What if?

Chapter 2: First time at the shopping mall

Nick

*knock *knock *knock

“Michael, is there something wrong with the door?” I asked curiously while shaking him. “What? What do you mean?” Michael asked. I think my question is not enough for him to fully understand what I meant. “I mean, I can hear sounds coming from the door.” I said.

“Wait, what time is it?” Michael asked. “Ahhh it’s 8:01 AM.” I answered back to him. “Dude, move! We need to eat breakfast now.” He said while preparing himself to get up.

“Okay?” I said confusedly. I don’t know what to do today but it seems important. He went out of the bed immediately and I also followed him.

When Michael opened the door Janice the head maid surprised me. So she was the one who made that sound.

I am so stupid, I didn’t realized that it was the knocking that I heard.

Arg! I think I’m still sleepy. Yesterday night I was not able to sleep early because he kept on hugging me.

At first I didn’t like it but when I heard him talking in his sleep, I realized that he needs some comfort.

FLASHBACK (Michael in his sleep)

“Hmmm.” Michael murmured. “Michael, get off me.” I said as I shrugged his arms around me. He did not move at all, rather he even tightened his hug on me.

“Mom, I love you. Dad, I love you. I hope you’re safe.” Michael said out of the blue. I was about to shout in his face but I heard him say these words.

I realized how much Michael loves his parents that even in his sleep he still asks for their safety.

This family just loves each other so much. I might be new to this family but I already felt how warm their treatment was to me.

END OF FLASHBACK

“Nick, what's wrong with you?” Michael asked. “What?” I asked back. “ Dude you’re literally spacing out, what are you thinking?” Michael asked back again. “Nothing, what’s with the rush?” I asked back too.

“Aren’t we going to the mall? I promised to buy you something.” Michael answered. “I’m sorry I forgot about it.” I said.

Shit, I totally forgot about it. “It’s okay, just finish your meal immediately, we should be there at least 9:30 AM.” Michael said.

“Okay, got it.” I answered back. “I’ll be going upstairs to take a shower, after you finish go upstairs and take a shower too.” He said. 

Shit, Michael really acts like a CEO. “Yes sir!” I said. I guess he did not hear it because he did not reply.

“Nick, dear you don’t need to clean the table, the other maids will do that for you.” Janice said as I was about to clean the table.

“Hurry up, so that there will be less people when we go to the mall” Janice. “Then, I will excuse myself, thank you.” I said to Janice.

Wait, then Janice just said WE? Oh I see, I think having her around is better, we’re still young to go around though.

I went inside my room and I saw some clothes on the bed. I think these will be my clothes for today. “WOW! Who got here and prepared all this? Well, there are maids all around the house though.

I showered and finished everything. Guess what? Janice and I are both waiting for Michael, what is he still doing?

“I think Michael has some troubles upstairs, can you go and check on him?” Janice asked. “Okay.” I said then went to Michael’s room.

When I entered his room I saw him under his bed. “Dude, time is up. What are you doing?” I asked him.

“My card, it slipped on my hand and went here.” He answered. “What?” I asked. “My credit card that Mom gave me, without that we can’t go and buy things in the mall.“ Michael explained. That makes sense, I mean where will we get money.

“YES! It’s here, let’s go!” Michael said energetically.

“Janice let’s go.” Michael said. Janice then followed us outside the garage.

We all went inside the car and rode until the mall.

“Why are you looking up? Let’s go inside.” Michael said. We then ran inside the mall as if we were on the playground.

“Nick, Michael slowly you too might slip.” Janice said with care.

After Janice said those words we behaved ourselves and went inside the clothing store.

“What clothes do you want? Pick any.” Michael said. “I don’t know, can you pick for me?” I asked Michael.

I am not used to buying things so I asked help to him. Besides, I don’t know what suits me.

“Okay. Let’s go to that section, let’s buy some pairs of clothes first.” Michael said. We got to the section that Michael pointed at a while ago and there are so many designs and colors.

“What color do you want to wear on your first day at my school, well when you are finally transferred you know?” Michael asked. “Maybe red.” I answered. “Okay, but why red?” He asked. “I think I look good in red.” I answered confidently.

“Nick, are you okay with this design?” Michael asked. He showed me a red shirt with white collar. “I like it.” I answered honestly.

“Next let’s go to the jeans section.” Michael said. “Okay.” I said shortly. “Janice, do you want something to buy? Just get what you want, I will pay for it.” Michael said. “Really Michael?” Janice asked for confirmation. “Yeah!” Michael said. “Okay, you said it.” Janice replied and went straight to the women's section to pick some clothes for herself.

“Do you do this often to the people around you?” I asked. “Yeah! You know sharing is caring.” He said and picked jeans for me.

“Nick, I think you will surely look good at this.” Michael said. The design of the jeans is a little skinny and rugged. This kind of design is quite popular now so I think I might give it a try.

“I think so too.” I said. 

“Let’s go to the counter and pay for these.” Michael said. “Shouldn’t we wait for Janice to come first?” I asked. “Yes of course, Dude! I almost forgot about her.” Michael said.

Shesh! I saw Janice coming over to us, so I waved my hands for her to see. “This is all that I want for today Michael.” Janice said. When she said that I almost burst out laughing. Dude! She picked a lot.

“Okay, here’s the card, please pay for it.” Michael said.

“You too can wait outside.” Janice said. I think she said that because the lines are long, maybe she doesn’t want us to get tired waiting. 

“Michael, after this where are you gonna be headed to?” I asked. “We go and find a place to eat lunch.” Michael said.

“Lunch? But we just had lunch.” I said. “We had lunch at 8:00 AM, and the time is 11:17 now.” Michael said. “WHAT?!” I looked at my watch and saw that what Michael said was true. “Time flies so fast when you are busy.” Michael said. “Yeah.” I said shortly. 

We patiently waited for Janice and finally she was out of the counter. “This is the receipt.” Janice said. “Please keep that in case Mom asks.” Michael said to Janice.

Janice obediently hid the receipt inside her bag. 

“Where are we going now?” Janice asked while walking. “Somewhere to eat.” Michael said.

“But you two just ate.” Janice said. “Actually, Janice it is 11:34 AM now.” I said. 

“WHAT?!” Janice shouted in surprise. “HAHAHA.” Michael and I both laughed so hard because of her reaction.

People were looking at us but we didn’t care about it. It’s funny because Janice and I had the same reaction when we knew about the time.

“So where are we going to eat?” I asked. “Janice, what do you think?” Michael passed the question to Janice.

“What kind of foods do you want to eat?” Janice asked me. I suddenly stopped walking. “I want to eat some meat dishes.” I said cheerfully. “Meat huh, let me think. I think we can go to the Meat Depot.

They have delicious meat dishes.” Janice said confidently. “Yeah, you like their meat there. Let’s scoot over there.” Michael said and ran. I can’t help but smile at what he did. 

“Nick, don’t run too. Hmmm these kids.” Janice said. Those are the words that I was able to hear at least before I finally can no longer hear her. 

I followed Michael and he suddenly stopped in front of the restaurant. “This is the place.” Michael said.

“Whaaa so many people.” I said to Michael. “Basically there are more than these people here.” Michael said. “Why?” I asked curiously. “We told you, their meats are top-tier.” He said. 

“Michael, Nick! Don’t you two ever run that fast again.” Janice said. “Sorry.” Michael and I both replied. I feel pity for Janice, she’s out of breath I think she ran too.

We went inside and a waitress blocked our way. “Dine-in or take-out?” The waitress asked. “Dine-in please.” Janice replied. Then the waitress pointed to a table for us to eat. “Table 19, that one in the last aisle is free, you can eat there.” The waitress said. 

“Thanks!.” Janice replied. 

We all sat on chairs and waited for someone to accommodate us for our orders.

After two minutes a waiter came to our table and asked for our orders. “Nick, I will pick your dishes, okay?” Janice said. “Yeah, sure.” I replied. I believe in her, I mean she was the one who recommended this restaurant, it means that she is knowledgeable about their best dishes here.

She was pointing here and there and I was just watching her doing her thing.

“Hello?.. Yes, Uhuh… We are here now in the Meat Depot. Yeah… Do you know where it is?...Okay we will wait for you here.” Janice talking to the driver on the phone.

“I almost forgot about the driver, luckily he called.” Janice said. “Did you order some for him too?” Michael asked. 

“I actually didn't, but I believe that the foods that I ordered are enough for at least five people.” Janice explained. “Great.” Michael said.

I think so too. Janice pointed to a lot of dishes a while ago. Maybe she wanted me to taste all of it though. She’s so sweet.

“Good noon.” The driver said. “Sorry, I forgot to inform you we are going to eat here.” Janice explained to the driver. “It’s okay hehehe.” The driver replied to Janice. 

“Here are your orders Ma’am.” The waiter said. “Thank you.” Janice said to the waiters.

“Let’s eat!” Michael said cheerfully. 

Michael ate aggressively as if he was really hungry. I mean like he hasn't eaten for the whole day. “Michael, you will choke yourself.” I said.

“You know he needs to eat a lot now because he passed his limitations.” Janice said.

“What does it mean?” I asked because Janice doesn’t make sense. “Michael needs to eat on time at 12 NN sharp because if not he gets very hungry.” Janice explained.

“Really?” I turned to Michael and asked. “Yeah.” He answered shortly and continued to eat.

So he is eating like that now because the time passed 12 NN already. Surprisingly, Michael has a weird habit. Luckily I don’t have any, as of the moment. 

After knowing about Michael’s weird habit I then eat the food.

“WHAAA!!! This meat is superb.” I exclaimed. I don’t know if it is because I have never been to expensive restaurants or if they really do have top-tier meat dishes. 

“Told you, they have delicious meats here.” Janice proudly said.

After 30 minutes we finished all the food on the table. “I’m so full.” I said. “Me too, I feel like vomiting.” Michael said. 

“That’s because you ate as if there’s no tomorrow.” I whispered. ‘What?” Michael asked. “Nothing, I said we should go home now.” I answered Michael.

“Okay kids, let's go home.” Janice said. 

We all stood up and started walking to the counter. Janice paid for the food using Michael’s card again.

After Janice finished paying we continued walking until we were finally at the parking lot. She went inside the car and sat. 

Janice is at the front together with the driver while Michael and I are at the back sitting together.

“Hey, do you like your first day at the mall?” Michael asked. “Yeah I do. A lot!” I answered his question. “That’s great to hear.” Michael said.

“Fasten your seat belts boys, it’s for your safety.” Janice warned.

I tried to fasten my seat belt but I couldn't. “Look, this is how you do it.” Michael said and performed how to do it properly. 

“Thanks!” I said. “You’re welcome.” He said and smiled gently.

Finally we left the mall and went back home.