“You’ve already been helping.”
“Then it won’t hurt to let me help a little more.”
She sighed and nodded. “All right. I could use a few things. It’s been a while since I bought clothes.”
Tiraz frowned. The three hundred he gave her wouldn’t go far if she truly
needed to buy more clothes. Taking her by the hand, he led her into one of the nicer department stores in the mall and went straight to the women’s department. Once he located someone who worked there, he pulled out his platinum credit card. He just hoped Violet wouldn’t argue with what he was about to say.
“This is my fiancé,” he told the store associate. “She isn’t on my charge account yet, but she has my permission to purchase anything she wants in this store and put it on my card. Will you let her use it?”
“She’ll have to sign for it, and your credit card company might have an issue with it,” the woman said.
Tiraz grumbled under his breath and pulled out his cell phone. He quickly
dialed the number on the back of the card and explained the issue to the person on the other end of the line. After answering a few questions, he was able to successfully add Violet to his account, despite her protests. He hung up and handed her his card.
“You’ll get one with your name on it in the next week, but for now, you can use this one and shouldn’t have a problem. I don’t know if the other stores in the mall will let you use it or not, but you can try.”
“Thank you, but you shouldn’t have done that,” Violet said.
Tiraz leaned down and kissed her cheek softly. “Quit arguing and go buy
whatever it is you need.”
She nodded and wandered off to look at clothes. With one last look in her
direction, Tiraz went to run his errands. The first place he intended to go was the jewelry store, for more than one reason. Despite Violet’s need to date before making a commitment, Tiraz already knew he wanted her as his mate. He just needed an
engagement ring so he could ask her to marry him.
There were two stores in the mall and he went to the one with the more
prestigious name. The diamonds in the front window glittered under the lights. The shop was empty because of the early hour and the woman behind the counter gave him some space to browse for a minute.
“Are you looking for something in particular?” she finally asked.
“An engagement ring.”
The woman smiled. “How lovely! Well, we have three cases of engagement
rings. Do you know how much you want to spend? We have everything from solitaires that cost a few hundred to flashier rings that cost up to ten thousand.”
“Let’s start with the flashier rings. I don’t know that Violet is necessarily the kind of woman to wear a flashy ring, but I want her to have the best.”
The woman walked around to the case on the far right and pulled out two trays of rings. He looked them over carefully, but none of them seemed quite right. He wanted something classy and elegant, but something that didn’t look like it came from a quarter machine.
“None of these are right?” the woman asked.
“They’re beautiful, but I don’t think they suit Violet.”
The woman put the rings way and locked the case. “I have a few special rings in the back, but they cost a lot more than these. We don’t display them because of the insurance it would require to have them out in the open.”
“I’d love to see them.”
She opened a door along the back wall and called out to someone. A moment
later, a portly gentleman in a suit carried out what looked like a lockbox. He dialed the combination and pulled out three small velvet jewelry boxes, opening the lid on each.
The moment the last ring came into view, he knew it was the one. A round canary diamond circled by smaller white diamonds on a platinum band, it was stunning.
“That one,” he said, pointing to it.
“That particular ring is fifty-thousand,” the gentleman said. “We have a credit application you’ll need to complete if you wish to purchase it.”
Tiraz smiled. “I was just going to use my bank card. Is that a problem?”
Their eyes widened and the gentleman shook his head. “No problem at all, sir. If you’ll just give me your card, I’ll ring up your purchase.”
“There’s one more thing I want to buy, but I’m not sure if you have it. I want a necklace or bracelet that says ‘mom’ or ‘mother’ on it. My soon-to-be fiancé has a five year old son and I think something like that would make the perfect Valentine’s gift.”
“We have a small selection of things like that.” The woman walked around the counter and crossed the store to the opposite wall. “They’re in here.”
Tiraz went to peer into the case she had indicated. There were a few necklaces and even some lockets. One caught his eye. A pretty heart with a rose in the middle and a scroll-like banner across it with “mother” in a fancy script.
“That one,” he said, pointing it out.
“That’s a lovely choice. It’s white gold, in case you were wondering. Would you like to see it?”
Tiraz nodded and held out his hand. He studied the little pendant and checked out the chain it hung from, noting the price hanging from the clasp.
“I’ll take it.”
“We’ll just get both of these things rung up for you. It will only take a minute.”
Tiraz pulled out his bank card and handed it over, not even caring about the price. He’d spend every last cent he owned on Violet if he thought she’d let him.
Somehow, he thought he’d have better luck spending his money on Simon. He knew she’d do anything for her son, as she’d proven by walking into the dating agency, ready to do anything it took to keep her son.
The sales woman handed his card back to him and he put it away before
accepting the small sack. Next he went to the big toy store downstairs and tried to find the perfect thing for Simon. He’d seen the toy soldiers the boy had, even though there were very few of them. There was a large playset on the back wall that had a helicopter, small tank, and six soldiers. Tiraz didn’t even hesitate to purchase it for Simon, along with a six-pack of cars. There were tons of wonderful toys in the shop, but he didn’t know what else Simon would like.
“Shopping for your son?” a woman asked as she practically leaned into him.
“Yes. But I’m not quite sure what a nine year old human would want to play
with. I know he likes soldiers and cars, but I’m not sure about the rest of this stuff.”
She pouted. “I didn’t see a ring on your finger. How is it you have a human
son?”
“I’m very much taken, but I’m flattered by your interest.” Truthfully, he wanted to get as far from her as possible. And take a hot shower.
“If he likes super hero movies, then he’ll probably like the action figures over there,” she said, pointing to another wall. She eyed him up and down one last time before walking away.
Tiraz breathed a sigh of relief when he no longer held her attention and went to look at the action figures. Simon was still a little young for the super hero movies, or so Violet had said, so he wasn’t sure if the boy would like them or not. He was about to walk away when another section of the store caught his attention. It contained figures and playsets from a movie they’d just rented on Amazon the other night.
Simon had seemed engaged by the movie and had laughed quite a bit. What
would it hurt to buy him a few things and see if he liked them? He chose three of the larger figures and a tube that contained every character from the movie. Finally, happy with his purchases, he went to pay for everything.
Laden with two toy store bags and his jewelry store bag, he went to look for Violet. He passed the food court, but she wasn’t there. Thinking she may still be at the department store, he headed that direction. He found her at the register checking out with what looked like three shopping bags. Tiraz smiled, realizing she’d finally gotten over her fear of breaking his bank account.
“Did you find everything you needed?” he asked, stopping to kiss her cheek.
“I probably spent too much.”
“I want you to have whatever you need, Violet. A few bags of clothes aren’t
going to make a dent in my account.”
She noticed his sacks and her eyes widened. “Is all of that for Simon?”
“The toy bags are. But the small black bag has something in it for you. You’re not getting it until Simon comes home though. I figured we would go to lunch when we pick him up, and then we can go home and you can both get your gifts.”
“But I didn’t get you anything.”
“Violet, just having you in my life is gift enough. I don’t need you to buy me anything, just like I know you didn’t need for me to buy you a gift, but I wanted to. It’s been a long time since you let someone spoil you, and I intend to do my best to do just that.”
“We should probably take all of this home before we pick up Simon.”
“Do you want me to carry your bags?”
She smiled broadly. “No. This is the first big shopping spree I’ve had since I was a teen and I intend to lug all of this out to the car myself.”
“Then let’s go.”
Chapter Seven
Before picking Simon up from school, Violet had changed into one of her new
outfits. She felt more beautiful than she had in a long time. The last time she’d purchased something new from the mall was back in high school, before she’d gotten pregnant with Simon. Since then, it had been trips to Wal-Mart and thrift stores for whatever they needed. Although, she tried to buy new things for Simon so the kids wouldn’t make fun of him at school.
“When we get home, there’s a surprise for you,” Tiraz told Simon.
“A puppy?” Simon asked with wide eyes.
Violet laughed. “Not a puppy. I don’t think a puppy would do well in a
penthouse.”
Simon pouted. “But we’ve never had a pet.”
There was a twinge in her heart as she wondered if that was just another way she’d failed her son over the years. She’d done her best to take care of him, but there was so much they hadn’t had. People might say material things didn’t matter, but she knew her son was the charity case at school…the boy who missed out on parties because he couldn’t afford to join in. The boy who received free lunches. The boy who didn’t have a game system or a bike. It hurt her heart to know she hadn’t been able to give those things to Simon, and made her feel like she’d failed him.
“We’ll discuss a pet another day,” Tiraz said, pulling her from her melancholy thoughts. “Not a puppy, but maybe a kitten or something that can live in a cage.”
Simon nodded.
“You actually have a few surprises at home.” Tiraz took a sip of his water. “I’ll let you have them when we get home, but I want you to promise me that you’ll be good for Uncle Gryf later tonight. You can take some of your toys with you.”
“Are Mommy and you going to be out a long time tonight?”
“I made early reservations for us so we wouldn’t be out a long time. Once we’re leaving the restaurant, I’ll call and let your Uncle Gryf know that we’re heading home.
But just in case you get sleepy, I’m going to send your pajamas and Bear-bear with you.
That way you can take a nap if you want to.”
“Does he have Netflix too?” Simon asked.
Tiraz smiled. “Yes, he does. I’m sure he’ll let you watch whatever you want, as long as it’s a movie your mom would approve of.”
“No scary movies,” Violet said. “And nothing violent. I don’t want to come
home and find you cowering under the blankets because you think a monster is going to come eat you while you sleep.”
Simon wrinkled his nose. “I’m not a baby.”
“You’re my baby.” Violet smiled.
“Momma,” Simon whined. “You’re embarrassing me.”
Tiraz gave him a stern look. “You should never be embarrassed because your
mother loves you, Simon.”
Simon cast his gaze down and nodded.
Violet wanted to comfort him, but she held back. Simon was a good boy, even if he was growing up too fast. She knew it was only a matter of time before he didn’t want to hold her hand or give her a hug in public. Before long, he wouldn’t want to be tucked in at night or snuggle next to her to watch a movie.
Tiraz reached over and covered her hand with his while giving her a look filled with understanding and a tenderness she’d never seen before. Not from him or any other man. Not that she’d dated in the last five years. She supposed that she hadn’t had time, what with raising Simon on her own, and then there was that tell-tale voice in the back of her mind that whispered
Simon’s dad didn’t want you, so why would anyone else?
They ate their food and Simon was allowed to get dessert since he’d cleaned his plate. When they were finished, Tiraz drove them back to the Wyndham Towers, and as they entered the penthouse, Simon started bouncing up and down.
“Can I have my surprise now, pllleeaassseee?”
Violet couldn’t help but smile. Treats were so rare for him, and she knew Tiraz had gone overboard just by the sheer number of bags she’d seen. Simon’s gifts were going to be as much a surprise for her as they were for him. Tiraz had Simon sit on the couch and he went to the office to retrieve the shopping bags. As he presented one item after another, her son’s eyes widened in delight and sheer wonder. He reverently touched the toys before looking up at Tiraz.
“They’re really all for me?” Simon asked.
“All for you,” Tiraz confirmed. “Unless you know of another awesome little boy who lives here?”
Simon shook his head profusely.
“Then I guess they’re all yours. Now, why don’t you come with me to the office for a moment. I think your mom deserves a special treat too, don’t you?”
Simon smiled. “Yeah, I do.”
Tiraz held out his hand and they disappeared down the hall, only to return a few minutes later with a long slender box clutched in Simon’s hand. It looked like a jewelry box and Violet’s heart gave a lurch. She’d never received jewelry from anyone but her parents, and knowing that Tiraz had thought of her today made her a little teary-eyed.
He’d already given her so much by letting her live here, and buying all those clothes this morning.