12

Chapter 12

I still can't believe I actually invited Richard if he would like to spend my day-off with him. If he would say no I would actually prefer that. However, if he says yes, I don't think he would enjoy how I spend my day.

"It's fine if you will decline." I followed up.

"Why would I? I would love to spend the day with you." he replied. He turned the car off and followed me outside with a smile on his face.

I never actually thought that he would say yes but I have to stand by my decision inviting him in the first place.

"Is there some place you would like to go?" I asked him. I think this might be the time to show him around since many changes and progress has been made here since his last visit.

He rubbed his neck. "I don't know. I only remembered the French café that serves tarts and opera cake."

"Oh! Café Patina!" I exclaimed when I recalled what he was talking about. "Unfortunately they closed their shop a year ago. Now it's been replaced by a candy shop."

"Why don't you show me what you usually do during your day-off." suggested Richard.

"Um.. I normally just stroll around and visit different stores that catches my attention." I glanced at  Richard. "I know it sounds boring but I actually enjoy walking around with nothing on my mind."

"Then let's do that."

We made our first stop at the local bookshop. "Hi Carl! Good to see you again." said Mrs. Edith Woodhouse, the cheerful storeowner.

I waved and returned the greeting. "Good to see you too Edith."

She noticed Richard standing behind me and acknowledged his presence. "Good morning! How can I help you?"

Richard timidly smiled and murmured "Good morning."

"He's actually with me." I chimed in.

"Oh! How nice of you to bring your boyfriend. Lately I've been tempted to pair you up with my niece since you always come by the store all by yourself."

I haven't seen Richard's reaction but I felt my face heat up. "Uhm. Actually Edith, he's my boss. I'm just showing him around town." I immediately corrected.

"Oh. I'm sorry for that." Edith let out an awkward laugh. "What type of stories are you looking for today?" she tried changing the subject by asking me a question.

"I'm still unsure of what I'd like to read actually. Would you mind if I look around the store?"

"Not at all! I also have some newly arrived stocks but I haven't opened them up yet. If you're interested you can open the box at back."

I thanked Edith and made my way to the shelves. I grabbed one book that caught my attention with its title and read its synopsis when I felt the presence of Richard became closer.

"You didn't have to crush her like that. Have you seen her beaming when he thought that I was your boyfriend." he whispered in my ear. His statement alone made me fluster but his warm breath on my ear compelled me to tremble involuntarily.

I used the book I was holding to swat his stomach. I heard him cough twice from the sudden blow. Deserved.

"What? I don't mind pretending." he managed to mumble in between breaths.

"I do mind." I declared. "I'm a frequent customer here and I don't want people to have the wrong idea about me."

"Wrong idea about what?" Richard asked.

"That I am in a relationship."

Not satisfied with the summary, I returned the book on its shelf and decided to explore the Horror and Thriller section. Richard followed me as usual. I just wish he would get off my back just for once. I feel like Big Brother is watching my every move.

I scanned the shelf for interesting titles until one book caught my eye. HP Lovecraft: The Complete Fiction. A compilation of all Lovecraft's stories. I immediately raised my arm to reach it. The only problem is that- it was placed at the top shelf and I can't reach it. I tiptoed and forced my body to reach the book but the tip of my finger only touched the spine.

Without a warning, Richard, who's way taller than me, stepped in and tried to get the book on my behalf. His arms towering over mine while our bodies too close to each other. Instinctively I stepped back and pushed his large frame away from me to give me some personal space.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked him.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm just helping you get what you want." he retorted.

"I can get it by myself."

"Oh really? Have you seen yourself trying to reach the book? Such a sad sight." At first he looked mildly annoyed but then he stared at my face for a moment and started to burst out laughing.

"Wait, wait, wait!"

"Huh?"

"You're blushing right now." he said.

I stared at him with much confusion. I don't know where's he's going with this.

"Come on. Why don't you just admit it."

"Admit what?"

"That I actually turned you on."

Dumbfounded with his conclusion, I punched his arms as a reaction. "No you did not!" I hissed. I just can't tell him how uncomfortable I felt when his dick brushed behind my lower back. "And I can get the book on my own!" I announced and moved the sliding ladder to my desired location which I should have done a while ago. I got the book and smugly handed it to him as proof that his assistance was just unnecessary.

"Okay. If you say so." he surrendered but I know that he meant that sarcastically.

"Please wipe that smirk off your face. You're smiling for nothing."

I paid for the book and we got out of the bookshop. I ignored his crazy antics and kept my professional mode on as we walked around town discussing all the changes they made here while he was gone. It's almost noon when we finished the tour and I decided to treat him for lunch in a nearby diner. To my surprise he enjoyed the food with gusto and insisted on paying for the meal. After a lengthy conversation and a threat of never speaking to him again if he persisted, he finally relented and I paid for our meal. I considered that as a small victory.

We were on our way back to his car when I heard someone called my name. I turned around and saw a familiar face. I scoured every neurons in my brain to recall who he was but I still can't figure out his identity.

"It's me! Damien!" he proclaimed. That's when I remembered who he was. "It's good to see you!" he said and unexpectedly went in for a hug. I didn't know how to react so I just tapped his shoulder blade awkwardly as a response.

Richard pointed at Damien and asked, "Who's he?"

I broke the hug and introduced the new guy. "Damien, I want you to meet Richard, my boss. And Richard, this is Damien, my college roommate."

"Nice to meet you." Damien offered his hand but Richard kept his arms crossed.

Damien then turned to me when he felt the animosity of my companion. "You haven't changed at all! You still look the same the last time I saw you." he said as a compliment.

"I'm not sure if that's even a good thing." I laughed as a response. "I mean look at you. If you haven't said your name I wouldn't have recognized you. You went from Steve Rogers to Captain America real quick."

He chuckled. "Yeah. I remembered when you told me that if I worked out a bit and get a haircut I would get all of the ladies, it turns out you're actually right."

"Oh that." I remembered that time when he cried the whole night when he found out that his girlfriend was cheating on him with some frat boy. It was just a tongue-in-cheek advice that I said to him to stop himself from crying. I didn't expect that him to actually took it seriously.

"But look at you! Still looking youthful. I'll totally believe you if you'll say that you're a vampire." he returned the compliment back to me.

I heard Richard clear his throat as an indirect indication that we have to go but I raised my hand to wait for a while since I wanted to chat more with my college buddy. He mouthed that he has to go and that we should be going. I nodded as a response that I will be following him in a minute.

"By the way, what are you doing here?" I asked Damien.

"I have a newly opened pastry shop nearby. Turns out I really love baking."

"Really? Good for you." I congratulated. "When did you start?"

"Just last month." he tilted his head as if he was observing something behind my back. "Uhmm. I think you're boss just left you." he said.

I looked back and sure enough, Richard and his car is nowhere in sight. I can't believe that rascal just took off without even saying goodbye.

"Wait! Did he just fire you? Oh no! I never should've approached you in the first place."

I giggled for a bit because he sounded genuinely worried.

"No it's alright. I'm on my day off." I told him.

"Oh, thank God!" He let out a sigh of relief. "I was worried it's my fault that you lost your job."

"He probably got impatient or something came up." I reasoned out.

"I would gladly offer you a job if you're actually fired though. Since you're off the clock, would you like to visit my shop? There's some new products I would like to launch in the future but I kinda need some third party opinion and I would love to hear your opinion."

"Sure! I guess." I agreed. I was abandoned by my ride anyway so I think I have the whole afternoon for myself.

"Perfect!" Damien placed his arm around my shoulder just like old times. "I'll lead the way."