1 - Remember me?

"Ok, here we go..."

"Beautiful... Beautiful!"

"Turn around and then twist your head toward your right..."

Flashes of light flickered continuously, following her every move. 

"It's fantastic. I love it. Just a few more..." He rapidly clicked the button in succession.

"That's it." The man behind the lens announced, finally resting his camera on the nearby table. "That's a wrap, everyone."

"Oh, great." She silently sighed, dropping her shoulders and relaxing her stance while wiping the tiny beads of sweat that broke on her forehead from the heat and exhaustion.

"You did amazing, Sweetheart." He finally patted her arms as she stepped out of the spotlight.

"Thanks, Jack." She appreciated the opportunity to work for one of the best and most respected photographers in the entertainment industry.

She had modeled for him several times in his previous projects, admiring his skill and creativity. She believed she was lucky he had picked her from the hundreds of other women who had auditioned for him for this shoot.

"What about a drink later?" Jack suggested as he walked her back to the makeup area, where she collected her things. "We are hitting the clubs tonight. Maybe you'd like to join us."

She thought it sounded like fun. She would have loved to join them. After all, she had become close to Jack and the rest of the staff. 

However, she could not make it tonight since she already had something else planned.

"Thanks, Jack, but maybe some other time." She regrettably had to decline. 

She quickly removed her excessive makeup, retied her hair into a neat ponytail, and changed into her clothes. Then, she rushed out of there.

"Are you already heading out?" Her friend, Anna, asked when she bumped into her on her way out. "Aren't you coming with us?"

She met Anna two years ago in another modeling photoshoot for an advertising campaign. Since then, they had considered each other as best friends.

"I'm sorry, but I can't. You know." She gave her friend a knowing look, reminding her about her special date. "I need to prepare for our anniversary."

She thought of giving her fiancée a surprise for their second year of being together. She believed it was the least she could do for him for everything he had done for her.

"Oh, yeah! Is that today?" She quizzically questioned. "But I thought Mr. Nice-guy was still out of town." Her friend raised her eyebrows, suddenly looking confused.

She amusingly smiled, hearing her friend referring to her fiancée with her made-up nickname. But with all the nice things he had done for her, she could not blame her friend for calling him that.

"It is today. And yeah! He hasn't returned yet. But I want to prepare something before he comes home." She explained to her friend.

Well, she knew he was still on his trip. But she heard from his assistant that he would be back early the next day. So, she planned to celebrate their anniversary with him by then.

"I promise I'll make it up to you next time." Her friend looked disappointed that she could not go with them.

"That's what you said the last time," Anna shouted behind her. But she only smiled and shook her head, knowing her friend understood her situation.

She could not blame her friend since she had stood her up many times before. She did not mean to, but her priorities had changed, and her friends had to take the backseat.

Quickly, she drove her old but reliable car, hoping to get everything she needed for her party for two. She knew it was nothing compared to her fiancé's gifts, but she believed it was the thought that counted.

"Mmm?" Her eyes moved from one display cabinet to another. She wanted to pick the perfect gift for this special occasion. 

But what could she give a man who seemed to have everything?

Collin Harper, her fiancé, belonged to a wealthy family that came from old money. On the other hand, she was a nobody, an orphan who could barely afford to survive with her meager salary.

"Excuse me, can I look at this?" She called the attention of the woman behind the counter, pointing to the item that had caught her interest.

The woman moved toward her, but the sour expression on her face told her that she did not appreciate her interruption.

Still, the sales attendant complied and showed her the object she wanted. But upon seeing the price, her eyes widened, pondering if she could even afford it.

"Mmm!" She disheartenedly sighed as she returned the item.

She truly wanted to buy it for her fiancé. But it was too expensive. She could withdraw all her savings from her bank account, but it would still not be enough.

"Can I see this one instead?" She pointed again to the item next to her first choice.

Again, the woman obliged, but not without showing her displeasure at attending to her. She immediately checked the price, afraid it might cost more than her pocket could afford.

"Excuse me, if you are not buying anything, you should leave." The woman finally lost her patience with her as she confronted her. 

The saleswoman stared at her from head to toe, sizing her up and concluding that she was unworthy of her service.

"Besides, I don't think someone like you could afford to buy anything from this store." The mean woman waved her hand to the door, indicating that she should go.

Honestly, as much as she wanted to argue with her, the other woman might be right. After seeing the price of the watch she initially liked, she knew she could never afford it.

She might have to use almost all the money she had saved to buy a gift from this store. But she guessed it was worth it since she meant to give it to the man she loved. And he deserved every penny.

"You know what." She stood tall against the other woman. "You don't need to be mean. I'm still a paying customer."

She hated it when people thought they could bully someone just because they felt superior to the other.

"You are just wasting my time." The woman contradicted. "You better leave before our security drags you out of our store." She said threateningly.

"Who said I can't afford it?" She disputed, hating how the woman unfairly judged and treated her.

"Security..." The woman shouted. "Please, escort this woman out of the premises." She instructed when the man in his black uniform stood behind her.

"What are you doing?" She fought back when the man grabbed her arm. "Let me go."

She pulled and pushed against the burly man, struggling to get herself free from his tight hold.

"Hey, what's going on in here?" Then, another voice disrupted the commotion as a man in an impeccable gray suit strode into the showroom.

"Mr. Saunders... I..." The woman stammered, appearing shocked as she faced the newcomer. "Sir, it is this woman..." She continued, blaming her for the ruckus.

However, the man cut her short when he waved his hand before her, effectively silencing her. Then, the man turned to face her.

"Wait!" The unknown gentleman stood before her and stared at her, appearing to study her face.

"It's you."  Then, the man brilliantly smiled and appeared to recognize her. "Don't you remember me?"

Ha! Was he talking to her?