Chapter 209 Preparing a Gift
After waiting for what felt like forever, Quentin and Hannah realized that Matthew still hadn't taken his water with him. They decided to head back to find Matthew, but as they walked in, they were surprised to see Matthew and Madison wrapped in an embrace.
Curious, Hannah asked, "Matthew, Mom, what are you guys doing?"
Startled, Madison and Matthew instantly pulled away from each other. Matthew casually picked up two bottles of spring water and said, "Let's go. We should play a few more games before we head out to meet Dorian and the grandparents."
Madison, with flushed cheeks, was left standing at the kitchen doorway.
*
After changing clothes at his hotel, Dorian went to the airport. Since his parents were unreliable with plans, he checked their flight details himself. He arrived early and waited by the exit. When their flight landed, he looked around anxiously, but they weren't there. He called them and found out they had already landed.
However, it took a while for them to answer the phone. His mom finally said, "Son, where are you?"
Embarrassed, Dorian ran his hand down his face and sighed, "Mom, I'm at the arrivals. Where are you guys?"
"Oh, we are just coming out. We'll be right there," his Mom Said, and Then She hung up the phone.
"Hello? Hello? Ah..." Dorian sighed and resigned himself to continue waiting at the gate. He was completely baffled by why everyone else had come out, yet his parents were still nowhere to be seen.
Ten minutes later, he finally saw his parents. He moved forward to take their luggage and said, "Where have you been? I was about to call the police for help."
"Why call the cops when you're a police officer?" Mrs. Sterling asked earnestly.
Dorian rolled his eyes and patiently explained, "Mom, I'm on vacation, okay? And this is Horizon City, not Suncrest Heights. Even if I weren't on vacation, I wouldn't have jurisdiction here."
"Oh," Mrs. Sterling muttered, looking a bit guilty.
"So, can someone tell me why everyone else has left, and you still haven't come out?" Dorian pressed on.
Sighing, Mr. Sterling finally revealed, "Well, your Mom had a few too many drinks on the plane and ended up with an upset stomach. She just had to run to the restroom." Mrs. Sterling stood there, her head hung even lower.
Dorian couldn't help but sigh; getting a stomachache from drinking too many beverages on the plane was something his Mom, Mrs. Sterling, would do. "Her stomach is weak, and you didn't stop her," he couldn't help but complain to Mr. Sterling.
Mr. Sterling glared at him, "If you think you can do better, by all means."
There was no use in arguing. When Mrs. Sterling set her mind to something, nobody could stop her, especially Mr. Sterling, who always indulged her.
After hailing a taxi, Dorian had planned to drop them off at the hotel for a rest before dinner, as there was still plenty of time. "Dad, Mom, we'll check into the hotel first, rest for a bit, and then head out to eat," Dorian arranged in the taxi. His planning was abruptly interrupted by Mrs. Sterling, "Let's not go to the hotel first." She turned to the taxi driver and requested, "Driver, please take us to the biggest mall in town."
"Why? What do we need at the mall?" Dorian raised his voice, unable to comprehend his mother's strategy.
Mr. Sterling looked at him sternly and said, "Keep your voice down; you'll startle your mom."
Dorian felt wronged but still lowered his volume and patiently asked, "Dear Mom, may I ask why we are going to the mall? You've been on a plane for several hours; wouldn't you prefer to lie down on a big, comfy hotel bed and rest?"
Mrs. Sterling squinted her eyes with a forced smile. Any guilt she felt from the juice-induced stomachache had disappeared. She sat up straight with conviction and bluntly said to Dorian, "Don't want to!"
"Dad, can't you control your wife a little?"
Mr. Sterling didn't even spare him a glance.
Dorian remained silent as they were driven to Horizon City's largest mall downtown, which even had numerous international luxury brand stores. He followed his parents, luggage in tow, still puzzled. They were supposed to meet Madison's family, and here they were shopping.
Mrs. Sterling led the two men into a watch store. Dorian looked up at the sign, wondering when his mother started liking brands popular with the youth. Besides, didn't all three of them already have watches? He had just walked in when he saw Mrs. Sterling holding a ladies' watch, comparing it on her wrist and asking him, "Son, what do you think of this one? Is it pretty?" Dorian walked over and glanced at it, "Don't you think it's a bit youthful for you!" Mrs. Sterling shot him a look, "It's for Madison! What kind of brother are you, showing up empty-handed, expecting to dine at someone else's home without bringing a gift?"
Dorian suddenly realized and felt a bit embarrassed by his mother's words. Being accustomed to living alone, he'd never thought about these things. He earnestly looked at the watch as he took it from his Mom. "It's beautiful. Mom, your choice is always stylish, top-notch taste, right, Dad?" He made sure to include his dad in the praise. Mr. Sterling, who always deferred to his wife, naturally had no objections.
Mrs. Sterling chose stunning watches with diamonds for her daughter and son-in-law. They cost over two million each and nearly five million together. Dorian couldn't afford them, so he looked for something else.
After buying the watches, Mrs. Sterling also got gifts for her grandson and granddaughter. For Hannah, she bought a princess dress and a doll. For Quentin, she picked out LEGO sets and a model car. They weren't sure what the kids would like, so they went with traditional toys for boys and girls. This time, Dorian insisted on paying. At least this was within his budget. He justified the expense by saying no other gifts were left to buy.
Because their time was limited, the three only shopped for a short time. After making the most important purchase—the watches—and securing gifts for the whole family, they left the mall. Noticing the time, Dorian remembered that Madison had messaged him on Facebook earlier, saying they were on their way. So, he hailed a cab and took his parents directly to the restaurant. Since they only had one suitcase, they brought it to the dining place.
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