Perfectly Imperfect

12. Annoyed and embarassed

I worked Saturday mornings until noon but never really minded it. Key West returned having a normal amount of customers inside now that the sale was over and everything was back to its very expensive normal prices. I looked at my watch, only an hour and a half before my first break of the day. I quickly began adding new items to the shelves with my coworker Andrea which I was starting to become closer to as friends. She was from Brazil and had came to the country 5 years ago off a studying visa. She was around my height, with a tan skin complexion and curly black hair. She reminded me of myself in many ways and we had interest in almost all the same things. "Girl you won't believe how messy the crazy ass customers left this store when he had that sale" she ranted shaking her head. "I was ready to fight all the customers who would randomly leave clothing in another section of the store. I stayed here until 12am putting everything back in its place!" I could tell she was pissed, but then again this is what the job comes with. And customers are always right on top of that. That was our #1 policy. I laughed and shook my head as well. "Well for one, it is worth that fat check we get every week!" I teased. It was always so funny to me when Andrea got mad. Her accent and everything was so cute and would put us all in tears rolling whenever she's insults a person. "Btw, when are we gonna start going to the gym? I was waiting for you to give me a call" she asked me. Like myself, Andrea was very fit and toned, and enjoyed working out as much, or even a little more than I do. She has the perfect body and makes all the male customers stop and stare, even trying to flirt with her on a daily basis. She was used to he attention and seemed to enjoy turning down the guys that approach her. " hmm about the gym, we should probably go next week, but a different location than the one I had told you about before". I said remembering my encounter with Harim.  "What was wrong with the first location"? She asked with a confused look on her face. "Nothing But I checked the other ones and they look much better" I said as I made my way back to the cash register. It obviously was a lie because all the locations looked the exact same way, but she didn't bother asking me further more.
As I finish checking out the last customer in line, my heart drops as I see none other than Harim walk in the store. What is he doing here? How did he know I worked here? My first instinct was to blame Samirah for maybe telling him I worked here, but then I thought of it and it made complete sense why he'd be here. He probably shops here very often, and because I'm new to working here, I didn't realize it until now. Of course he would blow all his money on a store as expensive as Key West. I thanked God there where no customers in line, and made my way to the storage room trying to find something that needed to be arranged. Anything to keep busy and to avoid him seeing me. Five minutes later, I take a peak outside, only to find him still shopping around. He wore a plain white shirt that was tight with khaki jogger pants. He had many things in his hands and from he looks of it, he probably wouldn't be done shopping anytime soon. I started organizing the racks straightening out clothes for another 10 minutes. Until Andrea comes in the storage room as well. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the cash register right now?" She asked. Of course I wasn't gonna tell her that I was avoiding the dude in the white shirt so I told her I was told to tidy up the back. She looked at me with the 'yeah whatever' face, and just continued on. "Did you see that guy with the white shirt Samirah?" She said with a wide grin on her face. Of course she was talking about Harim. I played as if  I didn't know who he was and just answered her question. "Yeah I saw him, what about?" I asked, like I didn't already know what she was about to say. "He is soo sexy girl. If he where to ask for my number best believe I will be giving it to him so quick" she told me with the hugest grin on her face. I laughed and shook my head. I could be the effect he had on women, and I told myself to never get caught in that trap. Ever. She then told me how he was a frequent customer and went on and on about how handsome she thought he was and the things she'd like to do with him ext. I toned her out and made sure to let her know that our manager Marianne could walk in any moment. To my surprise I was right. "Samirah, I'd like you on the cash register please, there's a customer waiting outside. Oh no I thought. This is exactly what I was hiding from! I quickly got up and made my way to the counter while Andrea got back to helping a customer find her size. I tried to walk along casually. The last thing I wanted Harim to see was me being nervous by him. I kept my eyes on the cash register but could feel his eyes looking straight towards me. Still I acted as if I didn't even know him and treated him like how I treat all the other customers. "Did you find everything okay"? I asked while scanning his multiple items. He had bought multiple pairs of  shirts around 50 dollars each at the least, with countless pairs of boxer shorts. Apart of me felt uncomfortable with checking out his items, but still I did my job. "Yeah but I couldn't seem to find a size underwear that would fit me correctly, you know.. skin tight". He looked me directly in the eyes with a straight face. I could tell he wanted to make me feel more uncomfortable than I already was, and that he was enjoying every moment of my discomfort. "Have you tried looking for another size?" I asked in the most professional way I could. I wasn't about to entertain this and felt limited as to what I can ask him to address his concern. " You guys only seem to have up to a large. A 1 x would've been perfect, I am a big guy after all". He looked at me waiting for my reply with a grin on his face, and I felt speechless. What exactly was he trying to imply? If this was Andrea she would be enjoying every second. I wish the manager had called her instead of me. My face became red and I quickly began putting his clothes in a bag. " your total is $358.09" I told him, still looking down. He pulled out 4 hundred dollar bills and I gave him the change. Finally he'd be leaving. "Have a nice day" I forced myself to say, being that it was store policy. I felt surprised and disgusted by his behavior and couldn't wait for him to leave the store. "You too habibi (my love), try not to run in the back next time when you see me yeah?"