"I can easily pay for it. It is for Sophie, and if I buy a gift for my friend by taking discounts in her own mall, it would be embarrassing for her."
"And Sophie came all the way here for me. I would never let her be embarrassed in her own mall."
Ethan said with a reassuring smile towards Kyle.
He was playing along with Kyle’s performance because he knew that he was trying to impress.
Sophie and maintain his good image in her eyes.
He asked the salesgirl to show the QR code for payment.
He scanned it and paid the whole amount in one swift motion.
Ding!
< System Notification >
< User has spent €45,000 on clothes >
<User will get 300% cashback on the amount spent.>
Ding!
Message from Central BankA/c XXXX credited $151,104.00.
Balance: $1,176,004.
"Thank you for shopping with us! Please come again."
The salesgirl said.
She handed the bag to Ethan with a polite and warm smile.
She watched the entire exchange between Ethan and Kyle.
She understood Kyle was trying to impress Sophie.
Ethan took the bag and gave it to Sophie.
"I know this is too much, but it is my first time giving you a birthday gift, so pls accept it."
He said, beaming with joy, and looked at her with an earnest expression.
"Oh! Ethan"
"I told you not to spend so much money on me."
"Well, you are right"
"This is the first gift from you. So I will accept it."
"Thank you so much, Ethan"
"I really enjoyed having fun with you."
Sophie was shocked by Ethan’s spending, but she also liked that he spent so much money to impress her and gave his best.
She liked him giving his 100% and was even more impressed by him.
"Welcome ??"
"It’s ok, Sophie."
Ethan said with a grin.
Meanwhile, someone’s plan was in ruins; Kyle was also shocked by Ethan’s spendthrift nature and was internally calculating to catch any flaw in this move played by Ethan.
But when he saw Sophie beaming with joy and bringing shy with him, at first he was dumbfounded.
His face changed from normal to shocked, then white, and finally red.
’Ethannnn!!!!!’
Kyle shouted in his mind.
He was exasperated by the fact that Sophie was impressed by Ethan’s spending, which was not even 1/3rd of what Kyle usually gives her as a gift on her Birthday.
The fact was simple: Sophie’s family was one of the richest families in France, and many heirs tried to impress her with expensive gifts but were never able to get a single reaction from her.
She never showed this kind of happiness in front of anyone. But Ethan just completed that impossible task in front of his eyes. This made him very jealous.
The manager was also shocked; he had assumed he was a simple, ordinary student. But when he saw that he was also Sophie’s friend and how she was treating him, he broke into a sweat from his forehead.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and changed his whole demeanour towards Ethan.
"Mr Ethan, thanks for shopping at our mall. If you need anything in future or visit our mall, just inform us. Please take my personal contact card."
"I will be at your service"
The manager bowed and said in a professional, sweet tone.
"Oh, thanks"
"If I ever come to shop here, I will surely contact you."
Ethan replied.
"Oh yeah, Ethan, I just remember Kyle told me that a new cafe opened here. Let’s grab a coffee from there."
Sophie said.
"Oh sure !"
"Why not"
Ethan said with a grin.
He was excited to see Kyle’s reaction after his plan failed.
"Kyle, come with us; you wanted to show us the special coffee"
Sophie offered.
Ha....Ah....I forgot I have a family gathering today at my house. So I have to leave."
"Sorry, Sophie."
"Maybe next time."
Kyle rejected her offer, apologised to her, and left the mall.
While leaving, he pledged to destroy Ethan at any cost because, all this time, he had taken him lightly, but now he saw Sophie’s growing interest and affection for Ethan made him nervous too.
"Let’s go, Sophie"
"I am interested in knowing what is so special about that coffee that you are praising it so much."
Ethan teased her with a playful wink.
"You!!"
"Shameless "
"Behave yourself"
"We are in a public place "
She shouted back, but her face was turning red, and a flush appeared on her beautiful face.
They came to the cafe. I came to the cafe and sat near a desk. They ordered for a while and then ordered a cappuccino and a latte.
"Oh wow"
"It has a rich, full-bodied weight that feels great."
Ethan complimented the coffee while taking a few sips calmly and at an unhurried pace.
"I’m glad you liked it"
"I think I have to go now."
"It’s already late"
"Let’s meet on my birthday."
"You have to come to my birthday at any cost. Did you hear that?"
With a playful smile, her assistant, who had just arrived, headed towards the car.
"Hmm... phew"
"What a long day"
"Well, it’s time to go back."
Ethan said to himself.
*Phone rings*
"Who’s calling me now?"
He picked up his phone and checked it.
"An unknown number....Hmm"
"Let’s see who it is"
Ethan said.
Ethan answered the phone call.
"Hello"
"Whose is this?"
Ethan asked.
"Good evening, sir. My name is Richard Pavard."
"I am the ex-president of the football club."
"I came to know you bought 80% of the shares of the club"
"Congratulations on becoming the largest shareholder of the club."
"The board wants you to be the new club president "
"Please come tomorrow to the club. I will personally show you all about the club."
Richard said in a polite and confident voice, showing no nervousness.
"Oh, Good evening, Mr Richard"
"I will surely visit the club tomorrow."
"Bye"
Ethan agreed and hung up the phone.
He bought some new clothes like suits and formal pants for tomorrow.
He came back home and changed. He ate dinner, did some homework and slept.
With his silent snores, the night passed and a new day came.