A lot of people are looking at us.
YaoYao was used to fading into the crowd but today was a different story. The man standing next to her was tall and shining like copper in the sun. I've asked him not to wear a suit but still a white shirt and jeans stood out on a well built frame. He is tall and I could tell he workout with the muscle shown from his folded sleeves. Everyone we passed by looked at us.
I've never like attention. I stood out like a sore thumb with my second hand clothes. After I've left university, I was still keeping in touch with a few close friends in the class. I was thinking it might be good to keep up in case I have the chance to retake and complete my course but it stop after they were making fun of my clothes and the way I dress not to mentioned I don't have the latest phone model or computer to do the final year assignment. I know they didn't mean any harm but it hurt my pride to continue to stick around them. Others in the class are less friendly and I was called names when we bumped into them.
I bring Steven through some really old part of the area that I really really like. Architecture is and always will be my passion. My grandparents thought I didn't want to move out of the area because of money but that is not entirely true. I really do like this part of town full of stories of the past and it's a part of the country lost heritage. If I could stay with it longer I would. All this will disappear one day in the name of development and community enhancement. It's a natural phenomenon. It will be buried under tall skyscraper and condominium like the southeast area.
I wonder what Steven does for a living. He seems to care about the rundown shopping mall but at the same time dislike it. Is he here to access the area development under a government scheme or was he dispatched by a developer to scout the area? I didn't dare to ask for fear what come next. My grandparents are too old to move now, they are very happy with the small noodle shop. I didn't want them to worried too much into my future but I foresee what is coming and know the shop won't stay long.
My savings so far will be sufficient for a year rental in shared facilities but won't be enough is I want to continue study in architecture. Perhaps it is time to think of something else which required less investment. Looking at the successful man next to me, really make me envious. The corporate world would remain as a dream.
He is very attentive and listen well; a rare quality for a man if all those gossip magazine are to be believe. Definitely better than Locky who never listen to a word I have said. Steven seems to be very flexible too. I thought he wouldn't last through the night but he asked to stay for another night instead. It surprises me since he came with all the expensive suit, shoes and watch, even his luggage look polished.
We wandered the whole morning and the sun is getting stronger now. I proposed to him to have lunch at a small coffee shop just before the main shopping area.
"YaoYao, you are here early today. Who do we have here? Your boyfriend?" the shop owner; Auntie Fifi, greeted the moment we walk in. Auntie Fifi has been widowed for twenty years. Her one true love, she always called her deceased husband that, passed away in the line of duty during military service.
Steven paused when he heard the last little info. He thought of his other brother, Frankie, who has changed into entirely a different person when he return from military service. He is so dark and scary that Steven need to distance himself. Luckily Chris could still talk to him and maintain the brotherhood.
"Auntie Fifi don't have an elaborate menu, it's just simple sandwiches and salad but her cakes are to die for. I always come here for an afternoon snack when it's quiet,"I explained to Steven.
He choose a BLT sandwich while I took lemongrass chicken sandwich with mineral water. We sat by the window watching the afternoon crowd traversing between the shopping district and old quarter. Our noodle shop only open late afternoon due to my grandparents age but the others served lunch and dinner so people who work in the shopping district without regular meal time finds it convenient to have cheaper meal 15 minutes walk away.
Steven has been in his own world since we started this morning. It seems he has a lot in mind. He would stop to admire special architecture I show to him in the area, make some notes and carry on. I think I caught a glimpse of map he tried to sketch out of the old quarter. I was hoping he work with the government to preserve our heritage so our place won't be demolished. A faint hope but why not.
After we are done, we went to the shopping district. He pull me into a shop suddenly," I think you will look good in this. Why don't you try it on?"
He was pointing at a sundress with butterfly sleeves on a mannequin. I didn't have time to think when he just took a similar dress off the rack and stuff me in a changing room. I was stunned, what just happen? When I look at the label, he got me the right size too. It was when I look at the price tag, I was shocked. How can a dress cost $200?! Crazy! Who would pay so much for a dress?
"Come out after you have change, you might need a second opinion,"His voice came from outside the changing room.
I open the door and he stumbled in,"Are you crazy? Did you see how much it cost?"
"I asked you to try not to buy. Besides it a gift,"he said.
"Oh,oh, you want my help to try it on so you can buy it as a gift for someone. Sure, why didn't you said so from the beginning?" me feeling annoyed. "Give me five minutes."
I changed into the dress and went out of the room,"So what do you think?"
"Not bad but maybe we need some options, try all this,"Steven requested. A sales girl was standing outside the changing room with her hands full of clothing. I didn't want to embarrassed him or be embarrassed showing my lack of finance ability so I just swallowed and change into all of them. We spend 2 hours in the shop before Steven finally satisfied.
I was exhausted when he went to the counter to pay for what he wanted. I didn't know which outfit he choose, all of them were nice. I haven't had this much fun since my parents left. I used to go shopping with mum occasionally and we would have fun trying out different outfit even we were just buying the one. I miss them a lot.
"Let's go back in a taxi,"he came to me with two bags in each hand.