2019 Day 4 – Two Characters
My dear Shoe-Man
You ever remember the feeling you get when you are two seconds to a major embarrassment issue? Like your dress is going to rip apart in front of a huge crowd or a dirty picture of you is on the verge of next best viral photo of the week? you get the idea right? Because I am sensing that feeling like right now!
My shoes, the shoes my mother never wore, her size a tad smaller than my huge feet, is torn and you can see it opening its mouth like a lazy alligator in the Sahara Desert. I DON’T KNOW !! I’M JUST BABBLING BECAUSE I HAVE A MEETING IN HALF AN HOUR AND I CANNOT WALK IN THESE RUINED SHOES!!!! With the CEO, the vice chairman and other important delegates in a meeting I didn’t know I was going to be a part of until this morning. Excuse me for not introducing myself in the beginning, I am Joann, the one woman army who has lost a part of her armour er.. shoe. I am the one who sits behind the front desk so you can call me receptionist. I am the one who runs up and down the two-floor office building of ours with a notepad and a new pen (I keep losing my pens) to each manager’s cabin, to pertain their daily requests, call me a secretary now. I am the one who organizes your employee file, with all your secrets and memos and every financial detail of your pay, call me an HR assistant. Oh, I also send couriers and book tickets for you when you have nowhere else to go, call me the superwoman of your dreams.
I have been looking forward to this meeting for like months because I know very few people are selected to attend it, especially those who get a raise in pay or shall I say a better job title??
I have dressed well today, cream blouse with the buttons hidden under the frill layers in the centre and beige trousers that fit my curvy hips and make it look decent. I did have a thought of wearing matching brown flats but nooooo the stupid fashionista in me told me to wear those hideous black loafers that my mother discarded months ago (now I know why!!! Why didn’t you throw it away sooner Ma?!!)
My face is lathered with foundation, my lips bear a lip shade that makes my girlfriend's swoon scrunch up in remorse, what’s the use of dressing up when I can’t even put on a pair of good shoes. You might roll your eyes and tell me I still have time, that I should go to the nearest mall and buy me a new pair but sadly there isn’t any store here, not within ten miles of radius. I sigh in resignation and move outside the front door for some fresh air. The watchman beams at me and I give him a small smile, I don’t feel like smiling right now. I just want to drown in a tub of chocolate ice cream and cry.
The rage inside of me makes me kick a spare can with full force, it flies out and hits the window of a deserted worn-out shop in front of me. A couple of minutes later, the door opens and a well-polished black shoe pops out, followed by the other. Several feet later, I see him, a gorgeous specimen of mother nature – tall, well built with a hand on his lean hips, looking at me. Actually, he’s scowling like I hit his puppy or something. On any other day, I would smile wide and apologize but not today, I just walk towards him and scowl back. A well-shaped eyebrow perks up and so does mine, bushy and not so well shaped but it’s there!!! This silent battle goes on for a few minutes till he gives up by inhaling an extra amount of oxygen and speaks,
“Can I help you with something? “
His voice is deep rich and husky, just the way I like to hear, it makes my toes crawl.
“You could have just knocked the door you know like how normal people do?” he finishes and my toes uncurl and heels lift, ready to kick him where it hurts the most. How dare he?
“ I didn’t know this place inhabited well-dressed butlers” I smile sweetly at him. He narrows his eyes but stays silent, probably waiting for me to add something more.
“I don’t suppose you sell shoes here “ I mutter, knowing it would be a big no.
“We don’t, although I do have a cupboard full of ladies shoes, all untouched ready to be discarded”
My eyes go wide in surprise and I smile wider. His face melts into a frown, regretting his words but it is too late, I pass by him and enter this mysterious wonderful room of my dreams.
“That is the best thing I’ve ever heard all day!! Could you show me some samples?” I flutter my eyelashes at him.
“Do I look like a salesman to you?” he scoffs.
“You look like this sexy superhero in a tuxedo, please, help me?” I plead him, my lips still stretched wide so much my cheeks hurt.
His face softens a bit and he walks towards a trunk full of dust and overflowing shoes and pulls open the first drawer, removes a couple of them and dumps them onto my feet. I grab a nearby stool and try them on, wincing in pain for they are too small. He stands a few feet apart, watching me. I find it awkward but I don’t have much time to waste so I clear my throat,
“Can I have some more? These are too small for me”
He drops some more without a word. One fits me but it’s very tight in the front.
“Too tight!” I grumble. He looks as if he is ready to strike me with one of the shoes but doesn’t say a word. I keep complaining and he literally throws the shoes at me in frustration. I don’t blame him but I’m helpless. Twelve long minutes later, he comes towards me with the last pair of shoes and a menacing death stare. I gulp and try them on.
“Oh!” I mumble.
“Now what is it?? Is it too old fashioned or too leatherish?” he fumes.
“It fits!!!! It fits me perfectly” I squeal in delight and jump into his arms, giving him ‘the hug of victory’.
I feel him stiffen but he doesn’t move, he pats my back in an awkward manner. I realise my folly and move back.
“Sorry! I …uhh. I got carried away. My shoes died on me this morning and I have this really important high profile meeting in fifteen minutes and I was so anxious and I didn’t know what to do and then you came….” I babble fast, twisting my fingers, my face pinker than my blush. He holds up one finger and I shut my mouth.
“Did you get what you’re looking for?” he speaks very gently as you do with kids. I just nod my head.
“Good! Now if you will excuse me, I have better things to do “he is back to that sarcastic tone but I am not upset. He waves to the front door and I almost lead myself out, halting in between and turning around to catch the last glimpse of him. Even though it’s been a weird short encounter, I don’t want this meeting to end so quickly. Especially if it is with a grouchy, extremely good looking guy I didn’t even know existed, like ever!!
“Uh…..I want to thank you for taking the time to help me out of this absurd situation. Really kind of you Mr……….?” I prod innocently.
His eyes narrow harder but a corner of his lower lip lifts up.
“Will. You are most welcome Miss….”
“Joanne Bird. You can call me Jo “
“Nice to meet you, Miss Bird, if we ever meet in the future, I certainly hope it has nothing to do with your shoes. Goodbye” his eyes are a little warm, his tone completely formal. I take the hint and wave at him, secretly wishing to meet him again.
“You don’t happen to have matching socks to go with the shoes do you?” I blurt out. His face turns pale and his eyes, a different shade of charcoal brown, the ones that mean the end of the last ounce of patience.
“Absolutely not!!” he glowers and I giggle before exiting the door.
