The Alchemists

Finally, the important day arrived!

Finland woke up feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Her first big event is launching tonight and at the same time she had to work hard to make sure a certain someone didn't win their bet.

[See you later tonight when I get kicked out of the event. Can't wait for my kiss.]

Caspar's message woke her up that morning.

Ugh... why was he so confident that he would win the bet, wondered Finland.

Finland would make sure that all guests were well served. NOT ONE guest will be evicted from the big event tonight, she was determined.

At the office, she asked Ms. Song for an additional invitation for Jean so that he could come to their event. Meilin who overheard the conversation immediately tried to prevent her from getting additional invitation. Her reasoning was that since Finland was poor, surely her friends would also come from the same circle.

"Oh dear, don't do that Ms. Song ... If we let poor people infiltrate our event, our esteemed guests would feel uncomfortable." Meilin then pointed to Finland's modest outfit, "Also, I think that Finland should buy new clothes for this evening. Her current clothes do not reflect the prestige of the brands that we represent."

Finland was about to argue, but she held back.

"I will buy new clothes," she relented, "but please give me one more invitation. He is not poor..."

"Oh... maybe she is asking for an invitation for her sugar daddy," people started gossiping behind her back.

"Well, it's okay, actually. After all, we got the venue thanks to her connection."

Tony, who was walking past them, frowned when he heard them gossiping. He could not believe that Finland, who used to be such a hard worker on campus, was now making money by becoming a rich man's mistress. Moreover, the girl was still modestly dressed until today.

"Please stop spreading gossip about your coworker!" He rebuked the girls, looking very displeased. Meilin pulled his hand and whispered something to his ear. Tony seemed to disagree, but he just sighed and continued walking.

He did not actually believe that Finland would live such a life; that she became a rich man's mistress and worked in LTX as a cover. It was a fact, that the girl had a special relationship with the owner of Continental Hotel who was rumored to be an old German businessman, because technically they DID manage to get the venue thanks to Finland.

If she weren't the owner's mistress, how else could she get it? Today, she also asked for one extra invitation for the event... If not for the sugar daddy, who else would she give it to?

Finland finished all her work for the day and then promised to meet Jean at the mall. She must buy clothes that would make her look decent enough to enter the Bartz event, and, in her opinion, no one knows more about fashion than Jean.

[Shall I pick you up at your office?] Jean asked her.

[No need. We can meet in Orchard Road.] Finland replied. [Oh, and I really need you to help me buy nice clothes...]

[Of course! I'm excited! This will be like a scene in the movie Pretty Woman.] Jean replied.

Finland laughed at Jean's SMS and then immediately left for Orchard. Her office friends had never seen Finland's face look so bright and happy.

Finland got off the bus in front of ION Orchard Mall and found Jean waiting for her at the mall entrance. The guy looked rather pale because he had just flown 14 hours, but his handsome face glowed when he saw Finland.

He was tall and slenderly built, clothed in a casual outfit: a short-sleeved gray shirt, a thin scarf around his neck, and a torn jeans combined with ankle boots that looked very fashionable.

Jean could wear a gunny sack if he wanted, and he would still look cool.

"OMG... Look at you!!" Jean approached Finland and hugged her, lifting the girl into the air. "You look more beautiful every time we meet."

"You too! Oh, how I missed you!"

Finland laughed and warmly returned Jean's hug after she was lowered back on the ground. They kissed each other on the cheek and then walked hand in hand into the mall.

Finland realized that there were so many girls around them who were checking Jean out, stealing glances at him. They couldn't hide their disappointed faces when Finland arrived and Jean bear-hugged her warmly.

Jean was a very attractive man because his handsome face looked exotic. He had naturally brown hair that framed his perfect face. He had a pair of charming cat eyes that gave him a Japanese look, but his 182 cm height and fashionable appearance made him look very European.

They entered the mall to look for nice clothes for Finland, but before they went further, something caught their eye. In front of one of the big shops inside the mall, they saw a huge stunning photo of Jean. He was looking at the camera with a cold gaze and in his hand was a bottle of perfume.

"Hey... That's you, right?" Finland asked while turning to the side. Jean narrowed his eyes and smiled broadly.

"Yup. A new ad. This is my 30th commercial." He raised an eyebrow and looked at Finland with laughing eyes, "Are you proud walking with a celebrity in the mall?"

Finland nodded while laughing, "Very proud!"

They both laughed and continued shopping. Jean pointed to a boutique that had an interesting clothing collection. He walked through the dresses and took some out for Finland to try.

Jean was right when he said that the moment was similar to the scene in the movie Pretty Woman when the character played by Julia Roberts came to the boutique and tried various clothes.

Finland was very happy because Jean was there to help her choose clothes. Her friend knew that she did not have a lot of money, so he could provide the best insights for nice outfits that would not drain her wallet dry.

After trying out around 6 dresses, Finland finally chose two that were suggested by Jean and a nice pair of wedge shoes.

"It's best to use a simple black dress that fits your body like this," said Jean. "You look so beautiful and elegant."

"Thank you." Finland smiled happily. "I will go home for a while to change my clothes. Let's meet later at the venue, OK? I have to go earlier to make sure that Caspar doesn't show up and do something weird to win our ridiculous bet."

"If you have his picture, I can help you to look out for him..." Jean said.

"Ugh... I can't find his picture anywhere and it never crossed my mind to take his picture secretly..." Finland complained to herself. "Anyway, when he arrives, I'll let you know."

When Finland turned around to go home, Jean held her hand, "Wait a minute... I have a present for you."

He took out a package from the leather bag he was wearing and handed it to Finland, who was wide-eyed in surprise.

"What is this?"

"It's a Prada sling bag to match your outfit. Wearing nice clothes without a fitting purse is useless." He smiled broadly and put his gift in Finland's shopping bag. "Please wear it later. I want to see how it looks on you."

"Oh my..."

"Go ahead, go home now, you don't want to be late."

Finland nodded and thanked him by kissing Jean on the cheek and then left.

Ah... Jean may be the only friend she had, but really, with a friend like Jean, Finland felt that it was more than enough. She didn't need any other friends. She was grateful for what she had.

She only hoped that their friendship would never change, especially when one day Jean fell in love with a woman and left her, without anyone in the world.

Finland didn't really want to think about it.