Chapter 516: Sarah: A Gift For Him (1)

A magnificent shop could be seen, the shop occupied the entire ground floor of a magnificent luxury complex, its towering glass fa?ade reflecting the golden afternoon sunlight. Elegant golden lettering adorned the entrance, while crystal chandeliers illuminated the lavish interior, casting shimmering reflections across the polished marble floors.

Beneath the high ceiling, rows of exquisite displays showcased everything from designer handbags and jewelry to luxury watches and the latest fashion pieces. Well-dressed customers wandered between the displays, attended by impeccably dressed sales associates who treated every visitor with effortless courtesy. Soft instrumental music filled the air, mingling with the faint fragrance of expensive perfume.

Amidst the luxurious surroundings, one woman stood out. She possessed a striking beauty, with long, silky hair cascading over her shoulders, delicate facial features, and captivating eyes. Her graceful figure and elegant posture complemented the beautiful outfit she wore, which accentuated her appearance without being unnecessarily extravagant.

She carried herself with natural sophistication, occasionally attracting the attention of customers passing by, although she seemed entirely oblivious to their glances.

Sarah had been standing in front of the same display for nearly five minutes, examining the watches arranged inside it. Her hesitation had nothing to do with affordability. She could comfortably purchase any of the pieces that had caught her attention, but every time she settled on one, another seemed to offer something equally appealing, leaving her reconsidering her choice.

"Miss, would you like me to bring out another piece?" the saleswoman beside her asked.

Sarah looked up. The woman had remained patient throughout the entire process, never showing irritation despite Sarah requesting to examine several watches more than once.

"Actually, yes." Sarah pointed toward a dark display case near the back of the counter. "Could you show me that one again? The one with the silver detailing."

"Of course."

The saleswoman unlocked the case and carefully removed the watch, placing it on a presentation cushion. It was an exquisite mechanical timepiece with a deep midnight-blue dial that appeared almost black until the light struck it at an angle. Delicate silver indices marked the hours, while the exposed mechanism beneath the sapphire crystal revealed an intricate arrangement of gears moving with remarkable precision. Its polished case and understated design gave it an elegant appearance without making it unnecessarily flashy.

Sarah leaned closer, admiring the craftsmanship.

"What do you think?" the saleswoman asked. "This is one of the more popular pieces in the collection. It features a self-winding movement, a sapphire crystal, and a hand-finished case. The blue dial is particularly sought after."

Sarah barely registered the explanation because she was already imagining Stan wearing it. The thought brought a smile to her face, and she found herself examining the watch more carefully as she pictured how it would look on his wrist.

Stan wasn’t the sort of man who seemed particularly concerned about expensive accessories. He could walk into a place wearing ordinary clothes and carry himself with the confidence of someone who had nothing to prove. That was part of what made choosing a gift for him so difficult. Buying something expensive would be easy, but finding something he would genuinely appreciate required considerably more thought.

She had considered designer clothing, but she wasn’t familiar enough with his preferences to choose something confidently. A luxury pen had also crossed her mind, although she had never really seen him use one. She briefly considered a bracelet and a necklace, but she wasn’t certain he would be comfortable wearing either. A watch, however, seemed different. It was practical, elegant, and something he could use every day without changing his usual style. More importantly, whenever he checked the time, he might remember that she had given it to him.

Sarah’s smile widened at the thought before she caught herself getting carried away.

That sounds a little selfish.

She tried to suppress her grin, but the saleswoman had already noticed her expression.

"Have you found something you like, Miss?"

"Maybe."

"May I ask who you’re buying it for? If it’s a gift, I might be able to help you choose something suitable."

Sarah hesitated briefly before answering, "My boyfriend."

The words came out more naturally than she had expected, although a slight warmth spread across her cheeks. She lowered her gaze and pretended to examine the watch again, hoping the saleswoman wouldn’t notice her embarrassment.

The woman’s expression brightened. "Then I think you’re looking at the right collection. This model is elegant without being overly formal. It works well with a suit, but it also looks good with casual clothing."

"Casual clothing?" Sarah asked, glancing at her.

"Certainly. A man doesn’t have to wear a suit to appreciate a good watch."

Sarah immediately pictured Stan in a simple hoodie, his hands tucked into his pockets as he walked around with his usual relaxed expression. The image amused her, and she nearly laughed.

"You’re right."

"Would you like to try it on your wrist, Miss? That might help you appreciate its appearance more clearly."

"He’s the one who’s going to wear it."

"Ah." The saleswoman smiled knowingly. "Then perhaps you should imagine it on him."

Sarah looked down at the watch. That was precisely what she had been doing, but imagining Stan wearing it hadn’t made her decision any easier. If anything, it had only made her more determined to find the right one.

"How much is this one?" she asked.

The saleswoman named the price, causing Sarah to blink in surprise. For a moment, she wondered whether she had misheard because the watch was considerably more expensive than the first model she had considered.

She examined it again, appreciating its craftsmanship while weighing the cost. She had money of her own and could afford the purchase without straining her finances, but that didn’t mean she was accustomed to spending such a substantial amount without careful consideration. She also had no intention of buying something expensive merely to impress Stan. What mattered was whether he would genuinely appreciate the gift, not how much it cost.