Chapter 19 Mall Escapade
After a while, Leo's mind became calm after Rick laid out his plan on how they could claim it in the capital city.
After the two had finished discussing, they went out and saw Jenny waiting for them.
"Senior, we will look around for a while. Let's see each other at that restaurant after an hour." Rick suggested. He wanted to have alone time with Jenny.
Leo nodded as he separated from the two. He could not help but look at the two, feeling a bit envious of their lovey-dovey actions.
…
While walking around the mall, Leo found something. He suddenly stopped.
He is usually so focused on his studies and his part-time job, but now he has a singular, determined glint in his eye. He spotted it: the distinctive, vibrant display of 'Sole Dynasty,' a shoe store known for its high-end, imported sneakers. And there, in the window, was it. The 'Skyrunners.' Their sleek design, the iridescent shimmer of their material, the way they seemed to glow even in the subtle mall lighting – they were a work of art, a symbol of status he'd only dreamed of.
"There it is!" Leo practically lunged towards the store, his voice filled with an almost childish wonder.
The store was brightly lit, a pristine temple to footwear. Rows of meticulously arranged shoes gleamed under spotlights. A young female salesperson, impeccably dressed in a crisp uniform, immediately approached them, a polite but somewhat wary smile on her face. Her eyes, though trained to be discreet, subtly appraised Leo's well-worn, slightly faded jeans and scuffed sneakers. He looked, to her, like a typical window-shopper, unlikely to make a purchase.
"Welcome to Sole Dynasty," she said, her tone neutral, perhaps a little too practiced. "Can I help you find anything?"
Leo, undeterred by the subtle judgment, pointed directly at the display. "Yes! The 'Skyrunners' in the window. Do you have them in a size ten?"
The sales personnel's eyebrows arched almost imperceptibly. A size ten? For him? The 'Skyrunners' were their most expensive item, costing well over 1,000.00 Poh – a sum few students, let alone those dressed like Leo, could afford without months of saving. They managed to maintain their professional demeanor, though a flicker of surprise crossed their face.
"Certainly, sir," she said, recovering quickly. "Just a moment." She walked to a high shelf, pulled down a box, and returned with the coveted shoes.
Leo's hands trembled slightly as he took one from the box. He reverently ran his fingers over the smooth material, his expression one of pure awe. He quickly untied his old shoes, discarding them unceremoniously, and slipped his foot into the 'Skyrunner.' It was a perfect fit. He stood, took a tentative step, then another. A wide, uninhibited grin spread across his face.
"These are… perfect," he breathed, looking up at the lady before him, who was watching him with a courteous smile. "Absolutely perfect."
"They look great on you, sir," the lady offered warmly.
"Definitely your style," another one added, her eyes meeting Leo's. She felt how much this meant to the young student.
This small gesture made it so that Leo could feel his self-confidence restored.
Though the two sales ladies did not know if the student would buy it, they could feel that he liked the shoes so much. One of them, the one who gave him the shoes, had a feeling that this guy was not as simple as he looked.
And sure enough…
"I'll take them!" Leo declared, striding confidently towards the counter.
The two sales ladies blinked, clearly taken aback by the swift decision. "Excellent choice, sir. That will be one thousand two hundred fifty-five Poh."
Leo barely flinched. He pulled out his wallet, thicker now with his cut from the recent lottery winnings, and peeled off two 1,000.00 Poh bills and a 500.00 Poh bill. "Here you go."
The two saw what was in his wallet, and they showed an understanding smile. "This guy is pretending to be poor," they thought.
As the sales lady processed the payment, meticulously placing the 'Skyrunners' into a branded bag, the chime of the door signaled new arrivals. A group of young women entered, their laughter echoing through the polished space. One voice, in particular, grated on Leo's ears.
"Oh my goodness, look at all these shoes, Brenda! Imagine having the money to just buy whatever you want!" The voice was high-pitched, laced with a familiar, condescending edge.
Leo's head snapped up. Standing just a few feet away, admiring a display of designer heels, was Maria, his ex-girlfriend. Beside her, her friend, Brenda, looked a little uncomfortable, fidgeting with the strap of her handbag. Maria's eyes, sharp and calculating, swept over the store and landed on Leo. Her perfectly made-up face twisted into a sneer.
"Well, well, well," Maria drawled, her voice dripping with mock surprise. "If it isn't Leo Cane. Still slumming it in the fancy stores, I see? Last I checked, you could barely afford a new pair of shoelaces, let alone anything in here."
Brenda visibly winced, shooting an apologetic glance at Leo. "Maria, maybe…"
"Oh, hush, Brenda," Maria cut her off, her eyes fixed on Leo, a cruel smirk playing on her lips. "I'm just speaking the truth. Remember, Leo? That's why I had to break up with you. You were just… too poor. Too much potential, too little actual cash. I needed someone who could give me more than dreams." She gestured dismissively at his old clothes. "Looks like nothing's changed, really."
Leo stood silently, his face betraying no emotion. He had known Maria long enough to recognize her venomous nature. He didn't need to dignify her insults with a response. His gaze remained fixed on the sales lady, waiting for his purchase.
The female salespersonnel, sensing the tension, cleared her throat slightly and handed the neatly packed 'Sole Dynasty' bag to Leo. "Here you go, sir. Enjoy your new shoes."
Leo took the bag. He gave the two sales ladies a polite nod, then, without a single word to Maria, turned and calmly walked towards the exit. His face was placid, his step firm.
Maria, mid-sentence about some supposed new, rich boyfriend, trailed off. Her eyes, which had been fixed on Leo's worn shoes just moments before, now dropped to the gleaming bag in his hand, then back to the sales personnel. Confusion flickered in her eyes, quickly replaced by a desperate need to understand.
"Excuse me," she said, her voice now a little less confident, a little more inquisitive, to the sales personnel. "How much were those… shoes he just bought?"
The sales lady who handed Leo the bag, ever professional, responded without hesitation. "One thousand two hundred fifty-five Poh, madam."
A stunned silence fell over Maria. Her eyes widened, her jaw slackened. One thousand two hundred fifty-five Poh? For shoes? And Leo had bought them? Her face, moments ago smug, now twisted into a complex mosaic of disbelief, dawning realization, and a painful, bitter tinge of regret. Brenda, seeing her friend's reaction, simply shook her head and averted her gaze.
Leo, meanwhile, walked proudly, it was as if he just won a big argument. He felt kind of smug after just walking away without spending his saliva explaining. A knowing smile now gracing his lips. "Let's go for lunch." he said, as if nothing had happened.
Suddenly, two figures appear behind him patting his shoulder.
Leo almost jumps in fright. He was just feeling a bit smug after walking out of a high-end shoe shop. He thought that Maria was following him, so he was quickly on guard.
But when he turns around, he heaves a sigh of relief. It was actually Rick and Jenny. The two saw what had happened inside and were about to go in when Rick pulled Jenny to stop. Then they saw what happened next.
"That was quite the spectacle, Leo," Jenny said, as they walked through the bustling mall concourse. "I can't believe your ex said all that. She was so… awful."
Leo shrugged, adjusting the grip on his shoe bag. "It's just my ex Maria. She hasn't changed. Honestly, it feels good, though. Not having to prove anything. Just… being able to buy something I've wanted for ages, without worrying about the cost." He looked at Rick. "Thank you man. You've really changed things for me."
Jenny looks at the two with a hint of suspicion.
Rick clapped Leo on the shoulder. "You earned it, Senior. You've been diligently helping me, and your luck's been turning around. Maybe it's just meant to be." He carefully avoided any mention of what they were actually doing. It's not just about the money for Leo. It's about giving him the confidence to stand up for himself, to recognize his worth beyond what others perceive.
They approached a section of the mall with a cluster of restaurants. One, in particular, caught Rick's eye. "The Golden Spoon." Its facade was ornate, with heavy velvet drapes in the windows and a polished brass nameplate. It exuded an air of exclusivity.
"Looks fancy," Leo commented, a hint of trepidation in his voice. "Think we can afford it?"