
Yuna blinked slowly. "Wait."
Ethan looked away slightly.
"You own this mall too?!"
"It's partially owned."
"You're insane."
"That's not news."
Yuna laughed again before the two of them entered together.
The moment they stepped inside, people immediately started recognizing them.
Whispers spread quickly.
"Isn't that Ethan Devereaux?"
"That's Yuna—"
"She disappeared for weeks—"
"Are they together?"
Phones slowly started lifting discreetly around them.
Yuna instinctively tensed slightly at the sudden attention.
But before anxiety could fully settle in, Ethan's hand moved calmly against the small of her back, guiding her forward protectively.
The simple gesture steadied her instantly.
And surprisingly—
He didn't let go.
They walked through the crowded floors together while security followed at a respectful distance behind them. Expensive stores opened their doors immediately the moment Ethan approached, staff members greeting him nervously and respectfully.
Yuna stared at everything around her.
Huge chandeliers reflected across polished marble floors.
Designer gowns shimmered behind glass displays.
Jewelry stores sparkled like entire rooms made from diamonds.
It felt unreal.
Then Ethan led her into one particular boutique located on the highest luxury floor.
The moment they entered, the atmosphere changed entirely.
The store was breathtakingly elegant—soft golden lighting, velvet seating, walls lined with custom designer dresses that looked more like art than clothing.
Only the richest clients entered places like this.
The manager himself rushed forward immediately.
"Mr. Devereaux."
Ethan nodded once. "She needs a dress for a press conference."
The manager's attention immediately shifted toward Yuna with recognition.
"Of course," he said quickly. "We prepared several exclusive designs already."
Yuna blinked. "Prepared?"
Ethan looked calm. "I sent them your measurements earlier."
Yuna stared at him in shock. "You planned this too?"
"You're surprised again?"
Before she could argue, several assistants carefully brought out gowns one by one.
And every single dress looked impossibly beautiful.
Silk.
Diamonds.
Hand embroidery.
Elegant cuts that shimmered beneath the soft lights.
Yuna walked slowly between them, almost afraid to touch anything.
"These are insane…"
One dress in particular caught her attention immediately.
It was breathtaking.
A deep silver gown with delicate crystal detailing flowing across the fabric like falling stars. The material shimmered softly every time it moved, elegant without looking excessive. The neckline was graceful, the silhouette perfectly fitted, luxurious enough that it looked untouchable.
Yuna stared at it speechlessly.
The manager smiled proudly. "That piece was custom designed. Only one exists."
Yuna looked at Ethan slowly. "How much is this?"
The manager named a number.
Yuna almost choked.
"That's a house."
Ethan looked completely unbothered. "Try it."
"Ethan—"
"Try it."
A few minutes later, Yuna stepped out from the dressing area wearing the gown.
And the entire room went silent.
Even the assistants paused.
The silver fabric flowed around her perfectly, making her look elegant, powerful, untouchable. Her hair fell softly over her shoulders while the crystals reflected light across her skin beautifully.
Ethan looked up from his phone.
Then froze completely for one full second.
Yuna noticed immediately.
"Well?"
Ethan stayed silent longer than usual.
The manager smiled carefully. "It suits her perfectly."
Yuna looked directly at Ethan. "Say something."
His eyes slowly moved across her before finally meeting hers again.
"…Take it."
Yuna blinked. "That's your compliment?"
"It means you look beautiful."
She smiled slowly after hearing that.
Then the jewelry shopping began.
And Ethan bought everything.
Diamond earrings.
Bracelets.
Custom heels.
Luxury bags.
Necklaces so expensive Yuna stopped asking prices entirely.
At some point she simply stood there watching him sign payment after payment without hesitation.
"Ethan," she whispered eventually, "you're buying too much."
"You said you needed jewelry."
"I didn't mean half the store."
"You'll use it eventually."
Yuna stared at him while he calmly approved another purchase.
"You really spoil people without realizing it."
Ethan glanced at her briefly. "Only people I care about."
The answer came naturally.
Too naturally.
Yuna's heart softened instantly again.
And standing there in the middle of the crowded luxury mall, surrounded by lights, expensive fabrics, endless noise, and people secretly staring at them—
Yuna suddenly realized something quietly dangerous.
For the first time in a very long time—
She was genuinely excited for tomorrow.