Lacquered Tattoo

Chapter Seven

It wasn’t like he was desperate for someone to take the job but, for every question or slight nuisance that we encountered, he had a solution ready to fire.

“I might have to work in school on a Saturday, not every Saturday but every once in a while, either to arrange bulletin boards or prepare for school activities or there could be school meetings at times – “

“So just take the Saturdays off,” he’d said to me even before I was done speaking.

Now, I’d love to work on Saturdays since it’s a good opportunity for me to earn more cash, so I asked him if that was alright. I know he had to go find a replacement and rearrange the other staff’s schedules all because of me but he didn’t have a problem as he told me, “Alright. Well, I’ll give you four hours every Saturdays. Just inform me whenever you can’t make it.”

He just made it too easy for me.

In the end, because we aren’t conducting the interview in his office or somewhere more appropriate, I just ended up sending him my CV on his e-mail. We exchanged numbers so he could contact me for any updates and told me I can start working tonight.

“Unless you need more rest? Didn’t you just land last night?”

I bet Jolie even told him about Louise and Ben and how I wanted to adopt a cat.

“No, it’s fine.” I was kind of touched that he thought about that, but I was already feeling better after my daily dose of caffeine, which tasted divine by all accounts, and I have prepared everything for my first day at school anyway so I would just be idle at home. Besides, it’ll be good to get acquainted with the place and be familiar with the operations. “I’ll be there at exactly three o’clock, sharp.”

Monroe gave me a smirk that wrinkled the sides of his eyes. It was quite adorable, probably not the first word that would come to mind when someone was asked to describe him, but I find it so all the same.

“Alright, then,” he nodded curtly at me. “I have to go. It’s a pleasure meeting you, Cassandra.”

He extended a hand towards me and I was proud I only trembled a little before I took it that I doubt he even noticed.

“Likewise. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

I didn’t know if it was just me or the handshake actually took a moment too long than what it should have been?

Standing up from his chair, Monroe looked down at me one last time. “I’ll be seeing you,” he said as parting words, deep dark eyes penetrating through mine, before he turned around and exited the establishment.

The rest of my day, I just lounged around my apartment, doing some leisure writing, until I have to get ready for work.

This is good, I kept on telling myself.

More things to do, less time to face my emotions and miss my old home.

The shower was nice and calming on my skin and I stepped out to a foggy mirror that I had to swipe to see my reflection on.

I didn’t think so, but Louise thinks I lost weight, evidently enough that she expressed her concerns and continuously monitored my diet.

It was futile, though, as she soon learned nothing has changed about it and my healthy appetite, but the worrywart that she is, my aunt still questions me if I’d eaten properly or not. She scolded me every time I inform her that I had eaten late, and it was always like that: Louise never stopped caring about me even as an adult as she did when I was younger. Not that it was unbearable; it was endearing and made me feel loved at most.

The way she constantly wanted to know everything that went on my day made me excited about everything that I may come across because it was like an adventure whenever I relay to her all the things that I encountered. She made it seem like every word that came out of my mouth was interesting and I’ll forever remember those memories of the two of us enthusiastically bond over mundane things.

That’s probably where my love for writing stemmed from.

I just finished chatting with her, both of us agreeing it’s better to keep contact that way because I have yet to have a wi-fi. I scoured the internet for good service providers but maybe I should ask Jolie’s opinion on the matter.

She might not know it but meeting her completely turned the wheels for me.

Very rarely do I find someone I connect with so instantly.

            I was thrilled to see her again and hopefully, we’ll work on the same shift. She did tell me that she works night shifts, but I don’t particularly know of her schedule. I wish I did get her number.

            I showed up five minutes early at the shop which was a bit packed with customers. It’s not a surprise, seeing it’s the weekend. The nearest mall is a thirty-minute drive but I kind of like how the shops are dispersed in this town rather than being housed all together in a mall.

            There aren’t tall buildings that hinders the view of the vast bright skies and lakes and hiking trails were all around to enjoy for leisure.

Who wouldn’t fall in love with a small peaceful town like this?

            This is exactly the place I would have wanted to retire when the time comes.

            In one of the aisles that has a selection of backpacks, I saw the blonde girl from yesterday squish herself between a group of teenagers arguing about which color of bag to choose.

            She emerged among them, looking agitated, but not as much when she made eye contact with me.

            And then she ignored me.

            I followed her, seeing as she was the only familiar person I knew, and I want to get oriented. It seemed like the place was busy and I wanted to help. Also, no matter how hard I crane my neck, I couldn’t even catch a glimpse of Jolie. I’m not even sure if she’s here.

            “There’s a huge commotion back in aisle seven, keep watch. They’re particularly notorious,” the blonde girl said loud enough for me to hear without even looking at me, and since there was nobody else around who was responding to her, I assume she was talking to me.

            Suddenly, she turned on her heels and I almost clashed into her. She presses a couple of black cloth tote bags on my chest rather harshly, pushing them to me when it didn’t register that I should take it.

            Great, first day of work and I already made somewhat of an impression on her for her to be acting like this towards me.

            “Rowie told me you’d come,” she said, her eyes traveling down my body and staying at my white pair of sneakers. She snorted. “Don’t know what he was thinking,” she continued, not even the least bit shy that I was right in front of her.

Also, re: Rowie.

She and the boss must be pretty close for her to call him by that name. Not that I was being judgmental or anything, but he doesn’t seem like a Rowie to me.

Anyway, why do I care? It was none of my business.

            She stared at me for a few seconds and I finally got to study her features better than last night. She’s really pretty, with the bluest eyes I have ever seen, and she had this strong persona coming off of her. Of course, I wouldn’t be too quick to judge her if I hadn’t experienced her attitude firsthand.

            I’m not bothered, though. I’ve met and known people with almost similar personalities and while it might seem cowardly, I’m great at ignoring them.

            Saves us both from unwanted confrontations and immature disagreements.

            Maybe that’s why Ben always teases me how I was such a pushover.

            The girl snapped her fingers right on my face and I felt my cheeks heat up at momentarily spacing out.

            “Aisle seven, go.”

            All assumptions that this girl was a part owner of this business or even a manager herself went out the window when her head slowly turned towards my right, slightly rounded eyes looking past my shoulders.

            “That’ll be enough, Heather. I’ll take it from here,” grumbled someone behind me.

            Before I could look at him, the bags I was clutching were pried gently away from me, heat flooding my back at the proximity of the person standing so close behind me.

            “And take these with you. Go deal with your brother’s friends yourself.”

            I watch as Monroe step forward and gave me his broad back, blocking my sight from Heather. Now, I feel so useless. Certainly, Heather has more customers to attend to and the one thing she asked my help for I wasn’t even able to do.

            “Cassandra,” he called, “Come with me.”

            There was no room for discussion, him striding to the backdoor and me close on his trail.