“What's this?"

Matthew interrupted their apology and his question left them dumbfounded. After a while, the other one told him in a low voice,

“This is the plastic tube for folding stars, sir."

“Why are you making plastic stars?”

The employee blushed.

“Tomorrow is my boyfriend's birthday. I want to give these to him."

Matthew asked, “How many stars do you want to make?"

"999,"

“What do 999 stars mean?" Matthew asked.

The two female employees looked at each other and one of them explained, "It's Like giving someone 999 roses, but 999 hand-made stars mean more. It's a personal gift to the one you love."

Owen, who had come downstairs, happened to overhear Matthew talking to the two women.

"Where did you buy these colorful plastic tubes for folding stars?" he asked.

The two employees became more and more confused, but they honestly answered his questions anyway.

“I can't remember, exactly. Still, these plastic straws are pretty cheap. You can find them all over the place.”

Hearing this, Matthew took out his wallet, pulled out a wad of bills and handed it to the girl on the right.

"Buy me a thousand pieces. I want them on my desk by tomorrow, just before your shift starts.”

He found the best way to punish the naughty gal who called him "Matthew

Xitala."

The girl stared at the stack of crisp hundreds he held in shock. It must be at least a few grand, at least.

“No, I-*

“Not enough?”

As he asked, Matthew dipped his hand in his wallet once more. The woman waved her hand and tried to calm herself down.

"No, Mr. Matthew. It's not that expensive. I can buy tons of straws for a buck. It's my honor to buy something for you. I'll have it on your desk tomorrow morning."

Matthew took a look at the money in his hand, and then handed a thousand dollars to her.

“Better use my cash. I'd never ask you to use your own money on something like this. Take it, and keep the change."