Saved [n.h.]

Chapter 4

I woke up at the same time as yesterday's to prepare. Surprisingly, I finished earlier. I walked my way to work, enjoying the summertime air. I got there at around 10 minutes before 9. We usually open at around 9:30 so we start preparing at around 8:45. But when I arrived, Steph still wasn't at the store. She must've overslept. It's fine tho, I can arrange and set up ahead.

10 past 9, Steph arrived.

"Someone overslept." I said laughing.

"I'm so sorry. It's just -- I had a hard time sleeping last night. I felt like someone was watching me." Steph said tiredly.

"Are you sure you dont want to call in sick? You dont look so well." I told her worriedly.

"I'm fine, dont worry. I can handle myself." She said with a smile. You can tell she wasn't fine. Her lips didn't have color, the bags under her eyes were huge, her skin was pale, you can really say she wasnt doing okay.

At around 10 am, we had our 1st costumer of the day.

Since it was quite quiet inside the shop, I decided to play music. I turned our sterio on and played "Girls" by The 1975.

Since Steph and I had the same taste of music, we had a fun day in the shop. We danced and sang along the music we played, and believe it or not, our costumers were having fun too. They laughed and some even sang with us and some of the kids danced along.

At around 1 in the afternoon, we closed the shop to have lunch.

We ate at some restaurant I have never heard of. We took our sit and the waitress gave us our menu. It didn't take long for me to order. I just ordered a steak with lemonade.

We had a pleasant lunch, we had a good laugh and Steph lit up. At least food made her somehow feel better.

At around 2: 15, we went back to the shop to reopen. There were a couple of people waiting outside so we had to rush. We didnt want to keep them waiting any longer.

"Sorry to keep you waiting ma'am. What would you like to have today?" I said politely.

The lady wanted her self-portrait to be taken. She wanted the tarpoline size, the biggest one we got. And in fact the most expensive. Well, she looks like she can afford 10 of it anyway. I laughed at my own remark. Im funny... and crazy...

We got on with taking her picture since we got a few more people wanting their pictures to be taken.

She looked fierce in all those pictures that I took. She didn't smile in a single picture. Um, okay.

When she has chosen the pic she wanted to be printed out, Steph started editing.

"May we get your name ma'am?"

"Steinfields. Rosa Steinfields." The woman said coldly.

She was about 30-ish. She's young and very pretty. She was white, pale actually. Like a dead body kind of pale. She had red lips, pink cheeks (because of make up), strong and prominent cheek bones, brown, captivating eyes, and hair thats not too straight, not too curly.

"How many copies would you like to be printed?" I asked her with a smile.

"3." She said, not returning the smile nor sounding happy.

"That would be 45 dollars, Ms. Steinfields." I said. I got the money; she gave me 50 dollars, so I had to return 5.

"We'll have your photos ready by tomorrow. Would you want it to be delivered or someone will pick it up?" I asked.

"My boy will pick it up. Make sure those pictures are worth the money i paid you." She said coldly, of course.

"We won't let you down." I said happily.

She left and we went on with the other costumers.

-------------

We closed early again. Not because we'll go for dinner again but because Max had to do errands and Steph was kind of in a hurry too. After we checked all the photos had been printed and delivered or gotten, we closed the shop. It was about 6:45 when we did. So i got home around 7:00, more or less.

When I arrived, mom had been setting up the table.

"Oh, you're home early. Closed early again?"

"Yeah, Max had some errands to do with his girlfriend and Steph was kind of in a hurry too." I said to her, kind of nodding.

"Well, you're just in time for dinner." She said.

We're having one of my favorites for dinner, chicken curry!! I didn't realize how hungry I was until mom had set the food on the table. My tummy started rumbling and my mouth was watering.

I digged in and enjoyed the curry. I may have made a mess but i didn't really care. I looove what I'm eating. Mom told us about what happened to her today. She was visited by our neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Howell and there instant friends.

I told them about my day too. And we just went on and on until we had no more to talk about for today.

Jessica washed the dishes while I wiped the table. Well, wiped the mess I had made. But, meh, its the same.

After doing so, I went up to take a shower. I started the shower and waited for it to get to the temperature I want. I went in and started scrubbing myself.

But then I felt this uneasy feeling... like someone was watching me.

"Mom? Jessica?" but no answer. They must be downstairs.

Then there was that feeling again. It felt heavy. I hurried taking a shower then went downstairs.

I went to my laptop and opened my social sites. Since it was still early for me to sleep, I still have time to talk to my internet friends.

At around 11 in the evening, I started to feel sleepy. So I closed my laptop and brought it with me upstairs.

I laid down and tried to sleep. But i couldn't shake off that feeling of being watched. I only feel it when I'm in my room. I sat up and looked around my room... No one seems to be here.

I went to the terrace to get some fresh air. I might be needing it right now. I was just standing, admiring the place around me. Oh, I can see the beach from where I'm standing. But something caught my eye...

There was a man just standing there by the tree across our house staring at me. Plain staring at me. He was just there, leaning against the tree bark, looking at me. I felt really uncomfortable so I just went inside my room.

Why was he there? Was was he just staring at me? Did i do something? I dont remember hurting or offending someone...

This is scary as hell.

I lost myself in my thoughts that I didn't I had already fallen asleep.