I'm looking at some clothes as we pass by these boutiques. The clothes are beautiful, but it seems like I can't afford them because the prices are staggering. We stopped at a fancy boutique, and my eyes widened when I realized the brand displayed.

"A-Alex, are you going in? I'll wait for you outside," I said, feeling nervous. I usually only see these brands on social media, and even just their bags are so expensive.

"Why? You don't like the Gucci brand? Do you prefer Chanel or Versace? We can go there after this," Doesn't he hear himself? He just mentioned it like a normal boutique! The value of the items here is more than my tuition fees!

"No, I mean... It's too expensive, Alex. I'm not used to expensive brands," I can only afford thrift store items, and I can only admire these luxury boutiques from a distance. I feel inadequate, to be honest.

"Get used to it. I'll spoil you as per our contract. It's my duty to fulfill your desires."

I didn't choose to be matched with him. It was either him or the company, but I can't shake off the feeling that I'm not accustomed to a lavish life. I've dreamed of wealth too, but deep down, I still want to live a simple life even if I become well-off.

Won't you ask me to pay for the things we buy after the contract?" I asked, feeling concerned. What if he's just spoiling me now and plans to bill me later?

He furrowed his brow while looking at me. "Why would I do that? All of the things I will buy for you are yours. I won't charge you."

"Really?"

He gave a faint smile. "Yes. So choose whatever you want. I will buy it."

Reluctantly, I followed his lead. He offered his arm, and I took it as we walked inside. One of the staff members approached us with a smiling face. I caught her looking at Alex, and I noticed her jaw dropping. Is she daydreaming? I can't blame her; Alex is so handsome that he looks like he has royal blood, but I didn't ask that because he might think I'm interested in him, even if it's just a little.

"Hello, sir. What would you like to buy?" The woman looked at Alex, and I saw her gaping at him. Is she daydreaming? I can't blame her; Alex is so handsome that he looks like he has royal blood, but I didn't ask that because he might think I'm interested in him, even if it's just a little.

"Bring me your latest designs. I'll buy them all. Make sure they all suit my girlfriend," Girlfriend? Why is he claiming me? The woman's smile vanished when she realized where he was looking, and she even glanced at my clothes, which made me feel self-conscious."

"What's wrong with my clothes? Wearing an oversized T-shirt, short shorts, and rubber shoes is comfortable, right? I even wear my sunglasses indoors at the mall."

She rolled her eyes at me, and I furrowed my brow. What's her problem? It's not like she's a beauty queen. Her blush is so heavy it looks like she just got slapped. Should I add to it?

"This way, Ma'am," I glanced at Alex before following the woman. She guided me to the displayed clothes. She let me choose, and I was relieved because I thought she might act snobbish like earlier. I didn't do anything wrong in the first place.

I even picked some heels and a bag that she recommended. I wanted to ask about the prices, but I felt shy because she might say we're picking them out and then find out we can't afford them.

I tried on several outfits, but I ended up choosing the simpler ones that suited my taste.

When I came out of the dressing room, I was surprised because the clothes I had tried on earlier were gone. Maybe the woman returned them since I was just picking what I liked.

I walked over to where Alex was at the counter. Had he finished choosing too? I needed to ask that woman if she had returned the clothes I picked.

I glanced at the numerous paper bags on top of the counter. There were so many of them; I wondered who they belonged to.

"Is this all, sir?" the cashier asked, and I noticed Alex approaching her, handing over his card.

"Bella, do you want to add anything else?" He turned to look at me.

"Huh?" I was puzzled. I had only picked those items.

"Is this all?" He gestured towards the multitude of paper bags. My eyes widened as I realized who they were for. Oh my goodness.

"D-Did I choose all of those?"

His forehead creased as if I had said something foolish.

"Of course, you personally chose these. Don't you remember?" I couldn't recall selecting this many items.

I looked around for that woman I was with earlier, but she was nowhere to be found. Did she disappear?

"Bella?" I glanced at Alex and the cashier who were waiting for my answer. I simply nodded to indicate that those were the items I had chosen.

I felt uneasy as I watched the men in black repeatedly entering and exiting the boutique and carrying the things I didn't intend to pick. I knew that woman had schemed this earlier. I swear I'd give her a piece of my mind if I ever saw her again.

"Let's go? We're still heading to another boutique," Alex suggested, and I was taken aback. Another boutique? Wasn't he concerned about the total cost of my purchases? I had seen a bag earlier that probably cost a million! Could I even return some of these items?

"Alex, you might go bankrupt because of this. I've already bought so much. Let's stop," I tried to reason with him, my tone filled with concern. He just tilted his head, smiling mysteriously at me.

"What are you saying? I really don't care about the prices. Don't worry; we haven't even spent half yet," he reassured me. "Not even half?" I repeated in disbelief. Could I still return some of these later?

He chuckled at my shocked reaction, and I stood there like a statue for a few seconds. Who wouldn't be surprised? He treated millions like they were just pocket change.

"Are you serious? Shouldn't we be buying items on sale? These are all brand new!" I started to feel guilty about my extravagant shopping spree. I was already contemplating returning some of the items when I had the chance.

"You can choose sale products after we finish choosing in another boutique," Alex suggested, and I sighed, deciding to go along with him. Maybe he had something he wanted to buy there, and I didn't want to seem ungrateful for his generosity, even though it left me in a state of disbelief.

We reached another expensive brand, and he told me to buy whatever I liked, but I declined because it felt like I had already spent enough. It was as if I could buy a house and lot with the amount I had spent.

Because he insisted, I had no choice. We looked like a couple having a heated argument outside the boutique. He wasn't backing down, so I adjusted.

I looked for swimsuits to wear in Hawaii. He mentioned that I needed to pick one because we wouldn't be going home immediately. Carlo had given me a one-week leave, so I had no choice.

I was debating whether the yellow one-piece or the white two-piece suited me better, so I decided to try the white one first. I'm no stranger to wearing swimsuits, especially since Shena often invites me on outings with her cousins.

"You don't have to choose. I will pay for it, so just put it in the bag," Alex suddenly said beside me. I saw him holding a coat that he had probably just tried on, given how freshly pressed it looked.

"I'm not sure if it'll look good on me," I replied, setting aside the items I had originally chosen. I really wanted to get both, but my fear that they wouldn't suit me held me back.

"Let me see you wear it," Alex suggested, and I blinked in surprise, momentarily deafened by the implications.

"W-what?" I stammered, struggling to process his words.

"I said, try it on. I'll be the judge," he repeated, a mischievous glint in his eye. My face turned crimson at the thought of trying on clothes in front of him.

"I-I'd rather not... I'll just take it," I mumbled, flustered. He smirked in response, clearly amused by my reaction. When I finally understood his hint, I playfully swatted his arm.

"What?" he chuckled, his expression teasing and unapologetic.

"Don't give me that 'what, what' look, Alex. I'm just glad I didn't agree," I said, rolling my eyes at him. He laughed in response. He's so cheerful, I wonder what got into Alex today?

After shopping, we decided to grab a meal because I was getting hungry. He let me choose where to eat, so I suggested a fast-food chain. I thought he might object, but he agreed right away. Does he eat here too?

We entered Jollibee, and I chose a table by the window, placing our shopping bags underneath. When I glanced at Alex, he seemed casually seated in front of me. Maybe he does eat here; I was just being judgmental.

I was about to stand up to place our order when Alex beat me to it. "I'll order. What would you like?" I looked at him in admiration.

"Wow, so you eat in places like this?" I asked.

"Yes, do I look like someone who doesn't eat fast food?" I paused for a moment before responding.

"I thought you didn't like it and were just doing it for my sake. Well, that's good to hear. We have something in common," I said, seeing his lips curve upward.

"We do?" What's wrong with acknowledging that? It's better if we have some similarities in other aspects so we can get along, right? Not in a romantic sense but in terms of our contract. We'll be together until the contract ends.

"Yes, because without common ground, we might end up arguing," Just like earlier, we had a little argument. It may be his money, but I don't want to take advantage of it.

"You're right. I'll order everything on the menu, and you can choose," he said casually. I quickly pulled his arm, causing him to look at me in surprise.

He had to bend down a bit while looking at me because he's so tall that our eyes would almost meet when we faced each other, making me crane my neck upward. "What?" he asked, puzzled.

"Don't order everything, Alex. We can't finish all of that, right? I thought you eat like this? Do you usually order this much?"

"Yes, I do. I give the extra to other customers. I really don't like packing it to bring home." Fortunately, he's kind-hearted enough to share, but it would be better if he ordered what we can actually eat.

I didn't let go of him. "Just order two sets, Alex. You can't do that anytime you're here." The furrow in his brow disappeared, as if he understood me.

"Alright, if you say so." I released him, and he walked over to the counter. I couldn't hear what he was saying to the cashier, so I just minded my own business and took my phone out of my bag.

I received messages from Shena, asking how our outing with Alex was going. I had messaged her earlier in the morning, telling her that we had some errands to run before heading to Hawaii.

After replying to Shena, I opened my camera and took a selfie. I snapped several shots before putting my phone down when I noticed familiar faces passing by outside. We were sitting by a glass wall, so I could see clearly who was walking past.

I squinted my eyes to get a better look at them. I remembered the guy; he was with Shena's cousin. He had even asked about my course that night. Oh right, it's Michael! But who was the girl with him? She looked familiar.

"Hey, something's wrong?" I turned to Alex, who had just arrived with a tray. He placed it on the table, and I saw he had ordered for both of us. I hadn't told him what I wanted, so maybe he took the initiative. That was fine with me because I liked what he ordered, especially since I was craving rice.

"I just saw someone I know pass by, but I don't think they saw me," I said while savoring the delicious smell of the chicken. I missed this!

He sat down and started eating his burger, trying to open the ketchup packets. I observed him, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get them open. It was amusing to see him getting frustrated.

"Need some assistance, Mr. Billionaire?" I grinned at him.

He mockingly looked serious and replied, "It appears I require the aid of a ketchup extraction expert."

I casually opened the ketchup packet and handed it to Alex. He pretended to bow in gratitude before squeezing it a bit too enthusiastically, resulting in a ketchup explosion.

I struggled to hold back my laughter at the sight. "Well, I guess the ketchup was really excited to meet your fries."

He wiped the ketchup off his clothes with a tissue. "The feeling is mutual, I assure you." I burst into laughter at his response, and he joined in, laughing along with me.

As we finished our meal, I realized that Alex was not what I had initially expected. He was easygoing and willing to join in on whatever I was doing, which made me feel more at ease around him. I hoped that these three months with him would lead us to trust each other, even if it was just as friends.

We chatted about various topics before leaving the restaurant. As we walked toward the exit, I suddenly felt the need to use the restroom. I stopped walking, and Alex turned to look at me.

"Alex, I'll just go to the restroom first," I said, and he approached me, taking the shopping bags from my hands.

"Okay, I'll wait for you. I'll drop these off at the car," he replied with a nod. I walked toward the nearby restroom. When I entered, it was empty, so I chose the first toilet.

"Did you see that guy outside? He's the one I had a three-month rule contract with last year!" My heart skipped a beat when I overheard this conversation.

"Really? He's the one you said you could have been with if his ex-wife didn't come back?" Another voice chimed in. They were probably three women, and one of them entered the adjacent toilet.

"Yes, I didn't know that girl was crazy. If you only knew what happened, I ended up in the hospital. So after my contract with him ended, I never contacted him again. I heard he's on another contract now. If I were him, I'd finish things with his ex-wife first before fooling around with someone else. It's a waste because I became a millionaire in a few months. Tsk."

"But girl, you were really close to dying. It's better to cut ties with them for now. What's the use of money if you're going to die because of a crazy wife?" I heard the girl who had just exited the cubicle say.

"I've moved on anyway. Let's go, my boyfriend is waiting for me." Her final words before they left the restroom. I stood up, but I wasn't planning to leave just yet.

As the voices faded outside, I exited the restroom and headed to the vanity area to wash my hands.