“Flowers, Ma’am?” the girl asked with her big round eyes and puffy cheeks. She looked the same age as Audrey, and the clothes she wore were old but still clean, even though there were some random smudges on her face.
I noticed it and quickly took out some tissue, wanting to help her clean it. However, as soon as I reached out, the girl backed away.
She tried to take a huge step back, but kids do not make much distance with those short legs of theirs.
“Don’t be scared,” I told her, trying my best to smile and make myself more approachable. I waved the tissue in my hand to indicate that I meant no harm. “You have something on your nose. Let me wipe that off for you, my dear. Okay?”
The girl was still naive, so she let down her guard in no time and got closer, quietly letting me clean her face without even making a sound.
Seeing what was going on, Emery pulled out a budded flower from the girl’s basket and fiddled it. “It’s a hot day, little girl. Why are you here doing business instead of staying at home? Are you that materialistic?”
‘What are you saying?” Emery always had a sharp tongue when it came to strangers.
But the girl did not understand what she meant and merely blinked at Emery innocently.
I was a little amazed by her reaction, so I asked, “Aren’t you afraid of her?”
“I’m not. She’s a pretty lady.” The girl did not even blink as she said that right at Emery’s face.
“Ahem…” Emery blushed instantly, but she kept up her act. “That won’t work, kid. I’m not going to cough up my money just because you gave me some compliments. I’m a businesswoman too. I don’t do deals that aren’t beneficial to me, understand?”
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