"THANK you and have a nice day!"
I smiled at the two high schoolers as I handed them the bag of comics they'd purchased in the bookstore.
It was already my third day at work. Edward's Bookshop was a five-year-old bookstore located at Conrad Blvd.
Aside from different types of books, the bookstore also sells comics, magazines, stationers, CDs, souvenirs, and collection items.
Today, I was assigned behind the cash register.
"Those teens looked smitten by you."
Jeff said to me as he went to the counter.
He arranged the pile of CDs that got disarrayed by some customers earlier.
He was wearing our uniform— a green apron with Edward's bookshop white print on it, over his gray shirt and dark pants.
"The kid with glasses was blushing when he left the store," Jeff continued. "I bet it's your smile." He grinned at me.
Aside from me, there were also three staff members here who helped Rory manage the shop. I already met the two of them, Jeff and Kelly. Martin worked only on weekends so I haven't met him yet.
I looked at Jeff and playfully rolled my eyes at him. "Shut up, Jeff."
Both Jeff and Kelly were nice. I easily got along with them. Especially, Jeff, he's almost my age and very playful.
"Just admit, Jeff," Kelly said, walking past us while eating a protein bar. "It's not those teens who were crushing on Bianca. It's you."
"What the hell, Kels!" Jeff frowned at Kelly who just ignored him, before looking back at me. "Don't believe her, Bianca."
I just smiled at him. "Don't worry, I know who you really like."
I stifled a chuckle when I saw how his eyes slightly widened.
"You knew?"
I pursed my lips and nodded.
During my first day at work, I already sensed that something was going on with my two co-workers.
Jeff obviously had feelings for Kelly while the latter was oblivious to it.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anything to her," I assured him.
Jeff and I stopped talking when another batch of customers entered the shop.
Three hours later, I was already preparing myself to go home.
"Bianca…" I was taking off my apron when Kelly called my name.
"Uh, someone's looking for you."
I snapped my head in her direction. My lips parted when I saw a familiar man standing at the entrance of the shop.
Gideon.
He was there.
He was wearing a brown cardigan over a white shirt, a pair of jeans, and sneakers.
On his arms were a pair of metal crutches. He had already discarded his wheelchair. He was now able to walk on his feet with the help of crutches.
What was he doing here?
I went to him. "What are you doing here, Gideon?"
"I'm fetching you from your work." He flashed a smile.
I frowned. "You shouldn't have done that. You shouldn't have left the house."
"I'm already fine, Bianca. Besides, I really wanted to go out."
I noticed Kelly and Jeff were looking at me.
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your workmates?"
I cleared my throat and looked at the two. "That man on the counter was Jeff, and the one who welcomed you earlier was Kelly."
Jeff only waved his hand while Kelly smiled beside me.
"Are you Bianca's boyfriend?" Kelly asked, she didn't even hide the curiosity in her voice.
"No. I'm Bianca's husband."
"Oh." Kelly looked at me, her eyes were a bit widened. "I didn't know you're already married, Bianca."
Of course, I didn't tell them about Gideon. I cleared my throat. "Yeah. I am." I only said before saying my goodbye.
"Don't do this next time, Gideon," I told Gideon after leaving the shop. "I can perfectly go home on my own."
"But I wanted to do this." He looked at me, one of his thick eyebrows shot up. "You didn't tell them you're married?"
I frowned. "They didn't ask about my private life, Gideon." I watched him walk with the help of those metal crutches.
It's only been a day since he started using them.
"Did you walk all the way here?"
The shop was only four blocks away from his house. But given his condition…
"No. I asked Denver to drive for me," he answered.
On cue, I saw a familiar Aston Martin parked on the curb near us.
Denver greeted us and opened the backseat door.
"Where are we going?" I asked Gideon when I noticed Denver took a different route.
"We're going on a date."
My lips parted. "What?"
He looked at me. "You just got out of work, Bianca. I don't want you to cook when we get home. Let's just eat outside."
I took a deep breath. "Fine."
He smiled. "I already made a reservation at Il Fornaio."
Il Fornaio was one of the best Italian restaurants in the city.
"How did you know Il Fornaio?"
"I searched for the best restaurants in the city," he answered. "I also asked Mom. She said you like it there. But if you prefer to eat somewhere else, we can go there instead."
"No. Il Fornaio's fine."
We arrived at the restaurant in twenty minutes.
"What's wrong?" Gideon asked me when I stopped near the entrance. "Did you forget something? Or do you want to go somewhere else?"
I shook my head and looked at myself. "I'm underdressed, Gideon."
I was only wearing a white shirt and faded jeans.
"Yeah, and so?" He asked, slightly raising an eyebrow.
I glanced at the cozy and elegant restaurant in front of us.
"My shirt and pants won't fit in."
He pursed his lips as he looked at me from head to toe. "You have nothing to worry about. You're still beautiful even in a simple tee shirt."
My lips parted. His eyes were boring into mine and they were making me uncomfortable.
I frowned and looked away. "I mean… there's a dress code inside. Not sure if they'll let me inside."
He raised his eyebrows. "You're with me, Bianca. Of course, they'll let you inside."
I inhaled a sharp breath. Of course, how could I forget? He's Gideon Henry. One of the most powerful people here in the entire state.
"Yeah. You're Gideon Henry." I muttered under my breath.
He smiled. "And you're Mrs. Henry."
Mrs. Henry. Until now, I still haven't been used to that name.