Meeting Molly Again

March 5, 2023, 1:00 PM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Penthouse Unit 001

After finishing his lunch and taking a refreshing nap, Daniel woke up feeling rejuvenated. He checked his phone for any new messages and found a message from Molly.

"Hey, Daniel. I'm on my way to Ayala Vertis Mall now," Molly said through chat via F******k Messenger.

Daniel replied to Molly's message, "Hey Molly, just woke up from a short nap. I'll be ready in a few minutes."

Daniel thought about the motorcycle reward he just received from the system, and typed another message to Molly  "By the way, where are you coming from? Do you want me to pick you up?"

Molly quickly responded, "Thanks for the offer, Daniel. I live around Muñoz, Quezon City. It's just one ride away to Vertis North. I'll be fine."

"Alright, See you then. Just let me know when you're almost here," Daniel replied.

After their short conversation, Daniel made his way to the bathroom to freshen up. He took a quick shower and got dressed in a stylish smart casual outfit, opting to wear all black to match his mood.

He put on a black shirt, black jeans, and black leather shoes. He also grabbed a black jacket in case it gets chilly in the mall.

As he checked himself in the mirror, he ran his fingers through his hair, making sure it was neatly styled. He then grabbed his phone, wallet, watch, and keys before heading out the door.

Daniel went down to the underground parking area of the condominium and looked for his designated parking area. It should be labeled as P-001, which coincides with his unit Penthouse 001. He scanned the labels on each parking spot until he found P-001. There he saw the brand new BMW R 1250 GS parked in his spot. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of his new motorcycle. He walked towards it and ran his hand over the smooth, black surface, feeling a mix of excitement and gratitude. He had always dreamed of owning a motorcycle, and now he finally had one. He couldn't even afford to buy a second-hand one before, but now he owned a brand new BMW which cost around Php. 1,700,000! He had only learned to drive by borrowing motorcycles from friends and going around their barangay back when he still lived with his parents.

He found the keys on the side and carefully examined the driver's license inside the compartment.

He put on the helmet that came with the motorcycle, climbed onto it, and started the engine. The roar of the engine filled the air as Daniel grinned from ear to ear, feeling the rush of adrenaline. With the wind in his hair and the hum of the engine beneath him, he revved the engine of his new BMW R 1250 GS and rode out of the parking area.

Although the mall was just beside the building where he lived, Daniel couldn't resist the temptation to try out his new motorcycle. He knew that walking would have been faster, but he wanted to get a feel for the motorcycle and test out its capabilities on the road. As he weaved through the streets, he couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom and excitement.

Daniel arrived at the mall in no time, swiftly parking his new motorcycle in the designated area within the mall. He walked towards the entrance and checked his phone for any updates. Molly did send a message that she would arrive in a few minutes. In a little while, he saw her approaching him.

Molly looked stunning in a simple but elegant white dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her hair was neatly tied up in a bun, and she carried a small shoulder bag. As she drew closer, she greeted Daniel with a warm smile and apologized for the wait.

Daniel returned the smile and reassured her, "No need to apologize, Molly. I just got here myself."

Molly and Daniel walked toward the mall entrance and started to chat.

"Are you doing better now?" Daniel asked with a tinge of concern. He asked this since Molly was sad and depressed the first time they met.

Molly smiled and nodded, "Yes, I'm doing much better now. I've been keeping myself busy with work and some personal projects, and it's been helping me a lot. Plus, having met a new friend like you to talk to and hang out with definitely helps," she said, giving Daniel a grateful smile.

Daniel smiled back at Molly, feeling glad that he could be there for her. "Well, I'm glad I can be a good friend to you," he said.

As they stepped inside the mall, Daniel took the lead and walked Molly around the various stores inside. Since his new condo unit was already furnished, he wasn't looking for anything particular for his home. Instead, he was interested in updating his wardrobe with a few pieces of clothing and accessories. Daniel wanted to splurge a little on some branded items since he now had the means to afford them, but he didn't want to overspend as well. He aimed to find some reasonably priced items that would make him look presentable and stylish. He also plans to buy Molly a casual dress, maybe, as a gift and thanks for going with him.

Daniel still had more than Php 65,000 left from his bonus reward from the system.

As they browsed through the different stores, Daniel picked out a few items that caught his eye, but he wasn't sure which ones to get. He turned to Molly and asked for her opinion, "What do you think of this shirt? Do you think it suits me?"

Molly smiled and nodded, "I think it looks great on you! But let's see if we can find something else that's even better."

They continued to look around and try on different clothes until Daniel found a few pieces that he was satisfied with. He even tried on a few accessories to complete the look. Molly offered her honest opinion on each item, and Daniel appreciated her input.

After selecting a few pieces of clothing for himself, Daniel noticed a cute casual dress on display that he thought would look great on Molly. He picked it up and walked over to her, holding it out. "Hey, why don't you try this one? I think it would look good on you?" he suggested.

Molly hesitated at first, "I don't think I'm planning on buying anything today, but thanks for offering," she said politely.

"Come on, just try it out. It won't hurt," Daniel said, still holding the dress out.

Molly finally gave in and took the dress from him. She went into the dressing room to try it on. When she came out, Daniel was blown away. She looked even more beautiful in the dress than he had imagined.

"You look beautiful" Daniel blurted out.

Molly smiled shyly, "Thank you, but I really won't be buying anything today." she said.

Daniel smiled. "I already bought it for you," he said, handing over his BDO card to the cashier before Molly could object again.

Molly's eyes widened in surprise and gratitude. "You didn't have to do that," she said, feeling touched by his gesture.

"It's my way of saying thank you for coming with me today," Daniel said with a smile.

Molly felt warm in her chest, grateful for the kind gesture of her new friend. She thanked him again and they continued their shopping spree.

As they walked around the mall, Daniel spotted a watch store and suggested they take a look.

"I've been meaning to get a new watch. Want to help me pick one out?" he asked.

Molly nodded, happy to continue spending time with him.

Daniel had a clear idea of what he was looking for - something that was simple and elegant, without breaking the bank. While perusing the collections of popular brands such as Timex, Daniel Wellington, and Casio, Molly was content to follow along and provide her thoughts when requested.

Molly noticed a classic-looking silver watch in the Timex display case and pointed it out to Daniel. "What about that one, Daniel? It looks nice and simple, and it's not too pricey," she suggested.

Daniel examined the watch closely and nodded in agreement. "You're right, that's a good option. But let's keep looking just in case we find something else."

The duo moved on to the Daniel Wellington store, where Molly immediately pointed to a rose gold watch with a leather strap. "What about this one? It's a bit more expensive, but it's so pretty!"

Daniel examined the watch closely but shook his head. "I don't think that's really my style. Plus, it's a bit too flashy for my taste."

Next, they browsed at the Casio store, where Daniel spotted a sleek black watch with a metal strap that caught his eye. "This one looks perfect," he said, holding it up for Molly to see.

Molly examined the watch and nodded in agreement. "I agree, it's simple and elegant. And the price is just right."

"I think I might go with this one, but let's just check out Armani. It's just the store beside this one," Daniel said, determined to explore all of their options before making a decision.

As they approached the Armani watch store, Daniel suddenly stopped in his tracks, his face turning pale. Molly noticed the change in his demeanor and asked, "What's wrong, Daniel? Are you feeling okay?"

After a moment's hesitation, Daniel responded, his voice betraying a hint of bitterness. "I just saw my ex-girlfriend, Judee, inside the Armani store. And she's with JM. The guy she cheated on me with when we were still together."

Molly placed a comforting hand on his shoulder as sympathy softened her expression. "I'm so sorry, Daniel. Do you want to go back to Casio?"

Taking a deep breath, Daniel tried to compose himself. "Yeah, I didn't expect to see them here. Maybe we should just go back to Casio," he said, his voice slightly shaky.

Before they could turn around, they heard a voice calling out to them. "Daniel? Is that you?"