At the same time.
Please hug me when we meet next time.
Leaning back in his office chair, Dylan fixed his gaze on his phone screen, staring intently at the message Lola had sent.
She had said they should try to do what she wanted.
But what she wanted were all very ordinary and simple things.
Holding hands and walking together, eating meals together, watching movies…
She didn’t ask for extravagant gifts or indulge in vanity like many young women these days. It seemed she had no greed at all. And unlike other women, she didn’t try too hard to impress him or act excessively.
She was an honest woman who expressed herself as she was.
When surprised, her eyes would widen; when scared or nervous, she would lower her head and look at her toes; and when anxious, she had a habit of biting her lips.
Perhaps that was why being with her felt comfortable and not burdensome.
And in that moment, Dylan realized for the first time.
That when her heart was beautiful, everything about her appeared beautiful and lovely.
That was why he felt a strong desire to do something for her.
Dylan’s gaze suddenly rests on her long, delicate fingers.
These days, I’ve been seeing young couples around getting matching rings; we should get one, too.
After all, I said we should do everything others do.
Dylan’s gaze shifts again to the message that has popped up on her phone screen.
– Please hug me when we meet next.
What could this timid girl possibly mean by sending such a text?
I’m a bit curious about her mindset.
But I’m not sure if I understand it correctly.
To avoid falling into strange thoughts, Dylan shook her head and got up.
Thinking that they should get matching rings when they meet for lunch tomorrow.
Yesterday, I thought we would have lunch together today since we hadn’t seen each other all day.
But unexpectedly, when Dylan took her to a jewelry store, Lola couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
Before entering the store, Lola paused for a moment and asked,
“What are we doing here?”
“I’m here to get matching couple rings with you.”
“C-couple… rings?”
“I heard that couples these days often get couple rings. Didn’t I say we should do what others do?”
Couple rings, lovers.
These were unfamiliar words to Lola.
Moreover, the thought of getting couple rings with a man known as the Grim Reaper was something she couldn’t even imagine.
Lola felt a bit uneasy.
“What are you doing? How long are you going to just stand there?”
Dylan took Lola’s hand, which seemed glued to the spot, and led her into the store.
The store employee greeted them with a businesslike smile.
“Welcome, what can I help you with?”
The employee’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Dylan, who was handsome, unable to take her gaze off him.
Without responding to the woman’s question, Dylan turned to Lola and said,
“Choose whatever you like.”
“Ah, okay… Dear.”
From the moment she heard the suggestion of getting couple rings, Lola’s heart raced as if she were sprinting, leaving her in a daze. Meanwhile, the woman began to ask various questions.
“Excuse me, what style do you prefer?”
“Just give me a moment to look.”
As Lola awkwardly smiled and replied, the woman turned her gaze back to Dylan, stealing glances at him.
The store had many options, from wedding rings to fashion rings. The styles were diverse, and the prices varied greatly.
She didn’t like styles that felt too extravagant, and the ones she liked seemed too expensive, making it quite difficult to choose a ring.
“Lola, stop focusing on the price and choose something you like. If you keep doing this, it makes me uncomfortable.”
A low whisper reached her ear.
How did he know I was hesitating because of the price?
Lola’s face flushed at his pinpointed remark.
“Could you recommend a few that would suit us?”
Dylan, unable to bear the thought of spending all night choosing a ring, spoke up. Lola quickly added,
“Something simple and not too extravagant would be nice. As for the price…”
“The price doesn’t matter, even if it’s expensive.”
Dylan interrupted her, finishing her sentence.
The female employee smiled brightly, as if she had been waiting for this moment, and began to show them several rings. She then slipped one onto Lola’s finger, repeatedly asking how it looked.
“Dear, what do you think of this one?”
Just as Lola began to feel a bit bored waiting, she asked Dylan.
It was a ring with a yellow-gold hue and two 0.02-carat brilliant-cut diamonds.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
When Dylan asked again, as if to confirm, Lola nodded.
“Please get this one.”
Dylan handed over his card. The female employee received it with a polite demeanor.
