LOST LOVE

GIFT

James POV

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I sat in my office, sending Catherine a message about the shopping trip I had planned for my mom’s birthday gift.

She replied with a simple "yes." It had been a long time since we last went shopping together, which was unusual.

Catherine used to call me several times a day, but that had stopped recently. Maybe she's busy with her job. I’m not sure where she’s working, but I assume it’s some small company.

She had taken a half-day leave for this, but I had an important meeting today. I decided I’d meet her at the mall afterward.

“Take these files,” I said to my secretary, feeling the pressure of time. If I didn’t leave now, I’d be late. This was for my mom, so I couldn’t delay.

When I reached the mall, Catherine was nowhere to be seen. I walked inside, searching for her, and eventually called her.

“Where are you, Cat?” I asked, turning my head in every direction.

“I’m near the ice cream parlor,” she replied.

“Okay, I’m coming.” I hung up and made my way there.

From a distance, she waved at me, and for a moment, I was stunned. She looked gorgeous today. As I approached, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She looked like a model.

“What are you waiting for?” she asked as she walked ahead, not beside me.

I followed her, noticing that she seemed busy. Maybe her boss is strict, and that’s why she’s in such a hurry.

“What should we get for Mom?” I asked, wanting to keep the conversation going.

“How should I know? You should figure it out,” she replied, a bit coldly. I felt a pang of disappointment.

“How about chocolates?” I suggested, trying to keep things light. She gave me a knowing look.

“Did you forget she has diabetes?” she retorted. I had indeed forgotten, but Catherine always remembered these things about my parents.

“Any ideas, Cat? I’m pretty bad at this,” I admitted. I wanted her to look at me, but she kept moving forward.

She stopped by a store that sold stones and began browsing. Suddenly, it clicked—Mom has a collection of various stones. Catherine knew my parents well; this would be the perfect gift. I followed her as she picked out a stone.

A young boy ran past us and accidentally bumped into Catherine. She lost her balance and started to fall backward, but I caught her just in time. The boy mumbled an apology, but I wasn’t paying attention to him.

I looked into her eyes—those same eyes that had once fallen for me. Her lips were still as pink and soft as I remembered. I wanted to kiss her right then and there, just like the first time.

She straightened up, and I felt a strange sense of loss as she moved away from me. Where was she going? What the hell was happening to me? My mind was spinning, and my body was reacting in ways I hadn’t felt in a long time.

She stopped in front of a perfume shop, deep in thought, before going inside. I joined her.

“What are you doing?” she asked, slightly surprised.

“Buying perfume,” I replied, a bit confused. I wasn’t sure if she wanted me to join, but I couldn’t stay away.

“It’s for me,” she said. She was buying a perfume for herself, not for my mom. I thought she was looking for a gift for Mom, but I followed her anyway, unable to resist.