Chapter 20: Rose

Rose 

• • • • •

I feel myself starting to melt from everyone's stares so I glanced up at him but he showed no care about it and just looked straight ahead. I suddenly looked at the space between us. We're too close therefore I moved a bit far from him. I thought that he wouldn't care too but I was wrong, he noticed it and moved closer to me instead.

I was about to distance myself from him again when he ordered me in his deep and strong voice, "don't."

"But..."

"Don't listen to them. Listen to me." He said softly.

I bit my lower lip and followed him. We stayed silent until we reached the supermarket. He faced me and said,

"You know what you'll be searching for. I'll take care of the rest. Just hurry up and I'll meet you at the counter." He reminded me and left early by myself.

I got a cart and started searching for the ingredients that I'll be needing in baking cupcakes.

The place is wide so it would take time for me to walk and search for the things needed that were placed on separate sections especially when I'm small and short. 

I admit. I really am short but I don't mind because I look cute with my height. 

I searched carefully and checked the ingredients on my cart if I have missed anything and yes I did.

Flour.

I searched for it and saw it on the top shelf. Heck. It's too far and I can't reach it!

I overextended my hand but I still couldn't reach it. I even jumped but the result is still the same.

I hate my height in situations like this.

Sighing in defeat, I held the cart and was about to walk away when someone reached the flour for me. I looked at the person beside me and saw a girl around my age. 

Or maybe a bit older than me. 

She is obviously taller than me. Has long black hair and dark brown eyes. She is simple and pretty. 

She gave the flour to me as she smiled but I could notice that she smiled didn't reach her eyes. I shrugged at the thought and smiled back at her.

"Thank you!" 

"No problem. I'm glad I could help." 

"Thank you very much. Sorry if I'm short haha." I laughed sheepishly at her while she chuckled. 

"It's fine."

"I'm Kira. What's your name?"

"Rose."

"What a lovely name!" I grinned at her. 

"Your name is lovely too." She smiled again, not reaching her eyes. I said 'thank you' as we walk together.

Somehow, it feels like I've known her for so long. 

Who really is she?

• • • • •

"It's really nice meeting you, Rose. See you!" 

"You too, Kira." 

Rose and I parted our ways. We have been talking for like, a couple of minutes or probably hours already and I don't even know how long Neal was waiting for me at the counter.

Oh, boy. 

I fastened my pace but when I got there, I didn't see him. He never told me which counter he would be waiting for so, I also checked every single one of the worktops but I still couldn't see him.  

Where could that man be? Did he leave me on my own because I was taking too long? Or maybe he isn't done and he's just in one of the sections?

I wasted no time and searched for him carefully, little beads of sweat started to trickle down on my forehead as I sighed in despair. Is he really going to leave me all alone in this place? I wonder. Turning around with a very troubled look on my face, the heels of my sandals accidentally stepped on someone's shoe, causing me to stop and close my eyes in panic.

How careless of me!

I bowed slightly to the person in front of me and bit my lower lip, seeing how big the mark I have left on his expensive shoe. "Sorry!" I apologized.

"I was looking everywhere for you. Where have you been?" Neal? 

My head snapped up at the man who was looking down on me with a blank expression on my face. He raised his eyebrow in question, waiting for my answer.

"I was talking to someone and forgot about the time. I'm sorry."

"Talking to who?" 

"Rose." His lips slightly curled downwards as he glanced on the cart. "I got all of it," I said, reassuring him. He just nodded and started walking towards the counter so I followed him.

I looked down on his shoe and saw the trace of footprint where I stepped on earlier. "Aren't you mad?" I asked him. 

"Mad?"

"Because I stepped on your shoe."

"No. Why?"

"Because I think that those shoes that you're wearing are very expensive and, I know that you always want to keep things clean."

"It's fine."

"Are you sure?" He stopped, glanced at me, and said, "tell me, would you get mad at the blind woman for spilling liquid on your clothing?" 

"Of course not."

"Why?"

"Because she's blind and it wasn't on purpose and also, it's not really a problem because—" I paused. Now I get it. I see what he's trying to imply. "I can wash it." 

"In short?"

"It was just an accident!" I smiled at him. He didn't explain it any further since I've got it. But wow. It's really surprising when he says things like this. He just nodded and continued walking.

"Good afternoon, serrr." Greeted the cashier. Neal ignored her and got the groceries out of the cart instead. She pouted like a duck and greeted him again but the result was still the same. One by one, he placed the stuff on the counter slowly while I stood beside him, watching him and the cashier's every move.

So, just Neal? Wouldn't she greet me, too? Or maybe she's refusing to acknowledge my presence because of this man beside me? And...

Is she batting her fake eyelashes on him? I can't really say that it's her natural eyelashes since I could clearly see that the ends are sticking out. 

She seemed ashamed because of Neal's cold treatment towards her so I decided to greet her back. "Good afternoon, Miss!" It seems like she's not liking it because she gave me a scowl and rolled her eyes at me. 

'Oh, wow. You're welcome!' I thought. It's probably more fun watching Neal as he continued placing the commodities on the counter.

Psh.