#it's okay it was only a 14€ perfume it wasn't that expensive

[vettelcore]

i keep putting buying things i want off until i start having dreams about them, then i take it as a sign that it's ok and rightful to spend my money

[skzhocomments]

I can read your smile - Choi Minho SHINee Fanfic - Chapter 15 - Foundations, perfumes, skin care

Story masterlist - please consult it for the summary of the story, trigger warnings etc.

Wattpad | AO3

Chapter 14 | Chapter 16

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Chapter 15 - Foundations, perfumes, skin care

word count: 1.4k words

~third person POV~

"She's a piece of work, isn't she?" Taemin chuckled as Minho came back in the kitchen.

"Don't talk to me, I'm still mad at you." He threw him a cold gaze that softened immediately when he noticed Taemin's frown.

"I'm really sorry. I feel so bad. I should've-"

"It's fine." Minho sighed and ruffled his hair. "Stop pondering on it. What's done is done, and thankfully nothing happened."

"Yea. But I'm sure she's still feeling horrible about it..."

"Maybe shopping will take her mind off this... situation." Minho shrugged.

"Maybe... I'm really, really sorry for everything... If we would've been 5 minutes too late-"

"Taemin, it's okay. You weren't late. You were there just in time. You did well."

"But you're still mad at me..."

"You know what would make me be less upset? Take this." Minho pulled out a few banknotes from his wallet. "Buy her whatever the heck she wants, tell her it's from you because you feel guilty, and don't back down when she refuses."

"What?" Taemin asked, puzzled, looking at the money Minho gave him. "Why don't you give it to her directly?"

"Be serious, she fought me for a dress. You think she'd take this money?"

"O-okay." Taemin nodded quickly. "But you think she'll accept me buying things for her?"

"Just think of something!" Minho shushed him off just as Crystal opened the door to her room.

"Ok Taemin, I'm ready. Doll me up!" She stepped in the kitchen and sat down in front of her friend, waiting for him to put make-up on her skin and cover the bruise. His foundation shade was not a perfect match to her skin tone, but he blended it as well as he could, and it looked almost natural, and most importantly, the bruise was gone.

After they were done, they waved Minho goodbye and went to the shopping centre, going straight to Taemin's favourite make-up store.

"So, where's the foundation?" Crystal glanced around unsure, as Taemin grabbed a small basket for their products.

She was on unfamiliar territory. She had no idea where anything was, and the whole place made her feel overwhelmed. There were multiple make-up pallets, concealers, mascaras, all sorts of creams and perfumes, and she didn't know where to look.

"Before that, why don't we have some fun?" Taemin suggested, grabbing her wrist and dragging her towards the women's fragrances section.

He grabbed one perfume from Dior, J'adore, and sprayed it on a sample paper, giving it to Crystal to smell.

"So sweet!" She smiled.

"You like it?"

"I mean, it's okay I guess." It smelled of flowers, but it was a bit too sweet for her liking.

"Hmm. Okay is not good enough." He shook his head. "What about this one?"

He sprayed down YSL's Black Opium, and Crystal found this one better, but she was still not totally convinced that she liked it. Taemin then grabbed another one, Mugler's Alien Goddess, and sprayed it on the sample paper, giving it to Crystal.

"Wow, this one is the best." She chuckled. The perfume smelled of different things, firstly of flowers, but it left an after-fragrance of vanilla, which was her favourite smell.

"Yea?" Taemin smiled enthusiastically, and when she nodded, he grabbed a sealed box and put it in the small basket.

Crystal raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on it. She had no idea what Taemin was doing, but she didn't question it for now.

They moved on to the next section of the store, which was skincare. Crystal went directly to one cherry blossom cream she saw Jude use a while ago that she really liked and tried it on. Not only did it smell good, but the texture was milky, and it was so easy to spread, she thought it would do wonders for her skin.

Still, it was quite expensive, and she wasn't here to buy moisturisers. Maybe she would get it for Christmas or something.

"Do you like this one?" Taemin pointed to it after Crystal put it back on the shelf.

"I do, yes." She nodded.

"Do you want it?"

"Mhm. I'll get it some other time."

"No." Taemin shook his head and grabbed the cream, putting it in the basket.

"What are you doing?" Crystal looked at him.

"We have a big budget today, so we're getting whatever we can. We still have enough for, let's say, a foundation and maybe a good mascara and a lipstick or two?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Shh. Don't question it." He shushed her, placing his index finger on her lips, and turned around and started going to the lipstick's aisle.

"I don't get it."

"There's nothing to get. I feel bad for last night, so it would make me feel better if I got you something." Taemin shrugged.

"Why does everyone keep buying me things?" Crystal scoffed in disbelief.

"I don't know. Because you're a cutie. How would I know?" He shrugged, and she rolled her eyes.

"Try on this shade." It was a reddish nude, matte shade, which fit her skin tone perfectly. Taemin threw it in the basket.

When they finally got to the foundations, it was like Taemin knew exactly what to search for. He found the right shade for Crystal in the blink of an eye, put it in the basket, then counted the items satisfied.

"This should do." He nodded to himself.

"Taemin, this is fucked." She protested. "It's hundreds of dollars."

"So, we've been friends for two years now. We went together through two of your birthdays, two Christmases and two New Years, and I never got you anything, so kindly shut the fuck up."

Crystal chuckled. "Don't be rude, you prick."

"Then don't be difficult!" He laughed and pulled out the money to pay, moment when Crystal noticed something.

She was about to throw hands, but she waited until they left the store before starting to make a scene.

"So, how much did Minho give you, exactly?" She asked directly, and Taemin's eyes grew wide.

"Wh- How?"

She sighed. "The bank notes you used."

"I don't get it."

"When I paid rent, one of them had a little butterfly drawn in the right corner. You had the exact same one."

"No way you noticed such a small detail. Fuck off, Crystal!" He exclaimed shocked, making the girl chuckle once again.

"Answer, you little prick." She frowned again and bumped his arm.

"The foundation's on me, the rest is on Minho."

"I'm so confused." She spoke after a while. "I don't understand why he does this."

"You're his friend. He wants you to feel better and didn't know what to do more. He said shopping might help you feel better."

Of course, Crystal wasn't referring to this. She was confused because he kept doing things that made her think she was more to him than just a friend. All his actions pointed this out.

Yet, he rejected her, he went on a date with someone else, and he never told her anything to at least imply he has other feelings for her.

But everything he did made it difficult for her to actually move on. It was easier to not think about him as much when he was away, but ever since he came back, they've been eating together, talking, spending time, even sleeping next to each other.

Yet, he didn't like her that way.

Why?

"By the way, Taemin. When is Minho's birthday?"

"Hmmm. December 9."

"I see. I should make sure to get him something good, at least."

"We'll definitely have a party." He chuckled.

"Yea."

~

Taemin took her home and Crystal invited him in again to have dinner together, but he refused, saying that he's tired and tomorrow is a Uni day anyway, so he should head to sleep.

She entered the apartment and heard the TV in the living room, so she went there with the shopping bags as soon as she took her shoes off.

"Hey, had fun?" Minho smiled.

"Yea. Thanks for these." She raised the bags in the air and waved them around. "You shouldn't have."

"I know, I know." Minho smiled. "Did Taemin tell you?"

"No. He didn't." She sighed. "Look, I know you wanted me to feel better, and I truly appreciate it, but... please stop doing this. It makes me uncomfortable."

It makes me confused. It makes me delusional. It makes me wonder if you perhaps like me. It hurts, because I know you don't, and by doing this you're not letting me move on. She wanted to say, but she didn't. Instead, she just left the room and didn't give Minho a chance to say anything back.

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Chapter 14 | Chapter 16

[god-save-the-keen]

Charity Gala

Book: Bloodbound

Pairing: Adrian Raines x MC (Amy)

Warning: Fluff

Words: 1471

Prompt: Someone leave #14 of the list in my inbox and I don't know is Tumblr is broken, they deleted the question or their account but the question/request disappear. Anywhere, here it's the result!

Note: My PC is still broke so sorry I can cut the text! 🙏

Adrian Raines x mc tag list: @alesana45 @choicesfannatalie @itscassandraleig-blog @mattrodriguezmylife @bigmemesplz @perriewinklenerdie @x-kyne-x @livingpurpose @adriansbiss

Permanent list: @gardeningourmet @client-327 @desiree---1986 @dawn-1994 @violinet @darley1101 @blackcatkita @flyawayboo @drakewalker04

"I have never seen the point of these galas." Adrian commented as the limo continued steadily on their way.

"Oh trust me, I'm just as excited to be here as much as you are." Amy responded, an uncharacteristic ironic tone to her voice. Adrian lifted his brow at her and she sighed. "I'm sorry." She said after a small pause.

"It's still early, if you would like, you can stay." Adrian pointed out, in a calm manner, he didn't want her to feel pressured to accompany him, after all it was weird that Amy was this irritated.

"I don't know…" She bit her bottom lip. "It's just… I'm so nervous"

"Everything is going to be okay, love."

"It won't." Amy turned her gaze towards Adrian again, her eyebrow furrowed with concern and her eyes sad. "The people at these kind of events always look at me like I'm the secretary of the moment that you are just fooling around with." She redirected her eyes to the limo's window, resting her chin on her palm. "I hate that look."

"But you know that none of it is true" He took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles.

"I know." She said sadly. "I just want to enjoy a night out with you without being judged."

He got closer to her, taking her waist as she looked at him. "I promise you that that is exactly what is going to happen. And if you aren't enjoying yourself, I leave the donation and we return home."

She placed her hand on his cheek, a sweet smile on her lips as she observed him. "I love when you call it 'home'." They had been living together for a few weeks in an apartment overlooking Central Park and, since the first night they had shared together in it, Adrian started to call it home instead of 'the penthouse' like he used to, melting Amy's heart with happiness. He pressed his forehead against hers, smiling as her soft perfume filled his lungs and his hand tightened his hold. Before either of them could say anything else, the limo stopped in front of a luxury hotel. Outside were some photographers taking pictures of the couples on the red carpet as they arrived and Amy looked at them uncertainty.

Adrian gently kissed her, without rushing, opened the door getting out of the limo and offering her his hand to help her out. She took it, smiling and lacing their fingers together while she stood up next to him as her soft silver dress sparkled under the flashing cameras. It was a huge charity gala for Australian Firemen and their work, celebrities were everywhere, Avery Wilshire and his girlfriend Candece Dorian, Cassandra Leigh, Victoria Fontaine, Chris Winters among the business men and woman, politicians, designers and rich people in general, Matt and Jessica Rodriguez were the hostess for the night and Cordonia's royalty had donate a beautiful diamond necklace to be auctioned.

They posed for a moment, Adrian's arm around her waist and her hand on his shoulder as he pulled her closer, his lips brushing her ear for a moment, smiling, while he whispered to her "You look gorgeous." She turned her head and smiled at him, forgetting the camaras, the people, everything around them except him.

Hand in hand, they went inside. Adrian took two champagne glasses from a passing waitress and handed one to Amy. Her eyes widened at the luxury around her, even after all the time she had been with Adrian, as his employee and his girlfriend, sometimes it was still hard for her to get used to this kind of life, surrender of money, opulence and glamorous but fake people. They drank, Adrian's hand on her waist, as they milled around the salon, quietly chatting, laughing, observing photos of animals and the fires in Australia as people started to approach to talk with him about business.

A skeletal arm took Amy's as Adrian continued his conversation and she found herself being dragged towards the bar by Amanda Lexington, the size zero wife of an important CEO of NY, although Amy wasn't sure which one.

"Amy! It's always a pleasure to see you at these kind of events!" Her tone pretended to be affectionate as her little black eyes only convey coldness.

"Hi Amanda" Amy answered trying to sound calm and confident.

"You know, the other day we were talking about you with John" She said grabbing a glass of expensive wine and setting her gaze on her.

"Oh?" She sipped her champagne.

"It's great that you two are still together!" Her lips curled in a cynical smile.

"And why wouldn't we still be together?" Her hand squeezing the glass a little bit, she wasn't sure if she was annoyed, angry or sad with this conversation but she definitely wasn't happy.

"Oh! For no reason my dear, just you know how the CEO's are! Always want to play with the latest toy." Amanda drank her wine as her eyes assess Amy's reaction. "Especially with the secretaries."

"I--" Her voice was trembling, every fiber of her body hating her words, even if she knew that Adrian wasn't like that, that he loved her, Amanda Lexington always knew how to push her buttons.

"But I'm not saying it's going to happen with you, my dear!" She patted Amy's arm condescendingly. "It's just that Adrian is so handsome and wealthy. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy that just settles down with someone… well, like you." The glass she was holding shattered in her hand as champagne, glass and a few drops of blood fell on the floor.

"Amy" Adrian was beside her, he took her hand in his but the wound had already healed. Amy continued observing Amanda, her eyes angry as she took another sip of wine. "Is everything okay, love?"

"Yes." She responded stoically, still watching Amanda like she wanted to drain her whole blood supply from her tiny body. Adrian took her waist, smiling politely even when the warmth of his sweet blue eyes had completely disappeared.

"Amanda, even though your company is always…" He made a little pause and narrowed his eyes, his tone full of sarcasm in the next few words. "... A pleasure, I must say I didn't expect to see you here today." He grabbed two glasses of champagne and handed one to Amy, kissing her cheek. "Here, love." He took a swig, his presence intense, powerful, intimidating almost dominant.

"And why it's that?"

"Well, because John is in jail for a white collar crime and lost all his financial liquidity."Adrian said and Amy turned towards him, surprised, as some other guests stopped to discreetly hear the conversation.

"You must be mistaken, Adrian!" She said loudly enough for the people around them to hear her while her face was pale and her eyes grew wider with horror. "John is in London, on a business trip."

"My apologies, I must have received the call from Nassau County Jail from another John Lexington." A satisfied smirk on his face as some people in the crowd started to whisper. "Ready to head out?" He asked Amy as if the last five minutes had never happened.

"Let's go." He entwined their fingers together. "By the way Amanda… Raines Corp is looking for mail personal, give me a call, okay? You need it, I know It's not a secretary job, but you don't like those anyway."

Once outside, while they were waiting for their car, Amy crashed her mouth against Adrian, deeply kissing him as he responded with equal enthusiasm. After they separated a bit, she softly placed her hands on the lapels of his suit jacket.

"Was this suit expensive? Like, irreplaceable expensive?" He held her waist pulling her closer.

"No" He grinned.

"Good… does it have any emotional value?"

"Also no" His mouth started to kiss the hollow under her jaw.

"Great, because once we get home I'm going to rip it from your body." He chuckled before kissing her again. "The way you shut her up was amazing!"

"I heard what she was saying to you, and I know you can defend yourself, but no one is going to be disrespectful to you like that if I can avoid it." His eyes, warm blue again as always, fixed on hers.

"So… It was true that her husband called you?" She asked, getting in the limo.

"Not even close" He answered as she laughed putting her legs on his lap. "His lawyer is a colleague of mine and he may have commented about it. Are you okay?" His voice concerned and his hand softly caressing her legs.

"As long as I have you in my corner, I'm fine." She hugged his neck. "I love you, Adrian."

"I love you too, Amy"