Rigged Pet | Rapline

24

Nia places a handful of hanged dresses onto a rack, making sure they were in order of size. She fans herself, breaking a sweat from going back and forth from the back with different assortments of clothes.

Nicole approaches her from behind the front desk, writing things down on a clipboard, "This the last of it?"

"Yeah. There's still some boxes of shoes but I figured they can stay back there." Nia informs, walking over to a bench and sitting down.

"Alright, you can go for your break if you want." Nicole double checks the numbers on her sheets, "I might close the store early."

Nia quirks a brow, "Why? We get most customers later in the day."

"I know, but we have another shipment coming in and with there only being two of us, there won't be anyone in front watching the store."

The younger shrugs, "Alright, you want anything while I'm out?"

Nicole shakes her head and makes her way back behind the desk.

Nia slips on her jacket, grabs her purse and leaves the store.

Outside, she's instantly hit with an intense, cool breeze. Her body shivers momentarily before she starts walking down the street.

She doesn't have a set destination, too hungry to care. If the food smells and looks good, she's willing to eat it.

Nia stumbles upon a bar, mouth watering at the thought of greasy bar food. Without another thought, she enters.

There's not a lot of people present, being midday. Those who are around look to be middle aged and older, presumably usuals to the establishment.

She makes her way over to the bar, sitting on a stool and places her purse in her lap. She waits patiently for the bartender to tend to her.

Once he does, she orders a burger, fries, and jalapeño poppers, having a sprite to drink.

Nia starts to grow anxious when multiple men offer to buy her drinks. At first she was flattered, but she soon started to get creeped out.

They're becoming more and more straightforward. Asking her what she's doing later, if she's into older guys, if she's willing to follow them into the bathroom.

Nia is beyond disgusted, and when her food arrives, she asks if she can get a container to go.

She feels eyes on her as she leaves the bar, and starts to speed walk back to the boutique.

An unnerving feeling washes over her as she walks, prompting her to look behind her.

One of the more persistent males, who introduced himself as Gabriel, is walking a few feet behind her.

Her guard is now completely up as she picks up the pace of her steps.

Though it's still light outside and there's a lot of people around, she still feels unsafe. There are so many cases of women being harassed and assaulted in broad daylight, she can never feel completely safe.

Gabriel whistles, "Hey sweetheart! Where you headed?" he calls out for her, wearing a smug grin.

Nia ignores him, focusing on making it back to the store.

Her blood runs hot when she feels hands on her hips, "Don't touch me!" she pushes him back, dropping her food in the process, but that's the least of her concern.

"Why not? You got a boyfriend or something?" he questions tauntingly, shamelessly checking her out.

She nods, "I have two actually, so fuck off." he blows out another whistle, "Damn, so you must be a big freak. Wanna add another to the bunch?"