My Secret Santa [✔️]

/ E L E V E N T H / / C H A P T E R /

"Then I'm listening." He switches off the engine and takes off his seat belt. I do the same before beginning.

"So I was supposed to buy a gift for myself at ICI PARIS XL  that I found at a discount of 20% off. It was one of the last ones available in London as it was limited edition. And as I decided to purchase it alongside a few other products but..." a tear drops from my left eye. "I didn't have enough money to pay for it even though I knew I had the right amont in my card." I wipe a tear before continuing. "Sorry," I sniffle. "So it turned out that my mom needed the money for something trivial and she used it without any sort of consent. And the reason i didn't want to tell you this isn't because I don't see you as someone dear to my life but you're someone I don't wish to ever see my vulnerable side." The tears continue to drip onto my coat. "Anyways, it's fine now." I grab a tissue from my handbag and wipe my eyes, cheeks and nose. See? I'm also an ugly crier.

"Let's go get your gift then."

"I'm sorry?" I'm sure I heard it wrong.

"Let's go get the gift that you wanted to buy," he steps outside the car. "You coming?"

"Didn't you listen to what I said?" I resisted. "I don't have the means to pay for it. I'm already embarrassed as it is so let's drop this and go home. Satoru please?"

"I guess you will be waiting inside my car." He closes the door before walking back into the Waterford entrance.

"Wait!" I get out the car to yell but he doesn't look back. I close the door behind before catching up to Satoru. "Please let's talk about this." I grab his hand and pull him back. He remains mute whilst readjusting our hands to  intertwining with one another. Being so taken back by his action, I remained quiet until we reached our destination.

"Excuse me miss?" He asks the lady by the cashier. Luckily she hasn't called any new customer to come up front. "Do you still have the product she was about to purchase," he points at me for reference.

"Ah yes sir, it's on till 5," she points at the direction.

"Thank you," he gives a warm smile and leaves. He is still firmly holding my wrist.

"Satoru, please don't do this," I resist once again. "I get the gesture and I appreciate it but please don't."

He ignores my cries as he waits inside the queue for someone to occupy the fifth till. Luckily, an employee places themselves behind the cash register. He asks the employee for the price of the perfume. Once we reach him, he places my items in front of us.

"That'll be £112. Cash or card sir?"

"Cash," he glaces at me and continues to swivel his hand onto mine.

A rush of anxiety flows my way. My focus is no longer on stopping him from paying but on the warmth of his hand. Somehow, this feeling isn't so bothersome, but rather comforting. His hand is soft yet strong with a scent of men's cologne. Is that Hugo Boss I smell? His grip is loose enough to let me breath and tight enough to keep me secure. I like the way he holds my hand. It feels like it's being taken cared for.

He pulls out three £50 euro notes from his pocket and hands it to the employee. He thanks Satoru before placing it inside the cashier. "Here is your receipt," he hands Satoru the chance alongside the receipt with a mid size paper bag. "Thank you so much and happy holidays," the employee smiles.

"You too," he responds.

We walk out of the shop in silence. I was too fixated on his hand to pay attention to our surroundings. I don't even realise that we are already at the frozen yogurt spot before I could snap myself out of my train of thoughts.

"So are you going to keep staring at our hands?" He lifts our hands up.

"Oh, I wasn't staring at them," I awkwardly chuckled. Why am I so nervous.

"The whole way here you wouldn't stop staring at them," he grins.

"I was?" I bit my lip in embarrassment.

"You were but don't worry. It was cute to watch."

"That's not true and I shouldn't even be talking to you," I let go of his hand to childishly sulk behind him.

"What's the matter?" He turns his body to face me.

"You know why I'm mad at you," I frown.

"Maybe you don't view me as a friend, but I do. And whenever my friends are in trouble, I help out," his eyes locked into mine.

"But you didn't have to do it. I was going to buy it tomorrow or some other time." I was holding my tears. The more I think about mom withdrawing money from my card, the more I want to cry.

"Then you can just owe back what you were going to buy. See that way it will be as if you bought it yourself," he softly smiles at me.

"Thank you." I touch my sinuses as my tears drip down my face.

"Why are you crying?"

"I am not deserving of this kindness of yours so I can't help it." I cover my face with both of my hands. He places his hand behind my head and gently pulls it towards his chest.

"I hope it won't be like this every single time I do a nice gesture," he scoffs.

"Let's hope it's the last."