Jade looked at her as if sizing her up. Phoenix halted her movements and looked up.
_ ' Is he studying me or what?' _ She wiggled her nose at him but he was still staring at her.
" Why are you looking at me like that, am I that beautiful? " She asked blinking her eyes flirtatiously.
Jade snorted playfully. He then diverted his eyes away from her " It's not that."
" Then are you saying that am not beautiful?"
Betty by the side quietly watched the two's interactions. She smiled now and then. She had seen many people bickering but she had to admit that these ones were simply cute. One was tall and the other one short.
" I don't remember saying anything of that sort."
" Then am I ugly?"
" That's simply not it okay. " Jade answered back.
Phoenix moved closer to him, " Then what is it? If am neither beautiful and nor ugly, then what is it?"
Jade smiled amused by her behaviour. He cleared his throat and spoke, " You are enchanting. Very very."
This brought a smile on Phoenix's lips which was frozen by his next statement.
" But now am wondering if the cause of your unique figure is due to the candies."
Phoenix eyed him as if she could slice him into a million pieces. " Are you saying that am obese? Like seriously? I may have an extra bit of fat but that doesn't make me obese. You are the obese one. hmmph!"
Jade lowered his head. He searched his body for any signs of obesity and he parted his lips forming a beautiful arc. His pointy canine stood out as if it was for showcasing.
" I didn't say that babe. And can you stop twisting my words. You aren't obese, you just curvy and that's all. You have sufficient if not much sufficient flesh and I like that about you. You are so unique....Yeah, unique in your own style and it's..."
Jade didn't know what to say so he said whatever came to his mind. He looked around as if searching for something. and his eyes stopped on a package of desserts a few shelves away.
" It's totally appetising."
" Seriously? Appetising? Are you saying that am an appetizer?" She glared angrily at him and her nostrils flared with every breathe she took.
" Alright alright. I simply mean to say that you are a sweet and attractive woman." With his hands raised in surrender, he responded.
_ ' What is wrong with her thinking? She is always twisting my words.' _
" So now you know how I taste huh? Sweet?" She asked winking at him.
Jade coughed in embarrassment when he saw Smiley Betty's face reddening. The poor shop assistant was stuck with these two. She was a newbie therefore she wasn't used to any these.
" Uhm, can you pack some of these for us please. And add those ones too." Jade instructed as he now wanted to leave this place quickly.
" Stop!" Phoenix's squeaky voice sounded next as Smiley Betty prepared to leave.
She turned and faced her, " Anything else ma'am?"
" Do you have vanilla cake?" Phoenix asked.
" We do, would you like to add that to your order?" Enquired Smiley Betty with her signature smile on her face.
" A slice of that would do. Thank you."
Jade turned his face in her direction with his eyes probing. " That too? Now sweetheart, this is suicide. Are you trying to kill yourself?"
" I still want to live so why would I kill myself. That is for my mom."
" Does everyone in your family like sugary foods?"
" Not everyone." As she said this, her face showed pain which she masked quickly but Jade was able to pick that up even from her tone.
" Let's go." He took hold of her hand and lead her to the counter. Their order was ready when they arrived. Quickly thanking Betty, they left the shop to their car.
***** Inside the shop *****
Hushed excited voices filled the shop after their departure. The young girls gathered around Betty. They may have kept calm faces due to professionalism but they were still girls. They all so loved juicy gossips.
" Did you see that? He really treats her like a princess. My boyfriend does that too but it's different seeing it from others."
" How I wish. I broke up with mine a week ago. And am not searching for any anytime soon so enjoy girl."
" I heard that being single isn't good so try to mingle a....." Betty spoke but was cut off.
" As if you are double Betty. Have you forgotten that we are the only ones single here?"
" Whatever! I still wanna show love to myself before I find someone. I was just advising you and who is that guy by the way? Haven't seen him anywhere, even on TV."
" How is it possible that you may see him on TV when you aren't even on any social media platform. I feel sorry for you."
A raged voice rang behind them. They all turned hastily to find their manager with a flushed face decorated with a frustrated expression. " You still have time to gossip? Are these customers going to serve themselves?"
Inside the shop was a bunch of teenage kids accompanied by their parents and something stood out from the whole group.
An individual.
*****
Phoenix skimmed through the paper bags Jade had passed to her. " 1 2 3...." She counted the small packages inside the bags and a contented smile appeared on her face.
She was a lover and a fan of anything sweet since young.
" Are you that happy?" Sitted beside her, Jade asked after being ignored for some time. The smile on Phoenix's face was the evidence that she was delighted but still, he asked to divert her attention to himself. He himself wasn't fond of candies but would sometimes consume a little so he wasn't thrilled as her.
" Aren't you happy?" She didn't answer his question but rather fired one back to him.
Jade shook his head "Am not cause you are ignoring me."
" You call this ignoring? Come on, and of course am not ignoring you. I am just appreciating the beauty before my eyes. Appreciation darling." She winked at him again and continued focusing on the ' beauty' placed on her laps.
_ ' She likes winking huh?' _