Chapter 16 - Moving Closer

Inch by inch we're moving closer

Feels like a fairytale ending...

Take my heart, this is the moment

I'm moving closer to you...

ALTHEA RYZ FAJARDO

Shopping for SJ members' gifts? Not a bad idea at all!

I agreed to Donghae's favor to go with him shopping. It was a good idea since I didn't have anything to do this time. We went to the Royal Promenade, which is the mall of the ship where everything one needs can be found.

"So, who's gift should we start with?" I asked Donghae.

"Leeteuk-hyung," he said. "What do you think is the best gift for him?"

"Hmm, I'm not really familiar with him," I confessed. "All I know is that he loves white."

Donghae chuckled. 

Please don't do that. You're killing me.

He went inside a clothing shop. There were various brands and styles and for me, they were all expensive! I wonder if Donghae would really buy different gifts for each member. 

"Hey," I called him. He turned to me. "Leeteuk is still in the military service, right?"

"Yeah, but due to health issues caused by the accident in the past, he is just doing a public service like Heechul-hyung," he explained.

"I see," I said and continued looking at the displayed clothes. I was wondering which would fit Donghae best.

"Hmm, I don't know what to give hyung," Donghae said with a pout on his face. He really looked cute.

"I think it would be good to give him anything white. Like white shirt, white cap or white socks," I said. 

Gaah! I'm not really good at looking for gifts! SO lame, Althea.

We continued looking until something caught my eye. It was a black face mask with an angel design. I thought it was perfect for leader-ssi. I picked it up but I was not sure if I could suggest it as a gift because it was too plain and simple. After thinking for a while, I realized it was not worth it so I placed it back but Donghae saw it and picked it up.

"This is cute!" he said, looking at the item. "Do you think hyung will like this?"

"Uhm, I'm not really sure because it's not white but I think it would fit him because of the design," I answered shyly. He smiled at me and paid for the item. I felt happy when he agreed to buy it. I knew it was not really worth it but I really hope Leeteuk would like it.

We went to other shops to choose for the other members' gifts. He would ask me for suggestions and my comments on the things he chooses for his members. He would tell me that ELF knows the members better than the members themselves.  After about 2 hours, we finally completed our mission. The gifts that we bought are:

Leeteuk - a black face mask with an angel design and a neck pillow (Donghae added the pillow because he wanted his hyung to rest while working in office.)

Heechul - white chocolate (expiry date = next 3 months)

Yesung -  bracelet with weird design (Donghae said he will love it)

Kangin - black cap

Shindong - necklace

Sungmin - pink shirt which is not expensive since he wouldn't accept expensive gifts

Hyukjae - strawberry milk (I thought this ship would not have this but I was amazed when we saw this on display) and pajama with monkey design

Siwon - perfume (I'm not really familiar with the brand but it is expensive for me.)

Ryeowook - giraffe keychain (I chose this because I knew he loves giraffes. I'm not sure if he'd like the key chain though.) and Gucci wallet

Kyuhyun - red wine (I was amazed because for me it was the most expensive gift. I never thought Donghae treasures the maknae so much.)

I was amazed he would really buy those things just for the members. I had great time accompanying him in choosing the gifts. 

"Thanks for the time," he said as we headed out. "I'm sure they would love these gifts."

"I'm sure they will because you really put an effort in choosing them."

We went to Cafe Promenade to rest for a while since walking for two hours in not easy. He ordered iced coffee for me as a way of thanking me for staying with him. 

"Uhm, I need to go somewhere," he said after placing the things he bought on the table. "Can you stay here for a while? I'll be back soon."

I wondered where he wanted to go but still let him leave. I waited for him while having my coffee.

After 30 minutes, he still hasn't come back.

Where could he be?

After an hour, I started to worry about him. I wanted to look for him but the ship is too big and I didn't know where to start. I know I could trust him so I remained seated and waited for him.

After an hour and about 30 minutes, I saw him running towards me.

"I'm so sorry for coming back late!" he said, panting.

"It's alright," I smiled at him. "Have you done what you needed to do?"

"Yes," he said with a grin. I smiled back. "It's already late. I'll send you back to your cabin."

I stood up and we walked to my cabin. I kept thinking on what he did and where he went to. I was in deep thought so I kept silent. Donghae stopped and leaned close to my face.

"Why are you so silent? What are you thinking about?"

I was shocked to see his face close to mine. "Uh- nothing," I said. He stared at me with an I-don't-believe-you face, then continued to walk until we finally reached my cabin.

"Thank you for the coffee treat. Goodnight," I said. 

I opened the door of my cabin and walked inside but Donghae held me back. I looked at him. 

"What is it?" I asked him. 

He smiled and held out his hand in a closed fist. I looked at it and wondered what was in it. He opened his fist and let a necklace dangle.

It was a gold necklace with a star pendant.

"For you," he said. I was shocked. "Please accept this." 

I didn't know what to say nor how to react. I just looked at it. Stare was the right term to use. 

He moved to my back and placed the necklace around my neck. He fixed it under my hair. He then went back in front of me and looked at it. He smiled and kissed my forehead.

"This is my gift for you. I know you think of me as a star whom you idolize. But I also want you to know that you have also become my star. I know I sound too cheesy right now but please keep it. I need you to keep it safe. That will be my connection to you."

After saying those words, he ran off like an embarrassed child. 

I stood there, frozen and didn't know what to do.

Oh God, please help me breathe...