"It's Valentine's Day, kid. Got no plans?" The boss smacked the back of my head, which I ran over with my hand because of the itch.
I only shook my head before fixing the flower that got crooked. The boss is such a pain. Why would he disturb me when I'm working, then get angry when he sees something off with the bouquets I arrange?
It's his fault.
"Your life is too effing boring. Why don't you go out and leave early today?" he asked, as if his life was not as effing boring as mine.
I pause and glance at him. "Paid?"
"You get paid equal to the amount of work you do," he replied.
That means no. I roll my eyes.
And I don't fucking get why he would even mention leaving early when he's going to cut my salary if I do. Are single dogs usually this unreasonable?
I continue my work while the boss clicks his tongue. He mumbles something about how boring I am and that's why I don't have a girlfriend.
The doors open and the entrance bells ring crisply when someone enters. He's a bright young man with a suit on. His expensive perfume permeated the store. His hair was styled, and it was more than obvious that he was going on a date.
"Good morning, sir," I greeted as I left the bouquet I was arranging to tend to the customer. "Do you already have a flower in mind?"
I asked because he looked as if he was in a hurry. He didn't even glance at the flowers around and just went straight to me.
"Purple dahlias."
I raised an eyebrow ever so slightly as I quickly started to pick the flowers. For every question I ask, he already has an answer. That's why the transaction was fast and efficient. However, he noticeably halted when I asked about the card.
"Right. Can I borrow a pen? I'll just write it quickly."
In a few quick and beautiful strokes—I didn't mean to read it but I did—I saw that he wrote: Sorry for being late, Shiloh. Love, N.
And I'm not born yesterday not to realize that this handsome guy was going on a date with his 'boyfriend'. I look at the boss to see him also watching me.
He made a face at me when our eyes met, then went back to playing with his phone.
"Here." I handed him the flowers and his change but he only shook his head.
I rejoiced inside. A tip!
Customer N was about to go when he glanced back again to ask, "Where's the nearest chocolate store?"
"Ah." We both turned to the boss when he spoke. "Go lead him to Kelley's. I forgot I ordered something. Tell Kelley I asked you to get it."
Kelley's was his sister's store. I looked at Customer N who nodded at me and went out first. I ignored the boss's stares and hurriedly left.
"It's just at the back across the street," I said and pointed at the striking red store that could be seen from where we were.
A few minutes later, we were already waiting at the counter while Kelley was digging through the backrooms, looking for her brother's order.
"Thank you," Customer N said as he carried his bag of diabetes-inducing snacks and swiftly walked to the exit.
At the same time, Kelley shouted, "Nevada! Come here!"
Customer N stopped in his tracks and looked inside the room where Kelley's voice was echoing.
"Hurry up!"
I nodded at Customer N before crouching under the counter. "Wait!"
"Tell my brother to quit being such a pussy and confess already! I'm not his errand girl!" Kelley angrily shoved a red paper bag and a shirt into my chest. "Change into this. And you better. Because I had to line up all morning to get these shitty couple shirts."
"So damn cringe," she muttered while leaving the room.
-
"For some reason, I've been feeling so nostalgic today," Nevada said.
Shiloh bit his cheek. "Don't change the subject. How could you make me wait for two hours?"
Nevada suppressed a laugh. "Yeah, sorry. Dad wouldn't let me go."
"You're not a kid anymore," Shiloh grumbled.
"Hahaha. You know he doesn't exactly like you."