Paint Over my Scars

Chapter 12

It was the time of year where the shops began to became decorated in the most festive Christmas decorations, some of them serene and brought peace to Monika, but others were loud and bright and nearly gave Monika a headache from the color. 

It was also the time of year when people stop ordering anything with pumpkin and replace it with peppermint hot chocolate that made their stomach warm and delighted. The bakery began cooking all holiday pastries once Thanksgiving has passed and the snow has blanketed itself upon the ground. Monika loved to cook early in the morning all the Holiday things; the different and wonderful smells made her excited for the upcoming holidays. 

Though pastries and the pleasant smells of them made her satisfied, Felicia wanted to decorate the place to the max. At the entrance, a skinny long tree was placed with multicolored bulbs and spirals and through the halls garland was draped along the place. Though Monika would rather have congruent decorations that all had the same shades of blue or gold or whatever colored she felt, but, since Felicia often drops several each year and most the tree would feel bare without them, different colored furnishings lite up the place. 

During this time of year, after seeing people give their friends and family presents in the bakery early and seeing the discounting for such gifts, Monika was usually more giving and relaxed than any other time period. She already had an organized list of all the gifts for friends and family that she was satisfied with. The only person that she had struggled with was Gilbert's. Nothing she could think of besides money was a good present. She knew he loved to draw, but she knew nothing about art supplies, he tattooed people for a living, but again nothing she could think. 

She had 3 weeks until Christmas and though it seemed to be a bit, Monika had worked much more with all the new customers and new food. For now, at least until she could think of anything else, she packed away some festive treats that she knew he liked and poured some of his favorite coffee in a cup. During her break, she rushed across the icy street, holding the box and the hot coffee in her gloved hands. 

Monika could see Gilbert sitting on the coach through he glass windows, reading and talking to another man who seemed to be familiar to her. She breathed in and walked through the door, hearing the chime of the bell go off. 

Gilbert looked up, "Hello Monika! What a pleasant surprise," He set the book by him and stood up, hugging Monika as a hug- it was short and sweet, nothing that should have made Monika's heart race so fast and her cheeks burning, but it still did. 

He released her and she spoke slowly, "I brought you some cookies and coffee, there was extra," She gave him the box and the coffee.  

His eyes widened once he opened it. The man from behind the desk hurried over to look. "Monika, thank you!" He took a gingerbread man out and took a bite and while still chewing it he said, "I don't think I've introduced you to my coworkers. This is Matthew, the receptionist," He pointed to the man next to him, the one that ran from behind the desk.

He wasn't a typical man that you'd see at a tattoo parlor- his face was smooth and looked childish with chubby cheeks and innocent purple eyes that had round glasses surrounding them. His hair was light blonde and curly and nearly touched his chin. The tattoos on his arms weren't a harsh black like Gilbert's they were brown and had a nature theme to it, deer, vines, flowers, all delicate and beautiful. The only piercing he had was a septum ring which you had to squint to see the gold ring. 

His face turned red at Gilbert calling him out,"Hello, ma'ma," He whispered, grabbing a cookie and walking off behind the desk. 

"I don't have any appointments, would you like to eat them in my office?" Gilbert asked, smiling at her widely.