My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Unwanted argument (Part-1)

They came into a mall and moved from one store to another, their shopping bags growing in number. After hours of trying on dresses, laughing at quirky styles, and finally choosing a few pieces to purchase, they drifted toward the jewelry section.

Rows of sparkling necklaces, rings, and earrings shimmered under the soft, warm lights, their eyes catching on the glimmering displays. A polite sales associate greeted them with a welcoming smile, her hands moving gracefully as she introduced them to the newest and most exclusive items.

She carefully lifted a dazzling diamond necklace from the display—a striking piece with a large, heart-shaped diamond in the center, surrounded by delicate filigree and smaller, glimmering stones.

“This is from our latest limited collection,” the salesgirl explained proudly. “Only a handful of these have been released. The design is truly one of a kind.”

Ava liked the set. Her face lit up with a smile as she brushed her fingers gently over the diamond, captivated by its brilliance.

“Wow, Ava!” Lola breathed, equally enchanted. “This is gorgeous. It would look amazing on you.”

“This set is already taken.” The smug, self-satisfied voice grated on Ava’s nerves. They turned around, their gazes colliding with Gianna’s haughty figure. Dressed impeccably and exuding her usual air of arrogance, Gianna looked every bit as smug as Ava expected.

Ava felt a flash of disgust twist in her stomach. ‘This shameless woman doesn’t miss a chance to mess with me,’ she resented inwardly but didn’t say it out loud. She decided she wouldn’t waste her breath arguing with a woman so petty.

Gianna came in closer. “I’ve selected that set to buy.” She cast a meaningful glance at the salesgirl, who was amazed as she saw Gianna.

“Yes, indeed.” The salesgirl nodded frantically, desperate to please Gianna. “I forgot to tell you that Miss Gianna has already decided to purchase it. You can check other sets.”

While Ava’s expression was neutral, Lola was furious. “Actually,” Lola interjected sharply, “the set hasn’t been sold yet. So, you can’t claim it’s yours. Anyone can buy it as long as it’s not sold out, and Ava has already liked it.”

“I just happened to check other stuff,” Gianna reasoned. “I didn’t know you would show up and like the same set.” Turning to the salesgirl, she said, pretending to be considerate, “Seems like my friend really loves the set. Why don’t you bring out another piece.”

“Sorry, ma’am,” the salesgirl said apologetically, “this is the only piece we have.”

Gianna sighed exaggeratedly. “I wouldn’t want to make this difficult,” she said, casting an insincere smile toward Ava. “But since this piece is one-of-a-kind, I can’t let it go. I suggest you choose something else.”

Lola’s jaw clenched as she heard Gianna’s words. She took a sharp breath, ready to respond, but Ava squeezed her hand and stopped her.

Ava’s calm face masked a storm of emotions, but she refused to let Gianna see even a flicker of her irritation. She knew that engaging with Gianna would only give her satisfaction.

Lola’s face flushed with frustration as she exchanged a bewildered look with Ava, silently questioning why she wasn’t standing up for herself.

“No problem,” Ava replied coolly. “It’s just jewelry, after all. I’m sure I can find something just as beautiful.”

Her calm, dismissive words struck a chord with Gianna, whose smile wavered slightly, as if surprised Ava wasn’t more upset.

Lola didn’t like it at all. “Ava, you don’t have to put up with—” Lola began, but Ava cut her off with a small shake of her head.

“I appreciate your help, but it’s not worth it,” Ava murmured to her friend, keeping her gaze steady and unyielding. “Let’s not argue with her.”

Lola nodded reluctantly. “Alright, let’s not fight for some piece of jewelry.”

They turned to leave, but Gianna’s sneering voice rang out once more, louder this time, dripping with condescension. “Oh, so that’s it? It seems that Ava can’t afford the set. Why come in such an expensive store if you can’t afford to buy anything?” she scoffed, ensuring that her words reached the surrounding customers.

A few customers and sales associates looked their way, eyes narrowing as whispers broke out among them, their gazes full of disgust. They started judging by Ava’s formal outfit.

“Why do people insist on pretending?” one woman muttered to her friend, casting a sideways glance at Ava. “They can’t afford anything, but they will just enter a high-end store only to window-shop.”

“Exactly,” another customer added. “It’s so irritating. Trying on things you can’t buy? It’s just…tacky.”

The salesgirls exchanged knowing looks, their earlier politeness replaced by a subtle disdain. They glanced at Ava and Lola with a quiet smugness.

Gianna smirked sneakily, satisfied with the impact of her words as she basked in the derision swirling around Ava. She wouldn’t waste any chance to humiliate Ava.

Ava looked back at Gianna, fury radiating from her eyes. She had initially ignored her as she didn’t want to argue with her. But it seemed that Gianna couldn’t live without picking a fight with her. Since she was so eager to make a scene, Ava wouldn’t back down.

“Oh, I know exactly who you are,” Ava retorted. “Someone who can’t stand being ignored. Someone so desperate to make a scene that they’ll stoop to any level.” Her gaze was unwavering, piercing through Gianna.

“And if you think for a second that I can’t afford that necklace, you’re even more delusional than I thought. Not only one set, but I can also buy the whole store. But you made the jewelry filthy by touching it. And, you know, I am a bit of a cleanliness freak. I don’t want to become infected.”

Gianna’s face twisted in fury. “You! How dare you.” She raised her hand in an attempt to slap Ava. But Ava was faster. She seized Gianna’s wrist mid-swing,

“Don’t even try it,” Ava hissed. “You don’t intimidate me. If you lay a finger on me, you’ll be the one hiding in shame, not me.” She released Gianna’s hand with a hard shove, sending her stumbling back.

“Ava, you…” Gianna’s eyes blazed as she steadied herself, her mouth opening to retort, but Ava didn’t give her a chance.

“I didn’t come here to start trouble, but you insisted on making a scene. You wanted to buy that set, and I let it go. Shouldn’t you pay the bill and leave peacefully? But no – you wanted a drama.”

Ava snorted. “You talk big, Gianna, but I’m starting to wonder if it’s because you’re the one who can’t afford that necklace. Why else would you waste your time like this?”