Those suit you so well, Darling

The streets are crowded, the malls are having sales, and all the people are coming out of their holes. But I have a bigger goal than just finding cheap prices, I'm here to find the perfect gift for my wife. We've been dating for 30 years, so we agreed to go out to dinner tonight. I thought it would be nice to buy an interesting gift this time. I've never been very good at giving presents. To tell you the truth, I don't even like receiving presents most of the time. But here I am, bogged down, trapped in a jungle of people who are relentlessly looking for the best prices.

I said to myself - “focus, Rafael. Just buy something and go meet her.” - but it was not such a simple task. I've known Daniela for over 30 years and I never really knew how to buy good gifts. First I would need to decide what to buy. I looked at a lot of store showcases, but nothing made my eyes shine. Well, until I found that beautiful pair of earrings. Dani had already told me once that she loves this store. It was decided, I would take those earrings. I looked at a few more items through the window of the jewelry store and then decided to go inside. Incredibly, this store was not as crowded as the others, there were only two elderly couples and a young man who was being served by the attendant. I waited a little longer, I walked from one side to the other, but nothing caught my attention as much as that pair of earrings. They were really beautiful, I could see her wearing them and looking beautiful with them on her ear. I heard the young man say goodbye to the attendant and I went to talk to her about the beautiful earrings:

• I'd like to buy those earrings, please.

• follow me, please show me where they are.

I pointed to the display shelf and she went over to show me the earrings that were available. She took them out and placed them on the counter. There were only about twenty, I took a quick look and in a thought out loud I said: "but it's not possible!"

The girl looked at me with a strange face and asked what was impossible. I explained to her that I had seen the most beautiful earrings in the world, but that now they were gone.

Ah - said the saleswoman - I understand what happened. Really those earrings are beautiful, but unfortunately I just sold them to that guy I attended to before you.

I was baffled. What were the chances of that happening? If I had walked into the store five minutes earlier I would have gotten those earrings. I couldn't believe what had just happened, what bad luck. But then a quick idea occurred to me, what if I found the guy and convinced him to sell me the earrings? It sounded like a good plan. Things were happening too fast, I needed to act quickly too. I thanked the girl, crossed the jewelry store in three long steps, pushed open the door and ran towards the exit of the mall.

At least now I was lucky, when I got on the escalator that takes us to the parking lot I saw the guy who had my earrings. I ran, bumped into some people and made it to the parking lot. I lost sight of my earrings, so I decided to get in my car and drive towards the exit. At the exit turnstile there were only two cars between us. I felt it rush through my veins that I would catch him.

I followed him for a few blocks and saw him park his car in front of a restaurant. He got out of the car, looking very happy and confident. As soon as I saw him enter the restaurant, I decided to park the car and go in search of the earrings. I hurried into the restaurant and then it hit me: the restaurant we had entered was exactly what I had agreed to have dinner with Dani. What a coincidence I thought. The place was quiet, it was still early. I glanced quickly at my watch and it was 7:30 pm, Dani still had 30 minutes to arrive, and I didn't have any gifts yet. I sat at the table I had booked for our romantic dinner and it was the perfect seat. It was in the corner, I managed to keep my eyes on the boy with the earrings. He was also waiting for his girlfriend. They are probably just getting to know each other, I'm sure as hell they don't deserve those earrings. After all, 30 years is something. I felt more deserving of those beautiful jewels.

About five minutes went by and I pretended to read the menu. No one arrived, not the boy's girlfriend or Dani. So far everything is under control, but he needed to take action. I got up and went towards him. She had decided that she was going to argue the whole situation out and that he would certainly understand. When I finally got close to him, a pretty woman in her early twenties walked into the establishment. I quickly realized the situation and returned to my seat with my tail between my legs. I failed another mission. Talking to both of them was out of the question, the woman would never understand my side, and besides, I didn't want to spoil the surprise he had made for her.

I watched them for a few more moments, looked at my watch and thought: I need to act before Dani arrives, with her here I'll never get my earrings.

He had come up with a new plan, this time he was sure it would work, but he was very nervous. I got up when I saw the waiter approaching their table, when the waiter thought about serving the wine glasses I had already bumped into him and knocked all the drinks on top of their table. It was a disaster, everyone was looking at us, other waiters came to help but I said I was fine. When they stopped looking at me, I reached into the boy's coat pocket and gripped the little box. I shoved it in my pocket real quick. Such a sensitive object had taken so much work. The mess with the wine was cleaned up, I apologized and walked back to my table with a smile on my face. At first I was proud that the plan had really worked, but then I thought I might have ruined another couple's night. I was confused, and in the midst of so many confused thoughts I received a kiss on the cheek from Dani. I was startled, I hadn't even seen her arrive. But she was there, right in front of me.

We started talking, I even managed to forget about my recent theft episode. We talked, ate and drank. Our 30th birthday dinner was going very well, despite all the unforeseen circumstances. We were about to get up to leave. I was dying to get home and deliver this beautiful gift. We got up together with the couple that formerly owned the earrings that were now mine. We paid the check and the four of us walked through the door together. And that's when I got scared:

How was it possible that the guy's girlfriend was wearing the earrings that were in my pocket? I almost missed my steps on the way out of the restaurant. How was that possible? - I wondered. We went in opposite directions, the couple stopped by the entrance to the restaurant and we crossed the street. I quickly looked back and saw him touch his own pockets with his right hand, he didn't seem to find what he was looking for. On the other hand a lighter. I asked Dani for permission and went back towards the couple. I handed over the pack of cigarettes that was in my pocket, I just said that they could have everything. I turned my back and walked away without saying another word. Even from behind I could feel their astonished faces.

I ran into Dani across the street again and she asked me if I knew them. I just kissed her cheek and complimented her earrings - "those suit you so well, darling."