So just pull the trigger.

9. Of course, we must make a spectacle

Joni couldn't remember ever being as happy as he was now. The last two days they spent in St. Petersburg, sleeping in a fancy hotel in the city center.  Misha had arranged it as a surprise for him. 

"I know that you want to go shopping, so..." Misha had said and Joni had barely been able to contain his excitement. They had two separate beds in their hotel room because they hadn't wanted to raise any suspicion among the hotel staff. What they did in the privacy of their room was only between them.

In St. Petersburg, Joni saw a different side of Russia. Wealthy and well-dressed people, history, and culture. Misha had promised to follow him patiently and without complaining through all the shops he wanted to visit in. Luckily for Misha, Joni narrowed the fashion shops to only two he had most wanted to visit in, but he managed to spend quite a lot of money in those two. To his excuse, he didn't spend all of that money on just himself. He also bought his sister a beautiful dress, a silk scarf for Katja, and a tie for his father.

Then they had time for other souvenirs. Joni found the doll Sini had wished for, lego sets and t-shirts for his brothers, and of course some candy, different from the ones sold at home. 

Originally, they had planned to purchase Misha's ring a little later, but on their way back, after crossing the border, Joni wanted to make a stop at the city of Hamina. After all, as they were going to tell people about their engagement, Joni didn't want to be the only one wearing a ring. Misha agreed, and they parked near the first jewelry shop that they saw. 

They stepped in to be greeted by the shopkeeper. She was an elderly woman who was neatly dressed, but had been too heavy-handed with her perfume. The overwhelming odor that greeted them as they entered, almost made Joni want to turn back.

"We would like to see the engagement rings," he said, however, and the woman gave him a polite smile.

"Certainly. Did you have anything specific in mind? Diamonds perhaps?" the woman asked. Joni chuckled while Misha couldn't help but feel somewhat bothered. It had been easier to do this alone.

"He would look kind of silly with a huge diamond on his finger, don't you agree?" Joni asked teasingly. He could see how her smile turned first to confusion and then to awkwardness and for a moment, she was at a loss for words. "I already have a ring, but we now need one for my fiancé."

"I see... well..." the woman mumbled and looked down at the showcases, now clearly avoiding looking at their faces. "What is it that you want, then?" she asked somewhat rudely.

"I was thinking white gold or silver, something simple and a wide model," Joni said, tilting his head. The woman sighed and took one plate out on the table.

"Here are some," she merely said and her whole being exuded unwillingness to serve them.

Joni looked at her, raising his brow. It was clear that the change in the woman was caused by prejudice and dislike. "Thank you. I'm sure we'll get better service elsewhere. Let's go, Misha," Joni said and turned to the door. "I should have trusted my first instinct; never trust someone who's drowned themselves in rich perfume," he said in an upset tone, intending for her to hear him. And Misha, partly amused by Joni's choice of words, gave one last glance to the woman who only gave him an arrogant and contemptuous look in return.

"The service, I have to admit, was a whole lot better when I purchased your ring." 

"So annoying," Joni responded tightly. "I will tell everyone not to go there, ever!"

Misha smiled softly and rubbed Joni's shoulder as they walked on. "Just forget it. She had a bad day. It could have been worse. I'm sure that the next shop will give us better service."