AAE -- For Better For Worse

Chapter 10

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

Later that day, during his lunch break, Hyung-Chul browses the Chaumet displays in a local jewelry dealer.

 

"Can I see this ring?" he asks a sales clerk for assistance.

 

"Certainly," the young, attractive female attendant responds cheerfully. She had kept her eye on the handsome customer from the moment he'd entered the shop. Regarding his youth, expensive suit, and cultured manner, she'd calculated that he was a good opportunity for a substantial upsale.

 

She saunters over to the display with a practiced smile fixed on her lips. "Is this the one you were referring to?" she asks, pointing to the most expensive ring in the case. "Your fiancée must be happy that you have such excellent taste."

 

 

Hyung-Chul looks at the ring she is referring to, a wide gold band with a gigantic sparkling stone surrounded by a ring of smaller diamonds.

 

"Actually, my girl's not impressed by gaudy extravagance," he declines the clerk's suggestion.

 

The clerk tries again, still hopeful. "Not every man has the insight into a woman's mind," she compliments him. "Perhaps this one instead?"

 

She points to a ring with a similarly sized solitaire diamond on a plain band. "It's a classic. What every girl dreams of having slipped onto her finger some day!"

 

Hyung-Chul shakes his head, showing a slight frown of displeasure at the clerk's pushiness. "I believe this one would be more meaningful for her."

 

He indicates the ring he had originally intended to look at, a single diamond mounted between two dark crescent-shaped gemstones in the setting, flanked on both sides with a series of tiny diamond chips.

 

The clerk's brow furrows as expectations of a substantial commission evaporate. "Meaningful?"

 

"This is periodot in the setting, right?" Hyung-Chul queries, referring to the pair of dark crescents.

 

"Yes, how did you know?" She is surprised he so readily identified the obscure gemstone. Gamely, she offers another suggestion. "It's quite unusual, the only one we carry like it. But we have others with more common gemstones like sapphire, or ruby. Perhaps you'd like to see those?"

 

"No. This will do," Hyung-Chul seals his decision firmly. "It's perfect."

 

"Very well, I'll box it for you," she accedes to his choice, yet still hopeful to persuade her customer to spend more before he walks out. "Now, would you like to look at our selection of wedding rings?"