Perfect CEO

The old woman smiled at Patrick's words.

She said, “There's a step-by-step guide, young man. Put your heart and soul into making the lipsticks, and she will feel your love.”

John, who stood next to Patrick, made a face at the woman's advice. He resisted the urge to tell the shop owner that Patrick's intended recipient was marrying someone else soon.

Even if he makes the lipsticks, he probably can't deliver them to her.

Still, he bit his tongue instead of voicing his opinion and waited patiently for Patrick to finish.

About four hours later, Patrick created four different lipstick colors. He was clueless about standard lipstick shades, but thankfully, the shop owner encouraged him to think about the colors his recipient liked.

Patrick stared at the half-finished lipsticks and decided to put down the short form of his and Gwendolyn's names on the bottom of the tubes.

Gwen x Pat.

Finally, the shop owner instructed him to provide a delivery address and promised to send the lipsticks out once they were made.

Patrick wrote down Gwendolyn's address, uncertain if he could personally deliver the lipsticks to her. At least this way, she can get my presents even if I'm not around. If I'm lucky enough to return alive, I'm sure she'll seek me out once she gets the lipsticks.

Patrick paid for the lipsticks and turned to leave.

Just then, the shop owner called him back.

She stroked her white cat and encouraged, “Young man, sometimes, trials aren't as scary as you imagine them to be. They're merely tests handed down by fate to strengthen your relationship with each other. Don't lose hope.”

Hope glimmered in Patrick's eyes as he digested the old woman's advice. He nodded lightly and said, “Thank you for your encouragement.”

The lipstick store and its elderly owner were simply fascinating to Patrick.

He never believed in things such as fate or destiny, but the experience in the shop changed his mind.

The old woman appeared to know about his and Gwendolyn's situation, and there was no logical explanation behind her knowledge other than destiny. He realized with a jolt that perhaps the old woman had been sent to guide their relationship.

Patrick and John left the store close to midnight. The sidewalks were starting to seem more deserted.

John yawned and commented, “I didn't know making lipsticks was so tedious. Maybe that's why they're so expensive.”

Patrick stretched his limbs tiredly, unused to doing such fine work.

“Have you bought lipsticks before?” he asked John absent-mindedly.

I've never bought a single tube in my life.

Patrick had never cared for such things in the past. He only realized then that understanding his partner's tastes in makeup went a long way in fostering compatibility in a relationship.

John smiled and replied, “I've bought one for my ex-girlfriend. One small tube can easily cost three to four hundred; you can't imagine how expensive these things can get. And they have enough shades to fill a restaurant menu. Frankly, they all look the same to me.”

An exasperated expression appeared on John's face mid-lament.

Wine red, rouge, red coral, pink coral...

John shook his head, clearing his mind of the multitude of lipstick shades that still seemed the same to him.

Patrick merely nodded in empathy. I'm even worse than John. At least he bought his girlfriend lipstick and attempted to understand the difference between lipstick shades. I've never bought one for Gwendolyn or studied the topic. I'm a failure of a boyfriend.