Wingless and Beautiful

Chapter Sixteen

Every day, I would turn up promptly after school at Alibri. It was not a difficult job. When I didn’t have homework to do, I would dust the shelves and make sure that the books were all in their right locations so it would be easier for me or the other staff to locate a title.

One day, as I was organizing some books that were not in their proper places, I found Chaise Anderson in between the shelves.

“And what are you doing here?” I asked dryly.

“Is it not obvious? I’m picking up a good book to read,” he replied curtly.

I rolled my eyes. “Really? I didn’t know you could read.”

He smirked but didn’t say anything.

I tried to reach for the shelf closer to Chaise but stopped when I realized that he didn’t move an inch to give me space.

“Excuse me, do you mind?”

Still, he didn’t budge. “It’s my shelf.”

I sighed desperately. “Can’t you find another shelf or at least move away a little bit? I just need to put this book back in its place.”

He smiled at me and moved away just a little bit, which still didn’t give me much space. Returning the book would mean I had to stand a few inches away from him. Too close, I may as well smell his aftershave.

“Be my guest,” he said mischievously.

“I will push you away, Chaise Anderson, if I need to. I want to close up early tonight.”

He raised a brow. “I dare you.”

“Great!” I extended my hand to his chest and gave him a quick shove. But he was quicker than me. He reached for my hand and pulled me towards him instead.

I was too shocked to react. I dropped the rest of the books I was carrying. My hand was caught in Chaise’s hands and chest.

I heard the chimes on the door, indicating that somebody came inside the bookshop. But I was helpless to assist the new customer, Chaise had me trapped right where he wanted me.

“Are you scared of me, Alice?” he asked in a whisper.

I glared at him. “I’m not scared of you. I hate you!” I said under my breath.

His eyes gleamed and I was reminded of a devil disguising under a halo.

“Maybe I can change your mind,” he whispered darkly. And before I could realize what he was going to do, he leaned forward and his lips covered mine in one gentle kiss.

It took me a minute to recover after he lifted his face. His eyes were dancing, still he didn’t release me. He was just staring at me in those striking gray eyes of his.

Finally, I found the strength to push him as hard as I could, he actually jerked back. I wiped my lips with my fingers as I heard the chimes ring again, indicating that another customer needed my assistance.

I was too mad that he took advantage of me that I slapped him on the cheek. He looked dumbfounded at first and then I saw the angry expression dawn on his face.

“Well, you have successfully changed my mind about hating you. Congratulations! Now, I loathe you!” I said angrily.

I strode away from him, not caring that I left a pile of books on the floor. I scanned the other shelves to see the customers that went in, but I found that Chaise and I were alone in the shop, which meant that whoever went into the shop with the first bell had left the second time I heard it ring.

I went to the counter to check the cash register, ensuring that it was still locked. Nothing seemed to be missing, and besides, who would steal a book? So, I breathed in relief. I couldn’t really afford to pay for shoplifted stocks.

Chaise walked towards the counter. I glared at him murderously. He also looked pissed. It’s probably the first time he stole a kiss from somebody and got slapped for it. He sure looked confident of his looks and his kissing abilities. Apparently, he wasn’t used to being turned down by a girl… maybe not even by pretty girls. It must be hell for him to be shut down by me… the scar-faced girl who was called a monster by everybody.

“Just because you got me this job does not mean you earned the right to… harass me,” I said with a scowl.

He took a deep breath. He acted like he wanted to say something but he decided against it. He shook his head in disbelief and then he turned to leave.

I closed up at exactly ten in the evening. The store was a few blocks away from my house. The streets leading to my house were not well-lit but I was used to walking alone at nights. I did this even when I was working for the burger joint. The only difference was that Burger Inn was in the town center and the streets leading to my house from there were much more populated even late at night.

I wasn’t scared. I have been through worse than a petty mugging. And besides, I don’t practically come in as flashy, who would want to mug me?

As I turned a corner, a black Porsche was parked on the side of the street. The engine was on, but the tint on its windows was too dark, I could not see who was inside. When I turned another corner, the car went off, much to my relief. I was afraid somebody from school decided to take their pranks on a different level. Or worse, what if Chaise decided to wait for me to get out of his aunt’s shop so he could harass me again?

When I walked up the front steps to my house, I heard a car pass by. I turned around and saw the same black Porsche I saw a while ago. It drove past my house very slowly. My heart pounded inside my chest. I immediately inserted my key to the door. The door didn’t open. I looked at my hands in panic as I realized I used the wrong key.

Shit!

The car stopped a few meters from my house and I felt scared. I had this feeling that whoever was driving the car was watching me. I took another key and even before I could insert it in the hole, the door opened.

“Alice!” Meredith greeted me.

“You’re home!” I couldn’t be any happier or relieved to see her.

“Are you okay?” she asked, noticing that my face was flushed.

I turned to look at the street again, but the car was gone.

I didn’t want to tell Meredith about the car. It could be nothing and I didn’t want her to worry. I was sure if I told her about it, she would make me quit my job and I needed that money for college.

“Have you eaten?” she asked as I went inside.

“Yes. But I’m still hungry,” I replied. The Chaise harassment and the car scare actually drained my dinner.

“I’ll heat up the lasagna,” she said.

After an hour, I got ready for bed. I wanted to tell somebody about how I hated Chaise for what he did. And how scared I felt when I thought he was following me as I walked the dark streets home.

Denise would definitely confront Chaise if I told her. And she would tell Meredith about the car. I didn’t want anybody to worry about me. It was nice that some people cared. But I had to face reality. I didn’t have a guardian angel protecting me from arrogant guys like Chaise or from potential stalkers. I had to look after myself and I didn’t want anybody to worry about me more than they already were… more than they should.

But I know, if I wanted to let things out of my chest, if I could tell anybody my deepest worries, I would tell only one other person.

So I opened my diary and started writing.

Dear Hunter…