357 The quick end of their date

Eventually, the time came for Lillian to choose a present for Diego. She announced it out loud as it was the last name on her list, sighing in relief.

In between their shopping spree, the two often took breaks to relax with drinks and sampling the free small bites of snacks around the fair.

Uninterested, Giselle's exhaustion began to weigh on her head, driving to make up an excuse to leave Lillian's side for a drink. Since time passed busy for Lillian, she let Giselle wander by herself.

The two then agreed to separate. Giselle left without a word. Meanwhile, Lillian focused on finding a decent place to shop for Diego's Christmas present.

**

After passing through a few outlets, Lillian still couldn't find a decent spot to match Diego's taste. She was especially working hard for him, as his mood has spoiled in recent times. She solely wished that her Christmas present could help him cheer up.

The more Lillian desperately explored, the more she got frustrated with its failed outcome. She wondered what made her more agitated for Diego's sake when Lillian didn't spend more than ten minutes while shopping for the others.

It was a simple answer, and Lillian knew it already in her heart.

Recently, Diego has been refusing to confide in her. The two thick friends used to chat and have close bonding. However, these days, it appears as if Diego had distanced himself from Lillian while still calling her often to have cumbersome conversations.

Passing by this random handcraft outlet, Lillian paused to go through their displayed items. They were quite unique to the eye, some weird, and were definitely not common to find. She eventually settles at this spot to pick out Diego's Christmas gift.

Glancing around in search of Giselle, now that she chose her final spot to stop by, Lillian saw Giselle far from few stalls, waiting in the line at a cafe to buy her drink.

Watching her from a distance made Lillian realize that she had forgotten to include Giselle and Lia on her precious list.

Cursing herself outright for committing such negligence, Lillian returns to hastily look around the shop for a heartfelt present that could become her guiding light in carrying her feelings.

Amongst all, there was a single flower that rested in a glass. It's color haunting and alluring, instantly capturing Lillian's attention to an extent exceedingly.

Following Diego's Christmas present, Lillian added Giselle's to her list, making it the highlight of today's evening, hoping to continue the remaining time with their actual date.

***

It was clear that this glamourous advertising shamelessly tempted Lillian Grey too. Despite not being at the age of getting affected by such tactics, still, Lillian wished to buy one for Giselle and herself.

Shyly approaching the table, Lillian made sure to keep herself disguised well under her sunglass and beanie, not to end up getting recognized by strangers.

"Welcome, ma'am!"

The host of this outlet was a charming young lady with a pleasing accent. She was a cute match to host this event. Lillian Grey smiled, shortly before pointing at the hoya heart plants, hastily wishing to purchase and leave at once.

"You would like to buy one for your boyfriend?"

The cute lady no longer appeared adorable to Lillian's eyes as she grits her teeth, replying,

"No! I'm buying it for my lovely girlfriend!"

'Why do people naturally have to connect one with their opposite sex!' she thought, putting on a cold cast.

The charm in the lady's face faded before returning to force a smile as if it took her a while to understand Lillian's answer.

"Oh- I apologize, ma'am! My fault- so it is for you and your girlfriend! I'm sure she would love this very much."

Following the purchase, the lady assisted Lillian in explaining how to take care of the plant.

On the other side, Giselle finally got her turn to place orders and paid for her drinks. While waiting, her mind got occupied, troubling over whether she should have stayed to see what Lillian buys for Diego or not.

Since Diego's feelings are different from that of Lillian's,

Giselle worried if Lillian's gift can mistakenly stimulate his secret feelings. She prayed that Lillian chooses some kitchen utensils as his gift over anything that screams her friendly affection in the wrong direction.

Giselle's drinks shortly arrived. She had got for both Lillian and herself.

Leaving the cafe to seek Lillian, who was by no means anywhere nearby, Giselle extended her search to spot the head finally, only to witness it surrounded by a few others.

When the crowd blinding her vision finally disappeared for a moment to capture the full picture, Giselle noticed that Lillian got caught by a few strangers, who all appear to be her fans from the way they behaved.

They recognized Lillian amidst this bustling ambiance.

Lillian did not appear angry or bothered but rather welcoming their praises gracefully. She also consented to sign the autographs.

Giselle advanced with an intention to help. As she neared, Lillian quickly caught the sight of Giselle's figure, signaling her not to approach carelessly.

There were only a few people surrounding Lillian Grey. Thus, Giselle's support might not require at the moment.

Nevertheless, Giselle appeared not sure whether to join Lillian or not.

Regardless, she did follow her word to move a few steps backward, away from the small circle around Lillian. From a distance, she watched Lillian attending to her readers while removing her mobile phone to make a quick call.

Giselle knew it should be for her and picked up right away, confessing how she should have remained by Lillian's side to help.

Lillian denied. She mentioned that Giselle's appearance might bring trouble to both Shane and Giselle's author, Jayce. If a word or any picture of them together spread out, then it could stir useless gossips.

Frustrated, Giselle let out a sigh.

Lillian requested Giselle to pass the idle time while she finishes up her signing quickly.

However, on the contrary, as Lillian spoke with Giselle on the phone, more people seemed to notice her presence and joined to build a small gathering in the middle of the fair. As a result of receiving central attention, Lillian chose to drag the little group away from disturbing the active shoppers to an isolated space.

All while Giselle was still on the line, listening attentively. Lillian was able to pass on the information successfully.

"I'll call you as soon as I finish this, okay?" she added at the end.

Giselle agreed.

Several minutes pass with Lillian pleasing every reader with patience. Some even owned a copy of her latest book, which they requested the author to sign. Unable to escape from their undying appreciation, Lillian put up with the post to work efficiently.

**

Signing for the last fan, finally, the little gathering disappeared to leave Lillian Grey alone. Exhausted and drained till her legs went weak, Lillian still picked up her phone to read for Giselle, worrying if too much time had passed to her ignorance and that if Giselle began to feel alone.

Thankfully, Giselle, too, had finished her third round around the fair. She was getting ready to meet Lillian, nonetheless, even if she didn't receive the call.

Lillian began her conversation by apologizing sincerely, begging Giselle to forgive her for the sudden inconvenience. She also promised to make up for it.

"It's alright!" Giselle answered wearily.

Lillian felt sorry for ditching Giselle. She could sense how weak Giselle sounded, disliking herself from how things turned out.

For the first time, Lillian wished that she shouldn't have revealed herself to the public as it deprived her of her quality time with Giselle.

"Alright! Let's leave! It's no longer safe for me to stay here. I will drop you at your place," Lillian said before instructing Giselle to meet directly at the garage where they parked Lillian's car.

Giselle obeyed to leave the fair at once. From the amount of time she spent there, it became easy for her to exit the place swiftly.

By the time she reached the valet garage, Lillian was already waiting, ready in her car.

Giselle signaled.

Lillian drove to pick her up.

"Sorry! I never expected for this to happen," Lillian greeted with another apology.

"That's alright! It happens," Giselle replied to get settled in her seat.

Lillian glance at Giselle to find her holding bags along with the paper cup holder with two drinks, one empty and the other full.

"Is it for me?" she asked, pointing out.

Giselle nodded, looking at the drink that she had forgotten for a while now.

"But, it's gone cold-"

Before Giselle finished, Lillian picked up the drink to take a sip, falling against the headrest to exhale from sheer exhaustion.

"Wow, that tastes good!" she exclaimed, groaning as she took several long sips to finish the drink soon.

"You don't have to be so polite! I know it tastes bland now," Giselle argued.

"No! I'm telling the truth. I was getting worn out, but this really is helping me right now-" Lillian groaned to place the half-emptied cup on the sturdy cup holder in her car, starting the engine again to get ready to leave.

"Shall we?" Lillian asked.

Giselle gave a weak smile, signaling to leave at once.