Date The CEO.com

Maize City welcomed spring season with food stands at the park, clearance discounts for stores and an influx of outdoor activities. After months of frozen weather, people had a Spring to their step. (A/N: Yes, that was a pun.)

Downtown bustled with legwork activities. One giant billboard screen took up the front of a shopping center. It housed big names in both couture and popular retail companies. If a person wanted the best place to fill up their wardrobe, this was the place to go.

"Did you miss the last Fashion Week?" An announcer spoke from the speakers. A montage of models and designers filled the jumbo screen. "Not a problem! You can stream it at OBH. Sign up now and get a 30-day free trial."

Andie walked towards the shop window. Although indoors, she wore sunglasses on her noses. She pulled them down to watch the advertisement. The speaker was so loud. It had passed through the small cracks of the thrift store.

Not that she was complaining.

How could she? When that sweet voice had led her to rewatch one of her favorite moments in Fashion Week. Eve walked on the runway in a lavender evening gown. The fabric slithered up to one side of her neck, making up the top. The slit of the skirt rose up to her hip. 

On the crook of her arms was the biggest and fluffiest shawl Andie had ever seen.

They had lilac-colored feathers that almost reminded her of a peacock—if the peacock had been dyed in light shades of purple. A gown like that would have swallowed Andie whole.

But not Eve. Her best friend reached the front of the runway with her chin up. She posed as if the outfit weighed nothing. Extensions had been clipped to her scarlet hair. They draped over her back in ringlets so when she turned, eyes still followed her.

The magnetic attention Eve commanded was far from Andie could ever have imagined.

Too bad she wasn't there in person.

"You're really something else now, Eve," Andie said, biting into a chocolate-coated pocky stick. "You're on the biggest screen in the entire city. And look over there! There's your contact lens commercial. No one will question your eye color now."

She peeled her eyes off the digital screens and turned back around. "You've worn clothes us mere peasants could only dream of. Yet, you're here shopping at a thrift store."

Eve put down the shirt she had been holding. Her disguise was composed of a straw hat and a denim dress which had buttons on the front. She had worn extensions again to frame her face, covering the sides so people don't easily recognize her. 

"They're comfortable," Eve defended with an eye roll. 

"But you have a whole new wardrobe," Andie pointed out. Her best friend had always been someone who didn't want to waste money on unnecessary things. She would have worn those clothes in her closet until a hole appeared on the fabric.

Lifting the shirt up again to check the design, Eve sighed. "I only need to wear them on certain occasions. I'm here to hang out with you and nothing is better than wearing my most comfortable clothes since I am comfortable around you."

Andie placed a hand over her heart. "That has to be the sweetest thing you ever said."

Eve chose to ignore her and placed the shirt on her arm. She strolled to the end of the rack, picking out a new pair of jogger pants. What she had said was true. Her new clothes were beautiful but comfort could never be beaten. She'd rather wear this shirt and pants at home.

Shrugging, Andie explored the store. She peeked out the front windows again to see if Eve would reappear again but spotted something else. A small patch of nature was added near the center of the city. It had plants such as bushes and flowers.

And, if Andie was hallucinating, a black camera had just ducked into a bush.

She straightened her spine and spoke over her shoulder. Her stormy blue eyes stared at the same spot, checking if she'd see it again. "What's the rule about paparazzi again?"

Eve glanced her way for a second before shrugging. "I'm not sure anymore. They normally shouldn't be seen whenever we go out. Except, Aunt Avery thinks that pretending they could get away with some of their shenanigans could benefit us. It indirectly gives publicity to the movie we haven't announced yet."

The pocky stick snapped in between Andie's teeth. "Huh… Since you'll be out in the open now, these sunglasses might not do me any good."

"But they already know you."

"Yeah, as this person in the bakery who taught a class which you guest-starred in," Andie continued. She folded up the empty pocky box and threw it in the trash beside the cashier counter. "Now, they'll know me as this girl who you're always with during your free time."

A dramatic gasp flowed out of her lips. "What if they start stalking me too?"

Eve finished browsing and headed for the cashier. "Ring these up, please."

She took out her wallet, noticing the tip box on the counter. She pulled out her smallest bill and slipped it through the narrow hole. "If they stalk you, you better have it to your advantage. Advertise the bakery or something. Promote… anything I'm in, I guess. Or introduce yourself as president of the fan club."

Andie looked up at the ceiling and tapped her chin. "Or maybe I should befriend them so we can have some people on our side. Get the latest news before it's leaked out. Use it to our advantage."

Eve thanked the cashier as she grabbed the paper bag. Her body angled towards her best friend, ready to walk to the door and leave. "It's amazing how you're not a criminal mastermind."

"Don't hold your breath. There's still time."

Vibration came from Andie's pocket. She took out her phone and read the notification. "Ah, boys are almost here. Do you want to grab a smoothie next door?"

"Sure."

Nanzie stayed a good distance away from the two women. Her senses stayed alert for anyone that had ill intentions. Andie talked to Eve but stayed a step behind. The latter kept her eyes ahead, ignoring the paparazzi that had started taking photos of her. 

A small smirk curled the corner of her lip, hidden from view.

She pretended to pull a loose hair strand away from her face. The sun rays flared on the pink diamond on her ring finger. She could almost hear the increased sounds of the shutter button. Then, she and Andie entered the smoothie shop. The paparrazi couldn't get a closer look.

Ambryan and Jarrett soon arrived in front of the shop. They had been fresh out of a bowling game with Jackson Hathaway and a few of his friends. It was meant to be for males only so Ambryan had invited Jarrett along with Richard.

For this, they picked out simple outfits like a breathable button up and trousers.

The sound of the wind chime on the front door caught their attention.

Eve had stepped out first. She beamed as soon as she noticed the two men. 

Ambryan returned the gesture. "Had fun?"

"I found some great finds." Eve held up her bag as proof. They had gone to the thrift store as a last minute idea to kill time. Then, she offered him her strawberry drink. "Smoothie?"

"Well, guys, we're heading this way," Andie declared. She stuck out a thumb over her shoulder. "We still have some things to go over for the wedding. Next time, let's go have a real double date."

Eve frowned. The future seemed clear as day in that short moment. "We're going to be those married couples that meet once a week for board night, aren't we?"

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

Ambryan stood behind Eve and propped his hands on her shoulders. He addressed the couple in front of them. "I hope it's alright if some of our security team follows you until you reach home."

"No worries. We understand." Andie shook her head, already waving goodbye. "Bye, Eve!"

"Bye, Andie. Bye, Jarrett."

Jarrett scrunched his nose in return. "See you, lovebirds."

He and Andie spun on their heels, heading for the car. Eve spotted two bodyguards who had already tailed the vehicle. She sipped on her smoothie and grinned upwards. "Alone, at last?"

Ambryan chose not to answer. Instead, he turned her around and raised her left hand up to his lips, kissing the spot in front of the ring. A wicked grin spread across his face. "Almost."

Eve resisted to check if the paparazzi had caught the exchange. They must have! But, if she looked at their way now, they might suspect that she and Ambryan were up to something. She giggled, amused by the fact that her fiance had the same thoughts as her.

She shifted her weight to her toes and closed the gap between them. Her voice softened to a whisper. "Want to continue messing with the paparazzi? There's still time before we need to pick up the twins."

Ambryan took the smoothie off her hands and drank from the same straw. His other hand wrapped around hers. He started moving away from their spot. "You think we can walk all the way there?"

"I think we can do anything," Eve teased. "Who is there to stop us?"