Chapter 12

After lunch, the three children were made to get dressed to accompany Charlene to buy new clothes and necessities. Almost at the same time, they started complaining while buttoning their shirts and slipping on their shoes, as if being forced to go out with a woman they did not even like was a punishment.
Charlene stood quietly to the side, holding a simple blouse she had borrowed from Sarah.
“I just borrowed this,” she said softly. “I’ll return it right away.”
Sarah smiled and patted her shoulder. “That’s fine, Ma’am. They’re going to buy you new ones anyway.”
Outside, a black van was already waiting in the driveway. Saviel stepped out and opened the door.
“Ma’am Charlene.”
The three children went in first. Wency even shoved Wyl just to get the back seat.
“This is so annoying!” Wency complained as she dropped into her seat. “I don’t even want to come.”
“Please get in, Ma’am,” Saviel said.
Charlene sat in the passenger seat while the children continued complaining behind her.
“You can decide which mall we’ll go to, Saviel. I’m not familiar with this area yet,” Charlene said shyly.
“I’ll take care of it,” the bodyguard replied as he started the engine.
Not long after, they arrived at one of the largest malls in the country—owned by the Wang family. Even from outside, Charlene could already feel how grand and luxurious it was.
Inside, they headed straight for the boutique section.
“Can you make this fast? I’m starving!” Wency complained, crossing her arms.
“But you just ate at home, Señorita,” Saviel replied.
“So?” she snapped.
“Let it be,” Charlene said gently. “I won’t take long.”
She entered the fitting room with several outfits. When she came out, Saviel paused.
“Wow… Ma’am, you look beautiful.”
“Eww,” Wency cut in. “Are you blind or something?”
Charlene lowered her head but forced a small smile.
“Just buy your stupid clothes already! I’m hungry!” Wyl shouted.
So she quickly brought the clothes to the cashier, but when she saw the receipt, she nearly dropped it.
“Fifty thousand?!” she exclaimed. “For ten clothes? Are these made of gold?”
Saviel stepped closer. “Ma’am, don’t worry—”
But Charlene turned to the cashier. “That’s really expensive, Miss. Can you lower it a little?”
The cashier froze. “Ma’am?”
“How about forty each? I promise I’ll come back here all the time.”
“Ma’am, those are all imported…”
“So this is already cheap?” Charlene muttered. “Oh my God…”
“We’ll pay,” Saviel said, handing over a black card.
Outside the store, Wency faced her.
“I thought you were rich. Daddy chose you, right? But you look like a beggar who can’t even afford Gucci.”
“Gucci?” Charlene asked, confused.
The children laughed and walked ahead.
“What’s Gucci?” she asked Saviel.
“It’s one of the luxury brands they use. Everything in the mansion is like that.”
They bought shoes and other things before eating at a famous fast-food restaurant.
“I’ve only ever seen this place on TV,” Charlene said in amazement.
“This is your first time here?” Saviel asked.
“Yes. I only see places like this on television.”
After eating, the children ran toward the playground.
“Señorita Wency!” Saviel shouted as she climbed higher and higher on the tall blocks, clearly enjoying teasing him. Charlene could only laugh while watching—Saviel was completely stressed out by how hyper they were.
“I’m bored. Let’s go home,” Wyl said.
“But I’m not done yet!” Wency yelled.
“Then play by yourself. We’re not kids anymore.”
For a moment, Charlene saw Kerill in Wyl’s serious face.
“Fine!” Wency snapped.
When they reached the van, Charlene sat down—then suddenly stood up.
There was ketchup on the seat.
She turned around to see the children laughing.
“Sorry, I spilled my ketchup,” Lily said sweetly.
Charlene closed her eyes in exhaustion.
When they returned to the mansion, Kerill saw her.
“What happened?”
“I’m on my period,” she answered flatly and walked straight to her room.