The Gift

The pendant winked seductively from behind the glass, glinting beneath the display lighting. Silver tendrils wove to form a heart enclosing a deep crimson garnet before spiralling off in alternate directions. It expressed how he felt without the over sentimentality she despised. It would draw attention to her beautiful arching collar bones with those low-necked but tasteful outfits she wore.1

It was perfect, he thought. Just like her. 2

He pushed the price tag to the back of his mind as he stepped on to the plush carpet of the shop. He felt a twinge of guilt as the sales assistant read out the price but he knew she was worth it. Just say it quickly, He thought as the pendant was placed in a box, which the assistant wrapped in luxurious blue paper, tied decoratively with a silver ribbon. That was what his mother used to say.  And it was so perfect.3

That evening, he drove his battered old car to her apartment block and parked outside, smiling to himself as he anticipated her reaction.4

As her took the lift to her floor, he rehearsed what he would say to her. He saw the look of surprise and delight on her face as he showed her the package and told her:5

"For you, Because you're perfect."6

The lift ground to a stop at her floor and her stepped out and made his way to her door. He knocked on the door as he ran through his piece once more in his head, hiding the hand holding the parcel behind his back. 7

She opened the door and smiled sadly at him. She looked awful. Perfect, but awful.  Her eyes were swollen looking and her nose seemed red and raw from being repeatedly rubbed against a tissue. Her hair bore the unusual disarray the suggested she had only just been able to pull herself from the pillow. 8

"I'm so sorry." She told him. She had been so ill all day, she explained, she hadn’t thought to call, but she felt so awful- could they rearrange?9

He understood. Of course he understood.10

"Do you want me to stay?" He asked to show her he realised it was not her fault; he did not mind.11

She shook her head. "I think I just need to sleep it off. I’m so sorry."12

"It's okay." He told her. "I understand."13

It wasn't until she closed the door that he remembered the necklace. He was about to knock on the door when he had a better idea. Hastily pulling a biro from his jacket pocket, he scrawled his message across the label and left it in the hallway, a romantic surprise for the next time she ventured out of her door.14

As his footsteps died away, she breathed sigh of relief and went into her bedroom. Standing in front of the mirror, she removed the crumpled dressing gown in order to admire the stylish black dress beneath. She smiled in satisfaction as she crossed to the dressing table to remove the make-up around her eyes and nose.  Yes, She thought as she reapplied it to give the opposite effect, her school drama teacher had been right. She really did have a gift.15

By the time the second man arrived, she looked every bit as ravishing as he told her she did. She giggled coyly and kissed him, the first man forgotten.16

"Shall we go?" He offered her his arm and together they left the apartment. 17

By the door, the lavishly wrapped package lay on the floor, unnoticed.18