As Tailsa continued venting about her previous encounters, she led James into an LV boutique.
A sales associate (SA) approached them, quickly sizing the pair up. The man was tall and charismatic, and the woman was absolutely radiant. The SA's smile became even warmer as she greeted them enthusiastically, "Welcome to Louis Vuitton. Is there anything I can help you with today?"
"We'll just browse for now," Tailsa replied politely.
"Of course, feel free to call me if you need anything," the SA said, stepping aside with a professional smile.
Luxury store sales associates, often called SA (Sales Associate) or BA (Beauty Advisor), were more than just clerks. They needed good looks, excellent social skills, and a college degreeâpreferably with fluency in English. Their high emotional intelligence and polished demeanor rarely gave anyone cause to dislike them.
Tailsa wandered over to the display case for bags, picked up a black handbag, and slung it over her shoulder. Turning to James, she asked with a sweet smile, "Big Brother, how do I look with this bag?"
James, a stereotypical straight man, couldn't have told the difference between a good bag and a bad one even if his life depended on it. Without so much as blinking, he said, "It looks great. Let's buy it."
??
Both Tailsa and the SA froze in surprise. This man hadn't even looked at the price tag before declaring he'd buy it?
Did he even realize how much luxury bags cost? Some of them were astronomically expensive.
Tailsa's expression shifted as she looked at James, her curiosity piqued. Leaning closer, she whispered, "Big Brother, this one costs over sixty thousand."
But James's expression didn't waver in the slightest. Sixty thousand? That was pocket change.
He smiled gently at her and said, "If you like it, I'll buy it for you."
It was a line James had rehearsed countless times in his head, and now he finally had the chance to say it out loud in front of others, basking in their stunned reactions.
The sheer joy he felt was indescribable.
No wonder people were willing to spend fortunes just to make a beautiful woman smile. At its core, it was all about the thrill of showing off. James could totally relate now.
Watching James's nonchalant demeanor, Tailsa's gaze grew soft and dreamy.
For a fleeting moment, she swore he was glowing, radiating a charm that was unmistakably masculine.
Before she knew it, she found herself leaning in, standing on tiptoe, and planting a light kiss on his cheek. With a shy smile, she murmured, "Big Brother, you're the best~"
James was completely caught off guard by the sudden kiss.
It was as though a faint electric current had danced across his cheek, leaving him both stunned and exhilarated.
He stared at her, his eyes wide with disbelief.
The campus belle was... this forward?
Seeing her blushing cheeks, James couldn't help but wonder what it might feel like to taste that red apple.
So far, he'd spent only $200,000, and things were already progressing this well.
What if he poured $10 million into this?
The mere thought of it had his nose tingling, as if a nosebleed was imminent.
At that moment, the system notification chimed in:
[Tailsa's Affection +5]
James was dumbfounded.
The waves of happiness came crashing in so hard and fast that he was left dizzy and unsure of what to do next.
At this rate, who knew where the day might end?
The thought of the black-stockinged campus belle's "special talent" flashed through his mind, and James couldn't help but smile in anticipation.
His gaze became heated as he stared at her.
Tailsa, who was busy examining the bag, caught his increasingly predatory smile out of the corner of her eye.
With a seductive glare, she warned him silently not to let his thoughts wander.
But James couldn't help himself.
Still, seeing the slight frown on her face, he knew better than to rush things. After all, patience was a virtue when it came to winning over women.
It took him a few moments to calm down.
After paying for the bag, they left the store, bags in hand, as the SA waved them off warmly.
They wandered around the mall for a bit longer, picking up a few smaller items like perfume, before arriving at a high-end boutique specializing in women's fashion.
It was September, the tail end of summer, and the racks were filled with floral dresses and other light, breezy clothing.
Tailsa selected a floral strap dress and headed into the fitting room.
When she stepped out, James was left speechless.
The dress hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her curves while maintaining a breezy, effortless elegance. The cinched waist highlighted her slender frame, and the flowing hem added a youthful charm.
The delicate straps rested on her soft, creamy shoulders, with her collarbones forming graceful lines that could leave any man mesmerized.
Having removed her stockings, her long, pale legs were on full display, standing tall and radiant.
"You... you look just like you did back in the day," James said, awestruck.
Tailsa twirled, lifting the hem of the dress slightly to glance down at herself. "Really? I feel like this looks a bit too girly."
"You are a girl," James said sincerely.
[Tailsa's Affection +5]
Wow, you could rack up affection points just by talking?
"Smooth talker," Tailsa teased, though her eyes glimmered with delight. "I'm already 26. Some of my girlfriends already have kids. Isn't it a bit embarrassing to dress like this?"
Despite her words, her gaze lingered longingly on the dress.
If James couldn't see through her act, all those novels he'd read would've been a complete waste.
Calling over the sales associate, he instructed, "Pack up her old clothes. She'll wear this one out."
Turning to Tailsa, he added, "Girls in their twenties should dress vibrantly."
The sales associate chimed in with a smile, "Sir, you have great taste. Your girlfriend looks amazing in this dress. It really shows off her figureâjust look at that tiny waist. I'm so jealous..."
James didn't care whether the compliments were genuine. He joined in, "Of course. She's prettier than any Korean celebrity I've ever seen."
Hearing the two of them shower her with praise, Tailsa's heart swelled with happiness.
Following James's suggestion, she had the tags cut off and wore the dress straight out of the store.
When she hooked her arm through his again, their skin brushed together directly this time, no longer separated by her earlier long-sleeved blouse.
The newfound intimacy made Tailsa feel a bit uneasy, her gaze darting elsewhere as she tried to ignore the subtle tension.
James, on the other hand, felt his heart pounding.
He looked at her like a hungry wolf staring at a delicate rabbit.
Leaning closer, he inhaled softly near her neck, letting her subtle fragrance wash over him. His voice was tinged with playful affection as he said, "Tailsa, did you change perfumes? You smell even better now."
Tailsa lifted her delicate fingers to her collar and sniffed lightly, her brows furrowing in confusion. "I don't smell anything different."
Her innocent gesture gave James an unintended peek at her smooth collarbones, which were as captivating as a work of art.
He stared, tongue-tied and unable to form a coherent sentence.
Noticing his ravenous gaze roaming over her, Tailsa realized he'd gotten an eyeful.
Blushing slightly, she stomped her foot in mock indignation and let out a soft "Pervert!" before letting go of his arm.
With a huff, she turned her head and pretended to storm off ahead of him.
James hurried after her, thinking about how scenes like this played out on TV. Usually, the guy would grab the girl by the shoulders, apologize softly, and make everything okay again.
Raising his arm, he reached for her shoulder but stopped just short, his hand hovering awkwardly. Chapter 6 (continued): Oh Please, I'm Just an "Old Auntie"
James hesitated, his hand frozen mid-air. Should he follow through? Wrap his arm around her like those smooth male leads on TV?
But looking at Tailsa's retreating figure, he couldn't help but lose his nerve.
No, better not. Don't rush it.
He awkwardly lowered his arm, catching up to her with a sheepish smile.
"Tailsa, wait up!" he called out.
Tailsa glanced back at him, still pretending to pout, but the corners of her lips curled up ever so slightly. She was clearly enjoying this little game.
"Humph!" she huffed dramatically. "Don't follow me, you big flirt!"
James grinned. "Come on, don't be mad. I wasn't even looking at anything. It's just... you're so pretty, it's hard not to stare."
Tailsa shot him a side-eye, trying to hold her stern expression, but her lips betrayed her as they curved upward into a faint smile.
"Well, just don't get any funny ideas," she said, lightly brushing her hair behind her ear. "Otherwise, I'll leave you here and finish shopping by myself."
James laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "I'll behave, I promise!"
Satisfied, Tailsa let him catch up and once again hooked her arm through his.
The two continued strolling through the mall, drawing more than a few curious glances. Tailsa's fresh and vibrant beauty, paired with her charming new dress, turned heads wherever they went. And though James still wasn't dressed like a billionaire, his refreshed appearance and confident demeanor made him look far more appealing.
As they walked, Tailsa seemed to ponder something.
"James," she began, her voice softer now, "do you ever think about settling down? You know, getting married and starting a family?"
James was caught off guard by the question.
"Uh... I guess I haven't thought about it much. I've been so focused on work these past few years, I didn't really have time for anything else."
Tailsa nodded, as if she'd expected that answer. "That's understandable. Successful men are always busy. But now that you've made it, shouldn't you start thinking about your future?"
James chuckled nervously, unsure of how to respond.
He'd never been asked such a serious question by a woman before, let alone someone like Tailsa.
"Well... maybe," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "But I'd need to find the right person first."
Tailsa's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "And what kind of person would that be? Someone like me?"
James's heart skipped a beat.
Her tone was playful, but her question carried a weight that he couldn't ignore.
"I mean..." He hesitated, feeling his face heat up. "Who wouldn't want someone like you?"
Tailsa giggled, clearly pleased with his answer.
"Careful, James," she teased, poking him lightly in the chest. "You're going to make me blush."
You're already blushing! James thought, though he wisely chose not to say it out loud.
The two continued their leisurely walk, occasionally stopping to browse a store or admire a display. As the afternoon wore on, James found himself growing more and more comfortable in Tailsa's presence.
Her playful teasing, her genuine smiles, and even the occasional moments of vulnerability made her seem less like the untouchable goddess he'd once admired and more like a real personâa person he wanted to know better.
And as they strolled through the mall, arm in arm, James couldn't help but feel that, for the first time in his life, he was exactly where he was meant to be.