Chapter 23: The Anonymous Buyer Paid £800.

Chapter 23: Chapter 23: The Anonymous Buyer Paid ￡800.

Simon was sitting not too close from the counter.

He was watching Andrew through the glass.

Andrew was now holding a white shirt. It seems that’s the only shirt in his size. He looked at the price tag again and again.

Simon could see his face. Andrew was debating.

"How much is this shirt again?" Andrew asked the sales girl.

The sales girl smiled. "It is ￡650, sir."

Andrew held the shirt tight. "six hundred and fifty? For one shirt? Why is it so expensive?"

"It is imported. Original material. And it is the last one in your size. Medium. We don’t have another one."

Andrew looked at the shirt. He liked the quality. He told the sales girl that he needs it for an interview tomorrow and he has checked other stores, looking For a size that will fit his shoulder well.

"I can give you ￡550," Andrew said.

The girl shook her head. "Sir, customers don’t price. The price is fixed. ￡650."

Andrew was still standing there. He was shaking his head.

_I don’t have much in my account. If I buy this shirt for ￡650, How will I fund my legal teams . And if I don’t buy it, I will not look good for the interview. This interview is my last opportunity. I need to close this deal._Andrew whispered.

"Are you talking to me, the sales girl asked but Andrew ignored her.

Across the corner, Simon was watching everything. He could not hear them, but he knew what Andrew was doing. He was debating on the price.

Simon took his phone. He opened the store’s website. He found the contact email. He typed fast.

Hello,

I see you have a white shirt, size medium, in your store. Please keep that cloth on hold for me. I will pay ￡800 for it. Don’t sell it to anyone else. Keep it safe with you.

I will pay now online.

He entered his card details and paid ￡800 from the website.

One minute later, the sales girl got a notification on her computer.

"Oh," she said. She looked at Andrew.

"What is it?" Andrew asked.

"Sir, I am so sorry. This shirt has just been purchased online."

Andrew’s face changed. "What? How? I am holding it. I am here with it."

"Yes, but someone just paid for it online. Our system says it is sold. An anonymous buyer paid ￡800 for it. He asked us to keep it."

Andrew was confused. "Someone paid ￡800? For this shirt that I am holding? Why will someone pay ￡800 for a ￡650 shirt?"

The sales girl shrugged. "The person is an anonymous buyer. That’s what the note says. He said keep it on hold, don’t sell to anyone else."

Andrew laughed, but it was not a happy laugh. He was shocked and ashamed.

"Anonymous buyer? Who is that? I was here first. I was pricing it, and was about to pay."

"Sir, I am sorry. The system has marked it as sold. I cannot sell it to you again."

Andrew dropped the shirt slowly on the counter. His fist tightened.

"So I cannot buy it again? Even if I bring ￡650 now?"

"No sir. It is already paid for. ￡800."

Andrew picked his bag and immediately walked out of the store. His head was down. People at the counter were looking at him, but he didn’t care.

He left the entrance door, still whispering to himself.

_What did I do to this anonymous buyer? Why did he pay for the only shirt that is my size? Is he watching me? He paid higher price just to make sure I don’t get it._

He walked towards a black old Honda Civic and leaned beside the passenger ’s door . Simon was watching him and imagined if he was actually wealthy or faking his lifestyle.

Simon turned so he doesn’t notice his figure from the glass and in less than few minutes, Andrew stepped inside the car and drove off with speed.

Simon stood up. He walked to the counter, brought out his phone and showed the sales girl an evidence of payment .

The sales girl saw him and smiled. "Sir, you are the one? The anonymous person?"

Simon nodded. "Yes. Give me the shirt."

She brought out the neatly packaged shirt and handed it over to Simon.

Simon moved from the shirt section to the trousers department, and he selected several medium-sized trousers. He then picked out a few pairs of expensive shoes and a stylish leather bag. The salesgirl followed him closely, struggling to hide her surprise as she watched him add more items to his shopping basket.

When Simon finally approached the cashier, she quickly calculated the total bill and showed him. He paid without hesitation.

The salesgirl stared at the receipt in disbelief. They haven’t made such a huge sale in months. She smiled politely, wondering who their mysterious customer really was.

Without waiting for the girl to utter the next words , He walked out with it in his hand, gently refusing the assistant the security man offered.

Simon entered the next store, and the first thing that caught his attention was the sweet smell in the air. The shop was filled with scented candles of different colours, sizes, and designs.

He walked slowly through the store, examining the products.

There are lavender candles, vanilla candles, rose-scented candles, and several others.

A sales girl approached him with a professional smile.

"Good afternoon, sir. Welcome to our store.

Are you looking for anything in particular?"

Simon turned towards her.

"Yes. I want the best scented candles you have. Something with a beautiful fragrance, with a long-lasting scent."

The sales girl’s smile widened.

"Certainly, sir. We have some exclusive designer collections that might interest you. They are among our finest products."

"Show me."

She led him towards a section displaying luxury scented candles. Each candle came in a beautifully designed containers..

Simon picked up one of them and removed the lid.

He inhaled gently.

The fragrance was sweet, warm, and refreshing.

"This is good," he said.

"That one is from our exclusive designer collection. Sir, It has a delicate blend of vanilla and floral notes. Many of our customers love it."

Simon examined the price.

It was more expensive than he had expected.

He looked at the other candles on the shelf. Their prices were equally impressive.

For a moment, he remained silent.

Flora will definitely ask questions when she sees these things, he thought.

He placed the candle back on the shelf.

I cannot tell her the truth. Not yet.

Simon picked up another candle and examined its beautiful packaging.

He paused, then smiled faintly as an idea came to him.

"I met a philanthropist in the store, a very wealthy woman. We became friends because I assisted her, and out of her benevolent heart, she asked me to take most of the gifts because she had an emergency."

"I know this idea looks cheap, but it is what it is. Obviously, she won’t stress herself to go all the way to the store to investigate."

He turned towards the sales girl.

"I will take these."

Her eyes widened as she watched him select several expensive candles.

"All of them, sir?"

"Yes. I want different fragrances."

"Of course, sir. Would you prefer floral fragrances, warm vanilla, or something fresh and relaxing?"

"All three. Choose carefully. I want every room to have a different fragrance."

Behind them, a lady was looking at him. She smiled and said, "Is he planning to build a castle with candles?" Simon noticed her staring and shifted his gaze.

The sales girl was busy gathering the candles.

Simon continued looking around the store. Then he noticed a collection arranged near the small shelf.

He stopped.

"What about those?"

They are not candles, they are bathing essentials for women, but they came in the shape of candles. Simon said to himself,

"No, I can’t buy her this."

The sales girl asked, "Sorry, sir, are you married?"

"Yes." Simon said.

"Your wife is lucky."

"Yes, she knows." Simon said with smiles.

The sales girl stared at him for a moment and muttered.

"Could it be that he is planning a night party for her in Zanzibar, where the air will be filled with luxury and freshness?" she thought. Then she thought again, "Or could it be that our store is the only one that has it in stock?"

Or could it be the brands are scarce, she needs to confirm from the head office later? Then she remembered it was almost the end of the month and she couldn’t afford to miss her target if she wanted to win Best Sales Rep for the month.

"She giggled and smiled.

Simon saw a well packaged gift on a shelf, he remembers the staff working at Flora’s mansion.

They work hard every day. Although Flora pays them well, he felt there is nothing wrong in gifting them.

He examined the shelves and picked several boxes of quality chocolates,strawberry wine, expensive perfumes, and elegant watches.

The salesgirl approached him with a smile.

"Sir, would you like me to wrap these gifts separately?"

"Yes, please. Make them look beautiful. They are gifts for the staff at the place where I work."

"That is very thoughtful of you, sir," she replied.

The salesgirl looked at him with admiration.

He is handsome, wealthy, and thoughtful. How many men would remember the staff when they could spend everything on themselves? she wondered.

After everything was packed, Simon paid the bill and gave her a generous tip.

"Thank you, sir!" she exclaimed.

"You’re welcome. Enjoy the rest of your day."

Simon collected his shopping bags and walked towards the entrance.

Just as he reached the door, his phone began to ring.

He stopped, pulled it from his pocket, and glanced at the screen.

His expression changed immediately.

"Why is Madam calling me ?" he whispered before answering.