Best Way Not to Get Your Heart Broken

Chapter 18 - Surprise

Soul sighed for the umpteenth time as he wandered through the jewellers along with Blackstar. Though it was the man at his side pissing him off, not the lack of suitable rings.

"Can't believe you finally grew a pair man," Blackstar yelled, slapping his back. Soul cast him a dry look before looking back down at the rings. After joining his Dad's company and climbing to his hard earned place in the company Soul earned some good money. He could afford anything he really wanted, though Maka was the only person who knew full well about how much money he actually earned working at a record label.

"Blackstar, can you just shut up for five minutes and help me?" he hissed, gesturing at the shitty rings on display. Please, he had 20,000$ coming from his ears, no way was any of this good enough for Maka! He didn't notice the way Blackstar's face dropped a little when he voiced his frustrations.

"Soul, you're overthinking this to a stupid extent," Blackstar sighed, taking a step away from the glass case that protected the precious rings. Soul looked up at Blackstar's serious voice, frowning slightly.

"What do you mean?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

Blackstar sighed again. "This is Maka, we're talking about." He said in exasperation. "Just because you grew up with the materials of life doesn't mean that that's what Maka is expecting you to give her! Just get her a ring that looks right. Quit eyeing the price tag and worrying that it's too cheap!"

Soul released a long breathe, hanging his head. "I can't think of another way to tell if it's the right ring, man."

Blackstar grinned, slapping his friend shoulder playfully again. "That's the easy part, my friend. You just need to find the ring that looks like it was made for her. Then you've got it in the bag."

Soul arched a brow at him but nodded anyways, looking at the set of rings with a different perspective.

They weren't that bad, he though idly. His jaw dropped open when his crimson eyes landed on a certain ring. It was different than the rest. The ring itself did not actually meet to make a circle, instead the band of the ring didn't meet and instead cradled the beautiful tear shaped diamond between them, one at the top of the diamond, the other at the bottom. It was simple yet stood out like a sore thumb. Just like Maka.

Soul nudged Blackstar somewhat aggressively, gesturing at the ring. Blackstar's lips curled into a grin at his friend's expression as he called the jeweller over.

***

Soul shook the rain off his coat as he entered the apartment, the ring case feeling like it weighed 100 stone in his pocket. He jumped when Maka came from the kitchen to greet him, suppressing the urge to grab the ring from his pocket.

"H-hey Maka," he stuttered and he hugged her in attempt to hide his face knowing she'd notice if he was being off.

Too late. She pulled away, frowning up at her boyfriend suspiciously. "You're acting weird," she stated. "What did you do?"

"Nothing!"

"Then why are you acting shady?"

"I am not actin-"

"Soul."

"Maka," Soul groaned, rubbing his face slightly. "I just had a long day at work, my Dad dragged me to the office and talked a load of paper work and shit and now I just don't know what world I came from because I blanked out of it that much." he lied.

At that Maka cooed and hugged her boyfriend again sympathetically, missing how he sighed with relief against her neck.

"Anyways, dinners on and the shower is that way," she said, pointing over her shoulder, Soul cast her a dark yet playful glance.