#mallscene

The boutique was quiet in the way expensive places always were.

Soft lighting reflected off polished marble floors. Every rack was perfectly spaced, every garment hung with intention. It didn’t feel like a store—it felt like a place where mistakes weren’t supposed to happen.

Bella rested both forearms on the marble checkout counter, leaning forward fully, completely at ease.

Like she belonged there.

Like the space adjusted itself around her.

Across from her, the cashier hesitated under the weight of that presence.

Behind Bella, Maddie stood tall.

Pastel cardigan. Pleated skirt. Chin slightly lifted. Her gaze fixed on the cashier with a practiced, unimpressed look, like she’d already decided something was wrong and was just waiting for it to be confirmed.

Bella smiled.

“I'm sorry,” she said, lightly tapping one manicured nail against the counter, “but this is clearly the wrong shade.”

The cashier blinked, glancing down at the silk scarf.

“It’s… the one you selected, ma’am.”

Bella’s eyebrows lifted just slightly.

“Oh,” she said, calm and precise. “I selected powder blue.”

The cashier looked again.

“This is powder blue.”

Bella let out a quiet breath, almost amused.

“Oh, sweetie,” she said, turning the scarf slightly with two fingers, “this is ice blue.”

A beat.

Maddie leaned forward just a fraction behind her.

“Yeah, it’s like… way colder,” she chimed in quickly. “You can tell.”

Bella didn’t turn, but the corner of her mouth curved faintly.

The cashier frowned, uncertain.

“But the tag—”

“Yes,” Bella said smoothly, tapping the counter again. “And the tag is wrong.”

The certainty in her voice didn’t leave room for argument.

Maddie folded her arms.

“Which is kind of a big deal,” she added, a little sharper. “For a place like this.”

The cashier shifted, clearly uncomfortable.

“I can check the back—”

“No,” Bella said, effortless.

She picked up the scarf, examined it like it had personally inconvenienced her, then placed it back down.

“This one will do.”

The cashier blinked.

“But you said—”

Bella’s smile didn’t waver.

“It will do,” she repeated, “for half price.”

Silence settled over the counter.

Maddie’s lips twitched slightly, holding back a smile as she watched it land.

The cashier shook her head slightly.

“I—I can’t just—”

Bella tilted her head, expression softening just enough to feel controlled rather than kind.

“So you’re telling me,” she said slowly, “that your boutique knowingly sells mislabeled merchandise…”

A pause.

“…and refuses to fix the mistake?”

The cashier faltered.

Maddie stepped in just a little closer now, voice quick, almost eager.

“That’s actually really bad,” she added. “Like… people write reviews about that.”

Bella stayed exactly where she was, unmoving, completely composed.

The cashier swallowed.

“I can get my manager—”

Bella smiled.

“Perfect.”

She leaned back slightly from the counter, entirely at ease again.

“We’ll wait.”

Maddie straightened beside and just behind her, arms crossed, gaze steady on the cashier.

The two of them stood there together—polished, confident, unbothered.

But where Bella held the moment effortlessly…

Maddie filled it.

#TastyTuesday over the weekend, we did our grocery shopping. My daughter felt like dining once again at Flaming Wings at the LCMall food court. She ordered chicken tenders as usual with garlic parmesan for sauce and bleu cheese for dip. This has become her fave. Me, on the other hand, wanted to try something different. I've been ordering different combinations since we started trying out this stall. For that night, I had hot honey for sauce and wasabi mayo for dip. I must admit I liked the color combination. LOL! It wasn't so bad. It actually was a pretty good combination. Knowing me, I would probably try a different combination next time.

Throwback Thursday -- Week 52 (2018). #JBS18Adventures -- Robinson's Magnolia from five years ago. Yup! It was Christmastime as well when we trekked there. We normally stay away from malls during the busy season, as we're not too fond of crowds. Since we were exploring for my daughter's 18 adventures, we decided to make an exception.

That huge Christmas tree, the bright lights inside and outside the mall, the Lego Christmas village on display, and the gingerbread house. A-ha! I even caught someone checking out the cookies that made up the gingerbread house. Yes, they were edible -- a real gingerbread house -- really! >.<

It's been awhile since I have last been to Robinson's Magnolia. I'm not quite sure how it looks now. Perhaps the surrounding area is now more crowded with the number of condominium buildings being built back then.