35th Dawn - Friends' Date?

Eventually, Sol has to go back to the fitting room while I remain in the balcony.

Right after he leaves, Lewis pops out all of the sudden. It seems that his private discussion with Baron Pierre is already over, yet for some reason, he's deep in thought.

"What got you looking like someone who'd been scolded? Did the Baron chide you or something?" I asked, which finally snapped him out of his daze.

"Well, I'm just wondering if that the guy who just walked out is you're..." he trailed off before scratching his head sheepishly.

I tilt my head at him in bafflement until I recall that I had talked about Sol yesterday. Unappalled that he instantly figured it out, I just grin at him and muster a placid expression. He then stares back at me quizzically.

"I just had a talk with and settled my scores. I'm fine. Don't worry," I assured, much to his surpise.

With that, Lewis and I go back to the Baron together and bid our farewells. After the exchange, we eventually make our exit from the salon. Suddenly finding ourselves without any more business to finish, I decided to interrogate him about their conversation.

"He just told me about certain things I have to teach you in your new venture," Lewis simply answered, not elaborating any further.

"Then, shouldn't I be there with you?"

"Weren't you excited to look around the salon, though?"

I can't deny that, but something still smells fishy.

Even then, however, I don't really find it in me to pry any longer since he went all that way to help me with my apprenticeship. He's been doing a lot for me, yet I still haven't done anything remarkable for him. His reserved and secretive character is to blame here, though. I don't know what kind of struggles he has that I can help with.

Mulling over, I soon come up with an idea. Unbeknownst to me, however, he was also in the middle of contemplating something.

"Wanna go out for a while?"

"Wanna look around for now?"

Both of us were stunned after we suddenly blurted these out at the same time.

We then laugh at ourselves as we realize that we've been thinking the same thing all along. Lewis proceeds to invite me to roam around the shopping district since we have nothing else to do. I cheerfully second the motion. Without him knowing, I'm planning to treat him to something nice while we're at it.

"Umm... Lewis, I said it's on me."

A moment later, I find myself regretting letting him lead the stride. It turned out that when he asked me to go around the place, it also meant that he's planning to do the same thing I wanted to do to him. Just a while ago, he took me to a fancy-looking restaurant, ordered a full-course meal, and even paid for mine. I was confounded by this, of course.

"It's fine, Lily."

"No, it's not. I'm supposed to be the one returning the favor, you know!"

The waiter only looks at us back and forth, dumbfounded. It does look like we're bickering, but definitely not for what this guy probably think it is. Then for a few more minutes, Lewis and I continued arguing about the payment until he eventually won me over. He somehow turns into a smooth-tongued fellow at times like this that if it wasn't for this ridiculous situation, I'd give him a standing ovation.

I didn't back down with that, though. I decided to take the lead this time and haul him to a hardware store.

"What are we doing here?" Lewis asked, puzzled.

"Pick a canvas or something! I'll buy for it," I enthused while beaming at him, both arms on my hips.

When he tried to refuse, I glare at him and childishly taunt that I'll break our friendship this instant. At this, he only chuckles before finally giving in. I then eventually settle down when he starts looking around. It takes him almost half an hour to stroll around the store until he finds something at last.

"Here, Lily," Lewis called, making me swivel around and look at him expectantly.

I instantly slump when he shows me a cheap-looking sketchpad. Miffed, I then pinch both of his cheeks and muster a demonic expression.

"Are you underestimating me, Lewis? What's with this rock-bottom price?" I taunted through gritted teeth.

"But this has a fifty percent off discount!" he whined, annoying me more.

"So you are underestimating me!"

As he whimpers and rubs his pounding, swollen cheeks, I catch sight of something from a shelf behind him. Intrigued, I saunter and pull it out. It's a set of paintbrushes of different types and sizes. It's a bit more pricey than what I imagine, but I think this will be very useful to him

"Here, Lewis! I'll get this for you!"

"Wait, Lily!"

Not leaving him any room to protest, I immediately pace towards the cashier and pay for it. He seems to look flabbergasted after I hand it out to him. When he still tries to retaliate, I quickly cut him off and just continue to drag him from one shop to another. For the rest of the afternoon, though, I decided not to buy anything anymore since I just emptied my wallet with the paintbrushes.

"Why did you want to pay for me that much, anyway? I'm the guy here," Lewis commented as we walked side by side with no particular destination in mind.

"What? Don't tell me that there's also a law about men being the only ones who can buy things for women," I replied incredulously, which only made him chortle.

"I want to express my gratitude, that's all. You did a lot of things for me. Even when I gave you that, though, I still think that I can never pay you back enough."

At that, Lewis gives me a look.

I'm not lying when I said it, though. I still think that giving up a week worth of salary is still not enough to return him the favor. As I continue brooding over this, however, I suddenly come up with something. On second thought, I can just give him another gift - a handmade one, that is.