My Reborn Admirer Wins Over My Heart (Oriana) novel Chapter 84

**Chapter 84: A Gift of Appreciation**

Luna was not merely referring to the suit hanging elegantly on the rack; her words were laced with a deeper disdain for the Sterling family and the notorious Grant Holloway. The air in the luxury store crackled with tension as Luna prepared to launch her verbal assault.

With a triumphant smile curving her lips, Luna took a deliberate step back, her arms crossed over her chest, exuding an air of superiority. “If you can’t afford it, Oriana,” she declared, her voice dripping with condescension, “you really shouldn’t force yourself into this realm of luxury.”

Sloane, emboldened by Luna’s cutting remarks, felt a surge of confidence. “Exactly! A high-end store like this is no place for someone like you. Don’t embarrass yourself by even trying,” she added, puffing her chest out as if she were a peacock displaying its feathers.

Oriana, however, remained unfazed. “I certainly can’t bring myself to pay double like a fool,” she replied coolly, her composure unshaken by their taunts.

Luna’s smile faltered for a moment, her brows knitting together in confusion. “What do you mean by that?” she pressed, a hint of irritation creeping into her tone.

“Exactly what I said,” Oriana replied, her own smile brightening as she gestured towards a stylish men’s jacket on a nearby rack. “That one…”

Sloane, sensing the potential for a confrontation, interjected hastily, “Wrap it up for our Luna! Double the price!” Her eagerness to escalate the situation was palpable.

Oriana raised an eyebrow, her expression one of feigned innocence as she pointed at the display counter. “This pair of cufflinks and that belt…”

Sloane, clearly anxious that Oriana might actually purchase them for Grant, jumped in again, her voice rising with urgency. “Wrap them up! Luna wants them! Double!”

Unperturbed, Oriana’s gaze drifted to another part of the store. “Those sunglasses…” she said, her voice casual yet laced with mischief.

Luna, watching the exchange unfold, felt her patience wearing thin. “Enough!” she snapped, her frustration boiling over. It dawned on her that Oriana was playing a game, and Sloane was too gullible to see it. Did she really think money grew on trees? If Oriana continued pointing out items, would she expect to buy the entire store? Bramwell Sterling, with his infamous stinginess, would have a fit.

Oriana blinked, her fingers deftly hooking the sunglasses and turning to face Luna and Sloane, a mocking smile dancing on her lips. “Still want to snatch it, Luna?” she taunted, clearly relishing in the moment.

Luna felt a surge of anger rise within her, almost choking her. She wanted to retaliate with a sharp comment, but she managed to hold back, reminding herself that Grant was busy with work and wouldn’t even wear sunglasses. Surely, Oriana wouldn’t waste her money on something so trivial for him.

Noticing Luna’s fierce glare but silence, Oriana feigned regret. “Alright then. If you’re not going to take it, I suppose I’ll have to buy it myself.” With a playful wink at the trainee behind the counter, she added, “Please wrap these for me.”

The trainee, recognizing the commission she had just earned, beamed with excitement. “Of course! Right away!”

“Luna! Sh—she actually bought it!” Sloane gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief and regret at not having acted first.

Luna clenched her jaw, her anger boiling over so intensely that it was hard to see straight. She couldn’t even muster the energy to be polite to Sloane now. “I’m not blind! I can see!” she snapped, her frustration palpable. Damn it! She had been outsmarted!

“I know, I know. But I want to show my appreciation. I can’t just keep accepting your kindness without giving something back.” As she spoke, her impatience grew; she was eager to see him try on the sunglasses. In a burst of spontaneity, she stood on her tiptoes and reached up to remove the glasses from his nose.

Unbeknownst to Oriana, her sudden closeness, her pretty, innocent face magnified in his vision, made Micah’s breath hitch in his throat. He felt frozen, unable to move.

In the next instant, the clear image before him faded as the glasses were taken away, replaced by a veil of darkness as Oriana playfully placed them over his eyes.

“I knew they would look good on you! So handsome!” Oriana exclaimed, her delight evident in her voice.

Micah lowered his head slightly, clearing his throat awkwardly as he tried to regain his composure. “They look… good on me?” he asked, seeking reassurance.

Oriana’s praise flowed freely. “They’ve surpassed good. Handsome. Pretty handsome!”

Pretty handsome? Micah’s smile widened, refusing to fade. “Then… do you like it?” he asked, his heart racing.

“Of course I like it.” But as soon as the words left her lips, Oriana realized the potential misunderstanding and quickly added, “Who doesn’t like a handsome guy? I bet if you walked down the street like that, you’d turn heads left and right!”

The playful banter continued, and in that moment, the world outside faded away, leaving just the two of them, wrapped in laughter and light.