CHAPTER SEVEN

GOING SHOPPING

PENNY'S CAFE, ACHIEVERS UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 8 AM.

"Grey, don't you think this time you went a little too far, how could accuse Robin of scheming the entire accident, I know her very well, she would never risk the life of her brother for any reason. What happened was accidental and what you were supposed to do as a decent person, which you're not, was to help them to the hospital at least...," John was saying before Andrew cut him off.

"Hold it there Stacks, you have absolutely no right to yell at me, got it and you ocean eyes, I see you have a fan club already, everyone thinks I'm the bad guy now, huh? Is Stacks also one of the brainless guys you've captured under your spell?"

"No one is under any spell here, you're just being a big bully, you think you own everyone just because you're rich? Anyways, Miller hasn't given me any more info as regards our plan, so what else do I have to do?" Robin demanded calmly, despite how much she wanted to yell at him.

Just as Andrew was about to answer, John got a call and excused himself and at the same time, Harry arrived. "Andrew, you need anything?" He asked while pushing up his glasses, a thing he always did whenever he was nervous.

"Yeah, Robin would have to get a dress and shoes for the launch which I'm sure she doesn't have given her fashion sense and that's why I have to take her out to get that."

"But Drew, you're supposed to have a meeting with Mr. West, the Vice-Chancellor of our school, what...?"

Raising his right hand, he silenced Harry and answered, "You'll have to go for that meeting, send my greetings to him, okay? And also make sure every club member dresses according to the dress code for the launch party. That's all, you can go now, I think you have another lecture to attend, right?" He asked while still eyeing Robin, who kept fiddling with the zipper on her bag.

"Yes, I do. What about the issue with Miss Stevens, how do we resolve it, Drew?"

"You'll know at the party, now get going. I'm sure you don't wanna be late."

Harry simply nodded at Robin and quickly made his way out of the cafe. As he left, Robin found herself feeling uncomfortable under Andrew's heated gaze.

"Ocean eyes, you are free to tell me what you really want. We are here one on one, tell me why you chose to approach me this way."

Robin let out a sigh in exasperation, "How many times will I have to tell you? I only got to know about you after the accident, I didn't even know who you were until I searched your name on the school's forum, why can't you believe me. I only got to this school a month ago, so I'm not familiar with the students yet."

"You don't know anyone, so how come you know Stacks. His family's loaded and that's why you're after him but after discovering that I'm wealthier than him, you have seen me as a bigger catch, I don't blame you anyway, you girls just can't help it."

"I guess the slap, from the other day wasn't enough to set you straight, but you know what? I don't care what you think about me, John and I are just friends and I also don't need you to buy anything for me. If I'm gonna be coming for your stupid launch party, then I'll wear whatever I want, got it?" She replied as she stood to leave.

"Try leaving this cafe and I'll ruin your life for good, you don't wanna know how I'd do that. Now be a good girl and follow my lead," Andrew replied as he got to his feet and watched a tiny crease form on her forehead, as she seemed to be contemplating whether to go with him or not.

"Okay, but I'll have to text John to let him know I left with you."

"Sure text your little boyfriend, I don't care, just make it fast," he answered while scrolling through messages on his phone.

Robin quickly sent the text and they both left the cafe and made their way down to Evan's car, which Drew had earned for a week at Evans birthday party. It was a sleek red Ferrari of the latest make and instead of Robin feeling amazed and in awe of the car, she simply felt like he and his friends were all very extravagant.

Sighting the look on her face and mistaking it for being awestruck, Drew grinned and said, "You don't have to stand there looking all amazed, this is only Evans car, mine is a lot better and I have lots of cars also."

"I don't think I ever asked for that information, you're just so full of yourself. I don't give a damn about what you have or don't have, you can as well take your stupid fleet of cars and shove them down your throat," Robin replied with a scornful look across her face.

"Feisty huh, I love that and that's what I like about you redheads, you're always bubbling with fire just like a volcano ready to erupt, but you see, we don't have time for this chit chat, so get in the damn car already."

The drive was silent with only some soul music blaring from the speakers in the car. Sitting on the passenger seat, she had absolutely no idea as to where they were heading and she simply wished she could change everything back to when she hadn't met Andrew Alexander Grey. She took a glance at him when she heard him singing along to the music, he seemed to know all the lyrics of the songs and after several tracks played, she discovered it was the same artiste, probably his favourite and Andrew had a very nice voice for a guy, she had to admit to herself and she found herself feeling comfortable for the first time since she met him.

"So how's your brother doing now?" Andrew asked in a tight voice, his discomfiture obvious.

"He's still unconscious and the doctors think he'll come around in a few days. Why do you ask, I thought you don't care?"

"I've thought about everything and I think I was wrong even the guys think I'm also wrong. I shouldn't have reacted that way even after running him over. I'm not as bad as you might think and that's why I've cleared all the medical bills to show how sorry I am."

"It's alright, I forgive you and besides we'll soon part ways once the culprit is found, so there's no point hating you anymore."

"Yeah, we sure will," he replied with a certain edge to his tone and they fell back into silence.

The car came to a halt and a large shopping mall came into view, the name GS Shopping Mall was carved in large grey letters. Andrew came down and opened the door for her and then he gave his car keys to the valet, a guy in his thirties, who greeted, "Good morning, Mr. Grey," to which Andrew simply nodded at him and walked towards the entrance, with Robin following closely behind him. The security men at the revolving doors greeted also, one with a totally bald head and big belly and a younger guy in his early thirties.

"Drew, how are you and who's this pretty lady with you?" The older guy asked with a mischievous smile and engaged Andrew in a hug while the younger guy simply stared at Robin after greeting Andrew.

"I'm good Benny, how's your wife and kids?" He asked smiling. "They're good, Riley's so happy in the hostel now, though we miss him constantly."

"I'm sure of that, I also miss him. I'm here to get some things for my launch party in school today. This is Robin Stevens, a fellow student at school, Robin, this is Bennett Brown, a friend of mine."

"Hello pretty Robin, how are you doing?"

Stretching out her hand to shake his, she replied, "I'm doing great Sir, nice to meet you."

"The pleasure's all mine, Drew did I just hear you say launch party, Rachel's still so occupied with playing your other games and now you have another one, what's it called this time? I'm sure it's lovely just like the others."

"It's an arcade game and I'm sorry I can't reveal the name, not before the launch. I wish we could talk more, but Robin and I have to quickly get in now."

"Okay, go on in. I'll be heading home now, it's my niece's birthday party tonight and you know Margie, she won't let me off so easily if I get home late. Bye son and you too Robin," Benny said as he smiled and gave them both another hug before leaving.

"Who's Margie?" Robin asked when they got into the showroom. "She's Benny's wife and don't ask me about my relationship with them, because it's absolutely none of your business all you have to know is Benny's the Chief Security Officer here," just after saying that, three female attendants came to him.

"Good morning Mr. Grey, it's nice to have you here once again," one with shoulder-length brown hair said while eyeing Robin and ignoring her presence.

The entire mall kept whispering and pointing at him and some even took pictures.

"This is Robin Stevens and I want you guys to do a total makeover for her, she'll be accompanying me to a party this evening, but first, I want you to help her out in selecting suitable outfits for this weather."

The same attendant, whose name tag read Mabel answered with her lips spotting a smile, "Of course Sir, whatever you wish, you'll surely get," she answered as she eyed Robin's outfit.

A call to his phone had Andrew excusing himself and walking out of the showroom.

"I need to deal with some things, I'll come and pick you up at 3 pm and then we'll head over to the party, okay?" Andrew asked after answering the call.

"Sure, no problem," Robin replied, she was really surprised at Andrew's change in behaviour but decided not to think too much about it.

"Miss Stevens, it's a pleasure to help you out so tell us what style exactly are you looking out for? We have dresses, shoes and bags from top designers. What type of style are you into?" An attendant, whose name tag read Mabel asked in a friendly tone.

"Honestly, I don't know. I'm not really into dressing up, so I'll just go with whatever you guys think is good and please call me Robin. Thanks."

"Okay, Robin. We'll start with picking your dress, clutch and shoes then we'll do your manicure and pedicure and finally your hair and makeup. Is that okay by you?"

"Yes, but I would like minimal makeup please, I'm not really into cosmetics. The dress will have to be black, I don't wanna draw too much attention to myself."

"No problem Robin. Sandra get the black dresses from Stacey Cruise Collection ( A.N: I'm not sure if there's any designer like this, I just made the name up. ^_^) I assure you, you will love these dresses."

After hours of grooming and shopping, Robin selected a black V-neck double-breasted midi dress for the party. She wasn't a very feminine person and felt like it was the closest dress to her preferred style and some other regular jeans and T-shirts for her daily wear. She just couldn't understand why Andrew had to force her to buy all that stuff.

At 3 pm, Andrew returned to pick her up. He looked effortlessly handsome in a navy blue suit and black shoes, a black and white handkerchief was placed in his breast pocket and he had on a checkered tie. His black hair was gelled back and he completed the look with an expensive wristwatch and designer black shoes.

The sight of him through the mirror where she stood, looking at her reflection had Robin at loss for words and she had to admit to herself that he indeed was the most handsome guy she had ever seen. He walked into the showroom with his usual confident stride and paused as his eyes collided with hers through the mirror.

"Wow, you are indeed very gorgeous ocean eyes!" Andrew exclaimed with a smug smile playing on his lips.