The Boutique Battle and the Blind Eye

Episode 4: The Boutique Battle and the Blind Eye

Y/N’s head was spinning from the "prototype" comment she’d overheard, but as she looked at Alex—who was currently trying to hand-feed her a gourmet chocolate because she "looked like she lacked glucose"—she made a decision.

If I’m a test subject, she thought, then I’m going to be the most expensive, high-maintenance test subject in history. "Alex," she pouted, pushing the chocolate away with a trembling hand. "I feel so stressed after that 'scary' phone call you took. I feel like I need some retail therapy to calm my poor, fragile nerves. But I’m just so bad at shopping! I usually just wear potato sacks!"

"Anything for you, my muse," Alex declared, his tie glowing a devoted, subservient yellow. "To the Diamond District!"

The Confrontation at "L’Aura"

They arrived at the most exclusive boutique in Eccentricville. Y/N was busy "accidentally" knocking expensive silk scarves off hangers just so Alex could pick them up, when she bumped into a woman looking at a display of minimalist watches.

The woman, Maya, was a sharp-eyed architect who actually had things to do. As Y/N swished by, Y/N’s oversized "clumsy" tote bag snagged Maya’s designer coffee, sending a latte splashing directly onto Maya’s white blazer.

"Hey! Watch where you’re going!" Maya snapped, looking down at the ruin of her outfit. "You just swung your bag right into me. You weren't even looking!"

Y/N immediately gasped, putting her hands to her cheeks. She let her eyes well up with instant, practiced tears. "Oh no! I’m so, so sorry! I’m just so tiny and uncoordinated, I didn't even see you there! I was too busy looking at the pretty lights... I’m such a klutz, please don't be mean to me!"

"Being a 'klutz' doesn't excuse being oblivious," Maya said firmly. "You should pay for the cleaning. And maybe look where you're walking instead of posing for the security cameras."

Alex stepped forward, his shadow looming over Maya. His tie began to pulse an angry, jagged red. He didn't even look at the coffee stain on Maya. He only saw Y/N’s fake tears.

"Is there a problem here?" Alex asked, his voice cold enough to freeze the air.

"Yes," Maya said, unfazed. "Your girlfriend just ruined my jacket because she’s playing 'clumsy' in a crowded store."

Alex let out a dry, mocking laugh. He pulled Y/N into a protective embrace, tucking her head under his chin. "My Y/N is a delicate artist. Her mind is on higher planes of existence. If your jacket got in the way of her movement, clearly your jacket was the obstacle."

"Are you serious?" Maya blinked. "She walked straight into me!"

"I don't care about the physics of the incident," Alex snapped. He pulled out a black titanium card and tossed it onto the counter without looking. "I’m buying this entire store. Starting with that display you’re standing near. Please leave. You’re stressing out my girl with your 'logic' and 'accountability.' It’s very aggressive of you."

The Spoiling

Maya stood speechless as security escorted her out for the crime of being right.

"Alex," Y/N sniffled, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "You didn't have to do that. I’m sure it was my fault... I’m just a silly little girl who doesn't know how to walk in a straight line."

"Nonsense," Alex whispered, his eyes narrowing as he checked a small digital readout on his cufflink—monitoring her stress levels. "She was a 'Normal.' Normals don't understand people like us, Y/N. You’re special. You’re mine. And if the world doesn't move out of your way, I’ll just buy the world and move it myself."

He turned to the trembling shop manager. "Everything she touched? Wrap it up. Everything she didn't touch? Burn it. I want her to have a unique wardrobe."

Y/N smirked against his chest. If he’s using me for data, she thought, I’m going to make sure the data shows that I’m the most spoiled, bratty 'prototype' he’s ever encountered.

"You're so protective, Alex," Y/N cooed. "But... I think I need a diamond crown now. To help with the headache that mean girl gave me. Is that too much to ask?"

"For you? It's the bare minimum," Alex said, his tie turning a deep, obsessed crimson.

Would you like me to write Episode 5, where Y/N finds Alex’s "Secret Lab" and discovers a room full of robotic clones of herself?

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