The drive didn’t take long, or maybe it was just the two were quite busy talking to each other that they didn’t realize they were already at their destination. Or at least, Eunbyeol didn’t. That’s why when she finally focused on where they were, her jaw dropped and immediately turned to the man beside her.

“What are we doing here?” She asked incredulously as she glanced at the red blinking digits on the car’s dashboard. It was around 10 o’clock in the morning and she swore they left Gyeonggi around 9. It was an hour travel, and she didn’t even realize that he’s taking her to Seoul.

Junmyeon chuckled as he unbuckled his seat belt and then hers. “Relax,” he whispered near her ear, making the girl’s hair at the back of her neck stand up. “What else should be done in Dongdaemun?”

Eunbyeol watched her best friend as he pulled away and reached out for something at the back. Immediately, she realized it as his favorite jacket which he always keep in his car in case he gets cold. Silently, he pulled out a black leather wallet and it could only mean one thing.

“Yah, Kim Junmyeon, I’M NOT GOING SHOPPING WITH YOU!”

***

“Can we take a rest? My feet are killing me already,” Eunbyeol groaned as they entered Lotte FITIN. They had been going around the different malls in the shopping area for four hours straight and she’s starting to feel tired and hungry.

“Dude, I swear we could have just gone to Dongtan Mall if you’re planning to go shopping,” she scowled. “You made me wear heels and in four hours, we had roamed around three huge buildings!”

It was supposed to be annoying but as usual, the guy found his best friend’s tantrums cute. He had always found delight on the way her lips pout, how her eyes roll, how her forehead creases when irritated. These are few of the reasons why he always feel at ease with his best friend. “Hey Eunbyeol, relax,” he said in a calming tone. He took a step closer to her side and nudged the girl. “Let’s sit there,” he said as he pointed at an unoccupied bench nearby with his lips.

Upon reaching the stool, Eunbyeol immediately plopped herself down and leaned back to stretch. Junmyeon followed suit and sat beside his best friend. He counted one to three in his mind, knowing what will happen next. And just as expected, the girl turned to him after three, with looks on her eyes which he had seen for numerous times already.

“Kim Junmyeon,” she began and the man couldn’t help but flinch at the seriousness of her tone. He knew that so well that he had mentally ordered himself to prepare for what’s to come next. Even though he expected it, doesn’t mean he actually likes it when she nags. “I know you have a bottomless credit card courtesy of your parents but I swear you’re being ridiculous buying from almost every store we got into.”

The guy pouted as he guiltily looked away and focused his eyes on the shiny tiled floor of the mall. This was the drawback. Her words always make sense, pinching his conscience. But in his defense, he just wanted to go on a shopping spree with her, was that too much to ask? And besides, he did it because he can. What’s wrong with that?

He wanted to state his reasons. He wanted to in. But a serious Cho Eunbyeol who is in the middle of her speech cannot and should not be interrupted. He knew better than cutting her off.

“I know you’re rich but you have to learn the importance of saving money. If we’re going to get married, I need to get it straight that I will condone impulsive shopping sprees like this. There are more things you need to spend on in the future than clothes, shoes and accessories. Do you understand?”

Without looking, Junmyeon just nodded and the girl continued. “If you have this strong urge to waste money, then we could just go to a hospital or an orphanage, or perhaps a home for the aged. Donate even half of the assets under your name and you won’t hear me say a thing,” she said.

Of course, he knew it was a joke. She wouldn’t suggest that because she knows it’s not possible. Then, it led him to thinking. Wasn’t shopping the forte of girls? Isn’t she supposed to be more excited than he is when in malls? Girls love that, right?

Junmyeon shook his head as realization dawned upon him. Ordinary girls do that. Keyword: ordinary. Eunbyeol is way too different. Since middle school, she had managed to establish the fact that she doesn’t like being typical. She doesn’t go for what’s usual and what’s in. She doesn’t like shopping in huge malls that much because she had always believed that it’s just a waste of money. She would rather buy from second hand stalls since according to her: she can easily pull anything well anyway.

“Are you listening?” He heard her ask.

With one nod from him, the girl puffed out a sigh and kept quiet.

Silence then ensued but it was easily disrupted by a sound of a grumbling stomach, diffusing the tension. The guy broke into a fit of controlled giggles as he realized from who it came from. He closed his eyes and clenched his fist to stop himself from bursting out, yet he failed.

With teary eyes, he looked at the girl before him; and for a moment, he wondered why it didn’t surprise him that there wasn’t even a bit of embarrassment in her face. Instead, she was also trying to hold in the chuckles but was miserably failing.

Junmyeon got up and the girl looked up, still trying to keep composed. “Let’s eat there,” he said as he pointed at a nearby Italian restaurant with his lips. The girl can never say no to a pazza-pista combination. “I have something to talk to you about too while we’re eating.”

Hearing about food, the girl broke into a heavenly smile. She stood up immediately and together, they walked into the dining place with the guy holding several paper bags – all containing new clothes, shoes, and accessories which he insisted to buy for his fiancée.