I tried to eat a bit more all day the next day, but I was a ball of nerves. He called on his way home to make sure I was dressed and ready. He had me meet him outside.
When he pulled up I was confused because he wasn't in our car.
"I got it last month, I forgot to tell you. Get in."
We drove in silence but I felt like a child, or a tourist maybe. All I had seen in the last three years was the road to our market and back. When we pulled up to the mall I was speechless. So much had changed in the city of Seoul, I started to tear up but quickly composed myself before he came around to open my door. That was one thing he always did. He had to always look like a gentleman.
We held hands walking through the stores and he kept getting impatient because I was slow. I was in shock at the clothes. Had styles really changed so much? The women showed so much skin.
"For goodness sake, stop gawking!" he whispered angrily.
"Sorry." I forced myself to keep up his pace.
He let go of my hand as he walked up to the jewelery store counter. He started scanning the displays and a salesperson came up. His name tag said "Pete" which is not a Korean name, but he was Korean.
"Can I help you Sir?"
"I am looking for a matching set, earrings and a necklace for my wife."
Pete's eyes widened a little bit but he quickly recovered. Luckily Bo did not see that or I thought there would have been an incident.
"A gift or for a special occasion?"
"We have a work Christmas party to go to. It needs to be flashy." said my husband who barely even buys me food.
"Budget?"
"No, I want the best." Now it was my turn to express shock.
"Right over here Sir, these are the newest designs and very popular."
Bo looked at the case and then at me. "See anything that will go with the dress well, that you like?"
I recovered quickly, the surprises are coming quickly so I'm getting used to it now. Even though he had said no budget I couldn't help but look at the prices. He noticed.
"Give us a minute Pete."
"Sure, I will be right over there when you need me."
"Look Rose. I know we have never done anything like this before and all but try not to look like it please. I make really good money. I don't ever spend it so just pick what you like the best. I don't know if we will ever do this again, depending on how you go over at the Christmas party but we are going to try to make the best impression possible."
"If the party goes well we might go out more?" I asked meekly.
"It's possible."
"Can I say something and you maybe not get mad at me?"
"I can't promise anything but ask me."
"Can I pick a different dress?"
"I know that the dress I bought you was a little loose, you can get a different one if we can find one we agree on."
"I pick that set." I pointed at the set I liked the most, and tried not to think about the price. I was still nervous that I would suffer the consequences later but I decided to go for it.
When Pete told Bo the total I flinched, but he didn't see it. Pete did but said nothing. It was close to $2500.
We went to the salon next. He said it would help us pick out the dress with my hair and make up done.
The ladies in the Salon fussed over me for an hour. He had the general style already picked out, we kept it long but they still cut off about 10 inches. They talked me through what they were doing and I was pretty sure I could easily replicate it.
They then did my make up and I paid attention but I was less confidant. Bo purchased a few of the products they used that he had not already bought.
We worked our way over to the store that had lots of fancy dresses.
I only had eyes for one.
It was blue, long and very beautiful.
I walked straight over to it and ran my fingers over the fabric. I almost forgot who I was for a moment.
"I approve, let me get someone to help us." Bo turned around and went to look for a salesperson while I continued just looking at the dress and imagining what I would look like in it.
"Hello Rose, your husband tells me you really like this dress. Would you like to try it on?"
"Yes" I breathed.
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I felt like a princess when I tried it on. We put on my new jewelery before going out to show my husband.
His jaw fell on the floor when I walked out.
"We will take it." he managed to squeak out.
While he took care of the bill I went back to change into my regular clothes and put the jewelry back in its box. This night had made me forget how miserable my like had been up to now. I started to tear up but quickly remembered the make up I was wearing and told myself to man up.
"Why don't we go find you something sorta dressy for dinner while we are out. Maybe pick you up a few other clothes as well. You haven't had anything new in a while and I am feeling very generous at the moment."
We went into another store and he quickly helped me pick out a not to dressy dress for dinner and a couple of other outfits. Plus sneakers and even some earrings.
On the way out we stopped at the restroom and I changed for dinner.
