Just like that, Zaria ended up going shopping with her boss as her shopping companion. She figured that there was nothing she could do to talk him into going back, so she decided to let it be. Take it as her accompanying him for one of his meetings.

The man led her into an LV store. She glanced up at him like he was an alien. "Sir, there isn't anything I can afford in this store."

He raised an eyebrow and glanced down at her, trying to trap her between the wall and himself. "What did you call me?"

"Sir." She repeated unflinchingly, not flustered by his sudden proximity.

He was just about to correct her when he recalled that it was his fault that she became distant. He was helpless. Was there anything he could do to make up for what happened?

"Where do you want to go?" He asked to change the topic.

She gladly left the store and walked into one that she was a little familiar with. Although the accessories here didn't cost half as much as those in LV, they were of good quality. She ignored the man beside her and glanced around before pointing at a display case.

"Miss, can I take a look at that golden watch marked [2] ?" She asked a saleswoman.

"Sure." The display cases had numbers on them, so it was easy for her to spot what Zaria wanted. She brought it after a few seconds, holding it delicately.

Zaria felt its texture and went ahead to scrutinize it carefully, using her eyes and fingers to check its authenticity.

The man chuckled at her antics at the side. "Aren't there detectors for that? This is why you should have gone to LV. You never have to worry about being swindled there."

"Shut up." Zaria glared at him. He was speaking in a low tone, but it was rude to slander another brand so brazenly. In reality, it was just an innate reflex for her to scrutinize whatever she was buying, having been swindled before.

Desmond, who had been shushed by his assistant, had a silly smile on his face. She looked so beautiful when she was angry.

When she was satisfied with the watch, she asked for it to be packed up, wrapped as a gift, and then selected two tie clips and a brooch.

When she was done purchasing jewelry, she dragged him into a flower shop excitedly. "I'll plant some begonias and gift them to dad on his birthday. Boss, can I plant them on the balcony of my office? I want to give them to him when they have already bloomed."

"It's your office. Do as you wish." He said dismissively, so she went ahead to buy whatever she wanted. He was surprised when he realized that not only had she bought a watch and tie clips, but she had also made an order for a cake and candles to be delivered to her house on her father's birthday.

"So many presents for one birthday?" He asked in surprise.

"There isn't a limit. Wait. Don't tell me you have never gotten a birthday present?" Otherwise, why did he sound like he didn't know?

"I have." Although he said so, his eyebrows were tightly knitted. He had received presents before, but they were all some sort of routine. No one was this sincere. He had never imagined that one could spend so much time and effort just to get a present for someone else. No wonder it was said that gifts could make anything right.

Speaking of making things right… He looked at her silently while deep in thought.

"Is there anything wrong, sir?" She asked, startled by his gaze.

"What kind of presents should be used to apologize?" He asked.

A frown formed on her face as she handed her card over to the cashier. "Why are you asking me?"

"Because I want to apologize to a woman." So he wanted to get a woman's opinion.

Her mind instantly ran wild. Had he wronged his girlfriend?

It was almost unbelievable. After dating so many women, he still didn't know much about them and still needed her opinion? Such a jerk. No wonder his girlfriend was mad at him.

"What kind of woman is she?" She asked since she knew that he would keep bugging her if she ignored him.

He thought about it as he looked at her. "She is... Beautiful... Hilariously snarky when she is irritated but gentle when she should be. Hardworking, treasures friendships…"

"Get her a pet." She was unable to continue hearing his exaggerated flattery about another woman.

"Why?" He couldn't understand. Shouldn't she suggest expensive jewelry, cars, and mansions? Indeed, it was just as Liam had said. Women had different tastes and hers was complex.

She was almost annoyed by his slow brain. "Didn't you say that she is one to treasure relationships? She might toss other gifts aside, but she would never be able to throw a pet out. She will love it.

Besides, every time she sees the cute little thing, her heart will soften and she will have no choice but to forgive you." She blurted in one breath, then wanted to bite her tongue. Why was she offering such detailed relationship advice when she knew that it was going to be used on another woman?

Luckily, he didn't ask anymore. He nodded. "Noted."

She was so smart and detailed that he almost wanted to hire her as a relationship consultant.

…

After getting everything that Zaria needed, they decided to have dinner together at a restaurant of Zaria's choice.

While Zaria glanced through the menu, the waitress who had her hair in a bun spoke up with a smile. "It's our boss's wedding anniversary today, so we have several offers for married couples. For every item you order, you will receive a discount equal to the number of years you have been in a relationship. For example, if you have been in a relationship for five years, you get a 5% discount.

Moreover, if you order the same foods or drinks, one of each identical order will be on the house. There are vouchers too, and…"

Zaria felt embarrassed when the waitress kept rambling. She cleared her throat. "We aren't a married couple."

The waitress's eyes went wide then she covered her mouth. "What a bummer. But you look so good together! I will ask my boss if he can make an exception if an unmarried couple looks so perfect."

She looked so enthusiastic that Zaria felt her head hurt. "We are not a couple either. He's my boss."

"Oh my god... I'm so sorry." The waitress was embarrassed.

"No problem." Zaria laughed awkwardly and proceeded to place the orders.

When the waitress left, Desmond looked at her unhappily. "Why didn't you pretend that we are a couple? We would have gotten free food and vouchers."

Zaria was stumped. Pretend to be a couple… With her boss?! Did he knock his head on something and lose his brain?

Most importantly, "Do you need free food and discounts?"