CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

Oliver


“For fuck's sake, this is boring. They all look so similar and bland.” Ethan said as he let out a yawn.

He sunk into a couch and stared at us lazily.

“Well, no one asked you to come. And you have the worst taste in jewelry, if no one has ever told you.” Xavier replied to him, strolling past the glass counter in the jewelry shop.

He stopped in front of an antique emerald necklace that must have cost about ten million dollars. His eyes lingered on it with an undecipherable expression.

“I have great taste in jewelry that's why I'm telling you all these are so boring. Oliver knows, that's why he asked me to help him choose his engagement ring, right cousin?” Ethan nudged me slightly.

I let out a sigh, questioning myself for the millionth time that day why I decided to allow them tag along. It's not like I had a choice.

Mum called me a few hours ago and told me to go get an engagement ring for Jenna. I asked if I could just send her the money instead, but she insisted it was the groom's duty to get it. Her tone sounded so urgent that I couldn't even turn her down.

Xavier was with me at the time and decided to tag along. Ethan just showed up uninvited.

A suited middle-aged woman approached Xavier.
“Are you searching for something sir?”

He simply shook his head, his eyes not leaving the necklace.

“You know, you can just get it for Brielle if you can't take your eyes off it. It would look really pretty on her.” Ethan said.

Brielle is Xavier's fiancee. They have been engaged for three years now without any talk of marriage. They're hardly together except during public functions or family dinners where they have to show up as a couple. Sometimes I forget he was engaged.

Xavier finally moved away from the display glass and strolled towards us. I brought out a small piece of paper from my pocket and smoothened the wrinkled edge. It took everything in me not to tear the paper into shreds.

Teardrop diamond

20 carats

$2 million+

Thin band

Also, I do not wish to have anything that is not custom-made.

You can reach my cell for any questions you may have.

– Jenna


I swallowed past the lump that formed in my throat. I just have to get through this engagement and wedding then it will all be over. Mum wouldn't pester me to choose a bride. And I would fulfill my father's wishes for me. Everything will be fine after that.

“Hmm, custom-made. Getting married seems to be very expensive.” Ethan chuckled as he stole a peek of the paper I was holding.

I threw him a glare before strolling towards the jeweler behind the glass counter. I placed the paper on the counter, hoping it'd burst into flames and save me from all these. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

“I want one of these.”

The man scanned the paper, squinting his eyes behind his reading glasses.

“Does this say two carats?” He asked, squinting his eyes further as if he couldn't read properly.

“Twenty carats,” I said plainly.
“Price range between two million dollars and two-point-four million dollars, please.”

He swallowed hard.

If this was any other zip code, the insurance on this sale alone would buy him a car. Or a house.

“Okay sir,” he turned towards his office.
“Let me show you a few options, so you can select…”

I cut him off before he could finish.
“You don't need to show me anything. As long as it fits all the requirements in the list, just pack it for me and give me the paper insurance. And the certificate too."

The jeweler's mouth fell open as he stared at me. He blinked severally, before gaining his composure.

“You don't want to see the two million dollar ring you're about to purchase?” He asked.

“I didn't stutter when I said that. Just do your job so I can get out of here.” I scowled at him.

Humans. They never cease to annoy me. Including the ones I found tolerable. Like Dallas. My heart stung as I remembered how I treated her this morning. The image of how hurt she was flashed across my mind. I didn't mean to hurt her. I didn't know why I yelled at her when I found her in my bed.

I wanted her there. She was the only one I'd ever want in my bed. But just seeing her there made me realize it was not just a thought. It was really happening.

I'd let her in. I never let people in. And now she could ruin me with just a simple snap of her finger. She has so much power over me now. Somehow, it doesn't bother me that she does.

“You'll have to excuse our friend’s behavior. He is being forced to marry a human AI.” Ethan said and laughed. Xavier joined him.

“You haven't even met her.” I scoffed.

“You said she reminded you of yourself. I have met you. I don't need to meet her to know she isn't a fun type.” He rolled his eyes.

“Besides I haven't met ‘mystery girl’ but I already like her.” He added.

The thought of Ethan giving Dallas a nickname seems… intimate. It awakened an unexplainable emotion in me. It was stupid because Ethan hadn't even met her yet.

“Her name is Dallas.”

My voice came out a bit angrier than I intended. Ethan didn't seem to notice that.

“Maybe it's time I meet her. Find out if she is as pretty as she looks in the photos.

“Step foot inside my house to see her and I'll cut your legs off.”

“Woah, someone is territorial.” Ethan chuckled.

I ignored him. Xavier seems to be busy with something on his phone, or he would have made a pretty big deal out of my reaction.

“We have somewhere to be. Can you pack up something fast?” I turned to the jeweler and tapped impatiently on the counter.

“I still don't understand why we're going to the Heritage art gallery auction. You said their arts are mediocre and a big insult to the entire art industry.” Xavier said, finally getting off his phone.

“The auction is full of old people and the pussy is literally non-existent. Even I have my limit.” Ethan added and sighed.

The perplexed jeweler finally packed up something. He slid the ring box towards me. I pulled out my black Amex card and slid it towards him.

"They have a piece of art I want."

They were right. Heritage gallery is where good taste goes to die. But I'm willing to overlook their flaw at this moment.

"You want something from Heritage? Really? What happened to your favorite art gallery, Flux?" Ethan asked. Xavier was back to checking his phone.

"They don't have what I want."

"If Flux doesn't have what you want, then the art is nonexistent like the pussy at Heritage. No way I'm going to that shithole with you." He chuckled.

I plucked the card and the bag from the counter.
"Suit yourself then." I shrugged and strolled out of the store.

Xavier trailed behind me without a word. I was thankful for whatever got his attention.

"The things I do for friendship." Ethan muttered before following suit.