The Black Swan Behind (Beauty of Fire)

106 Three Pretty Girls

So far, the old woman could only accept what her grandson gave her. She would smile and caress the boy’s head affectionately, pretending to be happy. But actually, what she needed the most was the presence of the grandson who could always accompany her in her old age. But, she understood that for the man who had suffered since his childhood, money was very important. According to him, money could buy happiness.

What she wanted.. At least, when she was gone from this world, her grandson wouldn’t regret about hadn’t made her happy. She just wanted to see her grandson smile, thinking that his grandmother had received enough happiness before closing her eyes forever.

Marcel led his grandmother to the fitting room. He waited outside the door which the behind was a room that large enough to contain several cubicles for the women’s fitting room with maroon curtains as the door.

Inside, the grandmother tried on three of the clothes her grandson had chosen. Before trying them, she took the time to look at the price tags first, and immediately felt a headache coming on her after realizing that they were very expensive.

But, what she could do? If she refused, then, her grandson would be disappointed.

“I’ll just try it and pretend that I don’t like it. I’ll pick the cheapest one.” She muttered to herself, thinking of how to save her grandson’s money without him realizing it.

“Hahaha.. You’re crazy, huh?!” A few girls giggled from the next room. The woman’s wrinkled forehead became wavier at the sound.

‘Sounds like young girls.’ The woman thought that with a faint smile. Hearing the muffled noise made her feel funny and remember how much fun it was to be a youth with friends. Indeed, young age was a golden moment for many people. It was the time when they have the energy and physical condition that was in their prime.

After trying on all the clothes that Marcel had chosen earlier, the grandmother finally put on the cheapest clothes that she would take outside to show her grandson. But, when she came out of the thick curtain of her cubicle, suddenly..

.....

BUGH!!

“Gosh! I’m so sorry, Ma’am! I’m so sorry!” A girl exclaimed as she tried to help her up.

The old woman held her old buttocks which hurt from hitting the wooden floor. She looked up, and saw a beautiful girl with red hair and light green irises that were similar to the colour of her dead son’s eyes.

“I’m really sorry, Ma’am. I didn’t know anyone was in that room. Are you all right?” Said the girl again by holding the body of the old woman in front of her.

“Sir.. sorry, you can’t come in. This is the women’s changing room!”

“My grandmother is in there alone! Get out of the way! Let me in!”

The noise from outside the door was heard in the changing room. The three girls and an old woman who were in there turned towards the door which suddenly opened with a man appearing behind it in a hurry.

“PB?!” The three girls muttered in unison.

Marcel or who had a nickname as PB a.k.a Prince Bold on campus, seemed surprised when he saw Emma Hilland, Kathy, and a girl he knew due to a viral video named Poppy Castonia. Why are they here?

“Marcel.. I’m fine. Just get out from here, please. You’ll be in trouble later.” The grandmother said by trying to stand, assisted by Kathy. She realized that her grandson was breaking into the women’s changing room.

“I’m sorry Ma’am. But, are you really PB’s grandmother?” Kathy asked after the old woman had stood up properly.

The old woman looked confused, “I’m sorry, you seem to have the wrong person, dear. I don’t know who PB is,”

The girls looked at each other with confused faces. However, they finally realized that they had not known PB’s real name. In fact, it seemed that almost all the people on campus didn’t know the real name of the man who looked like a charming Greek god.

“Please let us walk you out, Ma’am,” Poppy said suddenly. She was the first to wake up from her thought mind.

The four ladies came out of the changing room. They could even see two store staff seemed to be watching them with a slightly scared face, after seeing Marcel, who was on the verge of going into a rage when he heard his grandmother’s voice which seemed to be in danger.

Marcel saw his grandmother had left the room, then, immediately approached her, “What happened, Grandma?”

Kathy cleared her throat with a shy face, “I’m sorry, PB. I accidentally bumped into your grandmother, so she fell.”

Marcel’s face which usually looked very kind and friendly like an angel, suddenly turned into a face of hideous wrath that made the girls in front of him shocked.

“I’m fine, Marcel. She bumped me just a little. But my legs were just too weak that made me fall.” The grandmother said quickly, afraid that her grandson would throw a tantrum.

“Kathy didn’t do it on purpose. I hope you understand, PB.” Emma continued with a serious face.

After had been told, Marcel finally seemed to calm his temper and nodded, “Okay. I understand that it wasn’t intentional. Sorry if it made you girls uncomfortable.”

The girls shook their heads together, “No problem.”

“We’d better get out of this store. I feel bad for the staff we’ve bothered with.” The grandmother said to her grandson.

“What about the clothes? Have you picked one?” Marcel asked by looking at his grandmother.

The old woman nodded, “This dress. I like it. If I could, I would immediately wear it like this.” she said to hurry things up.

“Alright. I’ll pay for it.” Marcel answered by calling one of the store staff. Then, the female staff removed the clothing tag that was still stuck under the dress that was now attached to the old woman’s body, and then took it to the cashier.

Marcel glanced at his grandmother and glanced at the three girls before walking off to follow the store staff in the Christmas-themed uniform.

“Looks like I’ll have to go there too to pay for this,” Emma said by showing a pretty maroon mini dress in her hand.

Poppy and Kathy nodded together, “Okay. We’ll wait here.” Kathy replied.

Suddenly, PB’s grandmother cleared her throat to the two beautiful girls in front of her, “Looks like you girls know my grandson, don’t you?” she smiled kindly.

“Oh.. That’s true. Please forgive us. We didn’t know your grandson’s name was Marcel. On the campus, he was known as PB.” Kathy replied politely.

“Sorry if our first meeting was a little uncomfortable, Ma’am,” Poppy added.

The old woman shook her head, still smiling, “Don’t mind about it. It was an accident that could have happened to anyone.” Then, she raised her eyebrows looking at the two girls alternately, “By the way, what are your names? I didn’t even know my Marcel had girl-friends.”

“My name is Kathania Dusk. You can call me Kathy.” The girl with curly ginger hair answered by shaking the hand of the old woman in front of her.

“I’m Poppy Castonia,” The girl with the oriental cute face also shook the old woman’s hand.

“I’m Lilian Douglas. As you have known, I’m Marcel’s Grandmother.. or.. PB, I guess?”

“Nice to meet you, Ma’am. But first, I want to apologize if you misunderstood. Actually, we are not PB’s friends. We only know him because he is the popular guy on the campus.” Kathy continued again.

“Oh, he is? Haha...” Subconsciously, Lilian laughed proudly at that fact. The reason was, her grandson had never once told her about his school or college life. “So you all go to the same university, aren’t you?”

Kathy and Poppy nodded together with polite smiles on their faces.

“Well.. Now, what else do you guys know about my Marcel at his university? Can you tell me more?” She chuckled by covering her own mouth with her hand.

Kathy and Poppy couldn’t help but chuckle uncomfortably as they stared at each other, “Actually we don’t know much about him. But.. He’s popular and liked by many girls.” Kathy answered.

Lilian nodded in surprise, “I’m glad to hear that.” he said by looking at Kathy for a long time, “You know what? You have two very pretty green eyes.”

“R-really? Thank you.. You were the first to say that to me.” Kathy blushed.

“That means, they’re too jealous to admit it in front of you. You’re so beautiful.” Lilian replied by continuing to stare at those green eyes.

“Grandma, I’m done,” Marcel said as he walked closer.

“Oh.. We happened to be going out to dinner. Do you girls want to join?” Lilian asked the two girls.

“Oh.. We are so sorry, Ma’am, but, we’ve eaten and will go home after this. It just so happens that our house is far from here.” Poppy answered with a sorry face.

“But..”

Poppy immediately nudged Kathy in the ribs because she looked as she was about to protest. She must be thought about when else would they get the chance to have dinner with a Prince Bold who was very popular for his pretty looks?

Finally, Kathy fell silent and nodded approvingly, though still confused by Poppy’s actions. But she was sure Poppy had a reason to be so rude at her like this.

“Oh.. I see. Alright. Maybe another time, if we meet again.” Lillian smiled.

“Right. Then, excuse us, ladies.” Marcel said by leading his grandmother to leave the store.

“Bye, girls..” Lilian said before following her grandson.

“Goodbye..” Poppy replied.

“See you later.. Nice to meet you..” Kathy waved her hand excitedly.

“Hey.. what were you doing?” Kathy asked Poppy directly after the two of them had left the store’s glass door.

“We can’t come home too late. Our house is very far from here. Remember Emma who will drive us home.” Poppy answered.

Kathy immediately slapped her forehead, “I’m so stupid! You’re right, Poppy. Why didn’t I think of that earlier?” she muttered.

“Hem? Where are PB and his grandmother?” Asked Emma who had come with a shopping bag in her hand.

“Huh? Oh.. They’re already gone, Emma.” Kathy answered quickly.

Poppy nodded then looked at her watch, “We’d better get home soon, Emma. It’s getting late.”

“Is that all right? If you guys still want to go around a bit that’s fine too.” Emma answered with an innocent face.

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