Flower on the ash

As I closed the door, I heard a ring of the doorbell. I quickly made my way towards it and opened the door.

" Hey! Anna." Penelope exclaimed.

" Hii Penelope." I said.

" Why aren't you ready yet?" she asked me, entering inside.

" Sorry. I woke up late today." I apologized.

" It's okay. Go and get ready." Penelope said.

" Ok. Can you please help Zeus with breakfast?" I asked her. No one is at home, so I can't leave Zeus behind.

" Zeus is here? I haven't t seen him for years." she said in surprise.

" Yeah. That is Zeus's room." I said and pointed at the room which was devoted to Zeus.

" Ok. You go get ready. I'll take care of him." she said happily and left towards the room I had indicated.

I headed upstairs towards my room. I pulled out jeans and a top. I combed my hair and tied it into a braid. After getting ready, I headed down to see Zeus had almost done eating.

" Let's go." I said to her.

" Ok. Come Zeus." she said and started walking out. I grabbed the house keys which Alex gave me earlier and locked the house. Penelope had brought her car, so we all sat in it.

" Let's go." Penelope said cheerfully and started to drive.

" I think we will have to leave Zeus with someone." she said and I nodded. Not every shop allows pets with customers.

" What do we do then?" I asked her.

" I know a place to drop him off." she said.

" Where?" I asked.

" You will know it in a minute." she said. She drove and stopped the car in front of a big villa. I raised an eyebrow looking at her.

" It's Graham's house." she said and got off the car. I also got off. Penelope carried Zeus from the car and rang the doorbell of the villa. After a moment, Graham was the one to open the door.

" Two beautiful women at the door of a man." Graham spoke mischieviously.

" Mr.Xin, can you please help us on a matter?" Penelope asked him.

" It would be my honor." he said.

" Then take care of Zeus." she said and put down Zeus and he went inside Graham's home.

" Let's go Anna." Penelope said and started to walk towards the car. I looked at Graham. He was shocked as he wasn't expecting this.

" Thank you Graham." I said to him for which he smiled softly.

" Your welcome." he said. I also walked towards the car and sat inside.

" Would it be alright to trouble Graham?" I asked Penelope.

" It's fine. Where do you want to go first?" she asked me.

" A jewellery shop." I said to her for which she nodded her head. She drove for about twenty minutes or so and then stopped the car in the parking area of a big mall.

" You will get all you need here only." she said and we both got down the car. We took an elevator and Penelope pressed the 3rd-floor button.

" Do you always come here?" I asked Penelope.

" Yeah. I am very familiar with this area." she said. We both got off the elevator, once it reached the floor. There were many shops on this floor and a bunch of people who came here to shop. We walked inside one of the shops that were of jewelry.

" You could choose whatever you want. I'll take a look at some other accessories. " Penelope said and walked off to talk with one of the attendants. I made my way to where the rings were kept.

" How may I help you?" asked the attendant who was standing near the ring counter.

" I want a male ring." I said to her.

" Ok ma'am. Here's our new collection of the season." she said and took out 11-12 rings in front of me. I examined each of them. All of them were very beautiful but none of them looked to suit Alex.

" Can you please show me something matching with this?" I said pointing at the ring which Alex had given me.

" Yes ma'am." she said and took out a box of the ring. She opened it. The ring inside was really very beautiful and matched perfectly like it was pair of the ring which I am wearing.

" What's is the price of it?" I asked her taking the ring in my hand.

" It will be $9,900." she said and my eyes went wide. I put down the ring back on the table.

" It's too expensive. Don't you have something more affordable like this?" I asked her.

" Sorry ma'am but it's the only pair." she said. A battle was going inside my head. It's too expensive for me but will look perfect on Alex. I took a deep breath.

" I'll buy it." I finally made my decision.

" Thank you. Which way are you going to pay?" she asked me.

" Card." I said. I took out my bank card and gave it to her. A message came to my phone shortly saying $9,900 had been spent. Half of my savings were gone but of course I didn't regret it.

" Thanks. Please visit again." the attendant said and handed me the paper bag which contained the ring. I smiled politely at her and walked out of the shop.

" Done?" Penelope asked me as I came out. She was waiting for me outside. I nodded my head at her question.

" What do you want to buy next?" Penelope asked me.

" Some decorative materials." I said to her. Penelope led the way towards another store. From that shop, we bought some decorative candles, balloons in white and red color and some other things which I thought would be required while decorating. I saw that in the same shop they were selling flowers and taking orders for home delivery. I also gave my name, phone number, and address there. I was all set now for the preparation.

" What do you want to buy next?" Penelope asked me as we walked out of the store.

" Nothing. Everything is done." I said to her.

" What about your dress for tomorrow?" she asked me for which I raised my eyebrow.

" Why do I need a dress? It's not my birthday." I said to her.