16 Preparing... A Month and 21 Days

November 4, 2027

Incheon Premium Outlets

"What exactly are you looking for CEO Jeong?" Secretary Han asks.

Sujin looks through some of the clothes on the clothes rack.

"Just looking for some gifts."

"What types of gifts?"

"Just some gifts for my family. I mean Christmas is approaching, shouldn't I get them some gifts?"

"Yes, that's right."

Sujin stops her browsing, as a thought comes to her mind. "Secretary Han, could you please head back to the company? I would like to shop alone."

"Yes, CEO Jeong. I'll take care of all the matters at the company and make sure to leave your schedule for tomorrow on your desk. Enjoy your time shopping CEO Jeong."

"Yes, I'll make sure to do that, and thank you Secretary Han."

Secretary Han bows, then takes her leave.

After making sure that the Secretary Han left, Sujin sighs.

[Time really does fly. Doesn't it? Christmas is so close. And, not in a good way.]

"What should I get them . . .?" Sujin says aloud.

One of the sales ladies approaches. "What exactly are you looking for young lady?"

"Oh!" Sujin says in surprise. "I'm just looking for Christmas gifts for my two older sisters and my mother."

The sales lady points to one of the shelves that has many bottles of perfume.

"Do your sisters like perfume? We have a new product that just came in."

She picks up one of the rose shaped perfume bottles.

"This fragrance was specially made for those in the ladies in the workforce. Because of its small size it's easy to fit in your bag, and it doesn't require a lot of the fragrance in order to get that wonderful smell. Since many of us working ladies are always on the go, this fragrance is easy to put on and easy to put away. So, what do you think?"

Sujin takes the perfume bottle out of the sales lady's hand and brushes it under her nose.

"A hint of cherry blossom, lavender, and some citrus. It smells quite good. Please give me four of these perfume bottles. I have a good feeling that my sisters will like this."

The sales lady takes four of the perfume bottles of the shelf.

"Yes, I'll pack up these perfume bottles for you. Please head over to that counter over there and I'll ring you up."

Sujin nods and heads over to the counter. While she's waiting for the sales lady, Sujin is thinking about what to get her mother.

[It should be something elegant. Something unique to fit her character.]

Sujin glances around and spots something on the checkout counter. She picks up the dainty little rose bracelet that is in the bin near the cash register.

"Ahh," the sales lady says as she places the wrapped boxes of perfume into a bag. "That's one of the bracelets from the jewelry store just a couple stores down. They've just released a new collection featuring flowers. Their new collection is aimed toward bringing out elegance in ladies. I recommend that you take a look at what they have to offer because your mother must be an elegant person."

Sujin nods. "Thank you for telling me that. I'll be sure to check it out."

The sales lady smiles. "No problem, and since you're the first customer to buy these fragrance bottles, I'll give you a 50% discount."

"Oh no, you didn't have to do that." Sujin says hurriedly.

"A young girl like you that has probably just started work and hasn't even got her first paycheck yet is getting her family gifts for Christmas? You're a very sweet girl, and that's why I'll give you this discount. Don't worry about it. Your total is ₩250,000."

Sujin gives the sales lady her credit card. "Thank you so much."

"No problem, anything for a young sweet girl like you. There aren't many young people now a days that put so much effort and consideration into getting a gift for their family members. Try to be like for the rest of your long life. Because everybody loves it when they receive a gift, and knowing how much thought you put into preparing that gift."

The sales lady hands Sujin back her credit card along with the bag. "Have a nice day. I hope you can find the other gifts you're looking for."

Sujin smiles and once again thanks the sales lady before she heads out of the store.

After she is out of the store, Sujin looks around.

[Long life. If only that woman knew. It's okay Sujin. It's okay. Come on now you've got to get a couple more gifts. Where should I go next?? Ah! I should go to that jewelry store. I could probably find Hwayoung and Mom something there.]

Sujin walks past a couple stores until she finds the jewelry shop. She pushes open the door and enters the warm little shop.

In the cases she sees a bunch of bracelets, and earrings. She walks around until her eyes land on this one piece. A pair of flowery earrings. Sujin walks over to get a closer look and gasps when she sees the earrings. The earrings are so beautiful with their dainty little gems, and the detailed little gold brushed petals, it's definitely breathtaking.

"I see that one of our new pieces has caught your eyes." A voice says from behind her.

Sujin turns around and smiles, "Oh, yes. I was thinking that this would be a perfect gift for my niece."

"I certainly would think so," the salesman laughs. "Your niece must be very pretty. May I ask how old she is?"

"She's turning four next year." Sujin whispers.

"Ahh. Such a young age." The man says. "I'm sure that these earrings would be perfect for her! This design was designed for girls of younger ages. With its dainty and delicate style, I'm sure your niece would look wonderful with them on."

"I'll take a pair of these then," Sujin says pointing to the earrings.

"I'll pack them up for you right away." The salesman says as he turns to head into the back and pack up a pair of the earrings.

"Wait," Sujin says. "Do you possibly have anything that would fit the image of an elegant woman?"

"We certainly do," the salesman assures her. "Let me pack the earrings up for you first, then I'll show you some of the pieces I think would be the perfect fit for that description."

"Thank you," Sujin says.

The man nods.

While the salesman is packing up the earrings, Sujin takes a look at the necklaces. One of the silver necklaces catches her eyes.

It's a simple design. A delicate silver chain with a circle like pendant.

The sign beside the necklace says, "Engrave a special something onto this pendant. You can also add charms for an additional ₩35,000 each."

"I see that you're interested in this necklace," the salesman says. "Are you possibly wanting to buy this for yourself."

Sujin nods, "I'm thinking about it."

"Well," the man says, "We have a special promotion till the end of the month. Meaning that if you buy a pair of earrings and a bracelet, you can receive any necklace for free along with a free charm and engraving. And since you requested something elegant, I brought out several bracelets I think that whomever you're buying this for would be happy to wear."

He places a few tray with different bracelets in front of Sujin. Each bracelet looks delicate and refined. Something that would fit an elegant lady.

"Here are some of the designs I've picked out. Could you possibly tell me the the person's age? The one you're buying this for?"

"Oh. I never asked how old she was, but I'm thinking about buying a bracelet for my mother."

"Ahh. Then what about these bracelets," the salesman says, pointing to the third tray. "These flowery designs would fit someone in her mid-forties to mid-sixties. What do you think?"

Sujin looks at the delicate flower like bracelets. Any of the bracelets would certainly would fit her mother's image. Her mother was always known for being the graceful, elegant swan.

Sujin points to the rose gold colored bracelet, "Please pack up this one for me."

"Sure thing. Which necklace would you like? You get a free necklace, charm and engraving since you're buying a pair of earrings and a bracelet."

Sujin points to the simple necklace and pendant. "This one please, and do you possibly have a like a ring charm? Or a ring to put on the necklace?"

"We don't have a ring charm, but we do offer to put rings on necklaces. And, since you didn't pick any charm out, I'll select one of the plain rings to be your charm is that okay?"

Sujin nods. "Thank you."

The salesman smiles. "Sure thing. Please come over to the counter and I'll check you out, and I'll also do the engraving for you and everything real quick."

Sujin follows him to the counter, hands him her card, and wait for him to come around with the bracelet and earrings, and her necklace. The salesman swipes gives Sujin back her card, and gives her the bag.

"I didn't put the necklace in the bag yet. I figured that you would want something engraved on the necklace and the ring. What would you like me to engrave for you?"

"Could you engrave my name? And the date for this Christmas? If you can engrave the date, could you please make sure to include the year as well?"

"Sure," the salesman says. "So, you want your name engraved on the pendant, and on the ring you want the date 12.25.2027 engraved?"

"Yes, please." Sujin nods. "Oh. You probably need to know my name. My gosh. My name's Jeong Sujin."

"Thanks, I'll engrave this real quick. Just sit in that chair over there. This shouldn't take any longer than five minutes."

FIVE MINUTES LATER. . . .

The salesman walks out from behind the counter and holds out the necklace with the pendant and ring stringed on the chain.

"Here's your necklace. Would you like me to put it on for you?"

"If you don't mind could you?" Sujin asks.

"Sure. Could you please lift up your hair for me? It makes it much easier to put the necklace on."

He places the necklace around Sujin's neck, and closes the clasp.

"All done. Go take a look at the necklace in the mirror."

Sujin walks to the mirror in the front of the store. The simple necklace looks beautiful with the ring and pendant.

"It's wonderful," Sujin smiles. "Thank you so much."

As she walks out the door, Sujin makes sure to say, "Have a good day."

"You too," the salesman calls after her.

After Sujin leaves the shop, the salesman shakes his head.

"I still can't get why she would engrave a date. How strange. . ."