LOVING A MANNEQUIN

Chapter 18: He Help me

*BARBIE HEAVENWARD*

The eyes who just look real were actually still different when they were really real. If before, his blue eyes were only like sea, now it was the ocean and sky. It was too deep, clear, and alluring. I was unable to take off my eyes from his. 

"Barbie, are you fine?" Angelo asked, staring at me. Wow, even frowning, he remained handsome and cute. 

I stood up quickly, a bit embarrassed of my reaction. I looked away and said, "I am fine. Oh, A-Angelo, this- I need to finish my work first. But--what to do? Are you going to return as Mannequin again or--my God. What is happening to me? I am sorry, I don't know what I am saying. Maybe, I am just too pressured. Yes. I am pressured." I laughed in an awkward tone. I didn't even know where to put my hands. 

Why am I so tense around him? He was just a mannequin who came to life. 

"Are you really okay? How about sending you to the hospital?" Angelo walked in front of me. 

"No. No. No. You are exaggerating. I am fine." I pretended looking for something. 

"Stop that. I will help you." 

"Help me? Help me with what?" I looked back at him. 

"I will help you dress us up." Angelo smiled. His voice was too gentle and polite when he spoke but very manly as he moved.

I found myself slowly captivated by him, with his tempting stare and enchanting smile.

"No. No. No. I can't be like this. I must be hungry. I need to hurry this up so I can eat." I said in my mind. I forced myself to calm. 

"Really? Then, I have to thank you in advance. I really need to finish this task or else I'm doomed again to Ma'am Denice."

"Don't worry. I will surely satisfy your grumpy manager." 

Immediately, Angelo looked at each of the clothes scattered on the floor. His right fingers were on his chin while resting the elbow to the left hand, he looked studying the clothes in front of him. After he picked a Lightweight Trousers + Polo Shirt + Loafers for the Mannequin who has a yellow blond hair and Grey suit + pink shirt + burgundy tie color combination for the brown colored mannequin. 

I was only watching him put on those clothes combinations until it was done. 

He dusted his palms for an imaginary dirt. "It's done." He simply said. 

"It's done? Thank you. Wow. Angelo you are amazing. In just one look, you already know what to make them wear. I give two thumbs up. You are great." I smiled widely. "Wait! Then, how about you? Aren't you going to change your clothes too?" 

"I will, but I need you to turn around first."

"Why? Can't you change with me around?" I innocently said while busying myself observing the clothes of the two mannequins. I'd like to learn how the clothes were combined. Well, I still didn't understand. I was really stupid. 

Angelo sniggered in low tone. "Seriously? You want to watch me naked? Alright, I don't have a problem with that." He threatened me to undress himself. 

"Wait wait wait. I will stand on the doorway okay?" I strode fast, hiding the embarrassment I felt. "p*****t!"

He giggled. "Really? Well, maybe I really am."

Perhaps, it was only five minutes that he was silent. What I only heard was the rustle of the box and cellophanes. 

"Okay, you can come here now." He said. 

"Make sure you look--" I was unable to finish my sentence when I turned around, what I saw was no longer a man but God. He was like a Greek God, dazzlingly gorgeous in a  Beige Blazer Jacket + Trousers + Crisp White Shirt + Suede Tassel Loafers. 

I couldn't even close my mouth and notice that he was already in front of me. 

"Close your mouth." He pushed my chin up to help me close my mouth. "Or else the flies will enter."

He turned away with a sly smirk on his lips and began to pick the clothes on the floor. "You should help me tidy this place before your manager returns."

"Oh, right. Right. I have to return these things to the rack stand.

I immediately finished sorting the scattered clothes throughout the store room. My hip did not even feel good yet from numbing when Denice entered the room again.

I was confused as to what I would do to Angelo but I secretly thanked when I realized he was a mannequin again. On the other side of my heart, it cried out that hopefully he would become human again when nightfall came. 

"Are you done?" Denice's voice rang out already as she was just at the door. Even she herself was stunned to see what the mannequins were wearing. "Is this real? I am not seeing it wrong right? Wow, this is amazing. Hmmm, you have done well Barbie. Good job. Keep it up." She tapped my shoulder. Her fierce aura suddenly became tender. "Okay, display that mannequins to the front door right now. I am sure they will attract a lot of customer's attention."

"Yes ma'am Denice." I bowed and started to lift each mannequins into the push cart. 

"After you displayed them. You can have your lunch."

"Thank you ma'am Denice." 

"If you had just done that earlier, you should not have suffered. Hope you won't hold a grudge against me. Well, go ahead. Finish your task, then you can go and eat."

I was feeling guilty for the praise which actually was not for me. If Denice only knews. 

"He really didn't move anymore." I mumbled as Angelo didn't even blink his eyes secretly at me. "Stingy."

Denice was already about to leave when she suddenly looked back at me. "Are you saying something?" 

"Oh no ma'am Denice I am just reciting what to eat later. I am kind of hungry pig." I laughed while rubbing my tummy. 

Denice drew a plain smile. "Go ahead and take your time to make yourself full." 

"So you could actually smile."

"Of course. I am also human. Not a robot." 

"Auwww…" I glanced at Angelo and secretly giggled.