"Thank you for your purchase, maam. Please come again." Hitomi said with a huge smile. The customer went out of the store, satisfied with her purchase in hand. Other customer from the store also thanked Hitomi for her help.
Their appreciation made her somehow happy, that Hitomi couldn't help but smiling.
"You look happy, Hitomi-san... Did something good happen?" ask the manager, Mr. Toshio. He's blocking her way to the storage room now. Hitomi knows well what he been meaning to ask her all morning, but she tries to hold it out for as long as she can.
Unmistakably, Mr. Toshio probably to ask her about what happened inside Ayumi Reiner, their employer car the other day. He and other girls from the store have a bet that Ayumi must have fired Hitomi then, but so far nothing has happened.
Naturally, he's dying to find out .
"Toshio-san?" Hitomi voice suddenly call out. The manager quickly turn his head at her.
"Yes, Hitomi-san?"
"Could you move a little? I need to put these shoes at the back."
"Oh, yes! Of course... Please..." he said and let her pass through. Even Hitomi is acting as if nothing happened. He doesn't know her well, but he known Ms. Ayumi for years. She wouldn't had let the newbie off that easily. Something must've happened inside of the car. As he continues to ponder, Hitomi suddenly re-appear.
She's looking at the manager with a worried expression on her face.
"Toshio-san, is something the matter?" she ask. The manager quickly shakes his head.
"Err, nothing. Lunch hour is coming up… do want to join us?" he says, try to appear normal. Hitomi nodded her head. Ever since she started working at the shoe boutique, this is the first time the manager have invited for lunch. Usually, they would act so cliquey. Hitomi couldn't believe that today will be the day she'll be joining them.
"Yes, I would love that." She reply. The manager nods.
"Great. We'll see you at 1.00 p.m then." he added. Hitomi give him a smile.
There's about four workers, including Ayumi Kato working at Reiner's Shoe boutique at that moment. All of them had been working there for a long time and from their stories; they seems to love their job. Most have a fond memories of Chiharu Reiner, Ayumi older sister.
According to the workers, she was kind and friendly to everyone. The workers adores her and the customer love her for her elegant style. If Ayumi's talent lies in designing shoes, then Chiharu thrives in selling it. She had a knack for knowing what customers wanted before they even say it.
But that was before. Nowadays, people only come into the store and go after buying. Not only Ayumi's sister is gone, but so does the warm environment she had once created.
"I heard Ayumi-san is considering moving her shoes into warehouse and start selling it on the online platform. She even thinking about firing more people in order to cut the cost." The Manager said with a gloomy face.
Hitomi frowns.
"But, that's terrible... If she did that, what's going to happen to us?" Hitomi asks. They all look at each other before left out a sigh and shrugging their shoulder.
"Tell me about it... Things are changing around here. I can feel it." One of her co-worker added. Her shoulder are slump. The other workers that heard his story nodded and sighs themselves.
"But, lucky for us... Ayumi-san shoes is still selling out like a hot cake. I think our jobs will be safe for a while." said the more optimistic one. Hitomi look at her smiling, but others wasn't convinced. They still a little worried about their future.
"Actually, there's another rumour flying around. About Ayumi-san retiring from shoe business." The manager said.
"What???" Hitomi and two other said in unison. The manager quickly put one finger on his mouth.
"Ayumi-san has never been the same since Chiharu-san death. You all know that, right?" he asked two other workers who been working before Hitomi.
They both nodded their head.
"A former acquintances of Ayumi-san even specualate that the day she lost her – Ayumi's san lost her golden touch." The manager added.
Upon hearing that, everyone has turned silent.
"Is Chiharu-san, Ayumi-san muse?" Hitomi interjects. The manager and two other workers immediately look at her. Hitomi looks a little shy.
"I guess you can say that..." the Manager reply. His eyes are still looking at Hitomi.
"You know, Hitomi-san. Come to think of it.... You kinda look like her."
"Who?"
"Chiharu-san. If your hair is a little longer, you might pass as her." Hitomi immediately shakes her head.
"What? Chiharu Reiner and a plain little Jane like me? Surely you guys must be mistaken?" Hitomi responded with a forced laugh. Others continues to look at her, fascinated by the resemblance. They all nodded their head in unison.
"You're right, Manager-san. She kinda look like her, doesn't she?" others begins to chimes in. Hitomi gradually become uncomfortable.
"You guys, please... I'm nothing like the late Chiharu Reiner." Hitomi denies. The other are shaking their heads. Hitomi feel like nothing she says will get to them at this point. She silently surrenders.
'You look so much like her...'
At that moment, Ayumi's voice begin replaying in her head. Hitomi shakes her head. No. There's no way that could be true. She doesn't look like Chiharu Reiner. They must've mistaken.
'Be my pet.'
Another one of her words, replaying in her head again. Hitomi begin to touch her temple. What is wrong with me? Why am I remembering her words again? She just messing with me, that's all. There's nothing more to that.
After lunch, everyone continue their work at the store as usual. Hitomi finds herself becoming busy again. She didn't have a chance to rest, as the customer keeps coming into the store. They are not kidding when they said that her shoe's are selling like hot cakes. It's only shortly after 10.00 p.m, that she find herself be able to relax again.
"Good work today, Hitomi-san." the Manager says with a smile.
Hitomi nodded her head. "Yes. Thank you for your hard work, Toshio-san."
"Same back to you. Here's the spare key. Make sure to lock all the doors before you go home, okay?" he added. Hitomi nodded her head again. As the key fall to her hand, she had a feeling as if someone is looking at her from the outside. Hitomi paused and saw her again.
"Ayumi-san?" she said quietly to herself. The Manager frowns his forehead.
"Did you say something?" he ask back. Hitomi shakes her head. But, she know what she saw earlier. Ayumi Reiner is outside. Her body freezes again.
I don't feel like going home.
*****
"Hey, you…" Hitomi heard a voice calling her from behind. She turned around. It's Ayumi Reiner, walking at her in slow-motion. The sound of her heels thumping on the ground loudly can be heard. Hitomi stopped and faces her.
"Can we talk?" she asks. Hitomi blinks a couple of time. Silently, she nodded her head. Ayumi walks a bit closer. Now that they are a few meters apart, Hitomi can see her clearly now. She looks as beautiful and radiant as before. But there something lingering inside her eyes… Something dark and urgent. She herself wasn't sure what it is,
"Yes, Ayumi-san?" she said, after a long silence.
Ayumi crossed her arms together."Are you getting off from work?" she asks.
Stating the obvious… Hitomi looked at the closed door behind her. She nodded again.
"Have you eaten?" Ayumi asked her. Hitomi shakes her head.
"Good. In that case, you can come with me."
"Come with you?"
"Yes. We're going to eatery place nearby."
"But, I..."
"No excuse. Just come with me." she says. Hitomi look around her nervously. There's no one there to help her out. What should she do? Should she follow Ayumi Reiner inside of her car again? She having the flashback of their meeting a couple of days ago. She frowns shortly after remembering what happened. That was unpleasant. She look at Ayumi face again. She remain emotionless as before.
Without even realizing, Hitomi takes one step backwards.
"What's the matter? Are you afraid of me or something?" she asks her. Hitomi shakes her head. There's no way she's going to tell Ayumi-san that. She still afraid of what she might do.
"No, I'm just feeling a little bit under the weather, that's all. I think I'm just gonna go home." she said. It wasn't entirely a lie. She did felt a little bit chilly earlier. A little bit rest at home would do her just fine.
"It's okay. I can send you home. We'll take my car." Ayumi insisted.
"It's alright... I can take a train home." Hitomi reply.
Ayumi left out a heavy sigh.
"No. It's troublesome. Besides, the train is shutting off soon. You better come with me." she said. Her reasoning my be logical, but Hitomi is doesn't fully trust Ayumi.
"You're so persistent, Ayumi-san. Tell me, is there something else you planning back there?" Hitomi ask her without hesitation.
Ayumi look a little taken back, "I don't understand what you mean."
"I'm curious... Do you want me to come with you so I can become your pet?"
"You already refused earlier. Why talk about it again?"
"I am still suspicious of you."
"Why? Do I look untrustworthy? If so, why did you come back to work?"
"Because I got nowhere else to go."
"I told you, you can always...."
"Go to your home and become your pet? No thanks."
"Suit yourself. But I still insist in sending you home today."
"I already told you. I don't want too."
"But, I do. I'm worried about you going home late alone. Please?" she says. Hitomi look down at her feet.
"I'm sorry... but I..." before she could finish her words, she fell a drop of rain falling on her cheek. Hitomi look up and feel a few more drops falling on her forehead. Slowly, rain starts to become heavy.
"It's raining..." she utters. Ayumi didn't look up. Her eyes are busy watching Hitomi's face.
"In any case, you got no choice now. I already raining this bad. Are you still going to refuse me?" Ayumi added. When Hitomi didn't answer, Ayumi silently grab her arm. This time Hitomi didn't say anything. Her feet continues to follow Ayumi until they finally make it to her car.
As soon as she get inside, Hitomi already shivering. It didn't help that she's wearing very thin jacket today. Ayumi take notice and immediately grabbed the blanket she had saved in the car.
"Feel a little better?" she asks. Hitomi nodded.
"Thank you, Ayumi-san..." she replied. Ayumi rubbed her back to try keep her warm. But, it's not working. Hitomi's shivering only gets worse.
"Can I hold you?" Ayumi asks in a low voice. Hitomi immediately turned to her.
"Eh?"
"Just until we get you home. I promise that I won't do anything else." she added. Hitomi blinks at her a few times. Then, she slowly nodded. Ayumi positioned herself so she could wrapped her arms around Hitomi. As soon as she hug her, Hitomi can feel an instant warmth emitting from her body.
"You feel warm." she commented. Ayumi smiles a little.
"I'm sorry it annoys you."
"No, this doesn't. It's.... comforting."
"I'm glad that my body heat could be a little help at the time like this." Ayumi added. But, Hitomi is no longer listening. Silently, she had fallen asleep on Ayumi's shoulder.
"I can't believe she's already fallen asleep..." Ayumi commented. She removes a couple of wet stray hair from covering Hitomi's face. She is still sleeping soundly.
"Sweet dreams, onee-san." she says quietly. Slowly, she rested her own cheek underneath Hitomi's head. As the rain continues to fall heavily, the car makes it ways to Hitomi's place. All while its passenger sitting still and fast asleep.
- End of Chapter 2 -