Chapter68The Binding Gift, Joy or Not
Ashley's lips pursed, her movements swift and mechanical, akin to a robot powering down. Her large eyes, however, remained alert, looking up at the man before her with an innocent yet slightly irate expression.A silent tension brushed against Damian’s heart, a string of unsaid words hanging in the air, unspoken. Together, they made their way to an antique store located on the same floor.Upon spotting Damian from afar, the store owner emerged to greet him with a warm familiarity that suggested a long-standing acquaintance. "Damian, what brings you to my humble establishment today?" he inquired.His gaze briefly flickered to the woman accompanying Damian, but he didn't dwell on her presence. In this line of business, discretion was key, knowing what questions to ask and which to keep to oneself. However, even that fleeting glance was enough for him to acknowledge - this lady was undeniably beautiful.Familiar with the store's layout and its vast collection, Damian navigated past the items he had no interest in, making a beeline for a green celadon vase. He examined it closely, stating, "I need a gift for an elder, something of good quality."The shopkeeper, knowing Damian's taste, was ready to recommend the best but needed to clarify a few details. "What kind of elder are you thinking of gifting? And for what occasion?"Not wanting to intrude, Ashley discreetly retreated to a corner of the store. Damian, seemingly oblivious to her movement, casually responded, “The parents of my girlfriend, first-time visit.”As Ashley stared at a plate behind the glass window, attempting to decipher the old Latin inscriptions etched into it, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She couldn't quite pinpoint whether it was humiliation or discomfort that she was feeling - all she knew was that she felt choked up.Previously, he had asked for her help in choosing a companion, and now he was having her witness him buying a gift for his future wife. Did he really believe she was so magnanimous as an ex-wife?The shop owner flashed a grin, his eyes crinkling into slits of mirth. "First off, congrats to Mr. Damian! Pretty soon, we'll be sharing a toast to your good fortune, huh? Take a look at this tea set. It's a masterpiece by the renowned local artist, Mr. Hearst. Rumor has it he found his muse during a visit from his son-in-law. Two months of meticulous carving, a labor of love, really."Suddenly, it all made sense. This was Damian's first time bringing a lady to the shop because they were at the stage of meeting the parents. It seemed this woman was destined to become Mrs. Hearst.Damian gave the tea set a brief once-over. "Decent quality, but the style's a tad plain." His seriousness about Trinity was evident - he wouldn't be selecting a gift this meticulously otherwise.And what about their kiss yesterday? Was he merely toying with her? Ashley had to resist the urge to storm off in a huff. But considering the issue she'd agonized over all night, she managed to suppress her anger.Her relationship with Damian was strictly professional, devoid of any romantic entanglements. From now on, he was merely a stepping stone in her career ascent, a resource, a means to an end. She needed to leverage the resources of the Hearst family and KM Road to climb to the top of her industry.With enough capital, she would eventually help the Astor Group rise again! "Ashley, remember, it's your career you're after. Everything else must make way for it," she reminded herself.
With careful reverence, the proprietor produced a vase of six inches in height, cradling it as though it were a priceless treasure. "Behold this exquisite piece—a relic from ancient China, a gift from a nobleman to his favored concubine. The luster, the intricate patterns, they all carry a profound significance that is sure to impress the elders. Who could resist such a piece?"The owner had a knack for selecting items of special significance, his understanding of his clients' tastes was unparalleled.However, Damian's brow furrowed in disapproval. "It's too ostentatious."The owner quickly responded, "Ah, I see. It's more suited to the tastes of the younger generation, lacking the dignity required by the elders. Perhaps..."Before he could finish, Damian's attention was drawn to a jade screen displayed on the central shelf. A simple inscription beside it claimed it could promote harmony and safeguard the home. "We'll take this one."The owner, respecting Damian's unusual choice, made no further comment. "Of course, Mr. Damian, you always make such thoughtful choices!"Not wanting to exclude the lady, the owner turned to her with a warm smile. "What do you think? Would your parents appreciate this style? Although Mr. Damian has excellent taste, no one knows your parents as well as their own daughter."Ashley wanted to correct him—it wasn't about her parents—but she knew Damian despised unnecessary chatter, so she simply nodded in agreement.Without uttering a word, just a single "Mhmm."The owner admired Ashley’s poise and demure nature. Seeing her as the gentle and sensible type of girl, he whispered to Damian, “No wonder she's the one who caught your eye. Beautiful, graceful—a woman like her must be a real gem of a partner. Damian, you're a lucky man.”Damian's response was icy. “Maybe you should stop dealing in antiques since you can’t tell the real from the fake.”Oblivious to Damian's sarcasm, the boss smiled till his eyes nearly disappeared, “I’ve been in the antiques business for over thirty years. I've seen plenty of objects and met plenty of folks. Can’t I recognize the real deal when I see it? She’s definitely a good match for you.”Damian shifted his gaze from the interwind floral pattern that lay between them to Ashley’s profile. She was looking up, her fair neck elongating, lips slightly pursed, brilliant eyes wide open...Pulling his eyes away, he spoke with a hint of irritation, “Mind your own business!”The boss, cradling a screen, nodded, “Just a moment, I’ll wrap it up for you in the back.”“There’s one more thing,” Damian added.He pointed to a vase.“Wrap this one, too?” the boss asked.“It’s for the house. Just a decorative piece for personal use.”The boss retreated to the back to package the items, leaving Ashley silent as ever, like a stoic wooden stake.“Got something to say?”Ashley bit her lip, deliberately silent, gazing at him with eyes misted with a soft veneer of defiance.Damian let out an exasperated breath and said, “Speak up!”Only then did Ashley open her mouth and said, “Things seem to be moving quickly for you and meeting parents and all. It won’t be long before we see Damian at the wedding of the century with Miss. Congratulations.”Damian scoffed, “Why so bitter?”Bitter? Her wishes were heartfelt.“It's just... having loved a man like you, one ponders fate. What's meant for you will stay; what’s not will never fit, no matter the force applied. In the end, it always leaves.”Damian picked up a white jade ring and toyed with it in his hand. “Sounds like you regret missing out.”Her old self would have snapped back with a quick retort, but now she only wanted their cooperation, not his annoyance. “Perhaps a little. I mean, Damian is quite handsome, isn’t he? They say one glance at someone like James Dean can captivate a person for a lifetime. After experiencing a man of your caliber, how can anyone else suffice?”Damian braced for a barb but was caught off guard by her response. “You don't have to say things you don't mean just to flatter me.”Ashley, aware of her charade and knowing Damian could see through it, inched closer to him, “What about you? When the boss mistakenly thought I was your betrothed, were you pleased or not?”
