GUNS AND ROSES 

   CHAPTER SIX

   MARIA PAUL'S POV 

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I don't know if  who was at the door couldn't read or was probably looking for my parents.

Or maybe saw the written notice and ignored and kept knocking. I  got pissed and got up from the little couch i sat, my hands were almost numb and as i walked i stretched my weary bones.

"Can I help you?" I  questioned slowly, i saw a young lady who dressed smart, her hair was well straightened. 

She wore a printed well tailored suit, everything about her screamed class and elegance.

She was well built, tall and with a well proportioned hour glass shape.

She wore a soft smile that immediately made me feel  like i could trust her, she looked at me with prying eyes as i roamed at her with my eyes.

You possibly cant blame me, I've been through a lot and people tend to scare me.

She noticed my paranoia state, she leaned back towards the door, giving me some space and stared at me, a friendly smile playing at her lips. 

" Hello, this is a bookstore. And I'm sure you read the written closed sign, we are not in service today. Possibly check in tommorow, and you can input whatever book you might love to read, and the genres we have a whole lot of great stuff. So what do you want Ma'am?" I asked trying to sound polite as possible.

 I was very confused by this lady presence and they way she smiled at me . Not that  there was anything wrong with her smiling, i guess i just wasn't used to laughter anymore after all the horrible things that monster did to me.

I would never be normal again or have my vibrant and sane mind anymore. I was scared if perhaps she was on a mission to get me.

Any slightest thing that was odd or out of place filled me with paranoia  that somehow Peter had found me. 

But this, this lady surely could not  have been sent by Peter. She seemed too nice and wore a friendly look. Something that you could never associate with Peter.

"I'm in urgent need of a bathroom." She spoke before pushing past me and waltzing into the shop.

"Hey!" I yelled but it  was too late, she had alreading gotten into the bookstore. I had no option than to lead her to the restroom. "To your right at the corner." I gave  up, pointing towards the toilet.

 She smiled at me, placing a hand on my  shoulder which caused me to jerk back impulsively. I scoffed in disbelief,  was this really happening? I sat down on the couch and continued with my  task. 

Eventually the lady came back from the toilet and instead of  leaving, she sat down beside me and grabbed one of the books,flicking  through it.

"Hey, hey hey what are  you doing?" I exclaimed, snatching the book from her hand." Can you please leave now?"  She gasped, placing a hand on her chest, feigning  a hurt expression. It took every part of me to not roll my eyes at her dramatic display.

She should win an oscar, too dramatic ugh.

"Do you have problem with me?" She asked and before i could answer she burst into laughter.

Am sure she left a mental health facility, gosh this lady is crazy!

"No!"I exclaimed  defensively, the least i need right now is an overgrown chatterbox "You're a stranger, I  don't know you! You can't just walk in here and start touching stuff! Please fill in necessary books choices and genre and that will be sorted out by tommorow"  She stared at me and nodded. 

"I see your point. I'm Debbie" She shot out her hand for a friendly handshake and i just stared at it. 

"Maria." I mumbled.

" Girl, i cant hear you duh.Speak up." She cupped her ear dramatically with her hand and took a few step forwards.

"Maria" I said louder almost shouting at this point.

"Damn, I said speak louder not deafen me." Again, it took every part of me to not roll my eyes.

"Well, it was nice  meeting you Debbie. I have a lot of work to do so." I trailed off,  holding the door open, hoping she'd take the hint. She looked at me and  then the door, sighing sadly. She made her way out giving me a small  wave.

"Wait!" She screeched  before I could close the door. I groaned internally before opening the  door again, a fake smile plastered on my lips.

" You forgot something ma" i asked with a puzzled face, she just smiled and brought out an envelope that was kept in her bag.

" Well my bestie is launching a brand new restaurant and i would love you to be there, it a five star restaurant and pay is pretty cool " she narrated and i took the envelope from her.

" 12th of May, well am antisocial as you can see. I dont attend events, and i dont think am interested in working at the moment. I have this bookstore to take care of thanks for your kind gestures. " i replied getting tired of the whole discussion. 

" Well am not forcing you dear, your one pretty girl so i felt you would be interested. Working at the bookstore can't be a problem, you run shifts and stuff. I dont see you as Antisocial maybe slightly easily irritated but not what you claim." She gave me a wink and i just gave a blank expression.

How those she know am not Antisocial. I used to be the family chatterbox, cheerful,  smiled alot and very full of life.

But everything changed when i met that excuse of a human.

" So i would like you to make it time on the 12th, i will be expecting you my new found friend" she muttered with glee.

"Well, I wouldn't say  we're friends." I pointed out and she laughed in response, thinking i was joking, however, I was dead serious. 

"I'll see you around, Maria " She spoke and smiled at me, putting on her beautiful sunglasses . She grabbed my shoulder, pulling  me for a bone-crushing hug. I stumbled back in shock, the abruptness of  the action scaring me slightly.

I hate body contact and even though she was been overly friendly i hated that act with repulsion.