LOVING A MANNEQUIN

Chapter 21: I Am Mannequin

*BARBIE HEAVENWARD*

"You take the responsibility? How are you going to do that?" I couldn't help but smirked at him. 

He simpered, "Don't underestimate me. But as for how--" He moved close to me, letting me smell his sweet and aromatic breath and whispered into my ear in a very seductive voice, "I won't tell you."

He laughed and walked away. 

"You rascal, you dare to play with me? Just wait for me." I pretended annoyed at him. I quickly took a step to chase him but damn my foot hurt. "Ouch!" I blurted out. 

He turned back with a worried look and immediately supported me, "What is wrong Barbie? Are you hurt somewhere?" 

I curled my lips and wrinkled my brows. "My foot hurt. I think I sprained my ankle."

"Let me check." He crouched and took my foot. 

There's nowhere for me to sit so I could only stand with one foot while the other one laid on his knee and let him took off my shoe and massaged it. 

My eyes scanned to his entire face. I always found him an incomparably stunning man and  no more time for me to find him even more stunning. But tonight, as he was gently massaging my foot in much care, I discovered that he became irresistibly seductive and alluring which making me daydream on the spot and everything around me seemed frozen. 

Although I was confused why my heart tightened while beating so fast but God, I gulped a lot as my eyes traveled down to his lips. His lips were too sexy, moist and enticing. Trying to provoke my self control to touch it. 

"Okay, it's done." I head his voice but I just couldn't take off my eyes from him. He smirked in a sexy-curved. "Barbie, stop staring me like that. Are you not afraid to fall in love with me?"

His words buzzed into my ears and woke me up. I rolled my eyes at him. "What is there to be afraid about falling in love? Isn't just all about loving? Besides, who said I am going to fall in love with you?" 

"For sure, you won't?"

"Of course!" 

"Alright!" He moved in front of me and bent down. 

"What do you mean?" 

He tapped his shoulder twice. "Hop on my back. I will send you home."

"Seriously? You offered this, don't ask a fare later."

He laughed at my joke. "So cute." He mumbled. 

***********

"Angelo, are you okay? How about you put me down. I think I can walk now." I forgot that he has wounds on his arms. I knew he was a mannequin but I could not help not to worry that he might be in pain and let him carry me. After all, he has a life now. Perhaps, he could really feel pain.

"I am fine. Besides, we are almost there." Angelo said as he tossed me up a bit. 

"Seriously, I can walk now. Put me down."

"How could I do that? I promise to take good care of you, so I mean it." 

"You promise what?" Actually his voice was loud but the words didn't sink in my brain. 

"Don't pretend you didn't hear me."

"Okay, we are out of the topic. I really want you to put me down. I am feeling sorry for you."

Angelo stopped and looked back at me. He stared at me intently. I got anxious about his serious face but in just a second, his eyes crinkled and knocked my forehead. "Don't belittle my strength. Did you forget who I am? Be good."

"Angelo, this morning, thank you. Thank you for saving me and thank you for helping me. I won't forget all you sis for me." I leaned my head at his back as we continued our pace. 

"Those were actually nothing much. Those were not enough to make up for my unfulfilled business with you." He said, almost a whisper to my ears. 

I stretched my neck and peeked at his face. "Business with me? What do you mean?" 

"Huh? Oh nothing. What I wanted to say, since you are thanking me, you should at least treat me for lunch tomorrow." 

"Tomorrow? Okay no problem. But--how can you leave the shop?" 

"Just leave that problem to me. I have my own ways."

"Okay. Oh right, earlier, have you been following me?" 

"Yes. I was worried. A girl walking alone at night is dangerous. So I sneaked out."

I secretly smiled at Angelo's back and closed my eyes as I leaned my head on him again. Knowing to have someone worrying for my safety gave me a very good and warm feeling. 

Everything was already fine. I was comfortable at his back but suddenly a rain started to drop on my face. 

I flinched and looked up only to receive another drop of rain. "No way? It is raining. Why right now? Aren't we pitiful enough?" 

"Hold well. We will run."

As the heavy rain poured down, my heartbeat quickened as I watched Angelo's back running fast.

"We are here. Open the gate." He said. 

"Wait. I will look for the key inside my bag." We were already drenched with the rain and my flesh started to shake. It was really cold tonight. 

"Did you find it?" 

"Not yet. Wait, I am hurrying already." 

"Stop looking for it. Just me tightly." 

"Huh?" Without informing me, Angelo suddenly jumped high into the inside of the gate. 

I screamed in shock and as I opened my eyes we were already inside the gate. "That's all? We got in? Wow, Angelo, you are so amazing. If it is you to rob a bank, I am sure the cops can't catch you."

"Let's hurry inside or else you will catch a cold." 

Right as he put me down on the couch in the living room, he directly ran into my room and fetched a towel for me. 

I frowned, how could he be so familiar with the house?

"Here, let me dry you." Without waiting for my permission, he covered the towel on my head and calmly wiped the towel to my entire head. Under the towel I could still see him. His gentleness and caring personality were prevailing and easily moved my heart. 

In my eyes, he was perfect. Nothing and no one could compare to him. 

Seemed like everything around me moved in slow motion and the silence made me deaf. I could only hear the beatings of my feeble heart. 

Until he stripped off the towel and looked at me warmly and did I. We looked at each other eternally. He bent forward and drew his face closed to mine. I blinked my eyes and then closed it, expecting something that I should not bother to think about. 

His warmth breathing touched my cheek and it tensed up my body. I felt something funny inside my stomach. 

He was getting closer to me. I actually thought he was planning to kiss me until he pressed his forehead to mine and whispered, "Barbie, are you sick? Why is your face so red and hot under this chilling weather?" 

I flinched. I was disappointed as I pulled my head away from him. I really expected him to kiss me. 

What was wrong with me? Why was I thinking inappropriate things?

"Are you okay?" He tried to hold my chin but I quickly avoided my face. I was still embarrassed. 

"I am fine. Don't mind me. Give me the towel. I will dry myself. You go take care of yourself. Just search for something around you can use to change your clothes." I grabbed the towel from his hands and again I remembered his wounds. 

So instead of a towel, I grabbed his wrist."Your wounds, let's treat it first." 

"It's nothing, really." Angelo retracted his hand. 

"I am serious. Let me treat your wounds."

"Don't bother. This is not a real wound. Let me prove to you. Close your eyes."

"Why?"

"Just close your eyes."

Although reluctant, I closed my eyes and again I sensed his presence moving close to me. And seemed my heart and the world stopped as he suddenly trailed his nose to my nose in a slow manner and kissed both my eyes. 

I felt dizzy with the sensation he brought to with his simple actions. 

"Okay. You can open your eyes now." 

As I opened my eyes, he showed his arms to me and I was shocked to see that there were no more swollen wounds and blood in it. Only scratches left. 

"How is this possible?" 

"Remember, I am mannequin. I don't bleed. What you are seeing earlier is all just your illusion. You believe there's blood because there's a wound but the truth is there is nothing."