CHAPTER 82: GODZILLA

Naomi had already left the hotel suite and went window shopping in the mall, not interested in anything in particular. The driver had gone to her father’s office ten minutes ago to fetch her husband. They will arrive anytime soon.

Her mind was not on the things around her. She was thinking about the short time she spent with Alpha Maxwell and her son in the hotel suite. Too short!

She took a deep breath and sat on the bench, staring at the bookstore in front of her.

She checked her phone. Alpha Maxwell has messaged her asking for where she is. She replied with a lie, saying she’s already home and just opened her phone to read his message.

She puts her phone back in her bag and enters the bookstore to check out the books on the shelves. Maybe she will find a book worth reading. She went to the fantasy romance section and browsed through the titles. She picked up a vampire romance book and read the synopsis. She liked what she saw, so she decided to buy it.

She picked up another book. It’s a historical fantasy book. She read the intriguing synopsis filled with suspense and liked it. She’s going to buy it as well.

She went to the counter and paid for the books, then left the bookstore to buy some fruit juice because she was thirsty. She ended up in a pizza restaurant and ordered her favorite avocado smoothie and two slices of BBQ chicken pizza.

She gobbled up her delicious snack.

Afterward, she read one of the books, the historical one while waiting for Edison’s arrival. When the restaurant became crowded, she exited the establishment and sat on one of the benches scattered around the mall. She continued reading the book.

Fifteen minutes later, she received a text message from her husband informing her that he had already arrived at the mall and was now at the entrance. He asked for her exact location. She texted him back, informing him that she was sitting on the bench facing the Crystal Beauty House on the second floor.

A few minutes later, Edison arrived at her location. "Wife, I’m sorry I’m late. Your father and I discussed a lot of things about the business," he apologized.

"No problem," Naomi replied. "Where do you want to go?" she asked.

"Hmm, how about you? Are you hungry? We can have light snacks in the fast food restaurant of your choice," he suggested.

She shakes her head. "No, I’m not hungry. I just finished a glass of smoothie and two slices of pizza while waiting for you. But if you are hungry, I will accompany you to the restaurant," she offered.

"Nah, I’m not hungry yet. I want to visit the men’s clothing section to buy some t-shirts and shorts," he said.

Naomi put the book in her shoulder bag and stood up. "Alright, let’s go to the men’s clothing section."

The couple entered the men’s clothing store and inspected the items there.

Meanwhile, outside the mall, Alpha Maxwell and Deborah just arrived at the mall.

Knowing Naomi was already home, Alpha Maxwell entered the mall with his wife, carrying his son in his arms, feeling at ease. He suggested another mall but Deborah insisted on coming here.

"Where do you want to go?" he asked.

"I want to buy new clothes for our son," Deborah replied cheerily, looking happy.

"OK. Lead the way," he said, planting a kiss on baby Zed’s head.

The couple went to the infant section on the second floor and checked out the expensive baby clothes on display there.

Outside the infant clothing store, Naomi and Edison can be seen inside the men’s clothing store, busy checking out some polo shirts and pants. The two stores are directly facing each other.

Alpha Maxwell sat on the bench inside the infant clothing store, still holding his son in his arms while Deborah was busy putting baby clothes on the shopping cart.

He was looking at the store across, his eyes fixed on one particular person’s back who looked familiar. His forehead creased.

The woman looked like Naomi but he was not sure yet. He waited for the woman to turn around so he could see her face clearly.

Several people blocked his view for a few seconds. When he looked at her again, the woman was gone.

Where did she go? He was looking for her inside the store, trying to locate her location.

"What are you looking at?" Deborah asked.

"Nothing. I thought I saw my classmate in college," he replied with a shake of his head, looking at her. "Are you done shopping?" he asked.

"Yes. I will go to the cashier to pay," she replied, heading to the counter.

After paying for their purchases, the couple left the store. Alpha Maxwell glanced at the men’s clothing store one last time before following Deborah to the next store. This time, his wife entered the women’s bags and shoes section.

"I will just stay here and sit on this bench so I won’t get bored," Alpha Maxwell said, lowering himself to the bench.

"OK, suit yourself. If our son starts crying, call me right away," Deborah replied and entered the store in high spirits.

Alpha Maxwell scans the people around him. Then he caught sight of that familiar person again.

This time he knew who that woman was, it was no other than his sweetie pie Naomi! And the guy standing beside her was her husband, Edison!

Oh no! They are coming his way.

He froze.

What to do? Should he say hello to the couple or ignore them completely?

But why did Naomi text him that she was already home? He groaned in dismay because she was lying!

But he was lying as well because he texted her that he was already home.

They were both lying to each other!

His jaw twitched in displeasure.

He doesn’t know what to feel right now. He looks at the store. Deborah was busy looking at the shoes on the shelves.

When he looked back at the couple, the guy was gone but Naomi was walking in his direction. Contemplating what to do, he bent his head, pretending he was trying to get something from the bag on his feet.

Without noticing who he was, Naomi sat on the bench beside him, checking her phone.

Alpha Maxwell sighed. His wife could come anytime and see them together. She would surely erupt in anger at seeing them together.

He needed to act quick. He coughed a little and whispered, "Sweetie, why are you still here?"

Startled upon hearing such a familiar voice, Naomi looked at the guy beside her and her eyes widened in shock. "W-what are you doing here?" she asked, surprised.

"Deborah insisted on going shopping and we came here with my son," he explained.

Naomi scans the area looking for Deborah. "Where is she?"

"She’s inside that store in front of us," he answered.

"Oh... so close," she murmured, looking at the store.

"I saw that guy with you. He is your husband Edison, right? Where is he?" he asked.

"He went to the men’s restroom to pee," she replied nervously.

Naomi glanced at the adorable baby boy in his arms. "Is this baby Zed, your son with Deborah?" she asked, warming up to the cute little boy in his arms.

"Yeah..." he replied, looking at the store, checking if Deborah was coming out.

Naomi smiled brightly at baby Zed. "He’s so cute!" she gushed.

"Um, sorry we can’t talk much longer, sweetie. Deborah might come out of the store at this very moment. She will go ballistic if they see us together," he explained apologetically.

"It’s okay, I understand," she said gloomily and stood up. "Let’s chat tonight. Enjoy shopping with your wife and son." She walked away when she saw Deborah looking at them inside the store.

Alpha Maxwell saw his wife rushing out of the store empty handed.

"Who was that woman you were talking to just a few seconds ago? Where is she?" Deborah asked, looking around frantically.

"W-what woman?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"I saw a woman who looked like Naomi talking to you!" Deborah insisted, annoyed.

"Ah, that woman? She asked me where the bookstore was," he lied. "I assure you... it was not Naomi you saw but a random woman asking for the bookstore’s location," he added calmly.

Deborah looked at him sharply. "I think you are lying!" she said suspiciously, walking away.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I’m going to the bookstore to find that woman!" Deborah replied.

He saw his wife enter the bookstore. She wouldn’t be able to find Naomi there because Naomi went to the men’s restroom to look for her husband.

A few minutes later, Deborah returned, looking pissed. "You lied. I didn’t find that woman in the bookstore!" she snapped, seething in anger.

Alpha Maxwell sighed heavily. "Can you please calm down? We are in a public place right now. This is not the right place to unleash your mega tantrums." He reminded her.

"Fine! Then answer me. That woman was Naomi, right?" she asked, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Shh, lower your voice. Don’t make a spectacle of yourself. If you don’t stop right now, I will go home!" He warned her sternly.

"That woman is Naomi, right?" she asked again, her nostrils flaring in anger and jealousy.

Alpha Maxwell shook his head in exasperation, hating her behavior. "No. She is not Naomi. So please stop asking me that annoying question. Shall we go home now or continue shopping? Make a decision."

Deborah still can’t shake that feeling that the woman she saw talking to her husband a few minutes ago was Naomi. She has stalked Naomi’s social media profiles and has already memorized the shape of her face and body.

She can’t be wrong!

But if she was right, why is Naomi here in the mall? What is she doing here?

She breathed deeply. Would she allow that woman to destroy her pleasant mood today?

No way!

"Let’s continue shopping!" Deborah finally said and returned to the store to continue shopping.

Alpha Maxwell released a sigh of relief and looked at his wide awake son. "Son, your mother is like Godzilla, she is always angry," he joked.