The mart was crowded the moment I was in. I was flooded with greetings from all directions as our frequent shoppers loiter around the mart with their baskets and trolleys. I brisk walk across the baking aisle while greeting the shoppers back with a smile. I loved how friendly the atmosphere was and went inside my office to deposit my bag. In swift but familiar movements, I walked out of the office and went into the front counter. Laura was bombarded with a long line of check-outs. Everyone must have somewhere to go this early in the morning.
I waved my hand at her and she nodded back. She's good, she'll manage. I do not want to disturb Laura further so I went around the mart catering the shoppers queries.
While leading a middle-aged man in the frozen section, Katrina called my name. "Sir, you can head straight that way, the frozen section is right there." the man thankfully smiled at me and I turned my attention to Katrina.
"What is it?" seems like she is holding a paper with a list on it. She handed me the list and pointed at the last item written on it. It is a diaper brand. The brand we just ran out of last week and wasn't able to stock up because of the delay in the delivery.
"We do not have that brand, do we? I have been looking thrice and there is none. She's agitated.
"I have already told her that we do not have it and she can try the others but she is not having it." Katrina explained and I nodded in understanding. I patted her back after I asked her where the woman was.
"Have you had your breakfast yet? How about Jake? Order some food and let Laura ring it. I'll handle this." Katrina smiled shakily at me.
I was about to head to the woman's location when she gave me a warning. "Boss, she is drunk and she is holding a baby." and off she went. Poor Katrina's stressed. I should let the two part-timers off early to rest. I just remembered that it is exam week for them. Better yet, let them have a paid day-off to motivate them.
I was thinking about it when I saw the woman Katrina was talking about. Knots formed on my forehead when I saw the woman clumsily holding the baby.
"Are you the manager?" the human woman asked the moment she spotted me on the side. There is a little slur in her voice and it was right of Katrina to worry. This drunk woman could drop her baby. The baby looks like it is only a few months old.
I am not exactly the manager. It is Alvin but why not? "You're talking to the right person. Would you like to sit down first?" I offered at her gesturing towards our little waiting area. I need to foremost prioritize the baby. Also, I have not seen them around here. It is a new face.
"No, I want that diaper for this troublemaker. He will cry non-stop if it is not the same nappy!" yelled. I wanted to scratch my head at her outburst. I'm getting the feeling that today's not a good day for me. Hence, the earlier encounter on the highway.
"I'll find you that diaper but take a seat at the waiting area for the mean time. Your hands might fall off from holding that baby." I initiated the first move and walked towards the chairs. I did not dare look back, that way if she wanted to throw a tantrum she would be after me. I mind linked Jake.
Thankfully, she did follow me and man if she was not furious. "You dare turn your back on me?! You are a lousy manager. You should be fired!" she went on a tirade without even taking a seat. The silent baby in her arms broke into a loud wail attracting a few curious looks from the other shoppers. I got alarmed when she started to wobble.
In a flash, I grabbed her arm and had her sitting in no time, her mouth gaping in surprise. "Wha--" she mouthed and at that moment, Jake showed up with a warm coffee in his hands.
"Here, drink this." The woman was taken aback as I took the baby from her and Jake placed the coffee in her hands. That is one trick I have learned from running the mart. You do not fuel the customer's anger, catch them off guard instead.
"Go Jake," I told him and he nodded my way. I slowly rock the wailing baby in my arms. He looks good and just wanted his sleep back. Glancing at the woman, she was still looking at me with her mouth open. She is clearly digesting what just happened.
"Drink." I goaded and she did, unconsciously. It'll helped her to sober up. Hopefully.
To my relief, the woman sipped the warm coffee quietly. She seems calm now. Just quietly staring at the floor. A few minutes past. I let her in her thoughts. I mind link everyone asking if they need help. All of them said they are fine.
I focused my attention on the now sleeping baby. He is adorable. The baby was already back sleeping sucking his right thumb. I rocked him some more.
"The look fits you," my hold on the sleeping baby tightened in surprise. I looked up and saw three pairs of eyes looking at me. My face reddened. What is wrong with my senses that I was not able to feel them coming?
"You're good. You were just focused on the baby." Craig muttered while waving his hand on the baby's face. The baby squirmed in annoyance when it felt the hand waving on its face. It burrows its head into my chest, hiding its face.
"What are you guys doing here?" I asked them instead. The baby's mother with her jaws dropped was staring at the three good-looking guys in front of her. I totally get her.
"We need more coolants." said the rich, soft baritone voice of Atlas. I can feel him staring at me. Luke on the other hand, was unusually quiet.
"I do not think we have it here. There is a car repair shop on the next block." I let them know. I was so irked with the three pairs of eyes all staring at me like I am some fine specimen under a microscope.
"Oh heck, quit with the staring," Hissing softly, the woman next to me looked away. She thought I was referring to her. "Not you, you're fine. You can stare at them as long as you like." two spots of pink slowly bloomed on the woman's cheek.
'Way to go, Mavis. You made her embarrassed.' I chastised myself and carefully gave the baby back when the mother carefully placed the half empty cup of coffee on the floor. I should put a little table in the waiting area. The idea sneakily creeps in my thoughts.
The men in front of us fortunately stopped their staring and looked around. "How about your surprise? Laura might see you and she is a quick mind linker." Craig just shrugged and said he had it covered. He then walked towards the counter, the other two following his steps. I was staring at their backs when Luke stole a glance back at the baby with an intriguing look. What could it imply? I shrugged it off. I do not need to add more to my list of problems. A moment later they went out of the mart.
"Ma'am, you okay now? About your concern, we really do not have a brand of your liking. It was out of stock and there was a delay in the delivery. I would recommend some of our available products here but you told me earlier that the baby's quite picky. There is nothing much here." I start making sure she is okay enough to handle herself and the baby.
"Forget it. I was just out of my mind earlier. My husband left me last week," She looked at me, face full of shame. I immediately give her a smile.
"You do not have to explain," I soothed her. She is teary-eyed and I do not want to cause her more distress by explaining something personal.
"No, I feel like I have to. It was my first time drinking, you see. It was just a shot of the vodka," she stammered. "I just had to lessen the pain," she croaked this time. Tears silently falling on her cheeks. My body automatically moves its own and soothingly caresses her back.
"Nine years being married with my husband was all a lie. He left me for another man." the woman added and my hand turned into stone. Now, I am the one who is gaping at her. "It was so devastating. He took off saying he wanted freedom and it is time for him to be himself. That cold-hearted bastard was so selfish. He parties all the time like nothing happened, like he did not wreck someone's life and lied his way to get his fucking freedom. Bastard." the baby started crying again, like he can feel the turmoil his mother's in.
The woman rocks him to sleep while swiping her sleeves on her eyes. "Sorry for breaking down on you like that. I was just so suffocated with everything. Our friends and his family were very proud of his coming out, lying outright to my face. They know from the very start. I just felt so alone with everything." she added sniffing. I cannot form any words. I silently resumed patting her back. This woman has it hard and here I am lamenting over my unfortunate pairing. My resolve got cemented more strongly. If I do not want to end like this woman then I should let go of Atlas as soon as possible
"You can always visit us here. I am Mavis by the way," I offered her my name to make her feel more anchored. She did her best to smile at me, nodding my way.
"I'm Amber. This lil miracle right here is Danny, Daniel." she mused. I took the pen from the breast pocket of my long sleeve polo. I wrote on the paper with list I hastily shoved in my back pocket a while ago. Reading the numbers written on it and finding it right, I slip it in her open tote bag.
"My number's written in there. Give me a call if you need it. I do not mind just as long as your okay and the baby." Amber sniffles more and carefully tucks the paper securely on one of the pockets.
"Thank you," she added and decided to stand up and pick up her bag. Again, she thanked me and proceeded to get a pack of nappys before approaching the counter. I've let her. It must have been embarrassing for her to vent to some stranger.
"You okay, Boss?" that link bombarded my disarrayed thoughts and woke me from staring at the way the woman went. It was nice of Jake to check.
"All good, Jake. Breakfast? Have you eaten, yet? I have asked Katrina to order," I linked back as I slumped back the chair. The shoppers going to and fro as they get their needed items.
"She ordered some tacos, Boss. Laura you said you like some Chinese so Katrina ordered some of those too," he linked back and I nodded out of nowhere. "Thanks, Boss." he cut the link after that and I stared at the world outside from the glass walls.
The woman's story drained the energy I had this morning. That story was so close to my own and I recognized the pain she's going through. Though, she was in love with her husband and I am not with Atlas it was still painful. She was deceived and lied to.
It was way twisted on my part. That woman can move on with her life and find love again in the future and won't ever look back but for us werewolves with a bond to consider, it is another story. If you are a rejected werewolf or your fated mate passes away, you are left with this wrecking hole inside of you. That is what I am going to experience once the rejection is complete. There lies my uncertainty. Would I be able to make peace with it?