CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40 A PRICEY DATE 2

Without further discussion, she had the clerk charge the card.

In the end, the clerk sent us out of the store with a fawning smile, even handing me a membership card.

A Versace membership card. It was hard to believe.

"Mary, thank you. I’ll transfer the money to you in a bit," I said, still in shock.

But Mary looked unhappy. "I already said, this is a gift for our first date. Do you want to make me cry on our first date?"

Her eyes began to well up with tears.

I panicked. "No, I didn’t mean that. I’ll accept it, please don’t cry, okay?"

Hearing this, she broke into a smile and took my arm. "Come on, let’s go to the next store."

"What are we buying now?" I asked, a sense of dread creeping in.

"You still need a pair of leather shoes and a watch!" She replied cheerfully.

The trifecta of a man’s desires: luxury cars, prestigious watches, and beautiful women.

For the moment, setting aside the topic of luxury cars, the ones that cost hundreds of thousands were merely high-end, a far cry from the realm of true luxury. In an era where expectations soared high and capabilities fell short, cars worth hundreds of thousands no longer held the title of luxury. And here I was, barely able to afford a Xiali.

The watch I was wearing was a cheap imitation of a Longines, a thirty-dollar purchase from an online store.

Mary, however, decided to take me to a Longines store. When we emerged, I was the proud owner of two new watches, each carrying a price tag of around five thousand dollars. One for business, the other for casual wear.

According to Mary, watches of this caliber were not overly ostentatious, yet offered the best value for money. Brands like Breguet and Patek Philippe were too extravagant, even for millionaires. In other words, the wearer didn’t match the watch.

I chuckled bitterly to myself. Even if I were to receive a watch of such caliber, I would feel too insecure to wear it. Nevertheless, I made a fierce vow to myself that one day, I would don the world’s top luxury watches.

After our visit to the Longines store, Mary guided me to the Edward Green shoe store. A British brand known for its understated elegance, embodying the English gentleman style. However, the prices were truly steep, over two thousand dollars a pair. Mary bought two pairs!

In her opinion, a watch was a man’s face. It determined your circle when you extended your hand for a handshake. Your attire reflected your taste, representing your style.

Listening to Mary’s eloquent words, I realized that despite her seemingly naive and carefree demeanor, she was quite sensible. The education of children from wealthy families was indeed different.

This entire shopping spree cost her nearly twenty thousand dollars.

I felt a growing unease within me; the feeling of being kept was becoming stronger. And it wasn’t by an older woman, but by a girl younger than me. It wasn’t shame that I felt, but embarrassment. A discomfort that was hard to shake off.

As we passed by a jewelry store, I impulsively pulled her inside.

"Why are you dragging me into a jewelry store?" she asked, surprised.

"To pick out jewelry for you," I replied.

She shook her head, whispering, "William, this is Cartier, it’s very expensive!"

Unfazed, I led her to the necklace counter, determined to buy her one even if it meant maxing out my credit card.

"Look, which one do you like?" I asked, pointing to the array of necklaces on display.

She protested, "I already have a lot of jewelry at home, really, no need."

I put on a stern face, "Can your jewelry be the same as the one I give you? Besides, since it’s a date, it should be reciprocal."

A saleswoman nearby chimed in with a smile, "Miss, the one from your boyfriend is certainly different."

"Do you like this one?" I asked, pointing to a necklace priced at five thousand dollars.

Mary glanced at it. "That’s too expensive, let’s look at others."

She was such a good girl; she hadn’t even blinked an eye when she was buying things for me earlier. She was truly considerate.

I insisted, "Please take out this necklace for me."

The saleswoman said, "Sir, you have a great eye. This is the latest LOVE necklace. 18k gold, set with three diamonds of 0.07 carats each, totaling 1.05 carats!"

That sounded really expensive!

Taking the necklace, I said, "Here, let me put it on for you."

Seeing that she couldn’t refuse, Mary nodded, and I went behind her to help her put it on. Her skin was so fair and delicate, even the pores were invisible. Standing behind her, I could see her delicate collarbone and her soft skin.

"Does it look good?" she asked.

"It looks great!" I replied.

A spark ignited in my eyes as the necklace graced her fair neck, enhancing her beauty in a way that was truly breathtaking. Already a vision of loveliness, she seemed to radiate an even brighter aura in that moment.

Bathed in the warm glow of the overhead lights, she appeared ethereal.

The saleswoman, equally entranced, expressed her admiration with a hint of envy. "Miss," she began, "I’ve been in this line of work for years, and I’ve yet to encounter anyone as stunning as you."

Women are known to appreciate compliments, and Mary was no different. She remained silent, but the subtle upward curve of her lips betrayed her delight.

"Please, charge this one." I instructed, my movements as I produced my card were smooth and assured. However, a pang of regret gnawed at my heart as I swiped it through the machine.

The familiar beeping sound confirmed the successful transaction.

Mary’s joy was palpable as she clutched my hand, shaking it excitedly. "William, thank you. This is the most wonderful gift I’ve ever received."

Our shopping spree had consumed the morning, and by noon, we were ready to refuel. We stowed our purchases in the car and made our way to the bustling food street nearby.

I had assumed she would opt for a high-end Western restaurant, but to my surprise, she chose a quaint couple’s cafe with reasonable prices. We secured a small, secluded booth on the street-side, offering us a private dining experience.

She ordered a steak, a plate of pasta, and a juice, totaling a little over twenty dollars.

"Here, open up!" she encouraged, offering me a piece of steak. A wave of warmth washed over me in that moment.

Her actions were marked by a genuine understanding and devoid of any princess-like temperament. The act of feeding someone else, and being fed in return, were two distinct experiences.

Her purity and sincerity were palpable, reminiscent of the feelings I had only ever associated with Kristina.

"Delicious!" I exclaimed, reciprocating by feeding her a piece of steak. We took turns, the harmonious atmosphere rapidly bridging the gap between us.

During our meal, I proposed a playful game to see who could eat pasta faster. The catch? We would both be slurping the same strand.

With a hearty slurp, I devoured most of the noodle, and with another, the remainder disappeared into my mouth.

[Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!]

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Every end of the week I will Go over all the gifts I have been supported with and I will release an equivalent Chapter it could be 2.....5....or 12.. Chapters..... Thanks for any patronage.