"Alina speaking," I responded to the woman on the other end. "Madam Alina, hello, how may I help you?" Her tone shifted as she recognized my voice."Could you bring a pair of clothes to the parkyard in front of the SSA store near the cafe ASAP?" I requested before ending the call.
"Here, thank you," I said to him, hiding my embarrassment behind a polite facade but with genuine gratitude in my tone. He remained silent as we made our way towards the parkyard.Externally, I appeared calm and composed, but internally, I was crumbling with every passing moment. Being in his presence felt like a heavy weight on my shoulders, yet paradoxically, I also wished for him to stay because I didn't want anyone else to witness me in this state.
The woman emerged, clutching a bag in her hands, scanning her surroundings as she made her way towards the parking lot. I moved forward to intercept her, but before I could, the man beside me took the initiative, striding towards her.
I stepped back, my gaze fixed on them as they exchanged murmurs. He graciously accepted the bag from her, offering a small bow before returning to where I stood. Handing me the bag, he announced, "Well, I'll take my leave now."
I felt a surge of gratitude that he didn't press me with any questions. Extending my hand for a handshake, I met his gaze squarely. "Thank you so much, and I sincerely hope we never cross paths again in the future," I said firmly.
He chuckled in response, nodding his understanding before turning to leave. As he walked away, I couldn't help but take in his appearance: a white t-shirt paired with light blue jeans, broad shoulders, standing at a height of 5'10. His black hair was neatly parted on the right side, with strands falling gently over his forehead and cascading down to his neck. But it was his unforgettable brown eyes that lingered in my memory.
I turned around and climbed into my car, shedding my previous attire for something new. His shirt still clutched in my hand, I mused aloud, "I know he wouldn't want it back, and neither do I." With a casual toss, I discarded it onto the seat beside me. Stepping out of the car, I made my way to the store as if nothing had happened.
The store was surrounded by an array of plants, creating a forest-like ambiance that complemented the clothing theme of the establishment. SSA Industry specializes in manufacturing clothes, each distributed store featuring a distinct theme.
While not strictly limited to forest leaves and flower dresses, our designs draw inspiration from various floral and foliage species, as well as the textures found in tree trunks. This unique approach sets our products apart from others in the market. Currently, there are around seven stores in operation.
As I stepped into the store, I was warmly greeted by the employees and the manager, Jasmin, who had handed me the new pair of clothes in the parking lot earlier. I've made it a habit to memorize the numbers of the people working under me, just in case I find myself without my phone or forget it somewhere. Memorizing numbers comes naturally to me, much easier than remembering names and faces, although I don't suffer from Prosopagnosia.
I made my way around the store, selecting mostly floral dresses, particularly drawn to gowns.
One standout piece was an a-line sleeveless sage green dress crafted from silk chiffon. Sage green isn't just a color; it's a mood, an emotion, a tranquil sanctuary that echoes nature's calming whisper. "Sage," derived from the Latin word "salvia," means "to heal." Just like the healing herb, the color sage green soothes the eye and calms the soul, invoking a feeling of peace and serenity. And in that moment, it was all I needed.
It's long and flows down to the ground in a gentle way. There are no sleeves, it gracefully accentuates the shoulders and arms . The neckline forms a V shape, adding a style to the dress.The fabric has tiny folds called pleats all over it, giving the dress some texture and making it look interesting. These pleats run from the top of the dress to the bottom.
I paid for the dress along with a few others and left the store with a smile. It took me a few minutes to get home. Too embarrassed to return to the cafe, I ordered takeout instead.
As soon as I got home, I took a warm bath. Wearing a robe, I lay down on my bed, musing aloud, "He definitely smelled good. I could catch his fragrance even underneath my mask."
I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard the doorbell. "Chocolate cake!" I whispered excitedly, walking to the door with cash in hand. As I opened the door, a man pulled me into a tight embrace. "Lucian," I realized, recognizing him. He lifted me into a cradle carry and headed straight to my bedroom. Something about him seemed different—perhaps he was drunk.
"God! Lucian, put me down," I protested. He dropped me onto the bed from a slight height, then cupped my face with both hands and forced a kiss, his tongue trying to invade my mouth. I clenched my teeth, but he managed to pry them apart. His hands slid under my robe. He wasn't himself. My eyes filled with tears, and I was terrified.
I bit his lower lip and slapped him hard. "Are you crazy? What do you think you're doing, Lucian?" I screamed, trying to catch my breath. Tears streamed down my face. Lucian looked confused and shocked, his aggressive demeanor fading. I was sobbing uncontrollably. He moved closer and embraced me gently. I could hear my heartbeat, and I'm sure he could too. "I-I'm sorry, so sorry, Ellie," he stuttered, sniffing. His sniffles grew louder as he started to cry.
"He's crying?" I thought. I grabbed his shoulders and pushed him away to look at him. A trail of snot connected his nose to my robe. Without expression, I reached into his pocket, grabbed his phone, and snapped a few pictures before hugging him again and patting his back. I tried hard to suppress my laughter, giggling as quietly as I could.
His eyes were filled with tears, streaming down continuously along with his snot.
To be continued!!