A PURPLE DESIRE

THE SALES CLERK

Controlling her voice so it didn't quiver, she said, " If you're in search of a timepiece that offers versatility and longevity, stainless steel watches are the way to go. Not only are they renowned for their durability, but they also boast a sleek and contemporary aesthetic. The dial and glass of these watches serve as a testament to their exceptional craftsmanship. Moreover, a high-quality mechanism ensures a seamless and unobtrusive movement, guaranteeing a comfortable experience without any skin irritation"

Finally, the woman turned to Lea. "We will take it. Can you wrap it for us?"

"Sure Ma'am, thank you." Lea smile and nod at her.

The man pulled out his credit card and looked directly into Lea's eyes as he handed it to her.

Lea picked up the five watches and said, "I will be right back." Her voice was a husky whisper.

Lea went to the counter, so she could wrap the gift and run the black metal credit card. Knowing there would be no problem, the one-hundred-eight-thousand pesos purchase price would be approved. Lea smirked, thinking he could have bought five watches without any issue.

Was he unable to identify her? Despite their shared history?

Lea delicately arranged the watches in a petite red box. Her fingers felt rigid as she struggled to fasten the bow on the paper bag. Making a conscious effort to shake off her daze, she eventually succeeded in tying a tidy bow with the gold ribbon. Next, she placed the box into a red paper bag. Retrieving the package, along with the receipt needing his signature, she handed him with a black pen.

"Mr. Guzman, would you please sign the receipt?" She reaches for it without looking at him.

Despite her hair being styled in a high pile on top of her head and wearing high heels, she still barely reached his shoulder in height. As the man confidently took the pen and scribbled his signature in bold handwriting, his long and lean fingers lightly brushed against hers when he handed back the receipt, causing a sudden surge of electricity to course through her body.

After his signature he took the paper bag and gave it to the woman.

The woman smiled and accepted it from Frank. Lea went to get woman's mink. As Frank trailed behind, he graciously accepted the coat from her outstretched hand. Lea couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness as she watched him assist the stunning woman into the luxurious mink coat. In return, she handed Frank his own coat, but he swiftly took it without even acknowledging Lea's presence. When everything is in order, Lea took the lead and guided the couple out of the room, accompanying them all the way to the front door.

The two left the store without saying a word, his hand on the small of woman's back. Lea stood there watching as they got into a car. He never looked back or said anything else. Perplexed by the chance encounter, she stood there long after the car pulled away, wishing it had just been a dream.

Lea's heart sank. The whole encounter had been so disturbing, she needed to sit down for a moment. Luckily, her co-worker was back from her break, so Lea could take hers. She walked into the employee's break room, her hands still trembling, her body cold. She poured a cup of coffee and sat down, wrapping both hands around the mug to take in the warmth from the cup, the steam rising. She went over what had just happened.

There was a man who in love with her before. She remember him since the couple arrive in the store. A sadness she thought gone crept over her. At one time, he'd loved her and now, here he was engaged to marry another.

When Lea's shift was almost over, she walked back to the private showing room to push in the chairs and clean up. His scent lingered in the air; for a moment, her chest ached with the familiar tightening of missing him.

When the time is up. Lea punched her time card, removed her high heels and placed them in their cotton dust bag, and slipped into her inexpensive shoes. The rain continued to pour down, prompting her to open up her trusty umbrella before embarking on her journey down the street from where she lived.

It was dark outside. But Lea didn't even mind it as she walked to the subway, hoping she could catch the last trip of LRT train going to Quezon. Her brain raced as she walked to the subway.

However Frank Guzman sat in the back of his car next to a woman. He had no idea what the woman chatted on about-not since he had seen the salesclerk at the jewelry store. "It was Lea, How could it be?" He think about her a multiple times since they left the store. When he first saw her, he'd been surprised, but then he remembered his anger at Lea, and he wouldn't even acknowledge her. What would he have said to the woman beside him right now? Not that he owed anyone at any time an explanation for his behavior. He was, after all, a man who ran a huge company with a net worth yearly almost reach 1.5 billion of peso.

Sarah Cacho the woman he was holding on and the one who talked to Lea at the store, now turned to him. "I enjoyed today. Will you be staying for dinner?"

"No, as it happens, I have some last-minute business to take care of. I'm going to drop you home and then be on my way."

Sarah didn't have much more to say. Frank bring her until they reached the door of her house.

"Oh, Frank you're here!" George greeted his brother, he is Sarah's fiancé.

"Nice to see you, now Sarah is here I will go now. Take care of her!" Frank said then left. On his walk he heard the two were talking behind. "You make me crazy, you know Frank is always busy."