Two days before the grand program at HAG Company, Sunnyvale Closet was overflowing with people. Everyone wanted to look perfect for the most anticipated event of the year.
Meanwhile, Sunshine was lounging on the couch, lazily filing her nails, when her phone rang. It was Lettie. Sunshine answered immediately.
"Ma'am, I need your help right now," Lettie's voice trembled. "I've never seen this many aggressive shoppers in one place. I can't handle it alone. Please… I need a hand today. It's chaos."
The call cut abruptly.
Sunshine's heart skipped. She jumped off the couch and rushed toward the hallway. Luckily, the three-person squad, her trusted team were in the home theater, laughing loudly at the movie they were watching.
She barged in, breathless from running down the stairs. "Thank God you're all here," she panted, clutching her chest.
The trio paused their movie, eyes on her.
"Guys, I need you at Sunnyvale Closet right now!" Sunshine announced urgently. "Lettie's in serious trouble and there's no way she can manage that place alone. We have to go fast."
They all scattered in different directions the second Sunshine finished speaking. Shoes slipped on, shirts straightened, hair tied, everyone dressed up in record speed. Within minutes, the car was roaring down the road, speeding toward 7th Street of San Felipe as if the tires were on fire.
When they finally arrived, Lucas parked at the far end of the street. The moment they stepped out, they froze. A sea of people stretched around Sunnyvale pushing, yelling, arguing, desperate to get in.
Ciara's jaw dropped.
"Wow… Lettie is in more trouble than I imagined."
"Then let's go save the poor girl," Lucas said, already swinging his door closed.
They started walking toward the chaos only for Sunshine to suddenly stop and look around.
"Hansen?" she called.
He wasn't with them.
They turned back… and there he was.
Hansen was casually stretching on the hood of the car, one leg dangling like he had all the time in the world. Sunshine threw her hands up.
"What do you think you're doing, Hansen?!"
He didn't even flinch. "Avoiding the media. They're definitely somewhere in that crowd, and I'm not ready to see myself on tomorrow's headlines."
Sunshine sighed she knew he wasn't lying.
"Alright, fine. You and Lucas take the back gate. Ciara and I will use the main entrance."
She stepped closer, stood on her toes, and planted a soft peck on his forehead half encouragement, half reassurance.
Hansen blinked, touching the spot as she pulled away. A slow smile crept onto his face, one side of his lips curling upward in that signature, charming way of his.
Sunshine grabbed Ciara's hand, and the two pushed through the crowd toward the main entrance while Lucas and Hansen disappeared around the building toward the back gate.
Inside Sunnyvale Closet… chaos ruled.
People were everywhere shoving clothes into their baskets, fighting over perfumes, arguing with the attendants, and yelling at anyone who looked important.
The place was so crowded that Sunshine and Ciara were being shoved side to side, barely able to keep their balance.
"Excuse me! I have to get that blue dress before someone snatches it!"
A woman screamed and bulldozed her way through the crowd, nearly knocking them over.
Ciara hissed under her breath, "The guys should've used this path, not us, Sunshine. My foot has been stepped on like five times!"
They finally pushed their way out of the chaotic entrance, gasping for air.
By the time they made it out, their clothes were wrinkled, Sunshine's hair was sticking up in random directions, and Ciara looked like she had just survived a tornado.
"Look at my hair, Sunshine! I look like a burnt chicken!" Ciara complained loudly.
Sunshine tried smoothing her Ciara's hair, but before she could fix a single strand.
And right in the middle of the madness was Lettie, standing on a stool with both hands raised like she was conducting an unruly orchestra.
"PLEASE, in the name of all that is peaceful, form a line!" she shouted over the noise.
No one listened.
A customer even tried to snatch a dress straight from her hand. Lettie tightened her grip with both hands, teeth clenched.
"That is NOT how we behave in public!" she snapped.
Sunshine and Ciara finally reached her.
"Lettie!" Sunshine called.
Lettie turned and nearly burst into tears.
"Oh thank God! Sunshine, I can't breathe! They're wild like starving lions!"
"You did your best," Sunshine comforted gently, helping her down from the stool.
Suddenly something banged from the back entrance. The customers froze.
Then Hansen and Lucas burst through, their presence instantly shifting the atmosphere. Lucas looked sharp, authoritative. Hansen… well, he simply existed, and half the room swooned.
Someone whispered, "Is that Hansen Gray?"
Another gasped, "Oh my God, it IS..."
Before the whisper could spark into chaos, Sunshine stepped forward like a queen reclaiming her throne.
"Everyone, calm down. There will be enough items for all of you, and we will assist you properly. Please keep order."
Her voice rolled through the store like a warm wave, steadying things instantly.
Lucas cleared his throat.
"You heard the lady. Move in a single line."
Hansen leaned against a rack, smirking.
"That's the polite version. But if y'all don't sit tight, I'm dragging each of you out myself."
His tone was playful, but his eyes were dead serious.
The customers quickly formed a line.
Ciara elbowed Sunshine.
"You always knew how to tame a crowd," she whispered.
Sunshine smiled but her gaze drifted toward Hansen.He caught her staring and raised a brow, teasing. Her cheeks warmed.
Meanwhile, Lettie clung to Lucas' arm as if she'd survived a natural disaster.
"I thought I was going to faint," she whispered dramatically.
"You almost did," Lucas chuckled. "And you looked like a cat about to attack everyone."
"Because they deserve it," she huffed.
Within minutes, everything settled. The shop regained order, customers behaved, and sales resumed smoothly.
Hansen walked over to Sunshine, leaning close enough that she could feel his breath near her ear. "You owe me for this rescue mission," he murmured.
She lifted her chin. "And what exactly do you want as a reward?"
He stepped even closer.
"Dinner. Just you and me."
Her heartbeat faltered for a moment.
"Only dinner?" she teased.
His smirk deepened. "For now."
Sunshine and Ciara made their way deeper into the shop to attend to the customers. They were still chatting with a few of them when a sharp, high-pitched voice suddenly rang out behind them.
"THAT'S MY SUPER ROLE MODELLLL!"