This was a moment where not a single soul was daring enough to make a move or look somewhere else; it was a scene where you feel like you can meet the death at any moment if you decided to be frank all of a sudden.
Lionel who was ready to give a punch chose to step back.
A wise decision you made over there, my friend.
Gulping the big lump that formed in my throat I slowly spoke, "We do sell the book you mentioned, sir." My voice was high with confidence yet it was uneasy. Clenching my fingers until they were turning numb white, I tried not to show any weakness in front of this man.
At least with my fingernails clawed to my palms, the pain will let me stay awake instead of pass out on the ground due to panic.
Lionel looked at me with surprise. "Why did you tell him?" He muttered quietly.
"So you rather take the bullet he will shoot any moment instead of telling the truth? Besides, I can't let you die yet, you haven't paid me my monthly salary."
"This started to make me think about the only reason you work here is because of money," he said with disappointment in his voice.
"What else did you expect? No one is willing to work hard to only not get paid afterwards," I scoffed, "definitely not me."
Sensing a sharp gaze rested on me, I turned my head and saw the man was looking at Lionel and me with irritation in his eyes.
He is mad, obviously. After all, Lionel and I were having a conversation in our own world just now, forgetting about his existence a little.
"Where is that book?" He asked, still holding his gun steadily.
Scared he will do something dangerous to Lionel and me, I chose to answer him, "Over there. Behind you, sir," I pointed to the bookshelf with glass doors behind him. The bookshelf was stuffed with many books related to crime, psychological thrillers, murder mysteries, and police novels.
Hearing my answer, he turned around and walked to the wooden bookshelf. He rested his palm on the glass door, examining each of the books inside like a retinal scanner.
I could see his eyes immediately lit up when he finally found the book he was looking for. He tried to open the door eagerly, desperate to take out the reading material from its place. But unfortunately, the door didn't budge or move a tiny bit.
"Hey, what are you waiting for? Open this for me." He said, pointing to the glass door with his index finger.
I shook my head in denial. "We have to see your ID if you want to buy the book," I replied.
He narrowed his eyes at me, clearly not expecting that answer.
"What kind of bookstore asks for people's ID when they want to buy a book?"
Lionel crossed his arms, leaning his back slowly against the front counter. "It's this store's rules. If you have a problem with it. You can leave and look for another bookstore."
Lionel looked relaxed now, probably not caring anymore about this mafia man inside his bookstore.
The man grinned a perfect smile as he took a step forward into the middle area, close enough to reach a hand to touch my hands and twisted them if he wish to do so.
"Look, you think I have so much free time to run around looking for another bookstore in this middle of the night? I told you to open it for me, is that hard to do?"
I stared at him, collecting all of the courage that I still have inside of me to face this mafia member.
Just because you are a mafia, do you think we will let you do as you please? You stormed your way inside this store, so you have to obey every single rule if you want to buy things inside this bookstore.
"Sir, we will let you buy the book you wanted. But we need to confirm your age since the book you are going to buy contains maturity and violence." I stated.
He rolled his eyes and decided to step forward again, slowly closing the space between us. "Do I not look old enough to buy it?"
Noticing the mafia was standing in front of me right now, Lionel intended to run to my side but stops when he saw I shook my head.
"I'm okay." I mouthed towards him.
Only at this moment, I could see his face. He is handsome, I must admit this truth. He has a pair of dark pearl eyes and pale skin that was smoother than butter itself. His shiny black hair parted in the middle and sleeked back is totally a bonus for his attractive appearance. His formal suit does a good job at hiding his well-toned body from anyone's view, standing at about 6'2". Don't forget his lips and nose, this man is breathtaking.
But I can't let this beautiful charm fools me. He is attractive, yes, but his personality is a big NO.
"Yes you do, but we still need to see your ID, sir," I told him.
Please don't make it harder for us just as it is.
Biting the corner of his lips, the man tried so hard not to burst out from his anger. "You're being so ridiculous right now! You know I can just shoot you two with this gun right?" He glared. "Open that damn glass door." He ordered with a threatening tone.
"I don't understand the problem here. You can just show us your ID and left with the book afterwards," Lionel sighed. "I never know Coolish mafia turns out to be an idiot."
Clenching his jaw in anger, he groaned with annoyance, "The problem is I don't bring my ID with me and I need that book right now!"
"Then we are sorry, but we can't let you have the book. No ID, no book. So, please get out from this-"
Just before Lionel could finish his sentence, the sound of a bullet crashing into the glass was heard all over the book store. The glass doors that stood behind the man just now were breaking into pieces and some of them fell to the tiles.
He did-did... not just shoot the glass door.
"I should have just done this from the start." The man chuckled with amusement. He picked up the book he saw earlier and put it under his armpit.
I looked at him, shocked and covered my mouth, hiding the gasp that was threatening to come out my mouth.
He glanced at me from the corner of his eyes and smirked as he started to wave the book in front of my face. "Thank you for this free book!" He yelled and started to run away in the dim of the night without looking back.
After all, what kind of criminal will look back after they have done a crime?