19 The Gift

Anton Yeong's birthday was in a few days and Yanmei was utterly puzzled with what to buy as a gift.

She approached Junsu once and was told that in the previous years, Anton received Rolex watches, perfumes, neckties, cars, memberships, and knives. She learned that Anton collected knives as a hobby.

Yanmei went to the mall one day with Yeona, with hopes to settle down on a gift. She found herself lost in a wide range of choices. She was certain he would have more than a dozen of watches, perfumes and since he collected knives, who knows, he probably had a house full of knives.

She arrived in her apartment empty-handed.

There was only one way to identify a good gift for someone who was also gay. She called Garry, her bestie, to ask for some advice.

"Good morning New York!" Greeted Yanmei.

"Why are you waking me up so early! Damn, Yanmei. What's up, girl?" Garry said after answering her fifth call.

Y: "Girl, I need help with something."

G: "What is it?"

Y: "What is a good gift to give to someone who is gay?"

G: "Pfft! Have you not given me enough gifts?"

Y: "Not you! My boss!"

She began to share with Garry her new adventure in Korea. She told him about Anton Yeong's circumstance and how he was her new boss.

G: "I see, so you don't know much about him?"

Y: "Nadda!"

G: "Well, generally, you could consider buying a dildo."

Y: "Whaaattt? Hahaha! Pervert!"

G: "Excuse me, but all my friends love dildos. Of course, the real one is better, Yanmei, but if he is still in denial, heck, it would be a good gift!"

Y: "I'm not buying him a dildo - "

G: "Porn Videos, hormones, lubes! Yanmei, there is a bunch you can give him!"

Y: No! I'm not giving him any of that stuff! You are not being helpful at all!"

G: "Okay, then give him something comfy. Aside from our desires, we like to cuddle. What do you always give me as gifts?"

Yanmei was smiling on the other line, realizing what Garry meant. She said, "Thank you, bestie. You are the best. I miss you."

"I miss you too. I will visit you in Korea soon. Do introduce me to your boss. Is he a hottie?" Garry asked, getting excited after changing their conversation.

"I - I guess he is good looking. More like ruggedly handsome - "

"Oh, I love bearded! They tickle... Promise me you'll hook me up with your boss!" Garry interrupted Yanmei after getting a brief description of her boss.

"Yes, actually. I was planning to do that. He is not very friendly thought - "

"Trust me, bestie… He will become friendly in bed!"

Their conversation ended with a series of laughs. Yanmei's battery nearly died with how long their conversation revolved around Garry's latest boyfriends.

The day of Anton's birthday finally came. It was a regular working day and thus, she reported for work. Talks were everywhere about the recent gifts that the CEO was presented with.

"Did you hear the actress, Baek Hai-ran gave our boss a brand new car as a birthday gift?"

"Yes, oh my gosh! I heard he had it sent back to the showroom."

"Yes, that is right. Our boss is so cruel!"

"Boss, needs to be presented with the right kind of gift. He already has lots of cars! Of course, he did not need another new one!"

The news made Yanmei worry. She was carrying with her Anton's birthday gift in a huge paper bag. She wondered if he would return it as well. She took a deep breath and told herself, "If he returns it then, good. I like his gift. I could keep it for myself."

Anton Yeong took a half day from work to have an early celebration with his family. So it was only Yanmei and Junsu that left for the Yeong's estate in the evening. Since it was a busy day at the office, they arrived rather late.

Yanmei was in utter shock, seeing the large mansion of the Yeongs. She swore it was definitely larger than her cousin's home. It spelled of complete luxury from inside and out. There was no doubt that the Yeongs belonged to the elites in Korea.

"Yanmei, you are finally here!" Said Yeong Soon, embracing her the moment she and Junsu appeared in the dining area. She then introduced Yanmei to Anton's father and Yeong Jae-won as well as the rest of their direct relatives.

Yanmei received compliments about her beauty and charm, especially her eyes that Anton could not help but look her way to confirm their opinion. He stole glances at her until she walked closer from where he sat.

Before sitting down next to Mommy Soon, Yanmei turned to Anton and greeted him, "Happy Birthday, Mr. Yeong."

"Thank you, enjoy dinner," said Anton, briefly giving a nod at her.

They dined at a long table filled with a variety of delectable dishes that Yanmei felt she was in a five-star buffet restaurant. She had never seen so much food in one sitting.

The time came to finally give Anton his gifts. He received the usual from his relatives. Yeong Soon gave him a necktie and cufflink set. His father, on the other hand, gave him a golden handgun.

"Woah! Nice. I love it, dad," said Anton, giving his first smile of the day.

Yanmei pulled Junsu by the arm and asked, "I thought he liked knives -"

"I already gave him a golden knife, Yanmei," said Yeong Jae-won. "I gave it to him when he was just eighteen years old."

Yanmei smiled at Anton's father and said, "How nice. I guess... the next is a golden bullet!"

Anton's father laughed at her remark and it also made the others giggle. One said, "Nice one… Good choice there, Yeong Soon!"

"Pfft! I know!" Exclaimed Yeong Soon. Her smiles were uncontrollable at that point.

Yanmei could tell they were referring to her, but she did not know the details and figured she will ask Yeong Soon another time.

"Well, it looks like it's my turn to give you a gift," said Yanmei. She stood up and grabbed her gift from another table and handed it to him.

Anton carefully opened the paper bag and when he saw its content, his face turned confused. He was not sure how to react.

"Go ahead, Anton. Show your gift to everyone," suggested Yeong Soon.

He pulled out a teddy bear, holding a heart that said, "Hug Me."

Anton turned to Yanmei who had the brightest smile on her face. He heard her say, "Everybody needs a hug!"

Soon, Anton chuckled and everyone in the table was dumbfounded. It was Anton's second smile of the day and it lasted longer compared to being given a golden handgun.

It was literally, the first teddy bear Anton had ever received in his life.