The following day Taf woke in high spirits as he looked out the attic window at the building close by the restaurant.
Knowing the consequence of his actions, Taf was in deep contemplation,
'Hope my memory was not wrong, and what I remember is actually everything I read. I'm guessing I'll be even more of a target now by that elder if my plan actually worked as I hope. Eyes will be on every street for me, so caution is a necessity at the moment.'
His mind then drifted, and a person came to mind. She was a young girl of similar age with who he has had countless run-ins these past four years.
'Damn it, I have a bad feeling I'll meet her.'
She was the one person who would best him from time to time. Perhaps his biggest nemesis in Marvel City.
Sigh!
After a while, Taf decided to head on his way as it could not be helped. To avoid his enemies, he knew that stealth was vital. Therefore Taf ensured to sneakily hurry to senior Grace's bookstore. Inside he could then flip through some important record he had read.
This was crucial to his tactics in dealing with this so-called "cultivator."
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At the bookstore counter sat an old lady with a head full of grey with a book in hand. Beside her was someone who, over the past few years, Taf knew far too well.
They were like water and oil that did not mix very well. The one person in the city annoyed him to no end, Senior Grace's granddaughter, May.
She was petite in size with dark black hair and brown eyes. She wasn't bad looking, as a beautiful smile would be your greeting if you were to make her happy.
However, to Taf, she was nothing but a bane to his existence. One of the reasons he did not frequently visit the bookstore could be because of her very presence.
As he stepped through the door, their eyes met, and sparks went off immediately.
"Oh my words, are my eyes deceiving me, or did the Prince come to visit us, lowly peasants?"
May exclaimed teasingly as she saw the youth with dreads coming through the door harbouring a sour look on his face.
"I've always thought myself to be like heaven's child. One that would have nothing but fortuitous meetings in this blessed life. Who knew that what I thought a blessed life would be marred by your very existence, May."
Taf replied as he looked at the girl, who had a cheeky smile plastered all over her face.
"Oh, so you have now moved from the Crown Prince to heaven's child? Your humbleness knows no bounds."
She rolled her eyes after hearing his audacious response to her teasing.
"What's next? will the stars write out your name in worship, and bow to the ground to be your mounts?"
She laughed as her brown eyes met his when they stared at each other. Senior Grace looked to the side and could only smile at the two. She became so used to it that it would be odd if the two were not at each other throats at each encounter.
Admittedly she liked their sparring sessions as they each aimed to outdo the other with witty comebacks. It was a highlight of her day when these two met.
"It has baffled me over the years as I sit and ponder. Here I see Senior Grace, one who carries herself with such poise and, I must say, befitting of her name, Grace.
Taf smiled at old lady Grace before once more turning to May,
"Then there is May, seemingly of the same lineage, yet the difference beyond comparison. I ask myself, why 'May' the heavens beseech me with this plague?"
Taf laughed as he saw her cheeky smile turning into a frown the more he spoke.
"Oh, it is understandable when one does not know much about women, how you sit and ponder all by your lonesome. Am I such a great puzzle that I warrant deciphering by your supposedly brilliant mind?"
She folded her arms and started to grin at the youth before her.
" You do know puzzles are jumbled, right. Now I see and can make the connection, jumble or clutter-headed May. That fits perfectly, doesn't it? Just like a puzzle, huh?"
The standoff had seemingly reached its boiling point, and to the side, Senior Grace knew it was her time to intervene by ringing the bell.
"Ok, you two, I'm sure you had enough of each other."
May was just about to counter when she heard her grandma and could only stifle her response.
"You got away this time, you brute."
She then stared daggers at Taf before looking away. In his mind, he had a sigh of relief. This girl would not let anything go. Taf knew the next time they met, she would definitely go all out.
"Taf, what brings you to the store today? By the number of books you have read by now, I don't think there isn't in the store that hasn't seen your eyes. Probably it's to see a certain someone, huh?"
Senior Grace winked as she inquired at the youth before her. Taf was caught off guard and could only dryly cough at the suggestion of Senior Grace before hastily replying.
"I have indeed read most books within your store, senior Grace. However, what I wanted to read are some historical records of Marvel City from centuries past."
Taf then went on to disclose the reasoning behind his visit,
"I vividly recall glimpsing some facts that I want to delve even deeper into if possible. Due to time restraints, the last time, I had not processed the information fully."
This was quite an essential task, so Taf ensured to leave nothing. Hearing the youth stating his plans, Senior Grace was surprised for a moment as she curiously looked at him.
" Ok, at this point, you know this place as well as any child of mine. Those old records are perhaps what you seek."
Old grace point to a brittle shelf in the back devoid of any interest from the patrons,
"Please note that they are somewhat fragile, so please take your usual care when handling them."
Taf thanked Senior Grace and went straight for the records without waiting for a second more. The more that was read, a smile formed from ear to ear,
'Seems I wasn't mistaken when I decided on this path.'
After a couple of hours, Taf made his way to the counter and said his goodbyes. As he was about to leave, he heard a voice.
"You won this time; next time, don't think you will be so lucky, brute."
He looked back to see May with a big grin on her face. It was weird as over the years, whenever she smiled, she didn't seem as annoying in his eyes anymore.
"Ok, we'll see."
The door was then opened with him leaving. As it closed, his back could be seen, and May at the counter kept staring.
"Look at my little May. I thought you hated him; if so, why are you looking so sad whenever he seems to leave?"
Hearing her grandma May seemed to have been jolted back to reality.
"Who could like that brute, grandma? I just remember something, that's all."
A blush blossomed on her face as she looked at the closed door.
To be continued...