Free Web NovelChapter 45: My New Job
"Welcome, you can put on the apron and begin."
The moment I entered Uncle PP’s shop, that was the first thing he said. He was over the counter and did not even look up.
"Good afternoon... I am not here for a job," I said, walking straight to him.
He kept working. Leaves scraped against the mortar. The pestle moved in slow circles like he had been doing that same motion for years.
"Then what are you here for?"
"Eriko said I should pick up a package here."
I said this because when Eriko dropped me at school this morning he told me to branch here before coming home. He said I should pick up a package for him. He did not say what. He just said Pali will understand, and that was all.
The shop smelled strange. Herbs. Dust. Something bitter in the air.
"I was expecting you yesterday, Faye. I said pick up the apron and begin.." he said, face still down, crushing some leaves in a mortar.
What the fuck is wrong with him?
"Well I am not here for a job. I am picking up a package for Eriko. He sent me here." I explained myself because this is frustrating me now. freёwebnovel.com
The grinding finally stopped.
"Eriko sent you here yesterday, but you didn’t come." He finally looked up.
I blinked.
There was something new about his face. He had a mustache. I saw him last a few days ago and there was no mustache.
How did he grow a mustache?
It wasn’t even small, it was thick.
Like it had been there for weeks.
He came out from the counter, walked to where the apron was hanging, picked up the apron and gave it to me.
I didn’t take it immediately. I just stared at it.
Then at him.
I stood there thinking about what was happening. Did Eriko send me here on purpose? So this was a setup. I was going to look for a job but working here was my least option.
The apron stayed in front of my face.
"So. Will I be working for free?" I had to ask because if this was a free service, I am walking out of this shop.
"Your payment will be discussed. It is by the hour. You close by 3:30 so I expect you to be here before 4 pm. You work for 3 hours and you get paid. You miss a day, you don’t get paid for the whole week. If you arrive here after four, I expect to see a 50 dollar note on the counter."
He said it calmly. Like he had repeated those rules a thousand times.
I took the apron slowly.
"So don’t come late, don’t miss a day. Good."
I let that sink in my head, then wondered what I will be doing because I know nothing about apothecary things. That is the last field of study if I ever go to college.
I put on the green apron. It was leather. Thicker than I expected.
It had a bold PP letter written on it.
Was that supposed to be a logo or what?
"So, what is my job description?"
"Make sure this place is tidy, feed Kali every 30 minutes. Attend to customers when needed and assist me when I ask." He said, then gave me the pestle.
The wood felt heavy in my hand.
"Keep crushing until it turns to a smooth paste. I will be right back."
He left through a small door behind the counter.
The shop suddenly became quiet.
I looked down at the mortar. Green leaves.
Some darker pieces mixed inside. I pressed the pestle down. Crunch.
The leaves broke slowly.
I turned it in circles. I began to crush the leaves. I was new at it but it looked a bit simple and slow. Crunch. Press. Turn. Crunch.
Then my phone buzzed.
The sound echoed louder than it should have. I stopped what I was doing to check.
It was from Princess. Of course it was her, who else will disturb my phone.
I didn’t want to read the message but I did.
[Just checking on my pups.]
I sighed and decided to put it back in my pocket.
Then another buzz. I pulled it out again.
[Have you found someone to fuck?]
I stared at the screen.
This bitch is really getting on my nerves. I don’t understand why she always has something to piss me off.
I rolled my eyes. I better give her a taste of her own medicine.
My thumbs moved across the screen.
I typed back.
[Not yet, but tonight I will be fucking someone. FYI not you. 🖕]
I hit send.
That felt nice and good. The moment I sent the message, it immediately showed read.
I stared at the phone. Then the typing started. The three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
I stared at the typing...
It took a long time, like she was typing her whole documentary.
My eyebrows slowly pulled together. What was she writing?
Another threat? Another lecture?
But then all she sent was a laughing emoji.
[🤣]
What the fuck?
I thought she was typing something huge but just this emoji. I stared at it for a few seconds.
Then locked my phone. I kept my phone back in my pocket. How dare she laugh.
Watch and see, Princess. I am fucking someone tonight and I will rub it on your face.
The door behind the counter creaked open.
Uncle PP came out. His eyes went straight to the mortar. He leaned forward slightly.
He was a bit disappointed that I wasn’t done with what I was doing.
Without saying anything he stepped closer, took the pestle from my hand and continued crushing like he had been there the whole time.
"Go and feed Kali."
He didn’t even look at me when he said it. He grabbed something from the shelf.
He gave me a box of chocolate and told me to go inside.
I blinked.
Chocolate?
I thought I was maybe feeding a person or a pet. Maybe a dog. Maybe a weird goat.
But to my surprise it was a huge big snake.
I froze in the doorway. The snake moved slowly across the floor. Its body was thick. Long. Shiny scales sliding over each other.
My stomach dropped.
I said nothing. I just quietly tiptoed back outside.
Uncle PP was wiping his hands with a cloth.
"Are you done feeding her?" He asked.
I stared at him.
"Em, I don’t know if it was my eyes seeing things but I saw a huge snake big enough to swallow a person. Is that who you want me to feed or is there another person?" I had to ask.
"Yes, don’t worry, she is harmless. Just move close to her and give her the chocolate bar."
My mouth opened. Then closed again.
"Why don’t you give her yourself?"
"It’s your job. Now get back in there and feed that snake."
My throat felt dry. I swallowed very hard and went back. The room felt smaller now. Istepped inside slowly.
I was now in the room, staring at the snake crawling around the whole place.
The snake lifted its head slightly.
"Oh fucking hell, when will my life be normal?" I muttered, summoning the tiny bit of courage because any small mistake, I swear I won’t run. I will just surrender or pass out.
I fear snakes more than I fear Hedge Wolves.
Is this some fucking test or Eriko’s way of punishing me for drinking his beers?
Why in the world will I feed this thing?
My hands shook a little. I opened the chocolate bar.
The wrapper made a loud crinkling sound.
I stretched it forward to the snake.
The Snake met eyes with me and immediately came closer. The movement was slow. I felt her near me.
Her forked tongue flicked out. Close. Very close. Almost touching my face...
I swear I don’t know what happened next because I passed out.
