A friendship Gift from Rainer

Gaea acts bravely upon hearing it, "Who is looking for you?" she asks coldly, but her cheeks blush greatly.

"I don't know," replied Rainer supporting his chin, "I just see a woman following me from a beverage shop," continued him mischievously.

Gaea's cheeks blush even more, so it was true that Rainer realized her since the beverage shop, "Are you playing with me? You knew I was there but didn't greet me, did you want me to follow you?"

"I didn't say that," said Rainer.

Gaea takes a breath. Now feeling guilty, shouldn't be venting her frustration because she was caught stalking, "Sorry."

"It's okay," said Rainer.

Gaea is thankful that Rainer is a forgiving person, it seems as if she had embarrassed herself enough, it's better to return to her friends, "If you're busy—"

"Do you want to buy a cassette or listen to a song?" Rainer cuts the conversation.

"Um ..." Should she answer not either? Isn't it clear from their conversation that she was just following? Or ... or ... Rainer doesn't want to be separated? Wants to be accompanied—?

Gaea's heartbeats strangely faster.

"I've been into music recently as well," said Rainer, "Ferdinand gave me classical cassettes to me. I really like Beethoven's work, so I am looking for it."

Gaea gapes. She is not a music expert, but a Beethoven kind of music on the music shelf now? Didn't expect Rainer to be a classic kind of man considering his job as a hacker, "That cassette won't be here, Rainer," said her as carefully as possible to avoid disappointing that poor man.

"Oh ..." replied Rainer shortly, but Gaea can see a tinge of sadness in those words.

If only she can comfort Rainer, but Gaea cannot do it, they are not close yet, "If so—" her words stop when Rainer holds her hand, her heart strangely beats faster again, "W-what?" Why is she stuttering like this?

"Then can you recommend a song to me?" asked Rainer.

Gaea's eyes widens. Recommending? She doesn't know about classical music either! "Eh—!" Before she can protest, Rainer pulls her to the classical music shelf, "But ..." she tries to give an explanation.

"We can look together," said Rainer.

Gaea laughs awkwardly.

'Don't just decide by yourself!'

Gaea looks nervously at the slanted stack of cassettes, her head feels dizzy just from looking.

'What kind of music should I give?'

Gaea glances at Rainer, that man is checking the cassettes one by one, seriously. She cannot stop admiring Rainer in a serious mode that looks more attractive she is even sure that Rainer is the most attractive visitor at this shop.

Since Rainer entered the shop, there were several women who entered the shop, just admiring and even trying to get the man's phone number.

Rainer's way of rejecting women also deserves thumbs up, so gentle which is so difference from Eryk.

Eryk and Rainer ... how can they be friends with such different traits?

Their eyes meet because Gaea has been staring for too long, Rainer smiles that makes Gaea turn awkward after being found out of staring secretly.

'Focus!'

Without thinking further, Gaea starts to move her fingers through the cassette one by one, her eyes really focus on making sure that nothing is missed, "Oh," too focus without realizing that her left shoulder bumps into Rainer's right shoulder, "Sorry. Hahaha ..."

Rainer doesn't say anything.

Gaea feels strange to laugh by herself, so she stops laughing—and finally realizing how close their faces are, her eyes are fixed on Rainer's eyes.

Their close distance also allows Gaea to see Rainer's face clearer; small lips, pointed nose, and not forgetting a small mole on Rainer's right temple which she strangely likes.

"Aww ..." Gaea groans feeling something tapping her forehead softly, which apparently was done by Rainer, "why would you do that?"

Rainer starts checking again, "I am saving you from embarrassment."

Gaea puffs up her cheeks.

What does he mean? She doesn't get it.

While grumbling, Gaea returns to search while caressing her forehead, and at once her eyes catch something that attracts her attention.

Benjamin Grosvenor.

What catches her eyes is the title 'Chopin Piano Concertos'.

Gaea's lips filled with a big smile, "I found it!" exclaimed her cheerfully.

Rainer approaches, "Really?"

Gaea nods, showing the album of the cassette in her hand proudly, "Though it is not the original, but it takes a song from Chopin, I am sure it will be good."

Rainer takes that cassette from Gaea's hand without hesitation.

Gaea lets out a breath of relief.

'Finally, this suffering ends.'

Gaea is really relieved, indeed, just following Rainer from behind to purchase that cassette, her eyes widen upon seeing the price of that cassette, and also Rainer calmly handed over the money.

That money is enough to buy food for three days.

After paying, Gaea and Rainer leave the music shop.

"Thank you, Gaea," said Rainer with a small smile on his lips.

Gaea smiles back.

Rainer picks up something from the plastic bag that he carries, handing it to Gaea, "This."

Gaea sees it.

That is the cassette that they were looking for earlier.

"Just think of it as the token of our friendship," said Rainer.

Friend.

Gaea gladly accepts it. A symbol of friendship with Rainer, her heart feels warm, happy to have a new friend, "I will take good care of it," she said as she holds the cassette against her chest.

"Me too," said Rainer.

Both of them laugh together.

To be able to see Rainer laugh effortlessly like that makes all of Gaea's frustration somehow disappear or maybe because she also laughs away that feeling? No idea.

The sound of the cellphone stops their laughter.

Rainer checks his cellphone. Email from Eryk. He doesn't read it, "I think this is enough, task is awaiting."

Gaea waves her hand, "Bye."

"Bye."

***

Gaea removes the earphone from her ears when they reach the airport, then gets out of the taxi and starts walking to the airport.

"You are so focused on Rainer's gift that you forget your suitcase," teased Lola.

"Gaea, falls in love. I feel proud as a mother," Ava doesn't miss the chance to tease though her little heart is a bit hurt knowing that the cassette is from Rainer.

Since morning Gaea is in a bad mood, Lola and Ava try to cheer her up by taking her to shop for clothes, but it isn't working, only after an accidental meeting at the Mall with Rainer makes the smile in Gaea's lips stay and doesn't fade away.

Lola and Ava are certainly happy, and there is also something to tease Gaea with.

Gaea stops walking. Right, her suitcase, while holding back embarrassment, turning around to take her suitcase, then enters the airport ignoring all of the teasing from her friends.

It's enough from the mall to the apartment to be teased fully, if it is not because of the threat that she won't go, maybe Lola and Ava haven't stopped.

Lola and Ava follow along Gaea from the side, there is nothing they talk about except how excited they are to celebrate the New Year's Eve and Christmas together in Shanghai.

They arrive at the check-in section, and place their suitcase on the conveyor belt, walking beside them, going through the body check.

Lola and Ava have been checked, now it is Gaea's turn.

Gaea takes off the light pink jacket from her body and place it on the conveyor and at that exact moment, a familiar voice is heard.

"Wait!"

Gaea turns around and is surprised to know it is Eryk, but remembering the incident this morning makes her feel annoyed again, "What do you want?" asked her coldly.

Eryk lets out a breath and boldly says, "I want you to stay here."