Silas Deane! pal!

Silas collapsed in his chair, sighing. He took out his phone and stared at it. This morning, Fiona didn't bother speaking to him. He tried to talk to her, but she ignored him. Even now, she has neither texted nor called.

What's with women and being so complicated? He wondered, sighing in frustration. He doubted Fiona would stay mad at him for long, not when he knew how much she loved expensive materials.

A fitting necklace worth thousands should be enough to get her back.

By noon, Wanda was in a multi-store shopping for new school supplies. Silas had told her that Andy would be discharged soon, she needed to prepare for Andy's school resumption.

Humming a soft tune, Wanda searched the aisles. She made a quick turn and bumped hard into someone.

“Fucking bitch!” The middle-aged man in a green shirt cursed after his coffee spilled on the floor. “Can't you see where you're walking?” The man angrily asked

Wanda immediately apologized “I'm so sorry, I..I didn't see you there”

The man scoffed, hissing in frustration “And my coffee? Do you think your apology is gonna fix it?”

Wana rummaged through her bag while saying hastily “I..I'll pay you back for it”

The man's eyes sized her, she looked so frail and an easy target for manipulation. “And what about my shirt? It’s ruined too. Are you gonna pay for it as well?” The man asked and Wanda looked at him with creased brows.

His shirt was barely even soiled but Wanda couldn't bring herself to argue. “I...I'llpay for that as well,” she said.

A smug smile spread across the man's face, but his smile was short-lived as a third party entered the scene. “What's going on?”

Wanda looked behind at the sound of his voice. “Dr Deane?” He stood towering over her with his hands tucked into his pockets. His calm yet firm expression, punctuated by his chiseled features, gave off a malevolent charm.

Wanda was just about to ask what he was doing here but the man cut in rudely “Hey lady, my shirt isn't getting any cleaner”

Silas narrowed his eyes on the middle-aged man. Wanda was too naive to see his tricks. Before Wanda could give her money, Silas pulled her wrist to the man's view.

“You're talking about your fucking shirt when this lady's wrist got burned?” Silas asked irritably. Wanda was surprised, how did he know?

The man took a step back and sneered “How is that my fault? She bumped into me first,”

Wanda nodded “It's true, Dr Deane, I'm the one who-”

“Quiet,” Silas said firmly, and Wanda pursed her lips shut. He dipped his hand into his pocket and threw a bunch of cash at the man “There, go buy yourself a new shirt, and while you're at it, buy a guidebook on how to be less of an ass”

The man picked up the money and left.

Silas stood proud, awaiting Wanda's usual line of ‘Thank you, Dr Deane, you're the best!’— the last bit is exaggerated — instead, she offered money to him, prompting his brows to crease in question.

“Here, you gave him 50 dollars; I only have 20 at the moment; I'll give the rest later,” said Wanda.

Silas stared at her half-amused “50 dollars is barely anything to me”

“It's not about the money, Dr Deane; I don't want to owe any favors,” she said seriously. Silas sighed, took the money from her, and placed it in her bag.

He leaned in, staring deeply into her eyes, and said “I'm not sure what to use 20 dollars for right now so you keep it”

Wanda blinked, unable to remove the image of his hazel-colored eyes from her mind. Her lips remained slightly parted, she couldn't utter a word as she watched him leave.

The two met again outside the store where Silas was moved to invite Wanda to have lunch with him.

Wanda was reluctant at first but agreed on the terms that she would be paying for his meal.

Wanda's eyes widened at the menu and the prices, even the cheapest food was expensive. ‘He had to pick such an expensive cafe,’ she smiled bitterly, her thoughts escaping her lips.

Silas chuckled at her distressed look “You know, it's no trouble if I pay for us both” he said

Wanda squinted her eyes “Are you implying that I'm poor and can't afford a fancy cafe?”

“What? No, of course not” Silas replied almost immediately, sinking into his chair at her playful glare.

Wanda sighed; she could afford it, but it would cost her a lot. Recalling, she almost smacked herself. She was so engrossed in paying back that she forgot to say thanks.

“Thank you for stepping in today, even though it wasn't necessary,” said Wanda.

“Necessary? That man was clearly bullying you into paying his entire shopping list” Silas scoffed

“I was handling it” Wanda looked away, rubbing her reddened wrist,” Silas noticed it and said with a sigh “I can prescribe an ointment for that”

Wanda said nothing in return. She couldn't believe herself thinking that maybe he had taken a liking to her as James had warned, but then she remembered the name Fiona Hart and quickly brushed off the thought.

Just when the food was about to be served, a charismatic presence greeted them. “Silas Deane! Pal!” James happily entered the scene.