# Chapter 33
“Which one do you think looks best on me?”
“They all look pretty similar.”
The guy who buys identical clothes but always emphasizes how different the details are was now being unhelpfully uncooperative since it wasn’t for him. Yet he wasn’t wrong. Everything looked pretty when viewed, but once Mo Eunje tried them on, nothing felt quite right. Even the design he had high hopes for looked plain once it hung around his neck.
“Oh, this one’s pretty.”
There was a necklace in the showcase that caught Mo Eunje’s eye. It was a small circular pendant with no decorations, slightly curved so that its shape and color seemed to change subtly depending on how light reflected off it.
“Could we see this one as well?”
Tae Igyeol, who had uncannily read Mo Eunje’s gaze, asked the employee. At moments like this, Mo Eunje was always newly impressed by Tae Igyeol’s sense.
“This piece is available with initial engraving service.”
The employee added as she fastened the necklace around Mo Eunje’s neck.
“How does it look?”
Confidence was evident in the employee’s voice. She could tell it suited Mo Eunje well. Looking at himself, Mo Eunje felt this was exactly right. It looked even more mysteriously beautiful when worn than when viewed, and the way it changed with the light reflection felt magical.
There was no need to ask Tae Igyeol’s opinion. Standing with his arms crossed, he was already speaking with his eyes. Having an eye for quality things, Mo Eunje had a feeling it would be expensive and casually asked the employee:
“This is also part of the family sale, right?”
“No. This is a new product, so it’s not included in the current promotion.”
“Ah… Then how much is it?”
The employee removed the necklace from Mo Eunje’s neck and showed him the price tag. One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand… Extremely expensive.
“This one looks the best on you.”
“…I know.”
With his good eyesight, Tae Igyeol must have seen the price tag, but he spoke in a casual, monotone voice as if they were definitely buying it, so Mo Eunje replied with an awkward smile through gritted teeth. Now it was time for Mo Eunje to be engulfed in conflict and intense deliberation.
Should I ask Tae Igyeol to pay just the birthday budget amount and I’ll pay the rest?
Is it overkill to spend this much on a necklace?
But if I’m going to buy something, this is perfect.
If I don’t buy it, it’ll haunt me even during meals.
I’ll definitely think about it before bed, 100%.
Yes. This is a divine message telling me to buy it.
But it’s so expensive. What should I do…
“Please wrap a new one. Ah, are we getting it engraved?”
It was a clear voice that instantly swept away the fierce debate in his head. It seemed Tae Igyeol had gone crazy and was throwing money around.
“Just a moment. I’ll be right back after we talk. Sorry.”
Mo Eunje grabbed Tae Igyeol’s arm and dragged him out of the store. Then, with wide eyes, he spoke in a low, careful voice.
“Did you really just ask for that after seeing the price? They said it’s not on sale. Didn’t you see how expensive it is?”
“…That’s the one you liked best. You couldn’t take your eyes off it.”
“Hey, just because I like something doesn’t mean I can buy everything. It’s not like I’ll die without it—it’s a luxury item I can absolutely live without.”
“Hah… Where do I even begin? First of all, saying it wouldn’t affect you is wrong. You might not die, but you’d pine over it. It would haunt you during meals, and you’d think about it before bed, right?”
“…Creepy. Sometimes you scare me. It’s like you’ve been inside my head.”
“Shut up. I’ll buy it for your birthday present.”
Good heavens. Who buys such an expensive gift for a friend who’s neither family, spouse, nor lover? Mo Eunje’s mouth hung open. He hadn’t even given gifts of this price range to his own parents.
“Making some money on stocks has completely warped your economic sense. Did you really see the price properly? And you still want to buy it?”
“It’s cheaper than that outfit.”
Tae Igyeol nodded at the cardigan Mo Eunje was wearing. Mo Eunje let out a hollow laugh. Since he bought most of his clothes from sports brands for around 100,000 won, he often forgot that most of Tae Igyeol’s clothes were luxury brands. Despite their years together, their tastes were this different.
“Fine. If you made over 100 million won today, then buy it. Otherwise, let’s just look at watch straps. I’ll think about a different gift.”
“Let’s go.”
Thinking they were heading to a watch strap store, Mo Eunje was surprised when Tae Igyeol strode back into the jewelry store. Once again, Mo Eunje’s eyes and mouth widened. Tae Igyeol’s back looked as wide as the Pacific Ocean, with what seemed like a halo of light around him.
“About the initial engraving.”
Tae Igyeol, who had already completed the payment with the employee, confirmed.
“Yes, I want it. Please engrave it with the letter M.”
“Would you like to choose a font here?”
It felt a bit burdensome and sorry to receive such an excessive birthday gift, but since Tae Igyeol said he’d made hundreds of millions in one day, there was no need to feel guilty or apologetic. Indeed, hesitation only delays possession. Unable to contain his rising cheekbones, Mo Eunje chose a font with a broad grin. He was truly delighted.
“Is it possible to get a bracelet with the same pendant?”
“Yes, sir. You can select a bracelet design and order it, but custom orders take about a week.”
After choosing a font and informing the employee, she said it would take 5 to 10 minutes. Mo Eunje sat comfortably on a sofa, tasting the iced tea and cookies served by another employee while waiting for the engraving to be completed. Tae Igyeol, who had been discussing the engraving and bracelet order with the employee, came and sat beside him.
“Why the bracelet? Who are you getting it for?”
“…”
There was no answer, but it was obvious. It must be for Shin Dael, whom he had a crush on. The fact that Shin Dael was also a model for this brand would make it an especially meaningful gift. He had worried about things becoming awkward before they even started, but fortunately, the scandal had quieted down quickly. Moreover, knowing he wasn’t the only one receiving an expensive gift made Mo Eunje feel a little better. No, it made him feel strange.
Wait, doesn’t this mean I’m sharing couple items with Shin Dael?
After tilting his head in thought, he quickly dismissed the idea. By that logic, everyone who owned the same pendant would be sharing couple items. Knowing Tae Igyeol’s possessiveness and obsession, he must have ordered the bracelet with the necklace pendant as a gift for Shin Dael. Knowing Tae Igyeol’s possessiveness and obsession, this momentary concern was completely dispelled.
“If you were going to buy it anyway, why did your pupils shake so much while deliberating?”
“Because Eunje isn’t as rich as Igyeol hyung?”
“Bullshit. I know you have several savings accounts.”
“Looking at what you’ve earned through investments, mine is just a drop in the bucket. Anyway… thank you. This necklace is now my number one treasure.”
“Your number one treasure changes dozens of times a day, so what does that even mean?”
Tae Igyeol said emotionlessly in a detached voice. Yet the slight upturn at the corner of his lips suggested he was in a very good mood from making a large profit today. Living in a capitalist society, he knew that more money was always better, but judging by Tae Igyeol’s aggressive investment style, he belonged to the category of people who loved money.
Cute kid.
Since the moment the necklace became his, the corners of Mo Eunje’s lips had been pulled up and his cheekbones elevated, showing no signs of coming down.
“Sir, the engraving service is complete. Would you like to check it?”
The pendant the employee brought showed the letter M beautifully engraved in a flowing script. It was perfect. When Mo Eunje looked at Tae Igyeol and nodded to indicate his complete satisfaction, Tae Igyeol asked the employee to wrap it.
“I want to hold it.”
“It’s not yours yet.”
“…”
Just when Tae Igyeol could have let him enjoy the flex, his foul temperament made him petty at the last minute. The paper bag containing the boxed necklace was still in Tae Igyeol’s hands. Thinking he would have to wait until the birthday party tomorrow evening to receive it made time seem to crawl, as if tomorrow would never come. Still, knowing rationally that tomorrow would arrive, he maintained his happiness as they headed to the escalator.
“Besides the watch strap, is there anything else you want?”
“Why?”
“Hey, I have a conscience too. You got me an expensive gift, so I’ll get you something more.”
“I haven’t given it to you yet. And there’s nothing I particularly need.”
Mo Eunje got on the descending escalator and turned to look at Tae Igyeol. Already over 190 cm tall, looking up at him from one step below felt quite intimidating. It would be nice to switch places, but Tae Igyeol wasn’t the type to turn around, so Mo Eunje didn’t suggest it.
“I’m giving it to you tomorrow. Think carefully if there’s anything else you want. I received a necklace as a gift, plus I’m living off you, and you’re buying dinner too—I don’t want to be shameless.”
“I’m more surprised to hear you have any shame at all.”
“Yeah, I’m surprised too. So, what should I get you?”
“…Let me think. A diamond?”
“You crazy bastard.”
Mo Eunje turned away mercilessly. Talking about diamonds, of all things. After spending so much on the necklace and custom bracelet all at once, Tae Igyeol seemed to have lost his mind. Though he swiped his card expressionlessly when buying his own clothes, it was understandable to be a bit delirious after such a large expense on gifts for others.
Besides, diamonds would be needed later for a proposal, so why would he want one now? Furthermore, he wasn’t the type of careless person who would give his loved one a diamond someone else bought; he would buy it himself. As Mo Eunje stepped off the escalator, shaking his head in disbelief, Tae Igyeol followed and playfully put his arm around his shoulder.
“A bouquet.”
“Why suddenly a bouquet?”
“I realized I haven’t received one since high school graduation when my mom and aunt gave me flowers.”
“Oh? Me neither. There’s a flower shop next to the department store, I’ll buy you one on our way out.”
Tae Igyeol’s sanity had returned from its temporary absence. A slight smile crept onto Mo Eunje’s face, finding it unlike Tae Igyeol to want a gift much more modest than expected.
