LOVING A MANNEQUIN

Chapter 10: Sending Us to The Shop

"Slowly, slowly, be careful." Melanie said as we worked together to lift the Mannequin out of the house into the parked car in the garage. "Stop. Stop. Let's put him down first. I will open the roof of the car."

"Okay." I wiped my sweat rolling down from my forehead after we put down the Mannequin in the ground, next to the car's backside. 

Melanie walked around to the driver's window and groped something inside the car. After, the car roof gradually opened. 

When I observed the Mannequin, I kept finding him strange. "Eh, Melanie? Are you sure this one is a Mannequin, not a statue? Why is he so heavy?" I uttered. "He even weighs more than me."

Melanie scratched her head, frowning as she returned to my side. "I don't know either."

"You don't know? Then how about last time you brought him to your house? Was he also heavy?"

Melanie shook her head, placing her fingers on her chin and thought. "I think--probably-he is not. Ah, forget about it. Let's just put him in the car." She bent down, positioning to hold the Mannequin. 

"Where did you buy him?"

Melanie stood straight, "I didn't buy him. I just picked him at the area of the accident, the same night I found you. If not because of him blocking the road, I would have not spotted you too. You are not here today standing and talking with me."

"So that was really how you saved me." I gave the Mannequin a grateful look and lifted my hand to caress his head. "It looks like we really have some fate and connections to each other. Thank you for being there. You save my life. But it would be more great if the gentleman---" I paused as sadness and guilt aroused inside my heart again upon remembering him. 

"Alright. Alright. Enough. Let's load him to the car so we can go."

"Okay." 

***********

While on the ride, I couldn't help but steal a glance at the Mannequin behind us through the rear-view mirror. I didn't know what happened to me, I just found myself wanting to stare long on his face. 

"What are you thinking?" Melanie awakened my wandering soul. 

I forced myself to be as calm as usual and discarded my abnormal thoughts before I gave Melanie a tender smile and said, "Nothing important."

"Oh, by the way, I almost forget to tell you. I am just going to drop you at the boutique 'coz I have an important business meeting today. Are you fine there without me on your first day?" 

"Don't worry about me. I am not a kid. But you, you are going alone so I advise you to be extra careful. Oh, remember, don't drink too much. It's dangerous."

"Yes. Yes. Yes. I will put that in mind." She spared a quick glance at me. "Can you pick my bag and open it?"

"Sure." I moved forward to reach the red Hermes bag in front of us. 

"Take the white phone and use it."

"Huh? No way. How could I just simply take your things?" I put back the bag. 

"Barbie, aren't we best friends? So sharing things is nothing much between us. Besides, that is an old phone of mine. I'm no longer using that since I bought a new one." 

"But--" 

"No but. Just take it so I can call you anytime when I am away."

"Why?" 

"Because I will miss you to death, of course." She glimpsed at me and winked in a flirtatious way. 

I acted shivering as I hugged, rubbing myself. "Grrrr, that is too disgusting."

"What are you thinking?" Melanie giggled loudly. 

**********

We only took 10 minutes rides and a few turns in alleys before we reached the shop. And I was dumbfounded as to find out that the shop Melanie owned was no other than the famous UNiQ Boutique which has always been a hot content in a magazine. 

Right as the red Maybach car stopped in front of the shop door, two staff immediately met us with a beam set on their lips. I guessed, one from them was the boutique manager because through the glass window I could see the uniform of every sales attendant and it was only hers that was different. The sales assistant was wearing a black skirt, black stockings, and black jacket with a white shirt underneath. While the manager wore a navy blue suit.

A skinny pale but beautiful young sales assistant walked around and gave Melanie a hand to open the car's door. 

"Good morning ma'am." Greeted by her with a slight bow. 

"Good morning too Annie. You look prettier today." Melanie replied. 

I was having an awkward feeling by thinking to come out in front of Melanie's employee. I cared so much about what they would think of me as coming to work on the same ride with my boss. 

I was unable to lift my feet. It was trembling and weak. Thus, I didn't have the strength to reach the door handle to open it. I examined myself and I didn't know why, I suddenly felt like I wasn't suitable to work in such a prestigious and famous shop. I had seen myself like a dirt in a window that anytime would be dusted off by anyone. 

Suddenly, a fist knocked on the window and then Melanie spoke, "Barbie, what are you doing there? Come out."

 I jerked out from the seat as Melanie called me. With my heart racing fast, I stretched my hand and pushed the window while closing my eyes. 

Melanie laughed soundly as she saw my tense expression and even stepped out from the car with closed eyes. She gently poked my forehead with her fingers. "What are you doing?" 

I moved closer to her in a slant way and whispered to her ear, "Melanie, I am nervous."

"What? Are you kidding me? Where do--" In embarrassment, I covered her loud mouth with my hands which surprised everyone. Seeing their expressions I quickly retreated aback. 

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." I said shyly. 

"It's fine. Let's go. Come with me." Melanie put her arm around my shoulder. 

"Good morning Miss Smith!" Greeted by the manager to Melanie as we reached on her side before she looked at me. "This lady, is she the new hired sales assistant that you talked about on the phone?" 

"Yes." Melanie answered. She checked the time on her watch and I had seen that she was in a hurry. She stared at me worriedly. 

In order not to worry about me, I gave her a closed-mouthed smile as I nodded my head. 

Her face brightened seeing me smile. "Denice, I have an important meeting today and I am going to be late if I will stay a bit long here. So I would like to entrust  Barbie to you. She is not familiar here and knows no one so kindly take good care of her and help her for the job she is not familiar with yet. On my behalf, introduce her to everyone. Understood?"

In my eyes, the manager obviously faked a happy smile. "Rest assured Ms. Smith. I will definitely take good care of her."

"Good." Melanie held my shoulders. "Barbie, if you run into problems related with the job, don't hesitate to ask Denice. She is good at a lot of things. She can help you. Or contact me. I will be here right away."

I only nodded. 

"Then I'm going." Before she left, she smacked her lips on my cheeks. 

While sending Melanie away with sight, at the corner of my eyes, I saw the hateful gaze of the manager towards me.