Page 43 of Right Next Door
“I’m here for my appointment,” he said calmly, giving her an annoying satisfied look as he stepped forward, hands neatly held behind his back.
“Appointment?” She repeated, stunned, before scoffing. “Yeah, right. You’ve never made an appointment with me.”
“I assure you, I have.”
“No. Because I make my schedule, and I know you’re not on it. Flik is due to get his braids done today, Not you.”
He had the nerve to grin, like he’d just been waiting for that. “Ah, yes. Master Flikusedto have this appointment time. I bought it from him.”
“You what?”
“It should be updated as of this morning. You can send him a message if you don’t believe me.”
“No. No way,” she angrily swept open her combot’s holodisplay. “I set my schedule. I control the whole thing. There’s no way you could…”
Her voice faded as she found herself looking at her schedule. And, true to his word, his name had replaced Flik’s. But that wasn’t possible. She never-
Realization dawned and she glared at him. “You got Davard to change it, didn't you?”
“Of course. How else would I have gotten the appointment?”
“Oh, I don’t know. You could have, perhaps, talked tome? It’smyschedule, after all?”
Tsok didn't even have the good decency to look chagrined. “It was easier to just ask him. He was already right there.”
Groaning, she rubbed her temples in exacerbation. “Honestly, at this point, I’m wondering if this is a deliberate choice you’re making or if you’re reallythatclueless.”
“Pardon?” He looked confused. Then, before she could explain, he brightened and brought his hands around, showing her a small bouquet of black and white flowers – striped like a zebra longways down the lily-like petals. “I got you flowers. I made the decision to do so all on my own as proof of the earnestness of my affections.”
Flowers. This total nimrod had gotten her flowers?Why? What was he doing? Oh, was this his way of making up for not caring about her near death experience? Because a softball sized bouquet of alien flowers was not enough to be forgiven for that. She didn't take them as she instead gave him a look, arms crossed over her chest.
“I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone,” she intoned dully.
“A very smart decision really. Some clients aren’t worth having.”
“Yeah.” She paused, waiting for him to get the hint. She let out an aggravated sigh. “Char Tsok-”
“You should just call me Tsok, my Misty.”
“Yeah, no. Let’s not do that. None of that.”
“What?”
“Any of…this,” she waved her hand around, indicating to all of him. The flowers, the weird way he was talking, the absolute gall, him even being here in this room. She didn't want to have anything to do with any of it. “I’m not braiding your fur.”
He frowned, having the audacity to look surprised and displeased. “Why not? I’m on your schedule.”
“Through no fault or desire of mine.”
“I will pay your price. I assure you, I make more than enough credz to afford it.”
“Wasn’t even a concern in my mind, I assure you.”
“Then what is the problem?”
“You,” she stressed, giving him a look. At this point, practically daring him to do something about it. Shewantedhim to prove what an asshole he was by throwing her out on the street. She wanted that fight. That justification. She had no idea what hewas trying to accomplish with this flower stunt, but it was only making her more annoyed. “I don’t want to braidyourfur.”
He reared back, stunned by the venom dripping from her voice. And maybe she should be thinking about her wellness long term.
