Peculiar Case of an Alpha (KENTELL)

CHAPTER 16

Reika quickly ran down the stairs shouting. "I'll be going out!"

A woman in her 30s looked at her direction. Her waist-long brunette hair dances as she moves, and her thick squared glasses make her eyes look smaller than they should be. "Already? You haven't eaten lunch" She answered while dressing up the mannequins. Though her younger sister didn't answer back and found the older woman being hugged by her

"I'll just eat at the mall. Mariah said she's already waiting for me."

Reika received an invite from her best friend to hang out. She mentioned how she already had her first salary and wanted to treat her. Of course, the woman couldn't deny such invite.

The older sister tilted her head. "Really? Then-"

"Oh don't worry I got extra money. Remember when I said that my internship gives me a salary also?"

The older woman crossed her arms. "Right. The internship that you applied at who knows' fashion company."

"Come on sis, you're not my mom to know everything."

"EXCEPT. I'm your guardian."

"Relax! It's not illegal- oh gotta go. I'll go home by seven, love ya!"

Her sister rebutted but Reika was fast enough to escape their boutique. The delicate wind chime sings as she swings the door wide and the older sister can only stare by the open windows of her running ahead. She sighed and shook her head.

She returned to work muttering words under her breath. "If ma only knows your thick-headed skull Reika."

The structure of the boutique was already old and meek. Sunlight filters through sheer curtains, casting intricate patterns upon the polished wooden floor of the shop. The boutique is carefully curated, and each item seems to have been chosen with thoughtful intention. Weathered oak tables near the cashier's table hold an array of delicate jewelry, Racks of clothing, line the walls, each piece meticulously positioned.

This was only the first floor. The second floor holds the sisters' abode, wherein they grew their whole lives. It was still early and the woman did not expect any customers. So she couldn't help but jolt when she heard the wind chimes dance.

She quickly revealed herself from the blind spot and glanced at the door. "Welcome."

The woman lifted her eyebrows. A man entered her shop. It was unusual to see men in her boutique since her items are dedicated to young girls. On top of that, he is handsome. He wears a white round T-shirt layering it with a black leather jacket. Sunglasses adorned on his head and the woman is greeted with a warm smile from him.

She heard him speak. "Ruby Quiambao?"

Ruby's guard went up. She backed away a little and hesitantly answered. "Yes? Do you need something?"

The man walked closer, wanting to talk but as he noticed the woman getting tensed, he remembered something and pulled it up from one of his pockets.

"Oh sorry sorry, I don't usually reveal my identification when I'm working. Got used to it." He then lifted a silver badge, shimmering.

The man smiled wide. "I'm from the polic-"

"That's fake." Ruby cut him and the man quickly frowned.

"Is it too fake looking?"

"No. But you're really bad at acting. At least take some acting lessons."

Hearing it made the man groan. "God, and I just newly bought it." He sighed, scratching his head. He didn't expect the woman to be knowledgeable enough. But since he was already here, he decided to reach for a handshake. He spoke.