LOVING A MANNEQUIN

Chapter 20: Cuddle in the Road?

*BARBIE HEAVENWARD*

Today, I purposely finished organising my area late so I could spend more time with Angelo when everybody was already gone. Out of my expectation, Ma'am Denice seemed to be going into overtime. 

"Barbie, why are you not going home yet?" Ma'am Denice came to my area and asked. 

"Everybody has gone home already. Why are you still here? Are you not tired today like the others?" 

I twitched as she just suddenly spoke but I kept my good composure. I was afraid to anger her. "I am not tired ma'am. But it seems you look tired. Why don't you come home too?" 

"I still have work to do so I am going to have an overtime. What, do you want to take an overtime too?" 

I quickly waved my hands to Denice and retreated with an awkward smile on my face. "No. No. I won't take overtime ma'am. Actually, I remembered now I have an important and urgent appointment today. So, I am afraid I have to leave you here alone."

Denice nodded. "Okay. Go ahead."

"Yes." I slowly turned around and ran off from her. "That was too close."

I went directly on the locker, applied a little foundation and light lipstick to freshen my looks. Hmmmm I didn't know why I wanted to look beautiful today. This was not my usual habit. It was what my heart only said, 'Keep Beautiful'. Afterwards, I grabbed my bag and walked fast with my head lowering around. As I was passing in the mannequins, Angelo held my ring finger and stroked it before letting me go. 

He looked at me in a very deep way. "Be careful." He mumbled. 

My body trembled for his simple gesture. WHY? 

Nevermind. I could only force myself to calm my veins and smile. "Thank you." I replied simply. 

"Relax. Don't be tense." He said, looking at me warmly. "I will visit you if I can get a chance."

I assumed I was blushing the whole time because I felt my face hot. "Okay. I will wait for you."

Angelo's simple smile became a wide grin. "You will wait for me? Are you serious?" 

I nodded like an obedient kid. 

"Thank you. I will surely find a chance to get out from here without others noticing." He looked outside and sighed. "It's getting late already. You should hurry to go home."

"Okay." I turned my back at him quickly because I felt like I couldn't hold my excitement for him holding me but I looked back at him as I was already taking steps yet he didn't release my finger. 

"Are you reluctant to leave me here? Don't worry, I am used to being alone. I am fine." He made  a cute face although it was already cute. I was suddenly eager to pinch his cheeks.

I signalledy head to him, pointing my hand. "How would I leave if you don't release my hand?" 

"Oh, I'm sorry I'm sorry. I was suddenly lost in thoughts." He said, quickly retracting his hand and hid behind his back. 

"Barbie, who are you talking with?" Here came the voice of the manager again. She walked closer on us with her hands on her blazer's pockets.

I lowered my head to her. I only wished she didn't notice that Angelo had moved. I secretly did a sideways glance at Angelo and the jerk was also quick to react. He went back to his mannequin posture again. I wanted to laugh but I held it back inside. How difficult it would be to stay still although you can move.

"Ma'am Denice, I didn't talk with anyone. I only talk to myself." I replied. My voice was Al little nervous. 'Hope she would believe it' My voice in mind shouted. 

"Are you sure? Why did I hear the voice of a man? Barbie, are you hiding a man out there?" Denice stretched her neck to look outside. 

"No. No. I am not hiding anyone. I was really only talking to myself. Look I will show you." I cleared my throat and tried hard to talk with a voice like a man. 

Denice extended her palm on me. "Alright! Alright! I believe you. But--if you are really seeing a man I advise you to be careful. Nowadays, men cannot be trusted much. Oh be careful on your way."

"Thank you ma'am." I bowed although she already walked away. 

"What did she mean? Do we men really cannot be trusted now?" Angelo spun his neck on me, frowning. 

"She only reminded me. Actually she was right. But-- not all men are the same. For me, there was still a man I can trust."

"Is that me?" 

"Who else do you think?" I tapped him and ran off like a shy girl. 

************

Before going home, I asked the taxi driver to drop me to the nearby canto instead directly at home to buy food in the roadside stall but seems now I regretted my decision. 

The canto was just more than five minutes walk before reaching Melanie's house but unfortunately I felt that someone was watching me the whole time and now his presence was telling me that he was following me. 

All of those were just what my instinct said. I hadn't proof that it was all true. So, I hadn't called for help yet. I continued my fast pace until the heel of my shoes stuck in a road hole. 

The plastic of food I just bought slipped from my hand and tossed above me while I swayed and about to fall. Miraculously, before I dropped myself badly to the ground, Angelo appeared, towering me as he dazzlingly wrapped his arms around my back. 

I blinked my eyes to make sure I was really seeing him in front of me, not only my hallucinations, but after a couple of times I blinked my eyes, I could still see Angelo's face. 

Did I become addicted to him? 

Angelo traced the back of his soft hand on my face then slowly leaned his ear to my chest. "Your heart is thumping so fast and loud."

His voice echoed in my ears and awakened my lost soul. I hurriedly went on my feet to stand but I only made the situation more awkward and embarrassing because instead of picking myself up, my foot slid and I tumbled.

Angelo tried his best to catch me. He wrapped his arms around my head. The result, I fell on my back with him along, pinning on top of me. 

"Wow, couples nowadays are so liberated. Can't even wait to reach in their house to cuddle on each other." The male passers-by said, laughing as he shook his head while eyes returned to his phone.

"What did he just mean?" I asked Angelo. 

Angelo stood up and helped me up, too. 

"Are you okay right? You are not injured?" He walked around me and examined my body. 

"Stop. Stop. People will misunderstand us if you keep doing that. It's inappropriate for you to scan me like you are scanning a defect of an object."

"Are you really fine?" 

"I am fine." 

"That's good then." He dusted his clothes and I was stunned to notice that the clothes he was wearing were still the clothes he wore to display in the shop. 

"Why are you wearing that?"

"What? This clothes?" 

"Yes. That's clothes. Why are you still wearing that?" I scratched my head and my face contorted. I was doomed tomorrow if they found out that the clothes were missing. I was responsible for it because this was my assigned item. 

"Didn't I look good in these?" 

"Yeah. You look good. But that is not the problem. The problem is why you are wearing that here. Do you know how much that clothes are?" 

"I know."

"You know? Then why did you still wear that?" 

"Don't worry, I will pay for these."

"Do you have money?" 

Angelo grinned. He raised his hand and scratched the back of his head. "You are right. I don't have money. Then, you pay."

"What? I don't--wait? What is that in your arms?" I grabbed his arms and I couldn't help not to cry to see his arms covered with scratches. "You're wounded."

"That is nothing."

"How is it nothing? Look, look how pitiful your arms are?" I blew the wounds while sniffing, trying to retract my tears. 

He suddenly poked my head and pulled his arms. "Look at your pitiful face. I am fine and about these clothes, don't worry, I will take the responsibility."