Capítulo 26: 26. "Nova Plaza: The Crown Jewel of Novus Metropolis City"

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As the afternoon sun beat down on the bustling city streets, a group of teenage girls bounded through the crowds with exuberant energy. "Hey, Riana, do you want to go shopping!" one of them called out to her friend with infectious enthusiasm.

Riana's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yes, yes, let's go Anshi," she replied, a wide smile spreading across her face. The two girls linked arms and hurried towards the Nova Plaza shopping center, anticipation thrumming through their bodies.

As they made their way towards the mall entrance, two more friends caught up to them, breathless and eager to join in on the fun. "Hey, Anshi and Riana, both of you wait for us!" they shouted, their voices ringing out above the din of the bustling crowd.

The quartet of girls grinned at each other, their hearts beating fast with anticipation as they pushed their way through the throngs of people towards the glittering entrance of Nova Plaza. They could already hear the faint strains of music and the excited chatter of shoppers as they drew closer, and their excitement mounted with each step.

Finally, they burst through the doors and into the air-conditioned haven of the mall, the sound of their laughter and chatter echoing off the walls.

With a collective gasp of delight, the girls took off running towards their favorite stores, their eyes bright with the thrill of the hunt.

Nova Plaza,

Nova Plaza, the crown jewel of Novus metropolis city, stood tall and proud at the heart of the bustling metropolis. With its towering sphere-like structure and shimmering glass façade, it was a sight to behold.

Inside, the shopping center was a world unto itself. Spread across ten expansive floors, it housed every conceivable product one could desire, from designer clothes to the latest gadgets, luxury jewelry to everyday essentials.

But it wasn't just the sheer variety of goods on offer that made Nova Plaza so special. It was the aura of exclusivity and luxury that permeated every inch of the space. The plaza's high-tech security systems and sleek, comfortable seating areas lent an air of sophistication to the shopping experience, making customers feel like royalty.

Few knew the identity of the mastermind behind Nova Plaza's creation, but everyone knew the staggering value it held. In a single day, the plaza generated close to 100 million in profits, with an annual turnover of over 100 billion. Renting a single store space within its hallowed walls was an astronomical feat for any company, but the potential returns were even greater.

It was no wonder that a minimum of one million people visited the plaza every day, accounting for one-tenth of the city's entire population. The scramble to secure a space within its coveted walls was fierce, with companies vying for a chance to increase their profits by a large margin.

As the day wore on, the plaza bustled with activity. The chatter of excited shoppers filled the air, while the tinkling of cash registers and the rustling of shopping bags provided a symphony of sounds. Nova Plaza was a world apart, a sanctuary of luxury and convenience amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.

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Up till now, the lower class people could only stand on the outskirts and gaze longingly at the luxury stores on Nova Plaza. They yearned to enter and experience the glamour and prestige of the high-end fashion brands, but the fear of judgment and the weight of their limited budget kept them at bay.

However, their yearning was soon met with a welcoming embrace. A new store had opened in the plaza, called "Delightful Desires," and it beckoned to the people with open arms. The store offered cheap, durable, and brand new clothing that the lower class and middle class families could afford without breaking the bank.

As soon as the doors of the store opened, two young and beautiful ladies welcomed the customers with bright smiles and warm greetings."Welcome to the store of 'Delightful Desires' where you can afford the cheap, durable and brand clothes!"

The interior of the store was chic and stylish, with racks of clothes neatly arranged and a soft, soothing melody playing in the background.

The clothes on display were not only affordable but also environmentally friendly, making them even more appealing to the conscious consumers. The store had marketed their brand clothes to the low and middle class families, and the response was overwhelming. The moment the store opened, the brand clothes were snapped up in a matter of minutes.

Now, as the customers browsed through the racks, they marveled at the quality of the clothes and the affordability of the prices. They could finally experience the luxuries of the plaza that they had only dreamed of before.

The air in the store was filled with a sense of joy and gratitude, as the customers felt valued and respected for who they were, regardless of their financial status. The store had given them the opportunity to feel beautiful and confident, and that was priceless.

Excitement filled the air as Anshi and Riana made their way into the Delightful Desires Store, their eyes wide with wonder at the stunning array of new one piece designs in many different colors.

Anshi couldn't contain her excitement and let out a loud cry, "Hey, Riana. Come take a look at this!" Her friend Riana joined her, and together they made their way towards the racks of clothes, admiring the stylish and trendy designs.

Riana was equally amazed, her eyes scanning through the racks with eagerness. "Wow...!" she breathed in amazement, unable to hide her delight.

Anshi, feeling bold and adventurous, urged her friend to join her in trying every one of the dresses. "Let's go... try every one of them, hehehe!" she cried with excitement, grabbing a few of her favorite colors and dragging Riana to the changing room.

After spending an hour trying on every dress and outfit that caught their fancy, the two friends finally settled on a few that they found to be both beautiful and to their liking.

"So which one do you want to buy!" Riana asked her friend, noticing the difficulty Anshi was having in making a choice, as she did not have enough pocket money to buy them all.

Anshi's face scrunched up in thought as she pondered over her decision, "Hmmm! It's tough to decide as I like all of them, but..." she trailed off, unsure of what to do.

Riana, being the helpful friend that she was, stepped in to lend a hand. She selected three dresses that she thought would suit her friend well in three different occasions, all within her budget. "Ohh, then chose the ones who you like the most and fit you well, let's see, this one and the last piece with a soft and delicate touch, yes, this will do!" she said with a smile, holding up the dresses she had picked.

Anshi was thrilled with her choices, thanking Riana profusely for her help. But as she watched her friend make her own selections, she couldn't help but notice that Riana was struggling to make a decision.

Riana and Anshi had been friends since their school days, and now they were both attending the same college.

Both of them came from middle-class families that struggled to make ends meet, especially when it came to paying for college fees and other expenses. That was why Riana and Anshi only went shopping when they had saved up enough money from participating in competitions that showcased their impressive talents.

Despite their financial struggles, both Riana and Anshi were at the top of their class and were being supported by the college through scholarships. But even with the scholarships, the cost of living was still a heavy burden for their families.

As Riana picked up a dress she had been eyeing for a while and selected a fluffy pair of white underwear, she laughed nervously. "Haha! I think I'm only taking this dress and a pair of underwear!"

Anshi looked at her friend suspiciously. "Hey, are you having problems at home?"

Riana shook her head, trying to dismiss her friend's concern. "Ahhh, no...no! There are no problems, hahaha!"

But Anshi wasn't convinced. "Then why are you making that kind of expression? You know that you're not very good at hiding something, right?"

Feeling emotionally drained, Riana relented. "Gahh! Fine...fine, you win."

The crowded store had become overwhelming, and Riana could feel her anxiety rising. "Let's get out of here first before we talk," she suggested, looking at the sea of people around them. Both girls quickly paid for their clothing and made their way to the serene Nova Plaza resting place.

Little did Riana and Anshi know, their lives were about to take an unexpected turn. They had no inkling of the upheaval that awaited them.

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