Isabella didn't answer immediately, her eyes turned sharp, scanning the displayed watches.
"Let's try some of these on him" she said at last, gesturing toward some of the glass cases.
"Of course" the saleswoman said, quickly selecting a few pieces to present.
One by one, Rex tried on the watches at the order of his mother. Isabella inspected every singe one that he wore, occasionally tilting her head as if weighing the design against some invisible standard.
"This one's elegant"
She murmured as Rex wore a silver minimalist watch.
"This one has a bold charm"
She remarked when he switched to a black-and-gold piece. Finally she chose five watches which looked exceptionally well on him but Rex glanced at her wearily.
"Mom, they're all fine. Just pick one."
He really thought he would have to stay here for hours if he continued like this. Though he wouldn't mind accompanying his mother, he didn't want to spend the whole time in a watch shop. Isabella shook her head, her eyes sparkling with determination.
"No, you suit all of them. We'll take them all."
"All of them!"
Rex echoed, his brows rising in disbelief.
"Yes" Isabella said decisively.
"You look good in each of them"
"It's settled."
The coworker at the counter blinked but maintained her professional smile as she began packaging the watches. As Isabella paid for the purchases with an effortless grace that bespoke immense wealth, the saleswoman exchanged a glance with her coworker, who had been watching the interaction from behind the counter.
"Your girlfriend has excellent taste, sir"
The saleswoman said when Isabella started to pay.
Rex froze for a split second, not knowing what to say. Before he could respond, Isabella turned to the salesman, her lips curving into a gentle smile.
"Girlfriend, oh no"
"I'm his mother"
The salesman's jaw dropped, her eyes widening as she hastily stepped back.
"I...I'm so sorry!"
"I didn't mean to offend"
Isabella waved her off with a soft laugh,
"It's alright."
Once Isabella and Rex exited the store, the coworker leaned closer.
"Mother, Really?" the saleswoman said.
"Maybe roleplay or sugar mommy?" his coworker replied with a shrug.
"Maybe" the salesman muttered, still staring after them.
__ __ __
Outside the store, Rex carried the bag of boxed watches, shaking his head in a sigh. Putting them into his storage ring,
"Mom, you really didn't have to buy all of them."
"Nonsense"
"You're my son, if I think you should have them, you should have them."
"You're spoiling me" Rex said scratching his head.
"I'm allowed to"
Isabella looked back at him with a smile, squishing his cheeks as she continued to say.
"Besides you suit with every single one of them"
"Mom...can you stop"
She stopped squishing his cheeks. Holding his arms with her hands, she continued to drag him around the mall. As they continued through the mall, they stopped at various shops, browsing clothes, jewelry, etc.
After visiting several stores in the mall, Isabella and Rex decided to take a break and stopped at a restaurant on the upper level. The restaurant was modern, with large windows overlooking the bustling streets below. Isabella led the way to a table by the window,
The waiter arrived first putting on glasses of water as preparation.
"Sir, madam would you like to order"
"Rex, how about you order for me as well"
Rex nodded, taking the menu and started ordering the cuisines. Isabella sat beside and just looked at him wanting to see what he would order but one after another what he ordered were what she liked. After the waiter left,
"Mom, you should like all of them right"
"They are your favourites"
Isabella nodded forgetting how he knew what she liked. Even if she asked Rex's answer would be that he still remembered over the years. The real reason was that after Rex used the second step of the information gather function, he already knew many things about her. It was even stored as an icon with her information as if it was a book inside that function. It seemed like a library of knowledge with the books being about people whom he had knowledge on.
When the food arrived, the waiter placed the plates in front of them with a friendly smile. "You two make such a lovely couple" he said, before stepping back.
Rex nearly choked on the water he was drinking, while Isabella simply laughed, shaking her head.
"Oh no"
"He's my son."
The waiter froze, not knowing what to say. Afterall to an outside perspective, no matter how they looked, it just looked like a normal date and to the employees to such customers who were out on a date, complimenting them might ensure them an extra tip aside from their wages.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, sir, ma'am!"
"You just well you both have this… chemistry, I didn't realize…"
Isabella waved off the apology and the waiter scurried away.
"Rex, are you okay"
"I'm fine"
"This is starting to become a theme today."
"Are you fine with it?"
"Are you embarrassed with mom"
Isabella asked, a little worried about what Rex might think.
"No, of course not and mom"
"You don't have to keep saying I'm your son every time someone makes a misunderstanding"
Isabella raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
"It's not a big deal"
"Mom, you don't need to worry about me being embarrassed by what others think"
"You're so beautiful, I don't blame them for getting the wrong idea"
"Sweet tongue"
Isabella said gently tapping his arm, a faint blush colouring her cheeks.
"Where did you learn these"
To her question, Rex only giggled. The atmosphere was warm and comfortable. After visiting more stores, they came out of the mall. This time it was not the intention of Isabella but rather Rex The sidewalks around the mall was filled with activity, having various restaurants, cafes and small stalls selling everything. Seeing Rex looking around as they strolled, Isabella couldn't help but ask curiously,
"Are you looking out for something, Rex"
"I wanted to see what I can buy for Aunt Mei and the others"
"Well, that's thoughtful of you"
"I know what Mei would like but for your cousins, I am not sure"
"It's fine, Mom"
"I have a guess to what they might like"
Seeing that Rex was getting along well with his cousins and his aunt, Isabella sighed in relief. Though Rex knew what Aunt Mei would like, he allowed his mother to guide him towards a stall that was selling silk scarves.
Though Rex knew about Aunt Mei's preferences, he didn't know all of it. Though he had all the information of hers in his system, he didn't want to get into other people's privacy too much and only allowed it to get when he needed and to this options of what to get, necessary information for this choice regarding both Aunt Mei as well as Laura, Sarah and Alisia started to pour into his head.
Inside the scarf stall, Isabella started to inspect a few before choosing a lavender scarf with embroideries.
"This is perfect"
As for his cousins' gifts, Isabella let Rex take charge. After Rex had bought the gifts, he couldn't help but notice something. Looking at his mother beside him, something popped up in his mind.