THE HANDSOME DOLL

CHAPTER VII

Im running to the flower shop again.

Because Im working at the office for a month and a half now, I've grown quite at ease even taking a nap at the office after I finished my chores. I assume that I still got an hour tonight but obviously I exceed and fell asleep. Thanks to Bruce who shakes me up. Though Im still late by 30 minutes. Its pay time tonight and I just hope that Mrs. Daniel can give me the whole amount. The deadline on my house's tax payment will be due next day.

"Im sorry Mrs. Daniel.." I uttered under my breath. Panting hard. The 15minutes marathon from the central office to the train station and to the market is no joke.

"Its okay, child." Mrs. Daniel said softly. "But I notice its getting frequent."

"I apologize Mrs. Daniel.. I'll be doing my best not to let this happen again"

I start the night by taking off my blazer jacket, switching into a simple black shirt and downing a flowery apron. Im duty at night together with two girls. Fay and Shirlie. They're both college students like me.

The people around here knows Im a girl because my brother used to buy flowers here for his girls and I had that pretty hair clip on my bangs. It was a gift of Mrs. Daniel from one of her tour overseas so to show my appreciation, Im wearing it here.

"Are you okay Blythe?" Fay asked.

"You look pale.." Shirlie added.

I pat my cheeks. Im not getting enough sleep this past few days because I found a new job after this. Well, Im always not getting enough sleep but its worse this time. The job's simple, Im just required to help customers on a night bakeshop. Besides, Im getting a free cake slice every night.

"I'm fine." I answered.

"Don't push yourself too hard Blythe." Fay said flashing me a smile which a returned sweetly.

I wish I can do that but I've got a lot of expenses to pay ahead.

We proceed by standing on our counters, wrapping flowers as the customers order.

All of a sudden, Fay's scream was heard all over the place. We rush on her counter and saw a drunken man holding her by the hair.

"I cha tod you, I wad.. pint tsulips!!" the man shouted.

"But Sir, I told you we don't have pink tulips delive.. Ahh!" Fay answered, the man gripping her hair hard she starts to sob.

"Let her go old man!" I shouted.

I pick up a stick supporting one of our flower displays and spank him, I did not stop until he let Fay go.

Fay run backwards as Shirlie comforts her.

"You boy how dare...!!" said the man, sober up from my beatings, he lunge on me, grab the stick, and threw it off.

Im about to step backwards but he move forward and slap me hard.

My mouth's filled with metallic taste instantly. He grabs me by the collar and shout on my face.

"Its lite no folksss teach cha' goods manney boy!" and slaps me again, sending blinding stars on my vision and I fall butt first.

He's about to grab me again when fortunately, some market patrol police notice him. They stop him from hitting me more. He struggles, but the police manage to subdue him.

Fay and Shirlie help me on my feet as Mrs. Daniel came rushing.

"Are you okay child? Does it hurt? Where?" she asked.

"Its nothing, just a minor tickles in the face Mrs. Daniel." I answered.

"Thank you Blythe." Fay murmured, still on tears.