One man said, “I saw her entering this store. Go in and search around while I stand guard at the entrance.”
“Got it!” The other man immediately strode into the store.
He was less than ten meters away from her!
Arielle turned her head and went in the opposite direction.
It just so happened that a young girl was touching up her makeup nearby.
Arielle went to her and asked softly, “Hey there. Can I borrow your makeup products?”
The girl lifted her head and met Arielle’s gaze.
Her eyes bulged at once. Wow, she’s pretty!
“Pretty please?” Arielle pointed at the makeup products in her hand.
The girl nodded vehemently and offered the makeup products to her. “You look really pretty. Have I seen you somewhere? Are you a celebrity?”
Arielle applied makeup on her face and answered, “Thanks, but I’m not a celebrity.”
She put on some makeup swiftly and applied purple eyeshadow to match her purple outfit. Through the mirror, she looked like an entirely different person.
The young girl stared at her and blurted out, “You look prettier without makeup. The makeup is covering up your beautiful features.”
Arielle’s lips curled up slightly, for this was the effect she desired.
She glanced at herself in the mirror, satisfied with the face that greeted her.
After returning the makeup products to the girl, she said, “Thanks for that. Can I buy you a drink?”
Attracted by her beauty, the girl nodded happily. “Sure!”
“Let’s go pay for my purchases and I’ll buy you a drink after that.”
The young girl motioned an okay sign. Arielle took her arm as they made their way to the cashier.
Just then, the man who was after Arielle bumped into them.
Arielle immediately looked away to avoid meeting his eyes.
The man merely glanced at them briefly before heading to the next rack.
Arielle was relieved. She paid for her purchases at the cashier and led the girl toward the exit.
Another man was waiting at the door.
Arielle leaned on the girl’s shoulder and reached into her pocket for her phone. Keeping her head low, she inquired, “What would you like? Are there many coffee shops in this shopping mall?”
“Let’s have some tea. I’m on a diet.”
“You’re losing weight when you’re this skinny?”
“Look at you. You’re skinny, too!”
They chatted away merrily.
The man ignored them and stared at the interior of the store.
When they walked past him, Arielle felt her heart leap to her throat.
Though only two men came after her, and she was sure she could shake them off, there might be others who’d arrive later. It was best to stay away from them now.
Finally, she made it past that man.
Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, she heard that man ask, “Hey! Girls, did you see a young lady in white running into the store earlier?”
Arielle tensed up, but she didn’t turn around.
The girl beside her took one look at the man and
answered, “Sorry, I didn’t see her.”
“Oh, all right.” The man stood in his spot and turned his attention back to the store.
Arielle let out a long breath and hurried away from the clothing store.
Some distance away, she released her grip on the girl and pulled out a one hundred bill from her pocket. “I’m sorry, but I need to go. This is for your drink. I shall buy you another drink some other time.”
She then stuffed the bill into the girl’s palm and strode away without looking back.
