Today is going to be a good day.
After coming home from a wonderful affair with Claire, my dad and I travel all the way to the jewellery shop, wearing my lab coat and shirt with tie for work as we have some spare time to get this engagement ring to give to her at our facility.
Dad parked the car in front of a small fancy store called ‘The Diamonds.’ It is located near a big mall, which is convenient because it has everything under one roof. The place was packed with customers looking around, browsing for gifts or just window shopping.
“This is the right spot,” Dad said while smiling at me, “we are here to buy an engagement ring for your future wife.” I chuckled from his response, “that is funny dad, why would I need an engagement ring? I am engaged already.”
He shook his head, “no, son, remember that rings are symbol of love and commitment to one another. It is like a wedding band, but much more meaningful. Also, this is also symbolic to ensure no one else can steal her away,” dad joked lightly.
I rolled my eyes, “oh god, you always play jokes on me whenever I say something about marriage or anything related to Claire. But anyway, we should go inside so we can get this over quickly,” I replied while getting out of the car.
We entered into the store, there were many beautiful pieces of jewellery scattered all around the store. There are even people in white coats and gloves assisting the customers as they pick their desired piece. As soon as we entered the store, we were greeted by the sales assistant who looked like she had been doing her job for quite some time now.
“Welcome, welcome, what can I help you gentlemen?” The sales assistant said in greeting, looking up at us, “do you have any questions or concerns that we could assist you with today?” She asked.
Dad nodded while pointing at me, “we are here to buy an engagement ring for my son,” he stated politely.
The sales assistant grinned widely, “of course sir, I see you are not familiar with our collection. Do either of you know the exact type of diamond you want to purchase? Or do you just wish to browse through our inventory until you find something that catches your eye?”
“We just want plain old ring miss,” Dad said with a sigh.
“Well then, I will be glad to help you both out. Would you mind showing coming to my counter and show me your left hands?” The sales assistant requested politely. We complied, standing in front of her desk as I showed her my left hand, which she took note of before going back behind the counter. She came back shortly after holding two rings in front of us, “which one would you like to choose from?” She asked with a smile.
Two low-quality rings stood before me, both had dull, dirty diamonds set into gold bands. I stared at it for some time before making my decision, “I’ll take this one,” I said, pointing at the ring on the right, “and you can keep that other one.”
The sales assistant looked surprised but still smiled, “you do not have to worry about paying extra for that. It’s our policy that if you don’t like the jewellery we give you, you can exchange it for another piece of your choice without any additional cost or fees,” she explained.
I shook my head, knowing what is trying to do and why, “no thanks, I am fine with this one. And how much is this plain old ring?” I asked while dad brought out his credit card, holding it in his hand.
“That would be $20,000,” she replied simply.
My dad frowned as he took the ring from her hand, “that is quite expensive for such a simple ring.” He said to her. The sales assistant looks at him with a confused expression, “it is not our fault that the diamond itself has high value sir.”
Diamond? Is she kidding me? The ring we requested is low quality because it was made of inexpensive materials! Why would they charge us so much for something that we did not even want in the first place? I thought angrily to myself.
However, an idea came into mind that caused me to smirk widely, “speaking of pay,” I began while tapping on the countertop, “why not you give it for free?”
“What?!” She exclaimed with shock, “but…”
I interrupted her by putting a finger over my lips, signaling her to keep quiet. “We do not want much attention do we? But let us say, that I decided to spread this news all over the internet that you scamming rings at jewellery stores. Imagine that, how would your boss and reputation feel, knowing that you are selling poor quality jewellery for such a high price? That will tarnish your business, right?”
She shook her head in disbelief, “you wouldn’t!” She said. I shrugged nonchalantly, “I am sure there is someone else who would take advantage of that opportunity…”
The sale assistant gulped nervously as she looked around the store with wide eyes, “okay, okay… fine, you can have your stupid ring,” she replied with reluctance, “just do not tell anyone about this, alright?”
“I promise,” I said with a nod before leaving with dad from store, not saying anything more to her. We both left the place and went back into the car, moment of silence passed between us until I finally broke the ice, “well, what did you think?”
Dad sighed, “that was unexpected.” He said while starting the engine. I smirked, “oh yes, but I managed to get a good deal out of it, did I not?”
He shook his head, “son, what you did was wrong. You should not take advantage of others like that. Not everyone has money like us, remember that,” he said sternly. I frowned in response, “it is just a ring. It does not matter if it is expensive or inexpensive, it still works the same way, right? And besides, she was scamming people by charging them too much for her jewellery! How can we be worse than that?”
I said, causing him to sigh again. We drove home in silence until I decided to speak up, “so, are you going to return the ring now?”
My dad looked surprised from my question, “what? Of course not Adam, this ring is important for you and Claire’s engagement ceremony, so we need to keep it. However, it was wrong what you did, just…be more careful next time,” he said.
I nodded slowly, understanding his point, but then, I felt a little guilty because of what happened. I was not really thinking about the consequences of what I was doing, mostly just thinking about myself.
The outside my passenger seat’s window is both beautiful and grimy at once. Buildings, vehicles and people moving on their daily lives pass by the vehicle with the backdrop of snow. The cityscape from afar looks like a scene straight out of an old black and white movie while some buildings around us are lit up by colorful neon lights and advertisements.
Time passed on, the car moves in rhythm with the traffic, but I am lost in thought. My thoughts drift to a sudden strike in my gut, feeling an unknown sensation of danger that is coming on my way, but I do not know why.
It is nothing, just a gut feeling. Just another day. But still, something inside me feels uneasy. A few minutes later, we finally reached our destination and got off the car in the parking lot.
“Ready to surprise her Adam?” Dad asked with excitement in his voice, “she will love it!” I smile, “of course, I cannot wait.” We exited outside the building before being stopped by an old patient shouting racist slurs at Dad.
He sighed loudly as he shook his head, “you know how these patients are. They are all just full of hate and anger,” he muttered while looking away from the man. He then turned back towards me, “lets go, son, just ignore him.”
Ignore him? That old fat bastard believes mutants like my dad is bunch of bloodthirsty freaks who should be exterminated?! It is irritating even to consider such an idea. I cannot let them insult and belittle my father, but…I do not want to cause trouble here either.
A hand reached onto my shoulder, “don’t. It is not worth the trouble son, they are just mad at their own life. You have no reason to care about what they say,” he said with a reassuring tone. I nodded, “yeah, you are right. Lets get going, dad.”
We entered the building and headed straight towards the elevator. After the doors opened, Richard, now wearing a lab coat stood inside, surprised and delighted to see us, “Doctor Sol! Doctor Adam! It is nice to see both of you again!”
“Hello Richard, ” Dad greeted him while shaking hands, “and you got the job?” He nodded, “yes, I am glad to finally start working here. It has been a long time coming. But before that, I would like to have a chat with your father, ” Richard asked.
Dad nodded but before he comes with him, Sol took out the ring and grabbed my other hand before placing it on my opened palm, “good luck son.” I nodded and smiled from his kind gesture before putting it in either pocket, “thanks dad. I will take good care of her.” The elevator doors closed behind us after I stepped in.
Minute passed of waiting in the elevator until a voice came over the intercom system, “elevator for level three. Floor number three,” the speaker announced. I exited the elevator and walked passed the patients and doctors in the waiting room, heading straight to my office door. As soon when I stepped into the room and closed it shut from behind, there was a loud knock at the door, causing me to flinch back.
“Come in,” I called out with an irritated tone, opening the door just enough to let the person enter without letting anyone see through. Standing outside was Claire herself. She wore a white laboratory coat similar to mine but had more pockets and buttons on it compared to my own. Her black hair was tied up in a ponytail, which made her look younger than she actually is.
Claire looks around curiously with reddened cheeks on her face, “I want to discuss you about something in private. Do you mind if we talk in your room?” I shook my head, “not at all,” I gestured for her to enter. She followed me inside, shutting the door behind us. “So, what do you need to speak to me about? Are you alright?” I asked, noticing how concerned she looked.
Then something sudden happened when she opened her mouth, “oh…Adam, I..you bought me an engagement ring, have you?” Happiness filled my heart hearing that. “Yes! Yes, I did, but how did you know?” I raised an eyebrow in confusion, not understanding why she would ask such a question.
“Well, your father told me when he passed by with Richard,” she explained. My eyes widened in surprise, disappointment but understandable since my dad is overly excited about my relationship with her. Can’t blame him for his enthusiasm. But then again, it is a good thing. I am glad to hear that she accepts the fact and now to be my wife after all these years.
“That makes sense.” I replied, “so uh,” I coughed awkwardly as I knelt on one leg, pulling out my engagement ring from my pocket, “do you accept me as your future husband?”
Her tears were flowing down freely from pure excitement with her hands covering her mouth in disbelief and happiness, “yes! Yes, yes, YES!” she screamed joyfully while jumping up and down. I stood up and then hugged her with tears streaming down our cheeks. “Oh god, oh my god, oh my gosh, I love you so much Adam,” she joyfully said at my face.
But as I was about to say my precious words to her, the sudden short screams and echoes from the asylum reverberated throughout, followed by blazing inferno that consumed everything in its path, including us.
