The Human Mate

Chapter 7

"Did we receive stocks for canned tomatoes yet? It is running out in that aisle" I asked Kayla as I did an inventory check at the supermarket. My eyes scanned over the goods calculatingly, trying to estimate if it is enough for the week.

"We have notified the warehouse, Bryce" Kayla said, "It seems like they are experiencing a little technical problem at the moment but they did assure us that they will deliver the stocks by Friday"

I wasn't pleased with the delay but I know I had to tolerate it. Especially in a business like this, "Okay" I said, nodding my head, "I think I will handle the rest from here. You can go prepare to close the supermarket for the night" I glanced down at my wristwatch.

Kayla nodded and left me after that. I walked aisle by aisle, jotting down the inventory book as I did. Seems like what I predicted was right, people seem to love the new supermarket. I made a mental note to call the warehouse myself to place an order for a few more items.

"I expected to see you here"

I gasped, startled. I looked up to see Mr. Camelli standing there, casually with a shopping basket in his hand, "I am sorry, I didn't mean to startle you" He said quickly.

He flashed a small smile at me and it made him look so much younger than he is. Especially with the apparel, he had picked out tonight. He looked boyish in a pair of dark jeans and a black hoodie.

"Ah, Mr. Camelli" I greeted, composing myself, "What brings you here? Do you need any assistance in finding-"

"No, I already got what I was looking for," He said, making the words die in my throat. The way he looked at me made me squirm under his gaze and my cheeks flushed involuntarily, "I meant this, of course," He added, holding up the basket when I narrowed my eyes at him.

There was only one item in that basket and that is a bag of chips. Did he come here only to get this one thing? "Did you find the pricing to be satisfactory?" I asked him, locking gaze with him again, "We have looked into every single item and made sure nothing is overpriced or broken"

He nodded his head, his hair falling like silk against his forehead. Did he have a shower before he came here? My fingers suddenly itched to feel the texture of his hair."Yes, I did. Thank you for receiving a customer's feedback and improving from it" He said, his lips curving into a small yet pleasant smile. It was always good to hear from a satisfied customer.

"As I said before, our customer's satisfaction is our priority, Mr.Camelli," I said, glancing down at the inventory book only to notice that I am done with it, "Do you need anything else? We are about to close the-"

"Bryce, I have-" I heard my mother call out and I looked behind to see her walking towards us but she stopped where she was when she saw Mr.Camelli, "Oh, you are attending to a customer. Never mind" She said, walking backward.

I sighed, "Mom, what's wrong?" I asked her, completely turning my body away from Mr.Camelli to face her.

She stopped in her steps, "Of course, you would think something is wrong" She chuckled under her breath, shaking her head, "I just need help in lifting a few boxes, that's all. It is not urgent though" She shrugged, "I'll go look for your father-"

"I'll help"

I stiffened when I heard Mr. Camelli's voice from behind me. I turned to refuse his offer but my mother beat me to it, "Oh, that's okay. We can handle it, dear" She said politely with a shake of her head.

Mr. Camelli smiled. This time, it wasn't a small smile but a genuine one. I didn't know why but my heart skipped a beat at the sight of that, "I insist" He said, his eyes soft and friendly, "I am not in a hurry anyway" He shrugged when my mother and I stared at him speechlessly.

I exchanged a glance with my mother before shaking my head, "No, it is okay. It is our responsibility to do this. We wouldn't want to burden our valuable customer here" I smiled, "Mom, this is Mr.Camelli. He is the CEO of the company I am currently working at" I added when she came to stand next to me to get a closer look at the green-eyed man.

The surprise on my mother's face was clear when she looked at me in disbelief before composing her features to look at Mr. Camelli, "Please call me Cole, Mrs.Wilson" Mr.Camelli corrected before my mother could say anything.

If he is being humble then it was such an odd place to show his humility. Who would be on a first-name basis with their employee's mother? I have never heard of that before.

It is no wonder if my mother starts to like this man for his charming personality now, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Cole" She said, her eyes flickering my way for a brief second, "I have heard so much about you" She added, looking back at him.

Was it two days ago she told me that her new friends said Mr.Camelli was a cold ruthless man?

Mr. Camelli only smiled in return to that, "Where are the boxes?" He asked, "You don't have to feel bad, Bryce. I genuinely want to help you two" He added.

"It's okay-"

"Come on, I'll show you" My mother grinned at my boss making me glower at her. What was she thinking? "It's just a few boxes, Bryce. Look at the strong man here, I am sure he can handle it better than us" She added when she noticed me glaring daggers at her.

She turned around from us, "Come on, Cole" She said, walking away from us.

I shook my head at her retreating figure, "You really don't have to do this" I said, locking my eyes with those green orbs again.

He smiled at me reassuringly, "I will be back" He said, handing me the basket. He gazed at me for a moment before walking towards where my mother had vanished.

I watched him until he disappeared from the line of my sight before looking down at the basket. I still couldn't believe that he is here, shopping for a bag of chips. He just didn't seem like someone who would go grocery shopping.

And the way he is getting friendly with my mother? That's just odd. He knew this is my parents' supermarket and I will be there during my free time. Did he come to check if I was telling the truth? Even if I was lying what is to him?

I shook my head, clearing the thoughts off before they get unreasonable. Maybe this whole thing was just a coincidence. There is no need for me to be skeptical about it.

I walked back to one of the cash counters, noting that we have only a few customers left there. Once they leave, we can close the supermarket for the night. I glanced down at my watch and frowned when I noticed it was fifteen minutes past ten. We were supposed to be closed now.

I hate it when this happens. This just means that our staff here has no other choice but to endure it until the last customer walks out of the supermarket.

"Don't worry. We are okay" I heard Ricky say, making me look up, "There are only three customers in here and we have already pulled down the shutters so no other customers can come in" He continued when I let out a frustrated sigh.

I nodded at him, "Sorry, Ricky. Maybe I should let you four clock out sharp at ten. My parents and I can handle it from there..."I trailed.

Ricky shook his head, "It is a pleasure to work with people like you, Bryce. You care about us. So in return, we care about you too. It is just a few extra minutes. Besides, it is our job to shut the supermarket properly every night" He smiled.

I could only smile at him in return, "Thank you, Ricky" I said.

Ricky glanced down at the basket in my hands, "Shopping in your own supermarket?" He asked, looking up at me again.

I chuckled softly and shook my head, "It's not my supermarket, and the bag of chips isn't mine" I answered.

"Ah, there you are" I heard my mother call out. I looked up to see her walking towards me with Mr. Camelli hot on her heels.

And he doesn't look pleased.

Did my mother make him lift a lot of boxes?

Worry seeped into me as they crossed the distance between us, "Did she make you do a lot of work, Mr.Camelli?" I asked him, once they came to a stop in front of us, "I told you we can handle it ourselves" I hissed through my gritted teeth, glowering at my mother accusingly.

Mr.Camelli cleared his throat to get my attention again, "Actually, no. It was just a few boxes" He smiled but his eyes were tight. His eyes kept darting between me and Ricky, "I'll have it now" He said, extending his hand towards me.

It took me a second to realize he was asking for a basket.

"Oh, hold on a minute," I said, "Ricky, can you bag this up?" I asked, handing the basket to Ricky.

Ricky nodded his head, "Sure" He said, before taking the basket and walking towards one of the counters.

Mr.Camelli watched Ricky as he walked away, "He is a staff here" I said, noticing his gaze. His green eyes shot up to meet mine and he nodded, his muscles relaxing a bit. Was he always a weird man? Why would he be uncomfortable at the sight of Ricky?

"Bryce, you are lucky to have someone like Cole as your boss" My mother gushed, "He is such a sweet man. Thank you for helping out Cole" She said gratefully to him, "I am going to look for your father now" She said to me before shuffling away from us.

It was just the two of us, again.

"I have to hand some files personally to you tomorrow. Can you meet me at ten?" He asked after a few awkward seconds.

I blinked, "Ah sure, Mr.Camelli," I said. What else can I say?

Mr.Camelli nodded his head as if he was pleased to hear that answer from me, "Aren't you tired?" He asked out of the blue, "You had a long day at work and now you are here, taking care of the supermarket. You must feel worn out" He mused when I shook my head at him.

I chuckled under my breath, "It is nothing, Mr.Camelli. I love what I do" I smiled, "And when one tends to love something they do, they do not easily feel worn out"

He looked like he wanted to say something but Ricky came back with a bag, "Here you go" He said, giving it to me. Then, he rushed to attend to the last customer we have for today.

I handed the bag to Mr.Camelli, "It is on the house. We don't know how to appreciate your help today so please accept this as our small token of appreciation" I said when I saw him reach out to take out his wallet from the back of his jeans.

He chuckled, looking down at the bag, "That is not necessary, Bryce" He said and my whole body tingled when he uttered my name, "I helped you guys because I wanted to" He said, taking out his wallet from the back of jeans and producing a few dollar bills from it.

He extended it to me, "Please" He said when I looked at him reluctantly. I sighed and accepted the money, "I guess I will see you tomorrow then. Goodnight, Bryce" He flashed a mysterious smile before walking away from me.

"What about the change?" I asked, looking down at the cash in my hands. He had overpaid for what he bought.

"Buy me a coffee at the cafeteria tomorrow," He said just before walking out of the supermarket while I continued to look at his disappearing figure in confusion.

Why would he do that?