Escape from the evil lady (GL)
Chapter 122 - 30. Time off

Chapter 122: Chapter 30. Time off

The news that our main competitor has unexpectedly retired at the moment threw me into a stupor. Why would that happen?

Was Wilson Anderson really so upset about the loss of his salon’s former popularity lately that he even decided to take such measures? Although I didn’t really like this man very much because of his arrogant nature, nevertheless, even I considered such measures unnecessary.

«Is this the kind of person who doesn’t know how to lose at all...?»

The day after the owner of the Anderson salon showed up here to make his vile accusations against us, the neighboring building was closed, and there was a sign on the door that said «no longer in operation.» When I informed Jeremy about this with considerable surprise, my friend just shrugged his shoulders, not attaching global significance to this news:

— Isn’t it a good thing they’re closed? — the guy declared, — Now, with the departure of this salon, we have become the most popular flower shop in the quarter!

Although Jeremy’s words were true, I was doubtful, because everything that was happening seemed too sudden to me.

The spirit of victory was in the air, but at the same time, a feeling of anxiety did not leave me. Anyway, I understood that competition is not only a struggle for customers, but also an opportunity to grow and develop. I didn’t want success to come at the expense of other people’s failures.

«But even so...» I hesitated, «didn’t it happen too suddenly? Why did he suddenly decide to close down...?

As far as I’ve heard, the Anderson Floral Salon was a family business and had been owned by several other generations of the family. So why did Wilson suddenly make such a sudden decision so suddenly? However, it seemed like I was the only one thinking about it. Because the baron’s youngest son replied again without much emotion:

— Just don’t think about it. After all, what difference does it make to us now?

Jeremy’s casual attitude about this situation confused me a bit. It looks like I’m really meddling in matters that don’t concern us at all. After all, this person might have his own reasons for closing his business, which I didn’t even know about.

— hm...

While I was still experiencing some hesitation, my friend interrupted my train of thought with an excited exclamation:

— Look, we have to use this moment. Let’s have a sale, attract customers and show that we have the best flowers in the city!

Jeremy’s enthusiasm was truly contagious. In the end, I also succumbed to him, and rejected all previous bad thoughts. It is possible that this is indeed our chance to strengthen our position.

I nodded, smiling:

— Okay, let’s do that.

In the end, after listening to my friend’s opinion, I decided to stop thinking about it and just accepted this rather unexpected news.

Meanwhile, since it was exactly one month since our store opened yesterday, I decided to arrange something in honor of this event.

— Frank, Judo, and Caleb. Since you got a job here, you haven’t taken a single day off and even often stayed late. I really appreciate your efforts, so if you want, you can take the day off for today.

«....»

When I approached three men with the suggestion that they take time off for today, they were quite surprised.

«I’m sorry...?»

«You’re probably tired from working here from morning to night,» I continued, «so you can rest today and get back to work tomorrow.

Since I considered myself a good employer, I decided that I couldn’t deprive my employees of a legitimate day off, even if they hadn’t asked me to. However...

At this moment, the three of them unanimously objected:

— No, that’s not necessary!

I blinked in confusion.

«What...?»

Contrary to my expectations, but it was one of those rare occasions when these three really were completely unanimous with each other. Although, to be honest, I expected a completely different reaction to the vacation offer.

«Mistress, we’re not tired at all, so we don’t need to rest!» Frank said it first.

— Yes, that’s right.

«I’m not tired either!»

«...»

I was in a stupor for a while, because I never thought that I would have to face rejections. Until that time, it seemed to me that there simply was no one in this world who would voluntarily neglect his own rest and life for the sake of work. But it seems that our hired employees were a clear exception to this rule.

Do they really like working here so much...?

Although I tried to insist on it for a while, but in the end all my subsequent attempts to persuade them were unsuccessful. So, since that’s how it turned out, I decided to just put up with it.

— Well, then... — at the moment when, after hesitating, I finally decided to close this topic, the unexpected happened.

«Actually, I wouldn’t turn down the offer,» Jeremy suddenly declared.

— what? — I turned to my friend in surprise.

«I... I’d like to take the day off today to go to the vet clinic,» the guy explained, embarrassed.

«A veterinary clinic?» I asked, «But why?»

The baron’s youngest son sighed dejectedly.

«The snake I left with me doesn’t eat anything at all. It bothers me,» he complained, «I’d like to check it out. Maybe she’s sick of something.

— Really? Does she eat nothing at all?

— yes. I read a little bit about it, and tried to feed her according to the preferences of these animals. I tried to give her raw meat, insects, and even caught a few live mice... However, she doesn’t eat any of it.

Thinking of the little white snake, which was very beautiful and looked more like a toy, I was also filled with concern.

— Really? Then it’s bad. You really should go!

Jeremy nodded gravely.

«Then I’ll be back tonight.»

After Jeremy went to the vet with his snake, and Frank, Judo, and Caleb went about their business in the pantry, I was left alone in the main hall for a while. Since there wasn’t much else to do, I just decided to clean up a bit here, waiting for new visitors. And then...

«Hmm? What was that?»

It definitely seemed to me that someone’s dark shadow had just flashed behind the glass window of our store. But the moment I turned to look there, I saw nothing. A strange feeling of deja vu came over me.

«.....»

I hesitated, wondering if I’d imagined it all. For some reason, the anxiety also wouldn’t let go of me.

Well, maybe I should rest too, because otherwise, some strange visions started happening to me.