Days After You's

Chapter 18 - Going to the Mall (2)

The second store that Stella and I visited with Rio and Melinda, as Melinda said, was indeed neutral and more crowded than the first store. Maybe because it is complete and some prices of goods that tend to be affordable so many are happy to come here. But in search of a gift, I personally do not see this place storing anything so special apart from ordinary home appliances and supplies.

As she walked in, Stella went with Melinda to the shelf containing kitchen utensils, while Rio and I walked down the different shelf aisle before shortly splitting up to look for something.

I stopped when I saw a bunch of humidifiers on the shelf. The humidifier on the shelf had a deer earpiece and rabbit ears on top of them.

I immediately thought that Stella would be happy if she saw this, she would really like cute things. And sure enough, not long after, it was as if feeling called Stella suddenly appeared next to me.

"Luiz, did you find anything good? Oho! Funny humidifier!" Stella picked up a humidifier with pink rabbit ears.

I shifted and cleared my throat, "Stella don't show up so suddenly."

"Oh? Did I surprise you? Sorry-sorry. I was looking for you from there, apparently you were cool to see these funny humidifiers," Stella laughed, "I didn't know you liked these things, Luiz, either."

"I don't like it" I said. I wouldn't say I was thinking about him when I saw that thing either. So I said the thing that went through my mind in a slightly nonchalant tone as if I didn't really care, "I just thought it could be a good gift for your cousin."

I don't mean to lie, really. It's just that without a second thought, I instead spoke the origin. I cursed myself but Stella was also curious because I said so. Without blinking she looked at me with sparkling eyes, so inevitably I had to give her a reason not to look stupid.

"I mean, like when you meet that cousin closest to you, don't you feel like it's a breath of fresh air among your other cousins who are indifferent to you? With you giving her this humidifier, you're also describing that feeling to her."

I had to take a philosophy class after this. What was that just now, where did all those words come to mind? I think it's one of those ads on the website that I saw not too long ago. It was so bad, I felt amused by myself.

I cleared my throat, still maintaining my calm face, "That's how."

"Oh.." muttered Stella before shortly afterwards hugging the humidifier in her grasp, "I'll give this to Kat then. Luiz, thanks for the advice."

I'm speechless. He really believed all my words. That easy?

"...Stella, no, think about it. Maybe there's something better than this. Humidifier as a wedding gift is commonplace."

"But with a special meaning, it will distinguish it from the others. Kat would be happy. Rather than a gift that is just good to be a decoration, this is also useful."

Cousin Stella, Kat, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sabotage his mind to give you this. This is the most ordinary gift and there are no specials for me.

"At least choose a better model, Stella. Look there's something out of our company's brand, it's definitely better" I said.

Stella lifted the white humidifier with her deer ears on the shelf and ignored the model I pointed to, "This is great. Luiz, it's not that I don't want to buy your family's company's products, but I like these funny models rather than those from there."

Though his father was the director for the electronics brand branch of our company, and he said so?

I stared at the deer ear humidifier in Stella's grasp for a moment then looked at the price tag on the shelf. The price is also very cheap, I doubt the quality will be good.

"...You certain? Didn't you say your cousin was a tomboy?"

Stella lowered her head, "It's funny but not so feminine. She's gonna love it."

I surrendered. Stella's decision was unanimous and it was my fault. I looked towards the tube-shaped humidifier on the shelf, it was time I told the electronics branch to take out a new model. How could our product lose competitiveness right in front of my eyes?

I sighed, "All right. Take that one."

Stella tilted her head, "Luiz, I'll also buy your company's brand if you want. Don't be sad."

"I'm not sad, Stella. And forget about it."

"Really?"

"Really," I answered and found Rio and Melinda walking over to us, I asked again, "You don't want to take it for home either?"

I was unconscious before the question came out of my mouth, but it felt like it sounded a bit intimate. It was as if she and I were a couple shopping together.

"Oh I want to," Stella replied with a jubilant tiptoe, "Luiz, what color do you want?"

"...Anywhere is."

I squinted at Stella and she laughed.

"Oh I'm kidding. Luiz, you're so dedicated to your family's company" Stella chuckled.

"...No, it's not that."

"Yes, yes."

It's the first time Stella's tried to joke like that with me. He doesn't seem to be as rude to me anymore. Should I consider this a good thing or vice versa?

Rio and Melinda arrived next to us.

"Sir Luiz, did Stella get anything? A humidifier? Oh that's a nice present!"

"Oh that's so funny!" Melinda. Stella nodded and began to tell him what I had just told her about the meaning of the humidifier as a gift. And never in my life have I felt more embarrassed than when Rio and Melinda looked at me with such a meaningful smile after that. But of course I didn't show it and put on a flat face.

After paying and exiting the shop, I was about to take Rio and his wife to lunch with us but Rio preceded me to talk.

"It's good that you and your mother have found what they're looking for. I'd love to have lunch with you but we have an appointment after this."

"Huh? What promise?" Melinda frowned, but Rio just grabbed her and whispered something. Melinda's expression slowly changed as if understanding something.

I chose not to heed their behavior and nodded, "It's okay. Thank you for showing us the shops."

"Thank you, Mr. Rio. Miss Melinda," said Stella half-bending.

"Together, sir, ma'am," Rio replied.

"It's great to help" Melinda said. She then invited Stella to exchange phone numbers while Rio immediately shook my hand while whispering, "Sir, we won't bother you anymore. Enjoy some time with your wife."

I squinted at Rio and it managed to shed a little bit of his smile even if not completely. I wonder why he was always so enthusiastic about my relationship with Stella to do things like this, even though I felt there was nothing special about the two of us.

"We go first then" I said so there was nothing more to say. Stella waved one last time at the couple before turning around and walking next to me.

"They're very kind and friendly huh" Stella said in a carefree tone. He brushed his bangs while talking.

I just nodded because that was the fact of Rio's nature. The only time when he gets more serious is when he's at work.

"Stella, do you want to eat before you go home?" I asked while looking at the clock from the watch. I asked not because there was any special purpose but because it was almost one o'clock in the afternoon and I was hungry too so I thought it was better for us to eat out.

Stella nodded, "You."

"Where do you eat?"

"Pulse...Where yes...Oho! Because it's pretty close from here, we just drop by there."

I looked, "Where?"

"My restaurant. Bamboo Resto."

Huh huh?

Stalled steps. I don't know what my expression is right now but I can only look at Stella in my surprise. What did he say just now.the restaurant?

"Luiz...?" Stella, who had just realized I wasn't next to her, turned and walked back, "Is there anything left?"

"You..have a restaurant?"

Hearing my question, Stella kept silent for a moment. He scratched his cheek and tilted his head.

"Eh...Ja. Luiz, you don't know?"

Hm. Not to be mistaken, I must be the dumbest husband of the century.