Chapter 11: Wasn’t this a shopping trip!?

It has now been a couple weeks since the food poisoning fiasco. I can safely say that the feeling of food poisoning is not a pleasant one… what did Claire even put in it to make me so sick… wait... I actually don’t want to know.

“Good morning Ms. Mason.”

I walk into first class and sit in my desk.

“Mornin maggot”

Such a crazy teacher!

…

After a while, first class starts.

“So today on the list of things to do announce October’s events and birthdays. For the events, there will be a festival prepared by the various businesses owned by the parents of the students of this school.”

A festival? Why? I raise my hand to ask. Ms. Mason points to me.

“Why would there be a festival now?”

“I think it may be more appropriate to call it a giant Halloween party. Does that answer your question?”

“Yes ma’am!”

I respond quickly in fear of getting a random object thrown at me.

“Continuing on, the festival will be on the 29th, which happens to fall on a Saturday. Classes will go on as usual as none of the students are going to help with staffing… save for the student council and disciplinary committee. The student council will be helping decide places for the businesses, and will be figuring out fees and helping to order supplies.”

No! Those are almost all going to be my job!

My head hits the desk and stays there.

“Furthermore, the disciplinary committee will be there to correct any misconduct, so please be careful. Anyone kicked out of the festival will be banned from re-entering.”

The students all start to talk to each other about what their parents will be doing.

“Shut up you brats! Some of us have a schedule to keep!” All the students stop talking at the same time, “Now then. On top of all that there is only one birthday in this class this month. The 23rd will be Logan Redwood’s 19th birthday. Everyone make sure to congratulate him then.”

Oh yeah. Birthdays.

Woo.

Where’s my enthusiasm you ask?

Well, I don’t enjoy birthdays. To me it is just marks another year going by.

Well. I guess it does matter a little bit. At certain ages you get certain privileges. Like being able to drive, or start drinking.

“Now then, that should be everything, so on to your next class you maggots!”

““YES MA’AM!”” the entire class shouts at the same time.

I wonder if her character will stabilize.

…

“Hey Logan… umm… how old are you?”

That’s a serious question that should have been asked a while ago you know?

“I am 18, Claire. If I was to guess, you are the same, am I right?”

Claire nods in response to my question. I wonder why Claire would ask that suddenly. Ah, I wonder when her birthday is… I’m really slow at this kind of thing.

“My birthday is January 15th, just in case you were wondering… you had that look on your face.”

“’That look on my face.’ What does that mean?” I seriously ask Claire.

“Well, when you think about something, it changes your expression. I wouldn’t call you easy to read… maybe slightly less challenging than the normal person?”

“Why say it like a question!?”

“Because you react funny?”

Clapping comes from beside us.

“Okay, okay. That’s enough lovey dovey atmosphere in a public place for one day. Just shut up, and eat your lunches before I kill someone.”

That was Amy.

She talks on occasion, but it is mostly to try and get Claire and I out of this weird atmosphere that I thought I would never end up in.

I really need to thank Amy at some point. She really has helped me out a lot over the past few weeks.

She helped me in English while Claire was busy writing a speech to give to the students, and she helped me when I was stumped for an answer during Biology. Well, that is the only class we share.

It doesn’t seem like much… but I really should get her something… I hate the feeling of owing people things.

…

“Hey Claire, if I was going to get a gift for a girl you know that has been helping me a lot recently, what would I get her?”

“Logan…” A dark aura suddenly oozes from Claire, “Is there someone you aren’t telling me about?”

“Woah there!” I raise my arms and deny it as quickly as possible, “I said that wrong! I’m talking about Amy! She has been helping me with my school work when I can’t rely on you.”

“Can’t rely on me?” Her head drops down.

Why can’t I do this right!?

“Claire. I love you… and… umm……”

“The words thou are searching for are, ‘I will rely on you to help me choose the gift, please change first milady’. So I declare.”

“I will rely on you to help me choose the gift, please change first milady.” I say the lines without thinking twice about where they came from.

“Yeah!” Claire hugs me and then runs off to the direction of our room.

I wonder who gave me that idea. I turn around and see a familiar face.

“Hey, you’re the guy that started the ‘Ryan’s Fault club’. I’m surprised that was approved to be honest. Ah, and thanks for the advice on what to say, I always seem to fumble at important moments.”

“Not an issue good sir. I will formally introduce myself as Saunderson Scott. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Ah, I am Logan Redwood. Likewise.”

I shake his hand… isn’t the way he talks a little weird? Nah, it doesn’t matter, he helped me… wait… why are so many people helping me!?

This is horrible.

“I hope we can be friends in the near future Logan. I shall see you another time. My captive has escaped before I could do anything to him.”

That sounds like an awfully dangerous statement. I shall just pretend I heard nothing, it is most likely safer for me that way.

“See ya ‘round Saunderson.”

“I’m back Logan!” Claire runs back as Saunderson disappears around a corner. “I changed and then thought, ‘Since we are going out, I may as well bring you to all my favourite stores while we are out!’ So, I changed, but then decided the school uniform was the best clothing for today!”

“Okay Claire.” I smile as I kiss her. We were at the front gate of the school. I had planned to go out today from the beginning. What’s a few more stores?

…

Wait? Did I say a few?

Well, apparently, there was a train station nearby, who could have guessed that?

Anyways, it was a bullet train that went straight to a large city with the mall titled as “The World’s Largest 24 Hour Shopping Mall!’”

Was I excited when I heard about it?

No.

However, it should be okay as tomorrow is the start of the weekend, so staying up all night with Claire isn’t a bad thing… wait, I should word that better. Being with Claire all night is… Okay, let’s stop before I dig myself a deeper hole.

“Do I look good in this Logan?” Claire models a form fitting red dress that goes to her knees. The chest has a ‘V’ that goes to just above her belly button and the two sides are connected by lace.

I nod quickly. I have a question about a dress like that though…

“It looks great… just a question that bothers me a bit… Do you wear a bra when you wear that type of dress?”

Claire’s face goes almost as red as her dress.

“Well… not always…”

“I see…” My eyes unintentionally float to her chest.

Meh, oh well. I’m married to her, why wouldn’t I be allowed to stare where I want to?

“Logan… t-that’s embarrassing…”

I notice the stares of hatred from other people floating in my general direction… I think it would be best to wrap this up soon.

“Excuse me again, but did you like this dress madam?”

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“Yes…” Claire looks to me and I nod, she clearly wants this dress. I don’t know the price tag, nor do I want to know. For now, it’s not my money.

“Then would you like to keep wearing the dress instead of changing back into your clothes? We can run the purchase through whether you wear the dress or not.”

Claire looks to me. I shrug my shoulders and mouth, ‘Up to you.’

“I will buy this dress while wearing it. My husband likes it. I plan to take him out for a nice dinner after.”

“Oh my, so young and already married, congratulations. For a nice place, may I recommend ‘The Autumn Heaven’ across the mall. The place has amazing food that I bet would suit your tastes.”

“I see, I will take that into consideration.” Claire looks to me and I stand up to walk with her. “Logan, where do you want to eat?”

“Doesn’t matter to me. I am happy as long as you are happy… and anyways. Even if I wanted to go there, I have a feeling that I am not dressed formally enough in order to look at the place.” I grab Claire’s clothes from the changing room for her, well, as a man, I was obligated to carry her things for her.

This was hopefully the last store we were going to be in.

“If you need something nice to wear and want to have it match your wife here, may I suggest a simple black tuxedo. I think it will make you two look perfect together.”

“Oh, that would be amazing!” Claire gets oddly exited to see me in a tux… It kind of worries me a little.

Is this punishment for staring at her!?

…

Ah, this tux is really comfortable.

The price… $4000……..

What do I do? I feel like my life is on the line when I wear this suit… if it rips while I try it on… I might be forced to work here too… It wasn’t the most unpleasant thing to be forced to work… but I won’t say it was fun.

I slowly walk out from the fitting room.

Claire sees me and her eyes light up.

“Logan you look incredible in that!”

“Thanks…” I look at my feet not knowing what else to say in this situation. “I hope this is nice enough that I can get in to that restaurant. I am a little worried I don’t look good enough for Claire…”

Claire walks up to me and kisses me.

“It doesn’t matter what you look like Logan, I will love you no matter what.”

“I love you too Claire.” I wrap my arms around her and gently kiss her on the lips.

“Ahem… may I suggest you wait until you get home to do that? I wouldn’t say a store is the best place.” The saleswoman carefully advises us.

““Sorry.”” Claire and I both apologize and blush at the same time.

…

“We normally do not take walk-ins, but after realizing who you two are, it would be rude of me to turn you away. Right this way please.” We were greeted by a man with a thick French accent.

Oh… so it is one of these fancy types of restaurants… I’m a little nervous. The prices must be insane!

After we are led to a table I pull out Claire’s chair for her.

“Thank you darling.” This is it! The first time she has called me darling! Yes! My life is complete!

Well… not quite yet, but… another thing off the list!

Claire and I were handed menus and another menu with a list of alcoholic beverages…

Insane! $90 for a glass of wine!?

I was going to offer to try and pay, but just two glasses of wine would put me in the red!

Claire doesn’t notice my grief and starts to order.

“I will have a glass of this please.” Claire points to an item on the drink menu, as she couldn’t be bothered to try and pronounce it.

“Umm… Claire… are you sure you should be drinking… we all know what happened last time…” I try to warn Claire so that she doesn’t make a choice.

“If worst comes to worst, we can just call Hillary to come and get us. My assigned staff doesn’t drive a car, so it is impossible for her to come and get us.”

“I see… then I will just have water with a lemon in it please.”

“Of course, I will be right back with your drinks to get the rest of your order.” The waiter bows and walks away.

…

“Hey Claire, you got that drink, but all you’ve done is drink my water… is something wrong?”

“Yeah,” Claire nods slowly. “I didn’t want to come here at first, but I figured it would be fine if you were with me.”

“Young master is here!” A waiter from the front shouts to the back.

Why do I have a bad feeling about this?

“No need for anything today. I came here for a reason!”

I know this voice… who is it? Ugh, I can’t see anything, they sat us in a horrible location.

From the opposite direction to the way I was looking I hear a voice.

“Claire! How perfect for you to be here!”

I turn around… and… Ryan!? What!? Why is he here!?

“Ryan. Why are you bothering me during a date with my husband?” Claire’s voice lost its sweet tone and now has the sharp edge of a business woman.

Whispers go around the room. ‘Husband?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Who’d she marry?’ ‘Some guy named Logan… I think.’ ‘My butlers said it was a televised wedding.’

“Oh, this is your husband? With how he looks I thought he was your butler you were about to fire.”

It hurts you know! I have a pride! It doesn’t like to be stepped on!

“One warning Ryan. Leave me alone or…”

“Or what? Get your daddy to help you?”

“Knock it off Ryan. I’ve had enough.” I stand up and walk towards Ryan.

“Restrain him!” Several large men rush around the corner and pin me to the ground.

They cover my mouth so I can’t even scream.

“Claire. I love you.” Ryan gets down on one knee and pulls out a ring, “Will you marry me?”

“Not in a million years!” Claire stands up from the table and kicks him where no man should be kicked with her heels she bought today. “I’d rather die than marry scum like you!”

“NOOOOOOW!!!”

After the sound of multiple windows being smashed several people wearing bright blue clothing, complete with masks, run into the room.

“Everyone down on the ground!” the men shout into the room and everyone gets on the ground.

“Target Located!” A man walks beside Ryan and tosses him over his shoulder, “Target captured! Move out now!”

One of the men in the back lifts his mask at an angle I can see…

Saunderson!!!???

He puts the mask back down and runs out of the restaurant with the other men.

“Don’t just stand there! Go after them dammit!”

“They just jumped out the window!”

“Follow them! They must have a landing pad!”

“They are using parachutes!”

“The fuck!? How did the use those at this low altitude!? It’s only the fifth god damn floor!” A man slams the table. “Go to the predicted LZ and trap them there!”

“They are going towards helicopters on a nearby roof.”

“Follow them with our helicopter!”

“Sir! An incoming report!” Another man runs in the room, “We have reports that our helicopter has been dismantled.”

“How in the flying fuck did they manage all this in such a short amount of time!? God dammit! Send the men we have right now to the roof to repair the chopper. We need to work fast!” The man looks at the people on top of me, “Forget him! Go get my god damn son!”

““““Yes sir!””””

Everyone leaves the restaurant and Claire drags me to the side.

“Are you okay Logan? Did those men hurt you?”

“No… I’m fine… it’s just that… I don’t really know what happened just now.”

“Sorry Logan.” She kisses me on the cheek, “Just tying up loose ends.”

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Hello everyone!

Really busy today! Lots of things to do!

I hope you enjoyed the longer chapter!

As always, have a great day/night!