Days After You's

Chapter 18 - Going to the Mall (1)

The atmosphere of the mall on Saturday morning is quite crowded. Family, couples, and a bunch of friends who passed from one store to another immediately became the first sight for me and Stella when they just entered.

"A lot of yes," said Stella as she spread her eyes. She wears thin make up and her usual style with light purple canal clothes, white strappy shoes, and one-tied hair. Although the collar piece was a little too low, I think she looked good—Malah, lately I started to feel that whatever she was wearing even if it was just a plain shirt and skirt though, I think, it will always look better than the bright and shiny colored clothes on it. Like any other woman who looks the best when wearing bold colors and something elegant or sexy, Stella is best when wearing pastel colors and something that seems cute.

"Luiz, let's go over there" said Stella pulling the arm off my shirt. I followed him into the first shop. There we browsed through some of the items that made Stella interested in—mostly because of its cute shape and not its function—up until when I heard there was a familiar voice calling my name.

"Sir Luiz!"

I looked up but saw no one.

"Sir Luiz! It's here."

I turned in the other direction. There, among the display cabinets located a few steps away from us, Rio accompanied by his wife smiled as he walked over to us. I didn't expect to see them here.

"Sir Luiz, Miss Stella. How are you?" Rio who sometimes had a puppy-like energy was looking at Stella curiously, "Bu Stella, long time no see, in case you forget, I am Rio assistant Pak Luiz during in the company. And this is my wife, Melinda who also came with me at your wedding."

Melinda, who was none other than the female version of her husband, drew a big smile and shook my hand and Stella, "Hello, Mr. Luiz, Ms. Stella."

Facing a Rio alone was enough to make Stella misbehave, but facing 'two' Rio she became a scene.

"A-ah, hello. It's nice to meet you. I won't forget that you're Luiz's assistant. You congratulated me the most at the party yet, with your wife too" Stella said.

Rio smiled and nodded. I don't know what made him so enthusiastic, I don't know.

"Mom and Dad are walking?" Ask Rio.

"We are again looking for gifts for relatives who want to get married" I replied.

"Oh! That's right, it's mating season!"

I ignored the selection Rio said which felt a bit vulgar and switched to asking the relevant thing.

"Do you have any advice on where to look for good stuff?"

"If you are looking for a gift..." Rio turned his head next to her, "Mel, do you have any advice?"

Melinda who had been holding Stella for some time nodded, "Well, if I may know who this relative is?"

"S-my female cousin" Stella replied.

"Women's cousin huh? I'll show you a good place. Come on."

Stella and Melinda walked in front while chatting while Rio and I tailed from behind. Rio suddenly leaned in and whispered to me.

"Sir Luiz, you must be very sorry about Miss Stella. Before calling, I saw my father whispering with his mother."

My eyes were round and my ears were heating up. Since when do Stella and I look like that in other people's eyes? I did try to bend over to hear Stella saying something, but it was because the music from the store that made her voice was unclear, there was no other intent to it.

Luckily I didn't have to bother thinking about an answer because Rio was soon called by his wife. He who is always quick to respond to me also does the same for his wife and quickly follows forward. Instead of at the same time, Stella also turned and met my eyes with a smile.

The effect of Rio's words earlier, I became a little delusional and slow to my response. I shook my head and walked over to Stella.

"Luiz," said Stella as I reached her side

"Stella, Melinda didn't bother you, did she?" I whispered as the two couples next to us stepped first into the elevator.

Stella shook her head quickly, "She just asked a few things and chatted this earlier. He's very friendly."

Good thing then, I'm just worried that Melinda's mouth that can't stop talking will eventually make Stella uncomfortable and overwhelmed but it seems she's more relaxed with the woman.

We then walked for five minutes before reaching the store that Melinda was referring to. The store, if it is to be described, is pink. Everything inside and as far as the eye could see, was all pink. The walls, display case and all the ornaments are pink. I've never seen a place so feminine as this and I feel a little foreign standing in it.

It turns out Melinda's been subscribed to this store for a long time, which means...Rio has also been to this place a few times. I looked at Rio and he instantly realized the intent of that look of mine.

"If it's the wife's will, I have to accompany her wherever she wants to go sir" Rio said as he scratched his cheek and chuckled. Well I didn't mean to criticize his actions either, I just felt that it was a little shocking.

Ninety percent of the items in this store seem to be targeted at female buyers. Stella was carried from one end to the other by Melinda and a female saleswoman to see this it was a good one to be a gift. Starting from bags, accessories, wallets to other objects that I do not know what works for other than if all the colors are also pink or dominant pink.

"Is there anything you're interested in about all that stuff, Miss Stella? All the stuff here is so good for your female cousin, I guarantee she'll be happy if you buy her something from here" Melinda asked at last. Now he is similar to the sales next to him.

Stella who was looking at the pink-handled brush collection then turned away, she took a quick glance at me before biting her lips softly, "Um.that, actually, my cousin is quite a tomboy, so she doesn't like anything pink."

All instantly silent.

Stella's moving her original hand, "Ah, but the stuff here is really good all right."

I wouldn't lie, if I were in Melinda's position right now, I would definitely feel quite upset. But since that's not the case, I'm free to feel that this is actually making me laugh.

Stella who was probably aware of the awkwardness she caused immediately picked up two mugs from one of the shelves and approached me. He said nothing but clasping the two mugs on his chest and looking at me followed by a thin red tinge on both cheeks.

"You want that?"

Stella nodded.

"That's it?"

"Yes..."

"OKAY. Give it to the sales, I'll pay for it at the cashier."

Good thing for Stella because the incident in the end only made Melinda laugh in front of the store, she said it was wrong she also did not let Stella talk at all and instead continued to chatter.

"Mel, you're this..." Rio shakes.

"Well sorry. Then we go to the other store. Take it easy this time I promise a more neutral," said Melinda. He was about to hold Stella again but Rio had already pulled her to walk together in front.

I then turned to Stella, "Did you pick that mug so we wouldn't go out empty-handed?"

Stella looks up, "Oh this mug? No. Luiz, I've been taking it since I first saw."

Stella lifted one of the boxes containing mugs from inside the paper bag, "See there are initials on the front. Funny right? I bought two for us. One of my initials and one of yours. L for Luiz and S for me."

I blinked and stared at the letter L on the surface of the mug ceramic which was also pink. Does this also mean he'll have me drink from that thing from now on? But it feels too like a real couple....

"Luiz...?"

Stella's voice jolted me back. I immediately shook my head. Nnnnope. There's nothing special about this if I don't think it's special. Right, this is just an ordinary mug. Just an ordinary mug.

"Let's go ahead" I said.

Stella rushed to put the box in her grip back into the paper bag but her careless one of course almost dropped it. He laughed but I almost hung up. As a result, I offered to hold the paper bag for him, knowing if he would slip or stumble on the surface of this flat tile later. If it was Stella, then the possibility was not impossible.

Stella, please take good care of your things in front of him.

...****************...

Melinda: Rio, what's wrong with you? I wanted to walk with Miss Stella but you pulled me.

Rio: Shh, Mel! Mr. Luiz wants to walk next to his wife. Don't be a mosquito and walk ahead with me.

Melinda: Huh? (Looking back and seeing Luiz-Stella being so closely chatting about mugs) Oh. Let's walk.