Chapter 16: I'm not changing

It was a 15.7mm, 18K Rose gold ring. Its band was designed to mimic diagonally placed leaves climbing atop each other, they rose and at a point, they split into two and then met very exquisitely at the top. A total of eleven diamonds graced the ring, ten of which were clear princess-cut 0.04Ct diamonds intricately placed at the sides to imitate flowers. Four were placed on each side and two at the meeting point. Because the ring was in a split shank setting, a pink 4Ct circle cut diamond lay alluringly atop the ring, she could already imagine the ring, sparkling under the light in all its grandeur.

The male ring was equally as impressive, with its flush setting, a small pink diamond lay in the middle of a rose gold band. The design was simple, but the pink diamond elevated its value and charm.

"Hey, Lei, I've picked the one I want", She dropped the rest of the portfolio on the coffee table as she handed him the design of the rings, "Do you have it now?"

"Yeah, It's supposed to be part of next month's release. Do you want it in a case?"

"Mhmh", She hummed in affirmation, "a small velvet one, ooh, and I'd also like to engrave something on them", She took a piece of paper and wrote down a few things smiling contentedly to herself, she watched as he got out a case and could tell from his expression that there was something on his mind, "So, Lei, when do you plan on telling her?"

He froze in place momentarily but continued as if it hadn't affected him, "What on earth are you talking about"

"Don't bother denying it Lei, I've seen the way you look at her, It's that obvious", Well it wasn't exactly obvious, he had hidden it well, if not for the fact she had been reborn, she wouldn't have even imagined it. In her past life, after Cora had fallen into depression and decided to move away, he had suddenly confessed his feelings to her, but alas, he had been turned away without an answer, leaving him nursing a broken heart. The problem now wasn't exactly life-threatening, she just wanted her friends to be genuinely happy.

He had a wistful look in his eyes, it was like his mind had travelled somewhere else, and he didn't give a reply. "So, what's it gonna be, are you gonna tell her?", She prodded carefully, cautious as to not annoy him. He sighed heavily, the question clearly weighing on his mind, it was a classic case of not wanting to ruin a friendship due to stupid feelings.

"See, I get it, you want to make sure that you don't end up regretting it, it's a gamble. But I'm pretty sure your gonna regret it if you don't. I don't want it to look like I'm pushing or forcing you, so I'll leave it to you, but remember, she's single and for sale now", She said the last part with a cheesy grin and wriggled her eyebrows,

He chuckled at her silliness whilst staring at the ground, she always had a way of alleviating situations, "Guess that means I've got to tell her, haven't I"

"Yay", She clapped her hands in excitement, "But, you're changing your outfit first right?", Her face turned dead serious as she pointed at his dress, looking at him now, it did look good on him, but she was not letting her best friend be confessed to by a guy in a dress, no matter who it was.

"No", He crossed his arms in mock hurt, "I'm not changing"

"You're kidding me right?, you're confessing to her in that?"

"Confessing to who?", Cora came in holding three steaming cups of coffee, two caramel cappuccinos and a flat white, "What are you two talking about?", She asked pointedly as she eyed them warily,

As if in sync, they both replied"Nothing", at the same time, She grew more sceptical but decided not to press, if those two were planning something, she would definitely be getting a headache out of it soon,

Right then a knock was heard at the door, and Hu Lei answered it, there was a female employee standing there with a panic-stricken face, "Sir, there's a woman out front demanding to see you, she won't listen to any of us and she's causing a commotion"

He let out a sigh and dismissed her saying he would be there soon. He turned to meet the inquisitive eyes of Cora and Lihua and explained the predicament,

"Well, let's go and deal with it, the sooner the better", Lihua was annoyed, she needed the confession to happen that day, but with the introduction of a new problem, it was going to take longer, it would be best if he sorted it out quickly.

Out in the store, there was an angry woman yelling at the employees and demanding to be attended to by the store owner. With her style of clothing and snobbish attitude, it was obvious that she was one of those haughty young mistresses. Cora sighed rolling her eyes, it was always with these women, thinking that they owned everybody just because they were fortunate enough to be born into a rich family, why couldn't they just be cultured for once?

Lihua on the other hand had nothing to say, she just watched as Hu Lei approached the woman requesting the reason for her outburst, "Finally. I asked to purchase that ruby necklace in that display case, but your employee over here", She pointed the young sales lady that had come to inform Hu Lei "said that I can't purchase it cause it's not for sale, I offered her a huge amount but she turned me down saying there was nothing she could do about it", By the time she was done both the girls looked exhausted, seriously, because of that she had caused a commotion?

"Ma'am, she was only telling you what I had instructed, the necklace is not for sale, as it has been reserved", He hadn't finished talking before she burst out again, "So what if it's being reserved, I want it and that's all that matters, I can shut down your puny store if I wanted to, so sell the necklace to me"

"Darlin, what's with all the shouting, you aren't supposed to strain your beautiful voice, just tell me what you want and I'll get it", A tall man walked in just then, he was wearing a black suit and his hair was neatly sleeked back, his whole disposition screamed money, but to people with real class, it was obvious he was overdoing it,

The woman broke down shedding crocodile tears and accused Hu Lei of not giving her the necklace that she liked, Lihua and Cora would have burst out laughing, but they were frozen in shock, cause right before their eyes, stood Cora's ex-boyfriend, cradling a crying woman in his arms.