Ugly, part 3

[Mirage]

Part 3

I was attending a client when Lolita came to me "she died!". The man beside me gasp, hearing what she said. "Who died??" I asked quickly. "The mermaid! She dies at the end... you said it was a romance story!" Lolita said quickly, somewhat agitated. "Oh, in the book I gave you.. Well, sometimes, love can be a tragedy." I answered while finishing serving the relieved man. "I don't understand... I was instructed that love is a good thing." she said quickly. "Yes, it is a good thing, but sometimes, love can be turn into a different emotion, like sadness, loneliness, even anger." I explained. She blinked a few times and left and went back to her seat.

It was almost closing time and I went to see Lolita. "Are you okay?" I asked her while I came behind her cubicle desk. She remained quiet while I saw she was just seating there, her arms straight down beside her torso, not moving. She was staring in empty space, like she was in a trance. "Lolita, are you okay." I asked her worried. She remained quiet. I put my left hand on her shoulder and shook her lightly. Nothing happened. I got worried and was going to get a glass of water or something. But before I did, she suddenly got up, grab her bag and left. I tried to asked her if she was okay, but like always, she left for home at exactly 5:59pm. I wondered about her a bit but returned to my duties.

The next morning, to my surprise, Lolita was with someone. When we opened, Lolita's companion came directly to me. It was a semi old man, in his 60s I would guess, look at me straight in the eyes "Are you the one that gave my daughter that....that ridiculous book to her to read???" he asked angrily. "I nodded "yes, I didn't mean any arm or trouble for her." I answered him. "Please never let my daughter read crap like that ever again! She is instructed to read only the books I tell her to read!" he yelled out to me. I notice Lolita was standing behind him, somewhat emotionless. "I am sorry, it won't happen again. I am truly sorry." I excused myself.

The old man turned around and commanded Lolita to go sit and start to read the books she is to read. He then look at me somewhat satisfied of my apology and smiled "You have to understand, my daughter... she is somewhat different... talking about love and romance, it will only confuse her... you saw what she looks like, no man would ever love her.." he explained.

Suddenly, something came out from my mouth that shock even myself "Sir, you disgust me! How can you talk about this young woman like that! I think Lolita has a beautiful spirit inside herself. The love for books she has is something I find a real beauty in life that most people deny themselves. Your daughter has more inner beauty than you could ever imagine.".

The old man eyes became wide open, I was thinking he was going to kill me or something.
"Bwahahaha!! Only a true librarian could say something that funny! Son, you make me smile. But I must be honest to you, Lolita is not the young woman you are to believe she is... do not fool yourself. I think you are putting her pussy on a pedestal." he laughed out. "Pussy on a pedestal, why everyone tell's me I do that?" I mumble out to myself. The man then shook my hand and left just like that, without even saying goodbye to his own daughter.

As I stared at the old man leaving the front doors, my thoughts were suddenly stopped by Lolita, who was now standing beside me "is it truth you find me beautiful?" she ask me, her eyes with tears in her eyes.

To be continued..