Secrets Overshadowed

Chapter One

Fleur

Another unruly tendril of hair slipped out of my already extremely messy bun. I sighed, and blew it out of my face, before turning back to the book shelf in front of me. In my right hand I had a stack of at least 10 new books, and in my left I was clutching onto the railing of the unsteady ladder beneath me like a lifeline.

Taking in a calming breath, I moved another step up the ladder, but froze when the stack of books wobbled. My left hand came off of its spot to steady the leaning tower of books, as I leaned forward a bit to catch myself. When the stack had ceased to move I let out a long sigh of relief and began shelving them.

Working at the local bookstore was a lot more fun than it sounded. I got to read whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I got discounted coffee from the small cafe that resided in the small store, and sometimes, Ray even let me bring home some pastries that no one wanted during the day. Plus, no one really came into the bookstore besides some old people and small children looking for the newest picture books.

It was such a shame that I hardly ever saw people around my age come into this nice shop. I try not to stray too far from the land of the living, and stay off my phone for as long as I can. Of course there are sometimes where I like to go on social media, but I try to keep it to a minimum.

I had reached the tippy top of the ladder, and could hardly reach the empty slot where the last book would go. I had to stand on my tip toes for my fingertips to even graze the bottom of the shelf. You see, Ray my boss, is ridiculously tall. At 6 foot 6 he towers over everyone and everything. When he built this bookshop, he didn't think of his future 5 foot 4 employees like me. 

"Fleur! What did I tell you about standing on the ladders?" An irritated voice boomed behind me. I yelped and grabbed onto the nearest thing to steady me, which happened to be a row of newly stacked books. They gave out from underneath my fingers almost instantly and I fell back from the ladder.

My arms flailed in the air, trying to grab hold of something else to halt my fall. That something else ended up being the top of my bosses afro clad head. He caught me easily, and rolled his eyes, setting me down on my feet.

It was sad to say that this was almost a weekly occurrence. I was not known for my gracefulness, and he was not known to be quiet. Even though I look up to Ray and could never be afraid of him, others would disagree.

His height alone could make people run away. He was rather intimidating to those around him, with his piercing brown, almost black eyes, that look into your very soul. Or the muscles that seemed to be bursting from his shirt. He's told me before that he often goes to the gym before work, and sometimes after, everyday but Sunday. For what reason, I don't know.

I don't workout

He had a couple tattoos that I envy, that cover his arms, and not to mention the small scar on his forehead, near his temple. Overall he was a pretty terrifying dude. But inside he was a real softie.

I pat his hair in thanks, and smooth out my shirt, wiping away the imaginary dirt. Whenever the opportunity arises, I pat Ray's head. He has what I like to call a semi-afro. Which is an afro that hasn't reached its full potential. Ray's is cut closely to his head, and no matter how much I beg, he wont grow it out. It's still awesome, but is quite like a fetus. It hasn't grown and seen the world yet. 

I bent over to pick up the books that had been spilled during my incident, when Ray's well rehearsed speech started.

"You know what happens whenever you get on a ladder, you think you'll be fine, but no you fall every time! The next time I might not be here and you'll sue me! And-"