Chapter 517: A Gift For Stan (2)

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.

Noticing her hesitation, the saleswoman offered, "We have less expensive models with similar designs. If you prefer, I can show you a few alternatives."

Sarah considered the suggestion. It would certainly be the sensible choice. She could purchase a good watch for considerably less, have it wrapped beautifully, and present it to Stan with a smile. She was confident he would appreciate the gesture regardless of the price.

In fact, she suspected he might even scold her if he discovered how much she had spent on this particular model.

Stan didn’t seem like someone who would be impressed simply because an item was expensive. He would probably ask why she had spent so much money when a less expensive watch could serve the same purpose.

He’d probably ask me why I wasted so much money on him.

Sarah could almost hear his voice, and the thought brought another smile to her face. However, as she looked at the midnight-blue watch once more, she realized that she wasn’t quite ready to give up on it.

With a quiet sigh, she acknowledged that she was being stubborn. She had come here intending to find a suitable gift, yet somehow, she had become attached to this particular watch. The question was whether she liked the watch itself or simply liked the thought of seeing Stan wear something she had chosen for him.

...

"Can I see the less expensive models first?" Sarah asked, deciding that she should at least examine the alternatives before making her final choice.

"Certainly, Miss."

The saleswoman carefully returned the midnight-blue watch to its display case before leading Sarah to another section of the store, where several other luxury timepieces were arranged behind glass counters. Although these models were more affordable, they still displayed impressive craftsmanship, with designs ranging from simple and understated to elaborate pieces decorated with precious metals. The saleswoman patiently introduced her to several options, explaining their features and differences while allowing her enough time to examine each one.

For the next fifteen minutes, Sarah compared watches, listened to explanations about their movements and materials, and asked questions she would never have thought to consider before entering the store. She examined the dials, inspected the finishes, and imagined how each piece would look on Stan’s wrist. The process was more complicated than she had anticipated, especially because every watch seemed to have something that made it appealing at first glance.

One model had a clean, minimalist face that she appreciated, but its pale dial lacked the depth of color she had admired in the midnight-blue watch. Another was beautifully crafted, with a polished gold finish that gave it an unmistakably luxurious appearance, yet Sarah felt it was too conspicuous for Stan’s taste. A third caught her attention because of its sophisticated design, but the combination of its formal appearance and elaborate detailing made her doubt whether he would wear it regularly. Although she could recognize the quality of each piece, none seemed quite right when she imagined Stan wearing it.

As she continued examining the alternatives, Sarah gradually realized that she had been approaching the decision from the wrong direction. She didn’t want to buy Stan a watch simply because it was expensive or because its design looked impressive in a display case. What mattered was whether it suited him, whether he would feel comfortable wearing it, and whether it could become something he genuinely enjoyed using. She wanted a watch that complemented his personality rather than one that attempted to change how he presented himself.

Eventually, her attention drifted back toward the midnight-blue watch she had examined earlier. Even from a distance, she could remember the subtle silver detailing, the dark dial, and the intricate mechanism visible beneath the sapphire crystal. Unlike some of the other models, it wasn’t burdened with unnecessary decoration, and its elegance didn’t depend on an overly conspicuous finish. The more she compared it with the alternatives, the more convinced she became that its understated design was precisely what she had been looking for.

Sarah imagined Stan checking the time during a busy day, the watch resting naturally on his wrist as he went about his usual activities. She pictured him opening the gift box and examining the piece, perhaps turning it slightly to appreciate the exposed mechanism beneath the crystal. She even imagined the look he might give her afterward, and the thought brought a faint smile to her lips. Although she couldn’t predict exactly how he would react, she liked the idea of giving him something she had chosen with him specifically in mind.

After another moment of consideration, Sarah finally made up her mind. She turned toward the saleswoman, who had patiently waited for her to reach a decision, and pointed toward the original display.

"That one," she said. "I’d like to buy it."

The saleswoman followed her gaze before recognizing the model Sarah had been considering earlier. "The original model? An excellent choice, Miss. It’s one of my personal favorites in the collection."

Sarah smiled, feeling relieved that she had finally settled on something. "Could you have it gift-wrapped for me?"

"Of course. Would you prefer our standard packaging or the presentation box?"

Sarah looked at her curiously. "What’s the difference?"

The saleswoman explained that the standard packaging consisted of the watch’s regular branded box and an elegant shopping bag, while the presentation option included a dark wooden case with a velvet-lined interior, an additional outer box, and a small greeting card for a personal message. She showed Sarah a photograph of the presentation set so that she could appreciate the difference before deciding.

Sarah studied the picture for a few seconds. The wooden case looked refined without being unnecessarily extravagant, and the velvet interior would display the watch beautifully when the box was opened. Since she was buying it as a gift for someone important to her, she felt the presentation was worth the additional expense.

"I’ll take that one, please," she said, pointing to the photograph.