Pov-???
You entered the store, maintaining a shy smile, delicately holding the door, taking care of it as if the world depended on it. Some rays of sunlight filtered through the window, illuminating the beige sweater you were wearing, those jeans that hugged your legs to highlight them.
You look at the floor, perhaps worried that your boots might bring in dirt that could stain this place. It's my bookstore, but believe me, I wouldn't be bothered by something as silly as that. After all, for you, I can put up with it.
You started walking down the aisles, glancing quickly at the books. There are probably so many, and since it's your first time in this bookstore, you don't know where to look. And that's when you decide to speak.
"Hey. Do you work here?"
Your voice is music to my ears. I really wouldn't mind if every morning when I woke up, the first thing I heard was your voice telling me that breakfast was ready. Hearing your voice before I went to sleep would also be simply wonderful.
Unfortunately, your words were not directed at me... They were for HIM.
A new employee. The interview was awkward, I remember it well, he just gave his first and last name. He didn't mention his age or what he liked to do. I didn't care much either.
Although now it's a problem. He was mainly hired for his face. Although he tends to be a mannequin, he has good features and I thought I would use that to attract more female customers to the store.
I didn't expect that decision to backfire on me.
"Guilty," he said.
He didn't bother to look up from the book in his hands to contemplate your beauty.
You're not here for anyone to see you, but your bracelets jingle. So you like a little attention. I'm interested.
You shouldn't waste your energy dealing with him. He's too apathetic. Maybe you made a mistake. You should have talked to me.
"Can I help you with anything?" Ayanokoji, my employee of the month.
He decided to close the book he was holding in his hands and turn his eyes toward you. At least I hope so, he has his back to me so I can't tell if he's looking into your eyes or at your lips.
Well, I have to say that he's not the type to look at lips, I think.
"Paula Fox." From the cash register, I can see that you say it with determination.
A choice I wouldn't expect from you. Surprising. At least now I know you're not an insecure woman looking for a Faulkner book she'll never finish reading.
"Good choice." "I swear I hired him to work, not to give his opinion."
I'll add that to the list of reasons to fire him.
"I feel strangely validated," you say as you smile.
"Follow me." Ayanokoji guides you to the next aisle of shelves.
"Famous authors? I didn't think she was well known." "I can only hear your voice.
Looking at your face among the books is difficult, and I feel like if I get any closer, I'll be discovered. Maybe peeking a little won't be so noticeable.
"Well, uh, according to the manager, she's Courtney Love's maternal grandmother. Did you know that?" He runs his hand through his hair to fix it while he talks to you.
"I didn't know that."
The former owner wanted even the lesser-known authors to be here. Ayanokoji began to look at the books carefully, missing the mesmerized look with which you are looking at him.
It shouldn't be like this. That look of yours should be directed at me, not him. He doesn't deserve it.
Supposedly, people buy what's famous... It's disappointing that people are like that. Ayanokoji picked up a Stephen King book and began to leaf through it.
"How sad that people buy books just because they're popular." You lowered your gaze and clutched your bag as you looked at the book he was holding in his hands.
You still couldn't take your eyes off him. Ayanokoji simply put the book back in its place.
"So, Paula Fox is on top of the shelf, do you need me to get it for you?" He pointed to the book.
"Oh, don't worry, I've got it."
As you stretched out your arm, I noticed that you weren't wearing a bra. Did you know you could take advantage of that opportunity to see if he noticed? You wanted him to notice...
If you had done that to me and this were a movie, I would hug you and we would do it against the bookshelf. I guess it's my turn to have you.
Ayanokoji isn't worth it for you. You would probably argue a lot and have many problems because of how distant he is.
I will protect you from that problem. I protect what belongs to me, and YOU belong to me.