Chapter 9: He Just Smiled
1036 Words
While holding my head because of a little dizziness and relapse of last night's fever, I immediately looked for Melanie and I found her busy preparing a pair of bread and milk in the kitchen for breakfast.
"Good morning Melanie." I greeted and went over to help her.
"Hep? Stop right there and have a seat. I can do this myself." Melanie stretched her hand to stop me. The kitchen and dining area were just in one place.
I looked at her, perplexed. "What is wrong? I just want to help you."
She waved her hand without looking at me. "No need. I can do it alone. Besides, you are sick. I initially thought to bring you today in the shop but since you're sick, then, let's put the work thing aside for now."
She slightly pushed the food tray on the small size table in front of me. I just stood still and stared on the food and to her, so she walked around and pulled me to sit. "You should eat a lot. Look, you are so thin."
My left brow subconsciously raised up as I scanned her from head to toe. "I am thin? Then how about you? If you don't have skin, your bones have scattered on the ground already."
Melanie laughed at my joke. "You're too much. Anyway let's just eat together."
I looked up at her while following her led to sit. "Thanks for taking good care of me last night Melanie."
She took a seat next to me with a confused expression. "Take good care of you? Last night? Barbie, I did not."
"Huh? Then who was in my room last night and even put a wet towel on my head?"
"I am serious. I really didn't go to your room last night. Perhaps you forgot that you woke up last night and put it on by yourself. If not, who touched the kitchen and made a ginger soup for you?"
"Ginger soup?"
"Yes." Melanie pointed to the small pot placed near the sink using her mouth.
I now remembered, it seemed that I did drink ginger soup last night but I didn't leave my room. So I thought everything was all just a dream. "This is strange."
"What strange?" Melanie bit her bread.
"Melanie, no offence, don't you think there's a ghost here?"
Melanie halted chewing with a serious face. I thought she was mad but I was relieved when she suddenly giggled and knocked my head. "Barbie oh Barbie, are you a fan of horror movies? You believe with that nonsense."
"I am serious."
Melanie grabbed my bread and inserted it inside my mouth. "Your imagination is too wild but I am serious too. There's no ghost in this world and especially in this house. I've been living here alone for 4 years and I don't feel anything weird."
I surrendered. "Alright. Perhaps I really forgot I got up." I picked a glass of milk and drank a few gulp. "By the way Melanie, have you seen the Mannequin?"
"Yup. It is right over there." She pointed her hand in a corner, 5 meters away from the table.
I followed my sight on her hand and indeed the Mannequin was there. Again, I got a weird feeling that he was staring at me. I watched him intently and I almost fell from the chair when suddenly his lips pursed into a smile. "Jesus!" I blurted out.
Melanie managed to grab me so I didn't fall completely. She spared a quick look at the direction where my eyes were set while asking, "You look so shocked. What is wrong?"
I raised my hand and pointed to the Mannequin. "He-he just smiled at me." I stammered.
Melanie wrinkled her forehead as her gaze shifted from me and to the Mannequin. She cupped my head and pressed our forehead. "Your fever has subsided already but why are you seeing absurd things? Barbie, don't you think we need to visit a doctor?"
"Do you also think I'm crazy?"
"No. No. I just think maybe you have not fully recovered yet."
"Forget it. Just think I'm crazy but I won't visit a doctor. It's a waste of money." I drank all the milk and swallowed the last portion of the bread. "Didn't you say you are going to bring me to the shop today. Then let's go."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I am sure."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
I didn't answer. Instead I looked at her meaningfully with a hint of annoyance.
She suddenly laughed at me. "Alright. Alright. Look at your annoyed face. It's cute."
"I am really fine. Really."
"Alright. Since you said that then I will bring you with me. Anyway, I will bring that Mannequin along too."
"Why?" Strange. Upon hearing that Melanie was going to send the Mannequin to her shop, a sad feeling of parting formed inside my heart.
Melanie hauled me close to the Mannequin. "Look at him. Don't you think it's a loss if we won't display him to the shop? I am sure if it is him who wears my clothes, surely, a lot of customers will come and buy."
I didn't dare to come close to the Mannequin, not because I was afraid of him but because of the feeling that I was slowly getting hypnotised by him the longer I stared at his face.
"Seriously? Are you scared of him?"
"I am not."
"Then why don't you come close and have a good look on him?"
I shook my head while one of my arms laid horizontally over my chest and the other hand rested on my chin. "It's a pity that he is a Mannequin."
"Why did you say that?"
"He is too real and handsome to be one."
Yes. The Mannequin was too handsome. His eyes were like stars in the sky, bright and full of emotions. His eyelashes were too thick, curl, and long which enticed you to stare more. His nose bridge was so sharp, his face was a bit oblong. His lips were in a heart shape and lastly his brows were thick and black, looking so manly. His overall look was a rare kind of beauty. It wouldn't make you feel sick for staring at him for a whole time.
Melanie suddenly nudged me with her shoulder. "Hey, are you really fine? What are you spacing out about? Don't tell me now, he wink at you."
"Don't tease me." We laughed together.
- Writer
