Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 88

Chapter 88: Ch 88: A flower please
“Your friends are not going to come and pick you up? You should call them and tell them that you are finished with your work.”

Daniel suggested when there were only fifteen minutes left on the work clock,

He seemed worried about sending Rika home alone today. The threat that the omegas from before had given Rika still rang clear in his head.

But Rika only scoffed at him, and it seemed clear that she had no intention of calling for backup.

“There won’t be a need for that. Emily told me that those two would be busy. She won’t be able to come and pick me up today.”

Rika only told Daniel the half-truth so that he would not know what connection Emily and Daniel had with the mafia and this town.

He seemed not to have recognised either of the alpha pair, which likely meant he was not current with the news. (or he was an outstanding actor and had fooled Rika)

“If that’s the case, do you want me to take you back home? I am worried about you because of what happened earlier. I know you can take care of yourself, but I would rather not risk-”

Their shop door opened, and the sound of a bell reached their ears.

“I’m sorry, but the shop is closed now. If you want to buy something, you should come back tomorrow.”

Rika reflexively spoke the words, her back still turned to the door.

Despite the alpha pair no longer being here, their scent lingered in the flower shop, causing some stubborn but stray omegas to enter and refuse to leave.

One had even been bold enough to march toward the backroom and check for the alpha pair until Rika had thrown him out.

Daniel had walked when he saw a small, weak-looking beta throwing a taller, heavier beta out of the shop.

It had happened the whole day, and Rika was tired of it.

“Really? Is the shop closed? The sign outside does not say that. It’s such a pity, too. I wanted to get some flowers for today. Can’t you make an exception for me?”

That voice sounded familiar, and Rika dreaded turning around.

However, she had yet to choose since Andrew Tweten came here as a customer, not someone who wanted to talk to her.

“Oh! What kind of flowers would you like, sir? I am afraid my coworker is a little too tired of attending to you right now. Please, come this way, and I shall get you what you need.”

Daniel tried to distract Andrew from looking at Rika, but Rika could feel his eyes on her back.

He was not just looking at Rika; Andrew was expecting her to turn around and pay attention to him.

She could tell that even Daniel was beginning to feel uncomfortable by all this staring.

‘He is doing nothing else but look at me, and yet, it makes me so conscious of myself. Have I ever felt like this before? I can’t tell if this feels unpleasant or I do not care…’

Rika bit her lip as she considered what to do next.

Ultimately, there was only one solution to her problem: facing it head-on.

“I am afraid that you would burn a hole in my head if you continue to glare at me like that. If you want me to help you, just come out and say it.”

Rika’s heart calmed when Andrew blinked, breaking his concentration away from her face.

“You are right. I’m sorry. I forgot that asking was an option. Rika, would you help me out?”

“What kind of flowers do you want? Please make it quick. The closing time is approaching. I have no intention of doing overtime work.”

Andrew fell quiet. It was impossible to tell if he felt offended, but Rika did not lower her guard for even a second.

She was sure she would get gobbled up if she gave this alpha a chance.

“Ouch! It hurts. It sounds like you don’t trust me at all, Rika. How will my fragile heart take this news?”

The alpha pretended to be hurt as he clutched his chest in mock pain.

Rika ignored him and pulled out some flowers.

None of them looked expensive or impressive, but they all had a subtle charm that enthralled the alpha.

Or he just liked flowers. It was not for Rika to decide (or waste her time thinking about it.)

“Would you like a ribbon and a handwritten message to go with the flowers? I can write it if you pay me extra.”

Rika half-heartly offered.

This was a standard service for their place, but her heart was not into it.

“Would you write any message, no matter what I tell you to? Oh my! It is such an enticing offer. I wonder what all I can make you write for me?”

“Let me rephrase it. I will write anything you want me to, as long as it is reasonable and will not get me killed. So, what do you want me to write?”

Rika asked with a straight face.

She did not expect Andrew to burst into a sudden laughter, and the air turned awkward.

“Oh god! This is hilarious. I cannot believe you agree with this. Don’t you have any sense of preservation? What if I make you write something weird?”

Andrew asked, and at this point, Rika felt that this man would ask something weird of her and it would be too late for her to run.

But then again, everyone did say that Rika had no sense when it came to danger.

“You…have not changed much. That makes it easier for me to talk to you. Don’t you feel the same way? Ah, but you don’t remember much about me, right?”

Andrew tried to play it off cool, but Rika made Rika feel weird when she was with him.

‘When will this man go back home? Can’t he tell that he is bothering me? Is he going to leave me alone now?’