CHATBOT: "Buying a dress for her." Alex's voice was cool, but with a hint of coldness that sent shivers down my spine. I didn't know if he did it because he actually cared or if it was to protect his own reputation. I didn't have the energy to figure that out right now. The clerk tilted her head, sizing him up before nodding politely, her attitude now much more deferential. "Of course, Mr. Morgenstern. Right this way." I followed Alex closely, feeling like a lost puppy. He picked out a couple of dresses for me to try on and I went into the fitting room to change. As I walked out in the first dress, Alex was sitting on a chair, uninterested, playing with his phone. He glanced up at me briefly before going back to his phone, not even commenting on the dress. The situation was awkward. I didn't know what to say and he clearly didn't want to talk. But the silence was suffocating, so I decided to break it. "Thank you for the dress, Alex. I'll pay you back when I can." It was the least I could do. He looked up at me, his eyes cold. "Keep it. I don't need your money." I frowned, feeling hurt. Why did he have to be like this? "Then why are you buying me clothes, Alex?" He sighed, putting down his phone. "I don't want to embarrass myself by being seen with someone who dresses like a beggar." My heart sank at his words. Was that really all I was to him? A burden and an embarrassment? Tears threatened to spill from my eyes but I held them back. I wouldn't let him see how much he hurt me. I went back into the fitting room without a word, trying on the other dresses. They were all beautiful, but I no longer felt any happiness in buying them. All I felt was numbness and sadness. When I finally came out of the fitting room, willing myself to hold back tears, Alex was already waiting by the door, holding the shopping bags. "Let's go." I followed him silently, feeling like a puppet being led by a string. The ride back to the villa was quiet and tense. I wanted to say something, anything, to break the silence, but I didn't know what to say. When we finally arrived at the villa, I got out of the car quickly, not wanting to be near him anymore. I walked up to the gate before turning around, "Thank you for the dresses, Alex. I'll make sure to wear them." He didn't reply, just drove away silently. As I walked inside the villa, I felt like a piece of glass on the verge of shattering. Alex's words had cut deep, making me feel unworthy and unwanted. But I knew I couldn't let him break me. ...