The Human Mate

Chapter 1

I hate this. I hate packing and unpacking. I hate that I have to move all of my belongings to an entirely new place. Some might think moving to a new place will be a fresh start but to me, not so much. I was perfectly happy with the way I was back in the place that I once called home.

"If you're done, maybe we can take a look at the supermarket. It has been renovated and the staff we hired are arranging the goods on the shelves. Thought you might want to see it before the grand opening tomorrow" I heard my mother say as her light footsteps approached me.

I looked up at her from the box that I was currently unpacking, "Yeah, that would be nice. Only I don't think I will be done anytime soon" I chuckled softly, "You can go first. I will join with you there once I am done" I gestured for her to move along before looking down at the box again, suppressing a groan.

"I expected you'd say that" My mother sighed. Of course, she knew me too well. "You wouldn't think of anything else until you sort this out"

I didn't know what to say to that so I simply nodded my head. I expected my mother to leave after that but she continued to stand there, "Is there something you want to say, mom?" I asked, putting down the item of clothing I had in my hands.

I hate to do my work while someone watches me like that.

When she didn't answer, I turned around to look at her, "Mom, is something wrong?" I asked, growing worried now.

My mother watched me with an unreadable expression for a few seconds before shaking her head, "No, nothing is wrong. I just- I just wanted to thank you for coming to live with us even though you had your life planned back in New York" She finally got out what was in her chest, seeming a little guilty.

I let out a breath and stood up to face her, "You don't have to thank me, mom. It is my decision" I smiled at her, "I didn't want to be far away from you two" I sighed. This was the truth. I can't imagine myself living hours away from them. Many things can go wrong and I might not be with them when they need me the most or vice versa. I couldn't risk that.

My mother's face puckered before it softened slightly, the relief and joy in her eyes were hard to miss, "Thank you, darling" She said, "We will head down to the supermarket to arrange the goods with the staff then. See you later" She said before turning around to leave my room.

I watched her until she disappeared from the line of my sight before going back to sort out my things.

It took me some time to get done with it but the end result was worth all the time I spent on this today. I took a few moments to appreciate my hard work before cracking my back, my eyes falling on the digital clock by my bed.

"Crap" I cursed out loud, my eyes widening in surprise. I had spent almost three hours on this since my mother left. Not wanting to waste any more time, I grabbed my bag and hurried out of the house. I made sure I locked the house and glanced around the area to see if anything suspicious was going on before getting on my motorbike.

My parents chose a neighborhood that is very close to the new supermarket that they were opening. This was their dream, to have a laid-back life after spending it in the city working for corporate companies and being their only daughter, I decided to move in with them knowing they secretly want me to.

I mean, this is what all parents secretly want. To have their child closer to them so they can see them whenever they please.

Lucky for me, there was a company at the end of this town that has a job for me as a data analyst. I was in a higher position in the city but I cannot compare my life there with here so I just accepted it hoping my skills will get me up eventually.

The plan is, to be a data analyst by day and a big help to my parents at night before closing the supermarket.

I arrived at the supermarket on a record of the time and parked my motorbike in front before going in. I could see my parents talking with a few workers as I stepped in, "I am sorry, I am late" I said when they turned to look at me, including the workers.

"No problem, Bryce. Now that you are here," My father said glancing around, "Take a look and give us your opinion" He said gesturing me to look around, "Is everything where it's supposed to be?" He asked when I did what he asked me to do.

I let my eyes sweep across the area, "Let me take a walk around to take a closer look" I said. Yes, I am what some call a perfectionist. I check the tasks given to me at least five times before finalizing them.

Yep, I have trust issues with myself.

I took my sweet time to explore different sections of this supermarket before going to my father, "Everything is great, just like the plan that I gave you" I smiled at him making his eyes light up in joy.

"Oh, that's great. Now we don't have anything to worry" He said, "I just hope people here accept us and welcome us as their own" He added in a dejected tone.

"Dad, relax. Tomorrow is going to be an official day for the supermarket and for us here" I tried to reassure him, "It might take them a few days to get to know us but rest assured, everything is going to be just as you dreamed of"

My mother who was standing next to him put her hand on my father's arm in surprise, "Did you hear that? She is never this optimistic about anything" She grinned, "If she feels that way about this then I am getting a good feeling as well" She finished.

"Are you just trying to make me feel better?" My father asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

I started shaking my head before he could even finish talking, "This town doesn't have a place that has it all, dad. I did my background check when you told me you are planning to buy this building to make it a supermarket. That's why I agreed without making a fuss"

My father initially seemed surprised but then something crossed his face, "Ah, why am I even surprised? You always do this to literally everything" He muttered under his breath.

"Just to make sure we don't regret anything, daddy" I grinned.

He nodded his head, "I thank you for that. Now, everyone, gather around" He called in a louder voice so the workers can hear him, "I want all of you to meet my daughter. She is Bryce" My father introduced me to his workers.

I waved at them as they greeted me, "You must be Kayla, Ricky, Jhonny, and Spencer" I pointed at each and every one as I spoke of their names.

"She did it again" My mother muttered under her breath while the workers seemed to be in shock.

"How did you know?" Kayla asked, in awe.

I tried to keep my face indifferent as I answered her, "I was the one who approved all of you. Thank you for joining us, we look forward to having a very pleasant time with the four of you. I am sure you already know the basics, right?" I asked, not wanting to go through all of that again.

They nodded their heads in answer and I smiled, pleased with that, "Good then" I said before looking at my father, "If everything is done then it is time to go home. All of you should be here sharp at seven in the morning for the soft opening of the supermarket, okay?" I glanced at the four workers again.

They nodded their heads again in agreement. At the rate we are going, I don't see any problems with these four in the future.

"Have you given out the fliers?" I asked my father after he dismissed the workers to go home.

My father raised his eyebrows at me, "Everything has been taken care of, Bryce. Jesus, I don't who is the parent here" He said, running his hand through his salt and pepper hair.

I smiled at him, "Just checking" I shrugged.

"What about you? Are you ready to join that company yet?" My mother asked me, tilting her head to the side.

"Yeah, I am. But I am only joining the day after tomorrow though" I answered her.

My mother nodded her head, "I tried to make some friends around here, and apparently, everyone in Retsluv knows your boss. When I asked them what he is like most of them said he is young but a short-tempered person"

I ignored that part. I knew that the boss of Camelli Group Holdings is cold. I am going to be a data analyst there not his secretary or something, "You already have friends to gossip about here?" I asked my mother, smirking.

My mother made a face, "I was promoting the supermarket. People need to know we are opening tomorrow so we will have plenty of customers tomorrow" She said, looking proud of herself.

"It is hard to miss the supermarket, mom. Besides, I have already promoted the supermarket on the internet. I am sure half of Retsluv know we are opening tomorrow" I said, remembering the comments that I read, "And they are all excited to see what we have here" I grinned at my parents.

My mother let out a squeal, "Oh I cannot wait for tomorrow" She said before looking at my father, "This is it, Chris, we are so close to getting what we have always wanted" She said, leaning her body against his frame.

"I know honey. We made it" My father replied to her, his eyes holding so many emotions at once.

I smiled at both of them and went to push the two away from each other so I can stand in the middle to hug both of them at once, "Congratulations to both of you. I am a super proud daughter" I said, pulling them both closer to me.

My parents laughed at me as they hugged me back, "Alright, let's get home and do some more unpacking" My father said, ruining my mood.

Ah, here we go again.

"Ugh, when is this going to end?" I groaned and they both laughed again, making me laugh as well while we made our way out of the restaurant.

I never moved from where we used to stay until yesterday. I am not quite sure if I like it but if this is what makes my parents happy then I know this is the best for us. I only hope I can adapt to my new life as well as my parents.