Chapter 10: 5.𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭

"Are you sure about this Cami?" I asked Cami while looking around the store "yes hundred percent we need to get on his good side"

"But shouldn't we try to impress Liam instead of Ian?" she groaned "look Stella it's Ian who's helping us first if we impress him then he will put a good word on us to Liam. So just get a good gift and we will pay you"

"But what does he like? We couldn't just give him anything "

"How would I know? Buy him something all guys like" she said from the other side of the phone "ask Max what Ian likes" she put the call on hold for few minutes "he also doesn't know his taste" I sighed, shouldn't have agreed to this "just buy what all guys like" saying this she hung up without even letting me speak . How would I know what they like?

It's been 30 minutes of strolling around the mall. My legs are feeling like giving up now. I shouldn't have worn heels today . "Can I help you with something?" a lady asked me . she's a worker in the store "I am just looking around" I replied my tone showed a tint of nervousness "A specific thing you would like to buy?" I tried to think of an answer but couldn't come up with

This is a designer clothing and accessories store . I am looking at a few watches "I haven't decided yet. I can manage , thank you" I tried to convince her to leave me in a polite manner but she works here it's her job and I have already spent so much time here.

I decided to look into some other store, tomorrow is Ian's party and Cami suggested we should buy him a gift in return for helping us and I am elected to buy him a gift .

I have met the guy once. How would I know what to buy for him? Exploring the mall my eyes caught a bookstore, it's been a while since I visited one there's nothing wrong with just looking right? Getting excited, I entered the store , welcomed by the smell of books. Heaven

The air conditioner is keeping the store cool, giving me goosebumps, I rub my arms and start to look around. The store is really silent with not many people around just like how I want it . I could just spend the whole day here.

I have already brought many books, when I received the package Jasmine was amused how I could finish all of them but it didn't take me much long . She said "the real fun is in watching how you can read this much" and now sometimes she also takes my books and reads them . I have read all of them but there's not nothing wrong in buying a few more

After finishing my thoughts about which book I should buy next, I ended up taking the whole series. I have only read the first book and I want more of them . I think 4 books are enough but I want to look around more. Suddenly I noticed a book which had been in my tbr for so long , as I rushed to grab it I lost my balance and bumped my head into someone. "I am sorry-"

"Sorry I didn't notice you-" our words stopped when we looked at each other it didn't take me a movement to identify him "the biker guy" he frowned at words did I just say it out loud. I covered my mouth but my books fell in the process. I bent down to pick them "you are clumsy" he said handing me the book.

"Sorry I didn't mean it like that. I wanted to thank you but some other things came out " I apologized. He smiled at me, today he's also wearing an all black outfit more like formal office attire. His black hair styled perfectly and they looked smooth. I could smell the same musk fragrance from him

He snapped his finger at me "you are zoning out again " I looked away in embarrassment "didn't expect to see you here" his voice is deep yet soothing "yeah it's a coincidence meeting you here" I said "so you are here to buy books?" His eyes darted to the books in my hand . A wave of self consciousness took over me and I tried to hide them . But that's impossible to do so " I was just looking around, what about you?"

"Same just looking around " he kept his one hand in his pocket, his branded watch on display looked expensive. There was an awkward silence for a movement, I tried to think of something to speak about "I didn't get to ask last time what's your name"

"Asher"

"Nice to meet you again and I am still grateful for your help the other day . I am Stella" I forwarded my hand while introducing myself , trying to balance 4 books in one hand . He also forwarded his hand when I thought he would shake it . Instead he took my books "they might fall again" he placed them at a small stool nearby

"So what are you doing here?" He asked straightforwardly "I already told you just looking around"

"Carrying 4 books you are just looking around?"

"Well I was here to shop for a gift but got distracted and ended up here" I confessed

"Are you gifting these to someone?" he pointed to the books "no way that's for me . I still couldn't decide what gift to buy" Ain't I blurting out too much today

I took the books from the stool "I should pay for this" I headed to the counter and paid for the books , the cashier kept them in a paper bag. I looked back to see if he's still there but he wasn't after finishing the payment i headed towards the exit when I saw him standing there waiting for me

"Maybe I can help you" he offered while we both exited the store. I looked at him "why would you help me?" I questioned "because I already did help you once I can help you again" he shrugged his shoulders

"That's so kind of you to help a random stranger" I said sarcastically . He took a step near me and bent a little "you did take help from this stranger sometime ago" is he talking about the car incident or about the books "I just offered you to help it's upon you to accept it" he straightened up and started walking away

I think it's better to ask a guy what they like instead of looking around the mall like a lost puppy "wait yes! Please help me" I stopped him "Sure, what can I suggest?"

"What do you guys usually like?" My question seemed to shock him a bit. Did I say it wrongly "what do I like?" I shook my head "no what do guys like? What do you want to receive as a gift" I elaborated my question

He took the paper bag from my hand and guided me to another store precisely filled with men's accessories "Whom are you buying it for?"

"Hm a guy" that was a dry reply "I know that but what's your relationship with him?"

"Does it matter" he nodded "are you gifting it to your father, brother, friend, boyfriend. Different gifts have different meanings " he explained patiently "Really? I never thought of it that way"

"If you don't say , I don't think I can help you much"

"He's a friend , no to be more accurate he is my friend's friend who's our senior it's his birthday tomorrow and -"

"If you are his friend's friend then why are you buying a gift for him? Isn't that your friend's job?" Yeah it is but my friends are lazy to do so "yeah but it's kinda complicated, I want to impress him-" i realized what I said ugh everything is coming out wrongly today

"Impress him? Do you like him or something?"

"No!" I yelled , a customer standing nearby flinched at my piched tone

"No that's not it , it's actually complicated you wouldn't understand"

"Explain it then I am sure I will understand"

I signed and I think I can tell him the problem . I started to tell him from how our and someone's designs were similar and Zuri had to step back and nobody could help us and how max's friend Ian came up with an idea to take help from his senior

"If you are trying to get help from that ex-student, shouldn't you buy a gift for him too?"

I clapped my hand , I thought he would flinch due to my actions but didn't "exactly you understood it but they didn't " he shook his head saying something under his breath I couldn't catch it ."But he also seems really hard to impress"

"Ian?" I shook my head "no Liam. By whatever information I know he seems really far from my reach and I don't understand why everyone is idolizing and fangirling over him . He isn't some rockstar or pop star right?"

"You shouldn't judge a book by its cover," he said, swinging my bag. "You should know it" he pointed out. Maybe I came out rude but that's the truth , all the students saw him only once but whenever I ask something about him they start drooling like I do with my books "i know i shouldn't judge someone but when people get a taste of popularity they get arrogant"

"You think he is arrogant?"

"No... yes ..... maybe ? Wait, it doesn't matter! What matters is he should agree to help us or we are doomed" again he muttered something but I couldn't catch it . can't he be a little louder?

"What are your options? What do you want to give him?"

I actually made a list of the best gift options, I took my phone out and opened notes and started reading out the list to him

"Tie?" I ask

"He's a student and It would suit better if you were gifting it to your dad" he shrugs his shoulders while speaking

"Watch" I say another suggestion

"It's okay but there might be a measurement issue" he replies

"Clothes!" I exclaim

"Do you know his size" he says shaking his head

I was going to say shoes again but it has the same issue as clothes

"Gift card?" He simply shook his head in a no again

"A car"

"You are kidding right?" he raises his eyebrow at my weird suggestion

I groaned and a customer heard it and gave me a disgusting look . I pulled Asher to another corner where people won't get disturbed "then what should I do?"

"I don't think it's necessary for you to give him something. He's not a kid to expect something"

"You were supposed to help me" I said, folding my hands. "I am helping you with all these gifts doesn't suit the situation at all" My inner self wants to scream due to frustration but somehow I am controlling it . My feet are on verge to give up " we can't go empty handed right"

"Let's look at some other stores" and we were back to roaming around again. At this point I was limping "do you want to sit?" He asked, looking at my situation but I denied I couldn't waste more time.

A golden light captured my attention . It was coming from a showcase that displayed a pair of thigh high black boots , shining due to the light. I didn't even realize that I was standing right in front of the showcase admiring it "you wanna buy it?" He interrupted me

I thought for sometime but I am again getting distracted "no we should keep going"

"If you like it so much you should buy it" he suggested but his words are making me crave those boots even more "Nope I should just buy something for Ian . No time for distraction"

"I think you should buy something for yourself instead of that so-called friend of yours " he stood in front of me with one hand in his pocket whereas the other was carried by bag . The golden light highlighted his face , it looked the same as the other night.

I diverted my attention to the boots because I have started enough at him today "true heels are a better investment than men"

"Excuse me?" He raised his eyebrow at me . Oh shit! Am I saying everything out loud today or what "sorry I didn't mean you or Ian . I was talking about my ex" i tried to clear myself and yes I am talking about my ex instead of spending money on him i should have brought some heels they would have lasted longer and given me happiness

He remained silent and didn't reply, "We should get going." I started to walk away from the store. Luckily, he followed me without asking anything further. I have already embarrassed myself enough.

Asher tugged on my arm , I was walking really fast to run away from reality "I know what you should buy"

And we were standing in front of a bakery "you are hungry?" I asked . Without replying he just entered the bakery he gotta work on his communication skills. I followed him inside , the bakery looked really aesthetic from inside. It had a feeling of warmth.

"Good morning Mrs. Lee" he greeted the woman at the counter. Her face lit up when she saw Asher and she greeted him back "oh I see you have a company" I came forward and greeted her "welcome"

Asher said something to her in another language. After some conversations between them he came back "tomorrow by evening you and come and pick up the donuts"

"Donuts?!" I partially screamed "you want me to give him donuts?" He simply nodded, "Are you crazy, what kind of person wants donuts as a birthday gift?"

"Trust me, Mrs. Lee makes the best donuts. That guy will become a fan if Liam doesn't help you . He definitely will say yes " I am doubting my decision right now. I shouldn't have taken his help. Seriously, who gives donuts as a birthday gift to a grown ass man

"Stella! Please trust me on this" the way he called my name in a low tone suddenly made my anger vanish away . I agreed to pay some amount in advance to Mrs Lee and we left the bakery. "As for your problem is solved I should be heading back now"

I didn't realize how much time I had for him . He might have other works to do as well, but I was still in doubt about his choice of gift but now what's done is done no need to regret

"Thank you so much for helping me again. Sorry I took so much of your time"

"It's fine I hope maybe you can also repay someday" he said giving me the paper bag back "yeah I will " I was being cautious with my words should I do it or not "hm could you give me your number. In future if you need help you can also contact me you know" I hesitated seeing his face it looked like he took it in some other meaning "I just want to repay you that's all not more or less" I tried to explain my voice was cracking in between

"It's ok we might meet soon" he didn't take my number or give me his . I don't think I will cross paths with him again. Sydney is a huge city where we can't bump into each other every time.

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Author's Note

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