Chapter 14

“You look pale! Come in quick!” Those were the first words of Yolly when she opened her door and saw a sick-looking man. Lia did not speak and showed the contents of the bag instead. Without saying her name, Yolly ushered her inside the store.

Yolly let Lia rest in the corner of the store, away from the prying eyes of the customers. Lia appreciated it and reminded herself to ease a bit as she sat comfortably. She told what happened that day and what they did after while Yolly arranged the jars and vials. Yolly just would not have her do anything after looking like someone on the verge of collapse.

“You had me worried. The people were going crazy after! They said that in the evening, the witch would deliver her wrath so everyone was on guard. But nothing happened. Not the following day or the day after that.”

“You’re really not afraid of her,” Lia said over her cup of hot chocolate drink.

Yolly laughed, eyebrows raised. “Silly girl. Shouldn’t I be saying that?”

Lia remained silent and gulped down the rest of her drink.

“I’m surprised you stayed girlie. Would have thought you ditched your mother. Tamara trusts easily. I don’t.”

Understandable, Lia thought. The owner of the body was vocal of her dislike to Tamara. Lia had to choose her words correctly.

“Well, she stuck to me through thick and thin. The least I could do is to do the same,” she looked up and met Yolly’s eyes. “All the kindness and love I received, I’ll give back ten-fold.”

“Remember your words girlie.

Yolly was the first to break their small staring contest and started working on the things on Lia’s list. Lia waited on her corner, drawing lazy circles at the cup.

“Do you still want more?”

Lia looked up, alerted. The boy flinched. She remembered him, Yolly’s son, Frankie. Upon recognition, Lia relaxed once more and shook her head. Frankie nodded at her but still looked like he wanted to say something. Lia waited for him to speak and tried to soften her features. She knew her resting face could get really intimidating. But Frankie just smiled and turned around, not saying anything. Lia shrugged and leaned back on her chair.

Yolly handed her the items and saw her out but not before reminding her to be careful. Lia set out once more, dropping by the stalls. Maybe because of the festival, there are more stalls and almost twice the number of people going to and fro.

She was secretly glad for thinking that going ahead of time is a good choice. Then winced when she realized that she could jinx everything if she rejoiced now.

“All right, fruits and then spices. Then home,” she felt a lot more confident now than when she first stepped inside the town earlier. No one noticed her disguise, not even Yolly. If today was successful, then she could go on using this and they could still go to the town.

Feeling glad about herself, she began choosing fruits. She was almost done when she heard the conversation beside her.