“Yes, I’ll throw it away later,” I responded.
"Tsk. Do what you want with it, but how dare you hang up on me earlier. Return to the store later by 1 p.m. Got it? Don't expect me to take care of all of the customers today." He threatened.
I rolled my eyes. Is that how you request a person? Where are this person's manners? I feel like I’m losing brain cells just talking to him,
“Then say please. If you’re sincere and want me to be back there,” I said, not backing down.
He was just quiet and I continued. "See? You couldn’t. I don't care if you fired me; I'm never returning to that shop ever again. How did you even get my phone number?" I inquired.
I could hear him scoffing, "You're just playing hard to get, aren't you? That's fine. Don't come back, stupid." And then he hangs up.
I was taken aback. He couldn't possibly do it. I'm not sure what the deal is with that guy. He invited me and is now annoying the hell out of me.
I just brushed it off and went about my business. Nothing good will happen if I dwell on it.
**
"Ms. Waterstrings, are you alright?"
My eyes turn to Mrs. Andrews. I hadn't realized she'd been standing in front of me. I could see the crease on her forehead and her crinkled eyes, something she tried hard to hide with makeup.
A strand of white hair fell from her brunette plait as she leaned slightly, drawing her hands up to her face, righting her oversized glasses on her crooked nose. Her blue eyes glinted, an emotion that I'd become very accustomed to.
I internally snorted at her question. From the hallways to the library, even in the comfort rooms, teachers and students kept giving me that look. Well, who wouldn't be sympathetic to the girl who lost someone important to her? All they offered was either a look of sympathy or a pat on the back.
I peered around to see that everyone was staring at me. I turned my attention back to Mrs. Andrews, my voice seemingly stolen as I struggled to find words.
My mouth opened for a second before I forced it shut, knowing that my voice would tremble. Instead, I moved my head up and down, my response to the question I am constantly asked.
She heaved a sigh, placing a hand on my shoulder as she spoke softly. "It will be okay, dear." Her soft hands moved from my shoulders to my hair, stroking it gently. She offered me one last smile and composed herself before walking to the front of the room.
"Class, open your textbooks to page 345-"
Her voice drifted away as she gave further instructions. Every word she uttered seemed like they were resounding through a vacuum, slowly fading, until I can't make them out. I return my gaze back to the wall.
Hearing the word 'okay' for the millionth time in the day caused my throat to itch with the need to voice it at them, to tell them that it was never going to be the same. The word made my mind sick, so much so that it keeps on whirling in my head like a broken tape.
My eyes start blurring and a knot forms in my throat, a burning sensation making its way into me, the flames grow bigger and bigger until a single tear escapes my eyes. The broken pieces of my heart that I was working hard to gather, only to be shattered again with the reminder...
She's wrong.
How I wish that simple word would bring him back. That simple word is not enough to change everything, not enough to make the world alright.
Because it never will and never was.
And I woke up with a start, feeling sweat all over me. I breathed in and out, processing my dream. That was my past, why am I dreaming that?
Sighing, I stood up and prepared for the day.
Days passed while I looked for a new job. Yes, I still haven't found a new source of income. But it's a good thing Mom didn't find out.
"Are you ready, Snow?" Mom called from the basement.
"Not yet!"I replied. It's Sunday morning, and Aunt Maggie called mom a while ago, inviting all of us to their house for lunch. So here I was, getting ready for it. Putting on my plimsolls, I descended the stairs. "I’m ready now, mom!"
As mom finished assisting Nathan with his shoes, mom beamed at me. "Shall we go? Maggie will no doubt be overjoyed to see us!" She chuckled, clearly happy and excited to see her longtime best friend.
It would be an understatement to say she was overjoyed considering the fact that it had been years since we'd seen her.
"Mommy, who is Maggie?"
Nathan inquired as she buckled him into his car seat. “Is she pretty like you?”
Mom chuckled as she started the car. "Nathan, she's my best friend and yes she’s pretty! Much prettier than me! I haven't seen her in a long time though. Snow was still a child when she shifted, and you were born after that, so you haven't met her yet."
Nathan ooohed at that and asked again, "But aren't we going to see her right now?"
We nodded, making him squirm and smile from ear to ear. Nathan is the extrovert type and really enjoys meeting new people. Mom was looking forward to meeting Aunt Maggie, but I was a little nervous...
Not because of Aunt Maggie, who was an angel sent from above, but because mom told me we'd be meeting her family as well, which made me a little nervous…I never met them, and I think it would be a lot of people…
As we drive to Aunt Maggie's house, Nathan sings along with the radio. After driving through some countryside, we came to a pair of iron gates.
"Does this look like Aunt Maggie's house?"I inquired, awestruck by the gargoyles on either side of the gate.
We were approached by a guard outside, "Good day, ma'am. Could you please tell me your name?"
"Evelyn Waterstrings," Mom said. The guard nodded and motioned for us to wait while he walked to the guard post, relaying her response through the walkie-talkie.
For a brief moment, the guard's eyes widened in realization as I heard the faint sound of a shout from the other side. Perhaps Aunt Maggie specifically ordered them to instantly let in a woman named Evelyn.
A split second later, he jogged back to us before clearing his throat "You are welcome to enter. Take the first left to get to the house."
We thanked them and when the doors slid open, we were greeted by a large garden filled with exotic flowers of all colors and thick fern bushes that lined the garden's edges. I was too preoccupied looking around to notice the grey-colored mansion ahead of us. I suppose we'd arrived...
The sight of the elegant-looking structure increases my nervousness by a factor of two.
"Wow...would Aunt Maggie marry a millionaire or something? Look how huge her house is mom…it’s amazing..." I commented as we parked our car alongside three others.
Mom just shrugged, chuckling at my reaction, and slapped my arm jokingly, “We’ll see later.”
I could tell she was impressed as well. Nathan kept looking around as if he couldn't get enough of the place. I waited as mom helped Nathan out of the car seat, thinking about the expensive cars Aunt Maggie and her husband might own... Or perhaps her relatives…
Suddenly, I heard someone yell from inside the house and I was snapped back to reality. "Evy!!!"
Enjoy reading? Please give me some gems so I can continue writing! Happy reading <3
A familiar-looking woman was rushing toward us; despite the time we'd been apart, mom and I recognized her immediately; her blonde hair and emerald green eyes, as always, gave her away. "Maggie!" Mom exclaimed, both women embracing each other as if they were in the middle of a scene. I laughed, my nerves calmed by the sight of Aunt Maggie. Nathan regarded them both with interest as they exchanged pleasantries. "What have you been doing all this time?" Mom asks, crossing her arms in front of her and acting irritated with her friend. “You didn’t even bother to call me and tell me the news!”
I remember him from the living room as he looked like Hannah and I'm sure Hannah had introduced him... "Hello, are you Snow?" He inquired. His bright emerald eyes and blonde hair appear to be inherited from the rest of Aunt Maggie's relatives. I nodded, unsure what he was going to say. "Good thing I managed to talk to you alone here.” He said, “I'm Luke, by the way, Hannah's brother if you happen to forget my name," he introduces himself, flashing me a cute, boyish smile. Luke? Oh, now I remember! I was stupid not to remember such a handsome face...
Oh, so now he’s bringing that up? I gave him a sly smirk. "First and foremost, I have no intention of ever returning to your store, thank you very much," I mentioned. "And I was looking for the bathroom, and I got lost, and I ended up here." "Bathroom? Are you stupid and couldn’t find it yourself?” He clicked his tongue at that, mocking me. “It’s not my fault that his house is enormous, Mr. Hudson,” I retorted, calling him by his last name. He sighed, “You know what? I came here to rest, just leave already. Take a left turn and open the farthest door from here," And with that, he turned to look back at the scenery, giving me one last glare.
There is no way he would agree, right? I’m sure he would refuse it. "I believe he has somewhere to go. Right, Eion?" I spoke up, joining in their conversation. He paused for a moment before smirking. "I think not. I’m free today." He said this as he got out of his car. With my eyes, I threw daggers at him. Why is he not cooperating? Gosh, I was even helping me to get out of this situation. Mom smiled at that and motioned him inside. "Welcome to our humble abode; please feel free to make yourself at home."Nathan jumped and grabbed Eion's hands after remaining silent the entire time. I exclaimed, looking at Eion's expression, who was staring at Nathan without a smile. Nathan smiled at him "Can me and Eionny play, Mom? I've always wished for an older sibling!" Nathan caught my eye, checking to see if it was alright with me. Wait, why is my family becoming so close to that robot? "No, honey, you can play with him next time. Snow and Eion are g
"You said you'd do anything I said last time, right?" He responded. Blinking at him, I tried to recollect my memories, then remember them. Oh right, that night where I practically begged him not to fire me but in the end, look at me now. I drew my gaze away from him. "I assumed you didn't agree? Also, after that time, didn’t I leave my job?" He paused typing as he raised his head and stared at me "But you're now employed in this store. My shop. That is to say, I accepted your proposal." I snorted. "What? That agreement is not valid anymore, you hear me?" I clarified, breathing in and out to relax. I notice that today I'm easily irritated. Well, I’m aware that I have always been a bit short-tempered however, my hormones have
Stupid? So that's how he will call me huh.. "What robot?" I said, calling him with the nickname I made. I didn't bother to smile, simply since his expression is expressionless, I feel like my fake cheerfulness can't handle it. "My table got in a mess. Please clean it," He said in a monotone voice before leaving. I grab the cleaning towel and spray to do what he asked, before heading to his table. "Clean it faster, I have a lot more to do," he said. I scoffed at that. I faced him and mockingly smiled, "Of course, sir," With that, I started to pile the cups and tissues there, the strawberry pink ice cream was sprawled all over the table so just to mock him more, I slowly wiped it, then turned to look at my back to catch a glimpse of him standing away from the table, clenching his fist and staring straight at me. Good. He's annoyed. Satisfied at his reaction, I finally finished the remaining job and said, "All done, sir. You can now-" I can't fin
My mom? When did mom tell Eion that? Are they messaging each other or anything? "You don't have to, robot." I said, wanting to leave here but he still persisted, "Why do you keep on calling me that?" I crossed my arms in front of me, clutching my backpack, "As I said, you're not even showing any emotion besides glaring and scowling that makes you unapproachable. That's the impression you left me." He just scoffed at that. Glancing around, he changed the topic, "It's dangerous at night." "I'll give you a ride." Dangerous? For all I know, he's more dangerous than any squad here. When he knew I still wouldn’t budge, he said, "Fine. Freeze to death," He revved the engi
"Here," I said, handing a paper bag that has Eion's jacket to him in his office the moment I arrived before my shift. Emma was still here since it’s still her shirt. I actually drove here earlier to get his jacket, wash and dry it so that I could return it soon enough, and got in the store again. Good thing it dried enough for me to give it back to him now. He looked at me, then to the paper bag on my hands before asking, "What's that?" "Uhmm… your jacket?" Did he forget about it soon? Yesterday he was looking for it."Keep it." He said, "I don't want it anymore." I looked at him carefully, not sure if I heard him right. He even came back last night to get the jacket from me, right? And now that I am giving it to him, he doesn’t want it anymore. That’s strange. "Okay? I’ll just leave it here then. Thank you again for last night, Eion." I just left the paper bag by the door and returned to the counter. Guess he’ll just get that later. Changi