The car drove down the boulevard, lined up by peach trees and busy stores. This was the famed Wealth Boulevard of Nocklund, where the most exquisite items were sold.
Rarely did a person from a lower class family have a chance to shop there. It was the go-to place for any miss or mister from high society who wanted to purchase something for themselves or for their loved ones.
After a while, the driver found a place to park the car. Once the car stopped in the parking slot, the driver turned off the car and said. 𝑶𝓋𝐥xt.𝗇t
“We have arrived, madam.”
“Well then, shall we go?” Matilda turned to Jesse with a gentle smile.
“Eh, you too?” Jesse looked at the elderly woman in surprise.
“Yes, I have something to purchase as well.” She replied. “You can accompany me as a thank you for the car ride.”
“Uh, alright.” Jesse said with a glance at his legs. He touched them gently and hoped his legs would hold on.
They left the car, then walked down the sidewalk with the cool wind freshening their faces. A short while later, they entered the store La Merch and saw collections of exquisite-looking outfits adorning the mannequins.
“How does this look?” A lady from a wealthy family stepped out of the changing room and spun around with the dress fluttering around her. She looked lovely in the summer dress, which left open her legs, arms, and shoulders.
“You look beautiful.” A handsome young man said with a smile. He was already carrying a bag filled with clothes that cost more than an ordinary person’s monthly salary. Yet there was no pain in his face, as he could afford them easily.
As the couple flirted with each other, Matilda, holding her handbag, looked around with a gentle smile.
‘I can’t afford anything in here!’ Jesse happened to catch a glimpse of one of the clothes price tags and felt a sharp pain in his heart.
“Are you going to purchase something?” Matilda asked beside him. “If your legs start to hurt, we have wheelchair at the trunk if you are in need.”
“I will be fine, thanks.” Jesse scratched the back of his head and looked at the elderly woman. He said with honesty. “I am going to be blunt here. I can’t afford anything in here.”
The elderly woman smiled and said. “You don’t have to pay for anything. I own this store.”
“Eh?” Jesse looked stunned.
At that moment, the back door of the store opened, and a well-dressed gentleman rushed towards them with a smile on his face.
“Madam Matilda, if I knew you were coming, I would have welcomed you!”
At the mention of her name, the flirting couple and several other customers turned to the entrance with surprise in their faces. When they saw Matilda, their expressions widened in shock and nervousness.
It was a face that built the La Merch franchise from nothingness into one of the biggest clothing brands in the world. She was also part of the famous Rothsmith family, who were one of the founding fathers of their nation.
“No need; we won’t be here for long.” Matilda said professionally. Her status was so high that even the famous Nocklund’s La Merch brand owner had to bow his head in her presence.
The well-dressed gentleman turned to her side, where an unfamiliar young man was. He subconsciously scanned his face, and soon a deep frown appeared in his brows.
‘Clothes of very poor brand; the cuffs are worn out; and old-looking shoes. Who is he?’ He forced a smile and turned to Matilda. “You have brought someone.”
“Yes, he is in need of clothes.” Matilda replied with a smile. “He is my… grandson, so take good care of him.”
The well-dressed gentleman’s expression widened in utter shock. He couldn’t believe that he was thinking badly of someone from the Rothsmith family. If anyone could hear his thoughts, they would force his resignation, and his life would be ruined!
Jesse also looked stunned, but after thinking, he realized that he must look very out of place in here.
‘Rumors must spread quickly in high society. If she is seen walking with a stranger, a young man, it will be hard to explain. It is easier to just say that I am her grandson, I guess.’
“Young master, welcome to La Merch.” The well-dressed gentleman put his palm on his chest and bowed slightly. He then straightened his back and looked very professional. “Do you wish to have a tailored outfit or casual one?”
“Uh, casual.” Jesse replied.
“Good choice, young master.” The well-dressed gentleman then stepped to the side and showed him the way to the casual outfit section. “Follow me, and we will choose the best possible clothes for you. Everything will be free of charge, of course.”
Jesse followed behind him with a stunned expression and happened to catch a glimpse of Matilda’s smiling face. He felt a very strange feeling.
‘Why is she doing this? I am just a stranger, and I doubt she is giving free clothes that cost thousands of crowns from her store to every tenant. Does she take pity on me because of my situation? I don’t want to be pitied.’
Jesse’s brows creased, but then he thought. ‘However, she is acting like she is my actual grandmother. Weird, very weird indeed.’
After the well-dressed gentleman and Jesse left to choose the clothes, Matilda glanced out of the store. There was a man with a walking cane strolling down the sidewalk. He stopped in front of the store and looked at Matilda.
“You are not acting very discreetly.” Jack removed his sunglasses and sighed as he looked deeper into the store. He saw the pale-faced young man looking at the selection of clothes, clearly overwhelmed by the price and quality of the clothes.
“At least I am not hiding behind sunglasses, too afraid to meet him.” Matilda smiled at her nervous son. “Also, he is Rothsmith. Of course he should use clothes from my brand and not from some run-of-the-mill scammer brands.”
“You are sounding jealous, mother.” Jack said with a chuckle and turned to far-away Jesse, who had already selected a shirt. He clearly didn’t want to take advantage of the situation and only chose the bare minimum amount of clothes.
“Hmph.” Matilda scoffed and also turned to look at Jesse. “When are you going to meet him?”
“I don’t know.” Jack sighed. “I couldn’t sleep. I was wondering how I should start the conversation. Hello, I am your father, and I didn’t know you existed for all these years, but at least I am here now?”
“You are overthinking it.” Matilda said. “Take it slow and just start the conversation normally. He is not a kid.”
“I know, it’s just… ugh.” Jack scratched his hair. “What if he doesn’t want to have anything to do with us? Is he willing to abandon his other family, whom he has lived with all these years?”
“Even though they threw him out, I am sure he has some feelings left for them. But at least you can be part of his life, even though he doesn’t want to become Rothsmith.” Matilda said and turned to her son. “How did Anna respond?”
“She was shocked, but is willing to accept him.” Jack said with a slight smile.
“You chose a good wife.”
“Yeah, I did.” Jack looked towards Jesse. His sky-blue eyes reflected his lonely figure. “I regret my past, very much so, but maybe something good came out of it.”