Raelle didn’t pay attention to the young miss who ran off with her tail between her legs after tossing an antagonistic glance her way. Raelle signaled with her finger and her ‘chaperones’ instantly left the store and made themselves seem invisible.

While Raelle was waiting, she felt someone coming and standing beside her but at an appropriate distance. Then she heard the man’s deep, and low, husky voice. It sounded bewitching, like a melodious echo in a dark abyss. “I’m looking for wedding bands.”

The shop attendant gaped at him and forgot how to keep her professional act. The shop manager immediately took over and said, “Give me a moment, Sir.” She was herself startled when Shui Xian asked for wedding bands. But she wouldn’t dare question him. So, she immediately instructed the attendants to bring out the finest wedding band sets for him to see.

Shui Xian looked at the rings and finally selected one in his hand. Since he was acting like a normal customer, the shop manager also acted accordingly, “Sir, this is a textured platinum ring with a round diamond that shines from the center. It’s 4 mm wide. But its unique feature is the double milgrain motif that gives it an outstanding finish.”

“Hmm…” Shui Xian hummed softly and seeing how Raelle was busy discussing something with the other shop attendant, he said a little loudly, “It’s beautiful indeed. But I’m not certain if it’d fit on her finger.” Seeing that Raelle was done and was now waiting silently, he stepped closer to her and rapped the glass counter. As Raelle looked up at him, he continued, “I wonder if this young lady would be willing to help me.”

Raelle looked into his amber eyes. And Shui Xian’s eyes also got stuck to her black ones that gave the illusion as if he was looking at the impeccable black jade. Her eyes were blank and confused, it was as if looking into the eyes of a completely innocent newborn. Her eyes were so limpid and pure that one could practically see right to the bottom of them.

Shui Xian was lost for a moment when her voice brought him back to reality, “What can I possibly help you with?” was her question.

He instantly held up the ring before her eyes and said, “I don’t know my fiancée’s size. But coincidently, you look exactly like her. So, I was wondering if you could try this ring on and see if it fits?”

Raelle didn’t find anything wrong with his words or at least, she couldn’t tell if anything was wrong with his words. “Okay,” saying that she tried to take the ring from his hand but he pulled back.

“Allow me,” he said and before she could say no, he had already slid the ring on her finger. Raelle stared at him for a long moment in silence before he said, “Oh, it’s a perfect fit.”

“Just because it fits, doesn’t mean it belongs to me,” she replied naturally while staring at her hand. His touch on her hand was fleeting. He didn’t act presumptuously. He was rather distant and did it very gentlemanly making it so that his fingers could barely brush against her skin.

Shui Xian’s eyes flashed with an incomprehensible emotion as he looked at her.

She slowly took off the ring and added, “And I don’t like taking what doesn’t belong to me. Because what doesn’t belong to you will eventually find an escape from your grasp.”

Shui Xian looked at the ring she placed on the palm of his hand and a melancholy feeling emerged in his heart. She really unknowingly prodded at where it hurt him. And this wasn’t even the first time she did it.

Of course, when he looked at her face, he had already remembered seeing her a few months ago. At that time she said something that tore open his wounds. And that’s why he could remember her so well. And today, once again, she did the very same thing.

It was terrifying how even before becoming a part of his life, she was able to control his emotions that he had buried in a bottomless abyss. It felt like his heart was in her grasp and she could squeeze it whenever she wanted.

‘No wonder people call you callous,’ he wondered to himself. ‘You really don’t care how your words might hurt someone.’

“I believe now you know the size,” said Raelle. But all this while she was looking into his eyes. For some reason, she found his eyes very familiar. She was actually trying to figure out something.

“Yes, I do. Thank you for your help!” said Shui Xian. “But I might have to trouble you a little bit more.” He pointed at the wedding band sets before them and added, “I can’t decide which one to buy.”

“Then you should have brought your wife with you,” retorted Raelle.

“How would that be a surprise then?” he responded monotonously.

“So, you’ll take suggestions from any random stranger?”

“If the random stranger is as sagacious as you, then why not?” He took a pause before saying, “So, which one do you like?”

“Isn’t it the thought that counts?” said Raelle sounding doubtful. “I mean if you came all the way to buy the wedding bands just to surprise your wife, she should be happy with just that thought. Because your choice would represent your feelings for her.” She recited each and every word she had read somewhere looking like a deeply sentimental person. But as always, those were just words to her because she felt nothing about it.

“So, if it was you, the thought would be enough?” he asked curiously.

“I’m a peculiar case. I don’t even mind if the other person doesn’t bring the ring altogether.”

“Then you won’t be thinking about the other person’s feelings?”

“If I could understand such things, I wouldn’t be a peculiar case,” was her response which he found quite interesting.

“Miss, your package!” The shop attendant passed the shopping bag to Raelle and added, “As for the order you placed, you can pick it up in two days.”

“Okay. Thank you!” said Raelle and turned to leave. But she stopped half a step away and turned to Shui Xian. “If you still can’t decide, close your eyes and just randomly take one. Leave it all to fate.” She used the words Hyson said to her and passed them on to Shui Xian before she strode off.

Shui Xian looked at her retreating back and thought to himself, ‘You finally have my attention, Raelle Xiang.’ Then he looked over and said to the shop manager, “I’ll take this one.” He was holding a platinum ring with a baguette diamond. It was 5 mm wide. And had a brushed satin finish. He had actually chosen this one from the moment he set eyes on it. As for taking Raelle’s help, that was just an excuse to talk to her. To learn about her. “Deliver it home.”

Giving them instructions, he also rushed out of the store taking long strides. On the street, he looked around to find Raelle, and seeing her silhouette, he didn’t hesitate before rushing after her.