Convincing her (Jen and Lucas)

Chapter 291: Vase

"We're going to be late," Jen said to Lucas for the nth time. Lucas sighed but did not say anything. Jen had been going on and on about how they were going to be late for the housewarming. He only thought it would be polite if they at least brought a gift for Rachel.

"They did not give a specific time, we won't be late," Lucas said as he parked his car on the parking lot outside a large store.

"Well we could just get them something some other time," Jen said as she got out of the car and stood right in front of Lucas who was closing the car door and ended up trapping her between himself and the car.

"We'll be in and out, it'll take ten minutes tops," Lucas said and used a finger to flick her chin before letting her go and going into the store.

Jen sighed and decided to let this go and followed him inside. The moment she walked in she essentially forgot about how she did not want to go there in the first place.

"These are so pretty," Jen said as she turned to show Lucas the mugs she was holding in her hands. Lucas had turned since he heard her and finally realised that maybe it might have been a mistake bringing her along.

"Mmh, remember that we just-" Lucas started but was interrupted once more.

"These are also really pretty; can we get them?" Jen asked and Lucas couldn't help but sigh helplessly.

"We should just get Rachel's gift" Lucas reminded.

"Don't worry about it, I'll pay for it," Jen said as she continued to look around. Lucas speechlessly looked at her as she was busying herself. When did he say that the issue was money? Wasn't this his family's store? How would he not be able to afford the things in here?

Lucas decided he would just look for an appropriate gift for Rachel and they would leave regardless of whether she was done or not. If he gives in then the two of them will really be late for the party.

As he was looking around, a vase caught his attention. He gestured for one of the staff in the shop to wrap it up for him and as he waited for it to get wrapped he went to pay for it at the cashier.

"Jen, let's go," Lucas said when he saw she did not look like she was about to be done.

"You've gotten something already? Just give me five minutes," Jen said as she continued to browse

"We're checking out now. We'll be late" Lucas said giving her back her own words. He did not want to know how long it would actually take them to finish if he really gave her those extra five minutes.

"Babe, just five more minutes," Jen said with a pout. Lucas closed his eyes and turned away from her he realised that he had almost given in to her.

"I'll bring you here another time, let's just go now," Lucas said deciding that he should make some sort of compromise.

"Fine" Jen said not planning to give him a hard time as she brought the things she got to get checked out.

Lucas paid for the things that Jen got as well as her comment earlier made him feel like he was stopping her from buying stuff cause he was being stingy. Jen chuckled at his actions since he was acting like he had something to prove but did not stop him from paying for the things she got.

After paying, Lucas received the gift-wrapped vase and the two of them went back to the car. Jen had already gotten so many things in the few minutes that they were in the shop that he felt a bit speechless.

"Did you need everything you got?" Lucas asked Jen as they made their way to Rachel's house.

"Well yeah, it all looked so pretty," Jen said with a smile. Just thinking of going back there really made her face brighten up.

"We should go back tomorrow, you don't have any plans right?" Jen said after thinking about it shortly.

"Mmh, let's go back tomorrow," Lucas said as if he was resigning himself to his situation.

It did not take them long to arrive at Rachel's house and there were even quite a good number of cars parked outside. The two of them got out of the car and went to the house.

"You two are finally here," Laura said when the two of them finally passed through the threshold of the house.

"Hi girl," Jen said as she hugged Laura and kissed both her cheeks.

"Hi, you even brought presents," Laura said as she hugged Lucas as well before taking possession of the gift in his hands.

"I got a little something for the house owner," Lucas said good-naturedly.

"That's so sweet. I definitely have to invite you to my own housewarming. Go on in. A lot of the guests are here already, just go upstairs" Rachel said as she directed the two on where they were supposed to go.

"Then we'll go ahead," Jen said as she grabbed Lucas' arm and pulled him to go upstairs with her. Lucas just followed behind her and soon they were surrounded by quite a number of people.

Fortunately, besides Laura's model friends that she had made as she had been working and her staff, there was quite a number of familiar faces. Rather than the two of them walking around the place like they couldn't separate from each other, they first went to greet the people who were in their social groups.

"Jen you're finally here. I thought you would be among the first ones to arrive" Nancy said as she was the first one to spot her drawing attention from other people to her.

"We just stopped somewhere to buy something for you. Congratulations," Jen said as she hugged the silent Rachel.