The Human Mate

Chapter 2

The launch of my parents' supermarket went better than I imagined. We had so many curious customers turn up to see what we have in the store for them, what kind of deals this supermarket offers. Some looked grumpy but the majority of them looked relieved and happy to see a supermarket in their town.

We had a membership option where the customers will be given a card and they will get points every time they shop with us. Once the points reach a certain amount they can redeem them to buy what they want.

The customers seem to love that a lot.

My parents were over the moon at the number of customers they were getting. My mother couldn't stop smiling at every person who stepped into the building. Seeing them happy made me happy as well. They deserved this after their long city life.

"Thank you for stopping by," I said to one of the customers as they exited the building with a cart full of goods, "Here you go, a little token of gratitude from us. Please, do come again" I said, handing them a goodie bag with a pleasant smile on my face.

Another tactic to attract them again to the supermarket.

Just like I predicted, the customer looked more than happy to receive a free goodie bag, "Oh this is wonderful, thank you!" She said before accepting the bag and leaving with a huge smile on her face.

I sighed, glancing at the old wristwatch that my grandmother gave me, "We should expect fewer customers for the next two hours" I said to Kayla, "You guys can take a small break now" I smiled. They worked really hard since morning and it would be inhumane if I didn't let them rest for a few moments.

Kayla and the others nodded their heads and left quickly to the small pantry room that we have prepared for the workers here. Poor things, they must have been exhausted.

I smiled and went to the cash register to take Kayla's place while waiting for them to return. My father, who was sitting patiently at the next counter smiled at me, "Everything is going great?" I asked him, grinning widely at him.

My father nodded his head eagerly, "Yes, yes. It is going very well. I mean, I didn't expect to see these many customers turn up" He said, relieved and happy at the same time, "I must admit there was a small part of me that made me feel I wasn't going to get any customers" His face scrunched in worry.

I chuckled lightly at his insecurities, "I told you I made sure the people of Retsluv know, dad" I said, "This is the only supermarket in Retsluv that has it all. People would love it" I reassured him again.

My father smiled again, the skin around his eyes crinkling a little, "Yeah, I know you did. It is just, I don't know. I might have underestimated our efforts. It is good to see it getting the attention of people here though" He sighed, "And I have you. What is there for me to worry about when I have you, sweetheart?" He winked at me.

I laughed at that, "Good for you" I sang as a customer turned up at the counter with a cart full of goods, wanting to pay for it.

I immediately went to scan the items and proceed to bag all his things, "Here you go, sir. Have a good day" I said, handing him the receipt and a few coupons.

The day passed rather quickly after having a couple of slow business time. I didn't have much to do except hand out the goodie bags and help a customer find their way to the correct aisle to find what they want.

I was arranging a few fallen biscuit packets on the shelf when Kayla came for me, "It seems like I need a hand to check the stocks" She said when I looked up at her expectantly.

"I'll come," I said standing up but at the same time, Ricky came running to us, wearing a worried expression on his face.

I parted my lips to ask him what was wrong but Kayla beat me to it, "What's wrong?" Kayla asked, alarmed.

Ricky's worried eyes fell on me, "Bryce, it seems like one of the customers is unhappy with their purchase. I tried to explain to him but he seems adamant about not hearing me" He said everything in one breath, "Can you please come and talk to him?"

My eyes widened before a wave of irritation washed over me. I hated to deal with customers who are rude, "Ugh, isn't my father around?" I asked, hoping he would step in to help out.

But if my father was there then Ricky wouldn't be looking for me in the first place.

Ricky shook his head before I even finished talking, "I can't spot him" He said urgently, "Maybe he went to use the restroom or something" He added, raising his shoulders to shrug.

I looked to the side at Kayla and she looked troubled as well, "Maybe you should go make peace first before coming to help me" She said, an awkward smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

I really didn't want to deal with this now but I had no other choice, "Okay, I am coming" I said unwillingly after taking a deep breath, mentally preparing myself to be patient and not give in to my temper.

Ricky seemed to be relieved by my answer and gestured me to follow him which I did while shaking my head to myself. This is not something I expected for today. I wondered what kind of problem does this customer has on our first day here.

As we neared the customer care section, I could hear some bickering going on between Spencer and another man. Although I couldn't make out what he was saying, I couldn't help but notice how deep his voice was. I never knew someone's voice can leave such an impression on me until this very moment.

Who was he?

For some strange reason, I was eager to meet this person. To see the face of this person who had such an attractive voice. I picked up my pace behind Ricky and rounded the corner to see a dark-haired man with his broad back facing me, arguing with poor Spencer. Ricky gestured for me to look over at the two of them, oblivious to the fact that I was already looking.

"I told you I want to talk to the manager!" He said angrily, his shoulders were hunched and he stood there rigidly. I don't know what this man looked like, all I can tell was he was very tall and well-built.

Spencer was holding out her hands in front of her defensively, "Please, calm down, sir" She pleaded, "I am sure we can come to an agreement without having to see the manager" She said in a gentle voice.

Ah, I was not wrong when I accepted this girl into the supermarket. I mean, she was trying her best to solve this problem, and yet-

"I refuse" The man hissed rudely.

How very unfortunate. Someone who is attractive with trashy behavior.

All the attraction I initially felt for this man dissipated into the air just like that. I curled my hands into tight balls and let out a sharp breath before putting on a fake smile on my face, "Hi, may I ask what's the problem here?" I asked, crossing the little distance that was left, and went to stand next to Spencer.

Spencer let out a relieved breath, "Oh thank god, you're here. I am sorry, I tried to solve this on my own-" She said hurriedly but I shook my head at her with a soft smile on my lips.

"It's okay, what is the problem?" I asked, turning my head to the front to look up at the man in front of me for the first time.

My breath got caught in my throat when my eyes met with mesmerizing green eyes that were filled with shock and disbelief. For a few fleeting seconds, I couldn't seem to look away from those captivating orbs.

I blinked, coming back to my senses. I let my eyes focus on his face and once again, I was stunned by this man. How can anyone look as good-looking as he is? I cannot remember myself being so attracted to a stranger before him.

As I looked at him in awe, I noticed that his eyes held a strange emotion in them. His mouth was slightly ajar as if he was surprised to see me there.

"Apparently this customer here thinks that everything here is overpriced" I heard Spencer say, pulling me out from the captivating trance this man had on me.

I blinked again and quickly averted my eyes. The last thing I want is for him to think I was checking him out, "Oh, I am sorry you think that way sir" I said, clearing my throat, "I can reassure you that everything here is fairly priced according to the quality of the product" I paused to look up at him again.

He raised his nose in the air and sniffed before shuddering, his eyebrows pulling together as his eyes fluttered close in delight for a moment. Then he looked up at me again, those green eyes were still somewhat in disbelief.

I wish I can say that isn't creepy at all.

I brushed that weird behavior away and continued what I was going to say, "It is never our intention to rip excessive money from our customers. Our customers' satisfaction is our priority sir" I smiled politely, happy with the words that I had chosen.

His gaze remained fixed on me as if he still didn't recover from the shock, "Sir?" I asked when he continued to gawk at me without saying anything. I scanned his face and then glanced down at the bag he was holding. My eyes widened a little when I noticed his hands were trembling.

My eyes shot up to look at him again, this time in concern. Was this man getting sick? "Are you okay, sir?" I asked. Something in me was calling out to touch him, to see if he was okay. I found myself reaching out to put my hand on his arm.

But he flinched away from me before my hand can touch his body, "Uh-uh- never mind" He let out a ragged breath, taking a step away from me, his eyes never leaving me even for a split second.

I dropped my hand to the side. I opened my mouth to ask him if I can help him with anything else but my words died in my throat as the man turned on his heels sharply and rushed away from there, leaving the supermarket.

My jaw fell open in shock and I glanced at Spencer, "What was that about?" I asked her, "He just left angrily without saying anything" I shook my head to myself. I was going to give him a goodie bag to make him feel better though.

Well, his loss, I guess.

Maybe this is something to look forward to. There is always one customer who is unhappy with literally everything.

"I don't know" Spencer mumbled to herself, "I really thought he was going to destroy this place. He was glaring so hard-" She looked up at me, "I was really scared though" She sighed, shaking her head.

I thought about it for a few seconds, "Maybe he found something cheaper from another supermarket" I mused, "Spencer, I want you to recheck the items and their price tags. I don't want anyone coming in to complain about the same thing" I commanded her.

Hopefully, this won't repeat after this.

"Yes, Bryce. I'll look into it" Spencer agreed right away without missing a beat.

I nodded at her, pleased with her answer, and made my way to Kayla to help her as she asked earlier. All the while, I couldn't stop thinking about those green eyes.

I wondered if I ever meet him again but then shook my head, I must be going crazy for hoping to meet a weird stranger again.