Alex wandered through the crowded mall, his mind turning over the same question repeatedly—what should he buy? He had scoured nearly every department, searching for the perfect gift, but nothing stood out. The bustling aisles were filled with New Year's shoppers, their hands loaded with purchases, yet Alex still hadn't found anything that spoke to him.
As he neared the exit, heading toward the small goods supermarket, he noticed a familiar face—Sarah. She was walking with another woman, and as soon as Alex saw her, Sarah's eyes found his. The two exchanged smiles and made their way toward one another. Sarah, always the epitome of elegance, was dressed impeccably. She wore a chic navy blue wool coat that fit her form perfectly, giving her a sophisticated yet approachable air. A soft cashmere scarf in a muted lavender draped around her neck, complementing her sharp black trousers. Her dark, polished boots gave her height and presence, and her neatly styled hair fell in loose waves just past her shoulders. Even in casual settings, Sarah's fashion sense was impeccable—always stylish yet practical, with an air of effortless grace.
"Happy New Year, Alex!" Sarah greeted warmly. Her smile was radiant, the kind that could light up a room. Her classmate, a shorter woman with an equally sharp sense of style, stood by her side. Compared to Sarah's more formal appearance, the other woman's look was casual but well-put-together. She wore a brown leather jacket, jeans, and a matching scarf, her short leather boots making her look both trendy and tough.
"Happy New Year to you too, Sarah. Out doing some shopping?" Alex asked, returning her smile.
"Yes, just getting some last-minute things. Oh, I forgot to introduce you. This is my friend, Mina, a journalist at News Agency. We're just enjoying a day off together. And this is Alex, one of the rising stars at our bureau," Sarah said, gesturing between them.
Alex felt a bit embarrassed at the praise but nodded politely to Mina. The journalist gave him a quick, perfunctory smile—polite but distant, as though her mind were already elsewhere.
"Nice to meet you," Alex said, offering a handshake that was returned with a brief but firm grip. He then turned his attention back to Sarah, not wanting to linger too long on the awkwardness of the exchange. "So, what brings you two here?" he asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
"Just browsing, really. You know how it is," Sarah replied with a laugh. "What about you, Alex? What's a hardworking man like yourself doing at the mall during duty hours?"
"I'm actually on break," Alex said, improvising quickly. He couldn't exactly tell Sarah the real reason for his shopping trip. "After the leadership finished their inspection, I decided to pick up some necessities. Pure coincidence running into you two here."
Sarah gave him a knowing smile but didn't press the matter. "Well, it's good to see you out and about. We've got a little gathering this afternoon at Aunt Jessica's place. Some of our younger colleagues will be there. Interested?"
Alex was momentarily caught off guard but quickly composed himself. "I'm on duty this afternoon, Sarah. The leadership would have my head if I disappeared for too long," he said, chuckling to mask his disappointment. "But thank you for the invite. Please send my regards to Aunt Jessica."
"Of course," Sarah replied, though Alex could sense a hint of disappointment in her tone. He quickly bid the two women farewell, making his way back through the mall. As he walked, he couldn't help but think of Sarah's silk scarf, neatly wrapped around her neck. The thought suddenly sparked an idea—he would buy a silk scarf for Asha.
He knew Asha had a penchant for scarves, often tucking them neatly around her neck to complement her outfits. It was a small touch, but it made her stand out with elegance. The way she carried herself—always poised, always composed—made Alex admire her even more. Heading straight for the accessories section, he found a selection of scarves, his eyes immediately drawn to a white silk one. It was soft and delicate, with a subtle shimmer that seemed to capture the light just right. Alex had the store clerk wrap it as a gift, adding a bright yellow ribbon to symbolize warmth and affection. The first part of his mission was complete.
Next, he turned his attention to Emily. What could he possibly get for her? As he browsed through the toy section, he spotted the perfect gift—a large, plush teddy bear. Its soft, brown fur and endearing eyes gave it an irresistibly cuddly look. Alex couldn't help but smile, imagining Emily's reaction. The bear wasn't too serious, nor was it overly sentimental. It was the perfect balance—a cute, lighthearted gift for someone who still had a childlike spirit.
With his gifts secured, Alex headed back to Asha's house. As he approached the door, Emily answered with an enthusiastic grin. Her eyes immediately locked onto the bear, and she let out an exaggerated gasp.
"Wow! Uncle, where did you find such an adorable teddy bear? It's perfect!" Emily squealed, hugging the plush toy tightly as if it were the most precious thing in the world. She twirled around with the bear in her arms, striking a few silly poses that made Alex chuckle.
"Emily, you're still such a child," Alex teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Just then, Asha emerged from her bedroom, hearing Emily's joyful noise. A gentle smile played on her lips as she surveyed the scene. "She's growing up so fast, and yet you're still spoiling her with toys," Asha said, her tone warm but playful.
Emily puffed out her cheeks in mock indignation. "Yesterday, you called me a kid, and today I'm grown up? You always change your mind!" she protested, pouting dramatically.
Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "Not just Emily," he said, his voice lowering as he reached into his bag. "I got something for you too, Director. I hope you like it." He handed the carefully wrapped scarf to Asha, watching with a mix of excitement and nervousness as she unwrapped the package.
Asha's eyes lit up when she saw the silk scarf. She ran her fingers along the fabric, admiring its softness and subtle sheen. "This is beautiful," she said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "You've got excellent taste, Alex."
The satisfaction in her voice made Alex's heart swell with pride. He had chosen well. Asha's smile, warm and sincere, was all the confirmation he needed.
Emily, curious, leaned in to look at the scarf. "A scarf? Uncle, you really know how to pick gifts. Maybe next time you can help me choose something too!" she teased, still hugging the teddy bear.
"Uncle is always good to me," Emily continued, wrapping her arms around Alex in a quick hug. "Thank you, Uncle. You're the best."
Alex ruffled her hair affectionately. "Of course, Emily. I'll always be good to you. As long as you're happy, Uncle's happy."
With the gifts exchanged and the atmosphere light, Emily suddenly brightened with a new idea. "How about we continue playing cards?" she suggested, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
Asha, ever the responsible one, asked, "Aren't you hungry? Should we make dinner first?"
"I'm not hungry yet," Alex replied. "How about we finish playing cards and then eat later?"
"That won't do," Asha said, her tone soft but firm. "If we wait too long, you'll get tired."
"We'll eat when we're hungry," Emily interrupted with a grin. "Let's just play for now."
"Alright, alright," Alex said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Everything revolves around you, you little troublemaker."