ABSOLUTE INSANITY: A forbidden bond-Chapter 223: Good boy

Chapter 223

KATYA POV

The sky had darkened a bit outside the mall windows, the last streaks of sunset casting long shadows across the polished floors.

People reducing, my arms ached from trying to juggle the smaller bags, while Michael’s hands were overflowing with shopping sacks, his own balance precarious.

Even the guard was holding onto a few bags for support, looking mildly exasperated.

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at something Michael had just said, the sound ringing through the near-empty corridor.

He grinned, oblivious to the chaos he’d caused. "You look like a walking mall store," I teased, tilting my head at the sight of him.

"Do you always carry enough for a small army?" Michael chuckled, shaking his head, his dark hair falling slightly into his eyes.

"Only when I’m shopping for someone with excellent taste—and very particular sizing," he said, holding up a bag with a flourish as if it were a trophy. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Nonna raised an unimpressed brow, adjusting her scarf in er wheelchair. "And whose idea was it that he pay for all of this?" she asked.

Michael waved a hand dismissively, grinning at both of us. "Mine. Obviously. Because I’m the one carrying it all and, let’s be honest, it all fits Katya perfectly. So I’m taking responsibility."

I burst into laughter again, clutching one of the smaller bags to my chest. "You really don’t make it easy to be mad at you, do you?"

He shrugged, trying to look nonchalant but failing miserably. "I don’t try. It’s a natural talent."

Nonna muttered under her breath, clearly disapproving, though there was a hint of amusement at the corner of her lips.

I caught her eye and grinned. Today had been strange, emotional, exhausting but here, now, with Michael juggling bags and trying not to topple over, it felt... almost normal.

Almost like nothing else in the world could reach us here.

We finally emerged into the car park, the chill of the evening air brushing against our faces.

Rows of cars stretched out before us, headlights glinting faintly as the last shoppers hurried toward their vehicles.

Michael paused, squinting. "Alright... so which one is yours?" he asked, juggling a couple of the heavier bags while scanning the lot.

Nonna’s hand rose, finger pointing with the precision of someone used to being obeyed. "That one," she said, her tone clipped but calm, gesturing toward a slick black car parked a little way off.

Michael’s eyebrows shot up. "What... that’s your ride?" he said, stepping closer to inspect it.

I shrugged, shrugging off his surprise with an embarrassed grin. "I... don’t know much about cars," I admitted, letting my hands rest against the smaller bags I still carried.

Michael let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. "I know you told me not to worry," he said carefully, "but Katya... how did you get all these?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but Nonna cut me off smoothly, her voice sharp but polite. "Well, look at that. It’s getting late."

She straightened in her wheelchair, giving Michael an appreciative nod. "Thank you, Michael, for the lovely clothes for my granddaughter," she said, emphasizing granddaughter in a way that made my chest tighten and my cheeks heat up.

Michael’s lips curved into a small, almost shy smile, the weight of the evening settling in his posture. "Of course. It was my pleasure." he simply said.

I felt a flicker of warmth at his words, at the way he looked at me, not just as someone he wanted to protect, but as someone he genuinely cared about.

The car park felt less like a cold, empty expanse and more like a pause in time, a quiet bubble where the world hadn’t tried to hurt us...yet.

I glanced at Nonna, who was ordering the guard to carefully put the bags to the boot. I dropped mine inside, Micheal followed.

Nonna was now getting helped into the back seat and I was about opening the other door to enter when Michael held my arm, I looked back at him in question.

Michael’s gaze softened, that same familiar intensity in his eyes. "Katya... can I have your number?" he asked, voice almost tentative.

I blinked, caught off guard, and shook my head. "I... I don’t have a phone," I admitted, my hands fidgeting with the hem of my sleeve.

Michael’s lips pressed into a small, sheepish smile. From the corner of his arm, he produced a small carton he’d been holding all this time.

"What’s... this for?" I tilted my head. He looked down at it, scratching the back of his neck.

"Well... I kind of guessed," he said quietly, almost like it embarrassed him. "Not once today did you look at a device. Most people your age—well, they’re always on their phones. So... I figured maybe you don’t have one."

I stared at the box for a moment, realization dawning. My mouth opened, but no words came at first.

Inside the carton was a sleek phone, brand new, neatly packaged. My heart skipped. "You... bought me a phone?" I whispered.

Michael shrugged, though the faintest blush touched his cheeks. "Yeah... I thought, you know... so we could still talk. You wouldn’t ghost me, right?"

I let out a soft laugh, one of disbelief and warmth at the same time. "I... I won’t ghost you," I said, finally reaching out to take the box from him.

My fingers brushed his for a second, and warmth shot up my arm. Michael’s smile grew, small but genuine.

"Good. Because I plan on making sure I don’t miss anything important... like you mysteriously going from a Cafe barista to a secret heiress"

I looked up at him, shaking my head again, smiling, Micheal smiled back at me as he said "I had already stored my number in there and i have the number on my phone too....so yeah."

"Th... thank you, Michael," I hugged the small carton a little closer to my chest, trying to keep my emotions in check.

I was really trying not to cry, but the way he’d been so careful, so nice—it was almost too much after everything.

Michael gave me that gentle, reassuring smile again, letting me gather myself without pressuring me. "You don’t have to thank me, Katya. I’m just... glad you’re okay."

I nodded, taking a deep breath and opening the car door. "I... I should go," I murmured, not wanting to fall apart in front of him.

Michael waved at me as the car started moving, a small, teasing grin on his face. "Bye, Katya. Take care, alright?"

I waved back, clutching the phone to my chest, and watched him fade into the distance as the car moved.

Settling well into the car, letting the weight of the evening sink in. Nonna, looking down at the phone still in my hands, gave me a knowing smile.

"He’s a good boy," she said quietly, her tone gentle, almost approving. I instantly felt my cheeks burn, my eyes darting back down to the phone.

My gaze landed on the only number stored there, Yeah... he really is.

**†

Why are y’all hoping for a second male lead?

Lol, should there be a twist?

But y’all don’t worry there’s many twists and yearnings lol

Let’s just say, there would be many emotions when I reach the main arc of this book.