Golden sunlight washed the interior of the shop with its warm hue. Adrian slumped over the white counter top, exhausted from the days hubbub. New Years was a time he hated most. Mostly, the hate came from unapologetic scorching sun. Worsened by tourists and locals jovial on their December bonus high.
Not him though. He worked hard and fast, gathering bits of credits in order to enjoy his off day that coming Sunday. Twenty-six days working. Fun four times a month. When was it all going to end?
He pushed himself up, despite his limbs protesting at every effort. The shop was empty for a while. It's white tiles sparkling like polished glass thanks to Don's autistic precision in ensuring everything was clean.
"How far are we?" Liandra asked in her sultry voice.
The question itself was redundant. Still, Don, straightening the shoes along the clear acrylic displays perked up. He thought the man wanted to hear Heavenly secrets with the way his ears perked up. And Adrian, squinted with a faux glint of mischief.
"Why even ask? It's only 100k credits so far," Aiden smiled.
Some smiles strived way too hard to convince others that everything was well, especially his in that moment. It siphoned joy from every other avenue of his joyless life to make Liandra feel better. Maybe not Liandra. Him. Them. It was all the same.
"A miracle might happen. Last month we were shy on hitting the target by 400k. We did though," Liandra said.
Adrian fought the urge to scoff. It felt like bile clung to his throat. He chose to stare at her instead, the smile along his lips breaking into a slight frown. Liandra, leaned against the counter top, her gaze shifting to the setting sun left of them. Her elongated face that hosted almond shaped with a glowing hazelnut colour that melded perfectly with the golden hue of the sunset were transfixed to something more than the ocean outside.
Adrian couldn't be sure, but he felt it. In his guts.
"Sometimes you too optimistic," he said, "I envy that. Last month was an informal target. This is the first time we would have gotten an insentive. "
Liandra turned to him, paused for a little while and said, "Anything is possible. At least that's what I believe. 400k was possible last month. 900k is possible today."
Adrian wanted to believe her. He really did. Sometimes he hated that he couldn't fool himself like she did. He pursed his lips as if to reply to her, but then gave up. Instead he waved his hands in resignation and chuckled. A painful chuckle it was.
"Forget it. 900k today. "
Customers trickled into the store one by one until the place was flooding with them. Aiden had no choice but to leave the counter and start helping. He moved through the crowd gathered in the store browsing for items they couldnt afford. To them it was a leaisure activity, window shopping. To him their presence dangled a pie at the very tip of his tongue. Anyone one of them could be someone stacked with credits. Credits that could be used to but something in the store. And that would get them a bit closer to the final goal.
It pained him that in a perfect world everyone that came in would purchase something, getting them closer to the monthly target. But reality often disappointed. He scanned the small shop, it's minimalistic design blending white and black obscured the luxury. Until he found someone interesting.
Adrian likened a shop like there's to bait. It's warmth and inviting nature attracted people from all walks of life. His job was simple. To hunt and hook the big fish amongst the common.
The man unknowingly being hunted was quite the specimen. He stood tall at about six feet, an entire five inches taller than him. If it were a true hunt, he'd be severely outmatched. But within the four walls of the store? He was the top dog.
Flashing his signature smile, not bright and showing all rows of teeth, but a far more subtler one. Inviting? Yes! Creepy? Never!
"You look like you about to kill that shoe with your gaze," Aiden spoke lightly, "I get its a beautiful specimen."
Aiden stalked the man's reaction. The man turned and gave a brief nod. Aiden's breath hitched in his throat, and a pulss of adrenaline shot up his eyes. Silent reactions felt alien when compared to the politeness most customers had. More often than not he lost his subsequent pitch after silence. But Liandra's words still clung to him. Maybe 900k was possible before the day ended?
"This is a Jade 4 Black Panther, " Aiden bulldozed over the uncomfort knotting his stomach, "It's a classic pair, drawing on inspiration from the Great Black Panther that stalked the plains three millennia ago. It's design is slick and quite feline in nature. Feline but not feminine. More elegant."
He saw a glint of interest light up in the man's pulsing black eyes. Honestly, the eyes nerves him way more than the nonchalant demeanor held by the man. Aside from the overly aggressive furry tatto that ran along the man's neck, brought to life by the earing piercing his ears, the man seemed normal enough. Only his eyes broke away from that normal but expected.
"I like this. I'll take it," the man said, "Show me four more items. Another pair. And two T-shirts. I'll take whatever you recommend."
Adrian paused. He looked at the man with an almost begging gaze. Sure he'd only tossed a lott, hoping it would pay off. But he didn't expect it to end up like this. After a few seconds, he regained composure.
"Don!" He called from across the room.
Don heard him and rushed to his aid. Adrian gave him the Jade 4 Black Panther and asked him to retrieve it from stock. Meanwhile he led the man to a different set of shoes and then a series of more items. Minutes trickled by as he helped them man. It took a while to gain the man's sense of style, but when he did. Things went quite well.
Finally, the man took an additional three items besides the original four he'd promised to take. As Adrian processed the items at the till, he couldn't help but ask a genuine question.
It baffled him that the man chose to make a purchase after his simple introduction.
"Honestly though, what made you sink your teeth into this purchase?" Aiden asked as he ran up the total, "Oh. I didn't get your name earlier. I was too excited."
"I'm called Phillippe"