Chapter Forty-five
"What do you want to eat?" Harry asked, sitting on the chair at the empty table nearby the glass windows. There are pots of evergreen grasses behind him and a Christmas tree with boxes of gifts on the floor.
The chubby waitress approached us and handed us the menu. I looked at the available foods, but I couldn't recognize any of them. They looked delicious and expensive.
I couldn't hide the grimace on my forehead as I thought of how little I knew about these foods. Harry seemed to notice it and just laughed like he always did, as if to insult my foolishness. He ordered for us instead.
The waitress brought us plates of king crabs, wagyu beef steak, caviar, and truffles, and also glasses of lemon juice. Harry is such a gourmet. "Go on, darling. Don't hold yourself back," he said.
Harry sliced the steak for me. He's such a gentleman, but something has changed. He's no longer that person who was so careful to maintain his table etiquette. Our experience of being poor had really left marks on our skins.
We ate all we could until we were both full, but there was still much food left. Alas! We've never wasted this much food before, so I suggested to Harry that we could give them to the beggars outside. Harry wasn't against it since he knew how it felt to become a beggar, and he, too, had so much compassion for those people.
So, Harry told the waitress that we want to take out the rest of the food. The waitress seemed surprised. Perhaps it's the first time that a billionaire wants to take out their food, but Harry didn't mind her.
We gave the food to the beggars that were sitting on the street side. There was a poor boy there without a slipper and wearing ragged clothes. His face was covered in dirt and dust. He made me remember Allan. He was of the same age as him, but now he's already in heaven. I gave the poor boy some money so that he could buy some food and clothes for himself.
"You're such a generous girl," Harry said.
"I know how it feels to be poor. You too, you know how it feels, so I'll do everything I can in my reach to help them. Everyone of us will die in the end; we might not make much impact with the world, but we can make an impact with someone's world," I said.
"Right. I know you want to help, so do you want us to build an orphanage?" Harry asked.
"That'd be great. I noticed a lot of poor children in the streets. It'll help them, but are you sure about it?"
"Yeah, of course. I'll do what makes you happy, and I'll also want to help others. Besides, the money that my mother gives me, I didn't really earn it, so I want to use it the right way, to help others, to make a difference," Harry replied.
I haven't prevented the tears from falling down my eyes. Harry's so kind. I gave him a hug. "I've been a beggar too, and I know, helping those who are poor is like helping myself," he said.
Harry caressed the back of my head. "Please don't cry, my dear. People are looking at us. They might think I'm a bad guy."
I removed my arms from around Harry and wiped the tears from my face with a handkerchief. "I guess this is the best Christmas gift we can give these children," I said.
"Right. Christmas is getting close," Harry replied. "Is there something you want for Christmas, my love?"
I think about it for a while, then I say, "There's nothing else I want more than to spend this holiday with you, Harry. All those material things can't match the time you'll spend with me."
"We'll spend it together for sure. Where do you want to spend it anyway? We can go to the North Pole and meet Santa if you wish," he said.
"Oh come on, don't be such a baby." I smiled.
"That's it. I just want to see you smile, Georgia. Please don't take things too seriously," he said.
"I'll try. Thanks for making me smile." I slipped my hand inside his arm, and we walked side by side together. "I really want to see the snow this Christmas. Can we go somewhere with snow?"
"Anywhere, my dear."
Harry and I continued to the mall to buy the instruments I've asked him for. I've never been to a place like this before. It's a wide establishment with many cars parked outside. There was a walking bee mascot and tall mirrors. We entered the music store. My heart was fluttering in excitement at the sight of the instruments.
"Welcome, ma'am, sir. Do you want to buy instruments?" The salesman asked.
Harry looked at me and said, "Go on, Georgia. You can pick whatever instruments you want to buy. I'll pay for them."
"Thank you so much, Harry."
The salesman toured me around the place, while Harry waited at the VIP area. He sat there cross-legged. The salesman talked about the different instruments and asked me if I am a musician. I told him that I'm just starting my journey in the music industry.
"Really?" he asked. "It's the first time I have a customer like you. Most of my customers had already built their lives and careers around music. It's not that I'm underestimating you or intervening with your life, but isn't it too early to spend so much money on instruments?"
"Maybe you're right. I'm still learning, but of course I'll need these instruments to learn by hand. You know, handling them is different than just talking about them," I said.
"Well, it depends on you. Everyone has their own way to learn. What works for others may not work for you, so do what makes you happy, because in the end, it won't really matter," he said. "I think I went overboard. I'm sorry."
"It's okay; you didn't do anything wrong."
"Thanks. We should proceed to choosing which instrument you want to buy. I'll help you pick the best ones."
The salesman who introduced himself as Carl helped me choose the best instruments. I picked a bass guitar, a piano, a synthesizer, a violin, a flute, and a xylophone. It was a lot and so heavy to carry, so Carl suggested those instruments be delivered, but of course with additional payment.
I told Harry about it, and he didn't have any problem having them delivered. He gave Carl the address of the mansion. Then paid him, including the additional payment for the delivery. Thereafter, Harry and I went to the clothes and apparel shop. We bought new clothes, the expensive ones, the ones I've never worn before. Harry paid for everything, and then we went back to the mansion.