LOVING A MANNEQUIN

Chapter 50: Angelo Is In Danger 1

*BARBIE HEAVENWARD POV*

“Hey, hey, s**t! Why does the show suddenly change?” Kris' voice echoed in the room. If we were in the other's establishment or if only there's people around, they would surely yell at her because she was really too loud. Enough to wake up the people sleeping in the next few streets.

“Damn, we are almost at the crucial point of their love confession. Why did they snatch the drama’s exposure time?” Celine scorned. “Damn that channel.”

Nelia retouched her makeup and laughed, teasing the two. “If I say, you two should find a man. Don't immerge yourself too much with that unrealistic romance. You only end up being fooled. So, it's better to experience it.”

“Who has the nerves to anger our goddess?” Jess asked. She just entered the room along with Anica who was still looking dejected.

Kris pointed to the TV in a counter, “It's that bullshit TV show.”

Celine walked over and pulled Anica to sit, “Anica, what is wrong? I have noticed, you look so down since yesterday afternoon, why is it?”

Anica forced a thin smile and shook her head, saying, “I am fine. I just didn't sleep well last night. My insomnia tortured me.”

I glanced at Anica, despite my comfort, she could not easily pull herself up. I suddenly missed her naughty and cheerful character. Always does things which have no return.

I wasn't a fan of any dramas even if it was romance. I agreed with Nelia, it was all just an illusion kind of life, very unrealistic. Thus, I ignored it. I kept my attention unto my bag and looked for my comb. I was about to comb my long hair when I heard a news that totally caught my interest, specifically, my heart.

“Let's change the channel.” Kris said in frustration.

“Don't!” I shouted.

Everyone looked at me in a confused manner. I had never yelled before so it's kind of weird for me to shout now for the first time just because of the TV show. It was more mysterious than watching mystery movies.

“Why?” Kris wrinkled her brows.

“Let me listen to the news first. It seems I heard the name of the place in the news?” I said.

“Alright.”

“God! What a horrible accident.” Nelia exclaimed. “What is happening?”

I covered my mouth as my eyes expanded with tears flowing on its own. I don't know what to feel. I realized that it's the place where Angelo said to go.

There was a tragic accident where a school bus, a public bus, and a few cars collided with each other and the bus was momentarily being under a rescue process in order not to completely fall on the cliff.

I couldn't help but cry, which surprised everyone.

Anica touched my back, "Barbie, what happened? You just saw the news, why are you crying now?"

Kris grinned slightly as she placed her foot on the chair next to me, "I don't expect you are too sentimental. You cry as if your family or friends are in the accident. Really over the top.”

"Shut up!" Jess scolded her. "Barbie is already crying but you are still teasing her. What if there's another reason?”

Celine slouched over to my side, and asked, "Barbie, what happened? Why are you crying?"

"God, there are many wounded." Kris shouted again which made me cry even louder.

Anica turned to Kris and scolded, "Kris, if you can't just watch silently. Turn off the TV."

"Okay! Okay! I will turn it off." Kris said. “Seriously, you are all bullying me.” Kris acted upset.

I looked up at Anica and asked, "Anica, how many buses are traveling to Maltana Town every hour?"

"Malatana Town? I have never been there, so I don't know. I'm sorry Barbie. Why?" Anica answered. This girl, although experiencing a heartbreak, she is still there to comfort me. What a good friend.

"There is only one ride bus every three hours going to that place." Jess replied. "The road is too narrow so there is only one trip every three hours to avoid collision. But, look, there was an accident. Maybe because last night was raining and the road was slippery. Why did you ask Barbie that?”

I cried and cried because of what I heard. It was as if I was deafened by the thump of my chest beating for fear that Angelo might be hurt. I know he was a mannequin and impossible to get hurt but what if he was really doomed? He just luckily got a chance to come to life, then it's a pity to just lose it because of an accident.

No way! I couldn't accept it. If he was gone, I might be gonna die too. No. No. He could not die. He could not. I had to rescue him.

I stood up suddenly and grabbed my bag.

"Barbie, where are you going?" Anica asked as I walked out the door.

"Angelo is in danger. I need to save him." I yelled back and accelerated my pace.

They even chased me.

Anica asked again, "Why, what happened to him?"

"Angelo went to Maltana Town and based on the time, I had a strong feeling that Angelo was one of the bus’ passengers. He can't die."

"Okay! Okay! Calm down. Angelo is a great man. He is surely fine. Don't think too much. Since, there is no casualty that is being reported yet, means, there is still a big chance that he is doing fine. "

"Hope he is."

We were about to walk out the main door of the shop when Melanie called us. "Barbie, wait! Where are you going?"

I was relieved to see Melanie because she certainly would help me save Angelo, and so I ran to her and took her hands, "Melanie, do me a favor. Please, help me rescue Angelo. He is in danger."

Melanie furrowed her brows, "Angelo? What is wrong? Is he the reason why are you crying now? What happened? What danger could there be for him?"

"Melanie, I am not joking with you. Can you come with me and give me a lift?"

"Alright! Don't cry anymore. I am sure he is fine. Besides, I don't want you to show that messy look of yours." Melanie tugged me to the outside and quickly entered the car.

Before she started the engine, she peeked on the window and shouted to our fellow staff, "Look after the shop. I will accompany Barbie to look for Angelo. Oh, inform Denice so she will not worry about us."

"Yes." Everyone nodded. “Miss Smith, Barbie, you guys be careful.”

While on the ride, a lot of scary thoughts came to my mind. I felt like I was haunted.

Then, I regretted that I did not stop him or even accompany him to go there. It might be funny to think but I was even more afraid of losing Angelo than the day I sent my father to the hospital. Just to think of it, I may really have fallen in love with him.

This was the first time for me to acknowledge love towards opposite s*x. So, I didn't want to miss it. If fate was trying to separate us, I would fight for him until the end. I wouldn't give up on Angelo.

Melanie tapped my shoulder and tucked my hair in my ears, "Relax Barbie. Don't think too much, okay? Why don't you fix yourself first? If Angelo sees you later, he won't think that it's his grandmother who is fetching him home.”

“Okay! Okay! I will fix myself.” I quickly combed my hair with my fingers and tied it tightly to the back in a simple ponytail.

While looking ahead, my hands couldn't stop from clasping at each other and my knees uncontrollably pouncing.

Now, I realized, it's so dangerous to fall in love. Sometimes, you would do silly things. You would neglect yourself as your love was in danger and you would also be reckless to do things. But who cares for that?

"Melanie, can't you speed up?" I asked in a trembling voice.

"My God Barbie, my car is almost flying. If I speed up, we may not be able to reach where we are going. We only have two places to go. First, in the police station, the police will catch us of overspeeding or, second, we will have an accident. Barbie, are you tired of living? "

I bowed down and felt ashamed to myself, "I'm sorry Melanie. I did not think about the consequences of what I was asked to do. I  really stupid and useless.

She held my hand with her right hand while the other one continued driving, "Alright, I understand your feeling. If I were you, I would feel the same or Perhaps, worse than you.”