An Unexpected Visitor

I raise an eyebrow, my skepticism evident. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"Amanda, who's that?"

I turn to see my mom standing in the entrance of the hall, her eyes fixed on Daniel.

I unfold my arms, my gaze flicking between them.

"Who is it?" she asks again.

"It's—"

"Hey!" Daniel interrupts, his cheerful greeting grates on my nerves like the constant pricking of needles on my neck.

He suddenly strides into our compound with an annoying grin.

"Hey!" I yell, but he simply flashes a smile at me, and I grit my teeth, clenching my fists.

"Good morning, ma'am, or afternoon, I think," he says, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

My mom's expression remains calm, but I sense a hint of wariness. "Afternoon, dear. What do you want?"

I scoff, my arms crossing over my chest. Let's see where this goes.

"My dad said you guys need a dog cage."

Daniel's grin widens, and I feel a surge of irritation. "Of course, we do!" I exclaim.

He shoots me a knowing look, and I roll my eyes, taking a step back.

His presence feels invasive, and I don't like it. He must be a scammer.

"Well, ma'am, I have it in the boot, and I'll need some help."

I scowl at Daniel. "What the hell? You're the one delivering the cage?"

His nod and annoying smile only irritate me more.

"And you need help taking it out?" I ask, my voice tinged with skeptism.

As he speaks, I can't help but notice his glowing skin and light brown eyes, but I refuse to be distracted.

"I'm not helping you," I say flatly, turning to my mom.

"Are you sure he's not just pretending to be the guy Dad sent?"

Mom's expression turns thoughtful. "Why do you say that, Amanda?"

I gesture towards Daniel, my eyes narrowing. "He just shows up out of nowhere, and we're supposed to trust him?"

Daniel's smile never wavers, but his eyes flash with something like amusement.

"Amanda," he mutters, his voice low and smooth, almost like music to the ears.

I shake my head and turn back to my mom.

"This guy doesn't look trustworthy, let's call dad."

"Yeah, that's right, call your dad, Amanda, if that pleases you," Daniel chimes in, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

I point an accusatory finger at him. "You see, mom, this is why we shouldn't trust him. He's trying to appear all nice and friendly, but I'm not buying it."

I shoot him a skeptical glance. "And who told you could come in?"

Daniel's smile falters for a moment, and he blinks rapidly, his gaze darting between my finger and my face.

I drop my arm, waiting for a response.

"So, go on, tell me, why did you come in, and who sent you?" I demand, my eyes fixed on Daniel.

"Take it easy, Amanda," my mom says, her voice calm and soothing.

She approaches me, her black slippers scraping against the cemented ground with each step.

I fold my arms, my scowl still in place, but as I see Avin skipping beside her, my expression softens.

I rush to scoop him up in my arms, his softness like a feathery ball.

"Oh, I didn't even notice he was following me," my mom says with a smile.

I chuckle and lift Avin up to the sun, squinting at the brightness as I gaze up at him.

His cute, innocent face and teddy bear eyes make me melt.

"Oh Avin, you little pretender, you biter, you're a stubborn boy, aren't you?"

I nuzzle his warm belly with my nose, and he tries to wriggle free. He's such a sweetie!

The conversation between my mom and the annoying boy becomes a distant murmur, and I turn to leave, eager to escape the uncomfortable scene.

As I walk away, I can feel the boy's eyes on me, but I refuse to look back. I'm done with this strange encounter.

But the boy's call from behind makes me pause. "Amanda?" he says, his voice clear and confident.

I stop in my tracks, my heart beating slightly faster. What does he want now?

I roll my eyes before slowly turning to face him.

"So now you know my name, you'll keep calling me unnecessarily?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

But he just chuckles, and I shake my head, amused by his antics.

"Mad people everywhere," I mutter under my breath.

"Aren't you going to help?" he asks, his smile faltering for a moment.

I hold Avin close, my arms wrapped protectively around him. "Why would I want to help? It's your job, do it yourself."

I notice his smile return, but it seems forced. "You should at least help with the cage, it's for that little guy in your arms, isn't it?"

His eyes linger on Avin, and I frown, holding my puppy closer. "So?" I ask curtly.

"What's his name?" he asks, his gaze still on Avin - or rather, my chest.

I hug Avin tight to my chest, covering him and myself from his view. "You're not just a creep, but a perverted moron!"

"What's with the harsh words, Amanda?" My mom intervenes, her voice calm.

"You should ask him, Mom. He knows what he's looking at," I reply, my eyes never leaving Daniel's face.

He lets out a short laugh. "It's not what you think, Mandy."

"Mandy? So now you think we're friends, right?"

He nods, his smile widening. "Of course, we might as well exchange contacts."

My eyes narrow, and I raise a finger, pointing it accusingly at him. "You...you flirt, pervert, flirty perverted perv!"

I expect my mom to scold him, but instead, she chuckles, clearly amused.

I raise an eyebrow, dropping my accusatory finger and using my arm to securely hold Avin close.

"Mom, really?" I ask, my voice tinged with disbelief and frustration.

My mom waves her hand, still chuckling, "Don't mind him, Amanda."

She turns to the boy with a smile, "I'll help with the cage, let's go."

But he protests, "No, no, ma'am, let the young ones handle it."

"Which young ones?" I intervene, "you're not going to manipulate your way out of this. She offered to help, so let her."

I flash a fake smile, "Or, if you're not strong enough—"

"I am strong!" He Interrupts, which earns a scowl from me.

"Well, if you're so strong, then help yourself. But wait..." I scan his skinny frame from head to toe, noticing how his oversized black jacket and loose pants try to hide his thinness.

I stifle a chuckle, covering my mouth with my hand.

"What's so funny, Amanda?" he asks, his smile faltering, as if he's nervous about being judged.

I compose myself, clearing my throat. "I'm a blunt person, and I'll tell you the truth: there's no difference between you and a spaghetti strand that's too afraid to admit its size."

"Amanda," my mom calls gently, "that was too harsh. You're judging someone whose size is no different from yours."

I scoff and shake my head, "Well, I'm not a coward like him, trying to hide it."

"Even though, Amanda, he's human like you, you shouldn't—"

"It's okay, ma'am," he Interrupts, his smile forced.

I frown, expecting him to be angry, but instead, his smile looks like he's trying to hide the pain of my words.

It's a look I recognize, a look I've seen in my own mirror.

The realization hits me like a punch to the gut, and my frown turns into a pitiful expression.

I see myself in him, someone who's been made fun of countless times, someone who's been left alone for reasons they don't understand.

"Uhm—" I start to say, but he cuts me off, his gaze fixed on me.

"It's fine. I get things like that all the time."

My lips part in surprise, "Oh."

His words are tinged with a hint of sadness, and I feel a pang of regret.

"You need to be careful with your words, Amanda," my mom's words echoes in my mind.

I look down, my gaze fixed on the ground, feeling sorry and stupid for what I said. I went overboard, and I know I should apologize.

I take a deep breath and raise my gaze back up to him, but as I open my mouth to speak, he turns and walks away, my mom following behind.

"Wait—" I stretch out my arm, but he's already gone, leaving me with a heavy heart and a lingering sense of guilt.