After the odd incident that happened no less than a few minutes ago, it left me frozen on the spot, watching him walk away until he disappeared completely.
I'm wondering how we keep on meeting in awkward situations. But this only taught me a lesson to be more vigilant with my surroundings. I can't keep bumping into strangers. It's unprofessional.
I noticed that I'm staring into space for a while now, right in the middle of the street. Those that pass by me gives me weird looks, and my cheeks heated.
My thoughts clear up in an instant, and I frantically look around to find that the lady I'm looking for is right ahead of me. She caught my eyes, and she must have seen everything that happened.
I approach her with small steps until I reach the front of her stall. Her lovely cakes right below my nose, and I hold myself back from looking at it. The delicious scent it's giving off is making my stomach grumble.
"Hello Ma'am, it's wonderful to see you again," I greeted her with a warm smile. Her kind and bright aura lit up the dark atmosphere that night. Now that it's daylight, she looks as sweet as ever.
She tilts her head, returning me a gentle smile before speaking, "Good morning, dear! I'm glad you're craving my cakes this early."
"Oh, well actually-" I mutter out, feeling worried. My intentions aren't to buy the lady's cakes even if it's tempting. But I can't let her down, for she's such a kind lady, "I'll have this one," I point to at the crisped and tanned butterscotch cookies.
She smiles and nods, grabbing a paper bag to take my order. I jiggle the coin bag I have in my hand, grateful that I have money with me; Unlike the last time when Rhys had to step up and pay for my cake.
"You know, dear, everyone says I have a good memory even at this old age. I usually remember my customer's faces, but I don't seem to recall meeting you before," her eyes squinted at me. Curiosity flashed on her face.
Great I forgot that my face wasn't recognizable. It's the second time that I'm messing up. And I'm straying from my goal; I'm supposed to as of Frida's whereabouts. Not buy some cookies.
Before I could speak a random lie, she cuts me off with her apologies, "But again, maybe my memory is not as sharp as before. I'm sorry if I've forgotten you, dear. Frida's forgetfulness is getting to me," she laughs but my eyes lits up. She brought her up.
She passes the paper bag to me, and I took out a coin from the coin bag, giving it to her when her eyes widen. I failed to notice that the coins are all gold, "I'll give you your change-"
"No, please keep it. Instead, could you share a piece of information?"
She nods, looking left and right before leaning in, "if there's something I'm good at, that is baking and locating anything or anyone in this town," proudly she states.
I smile, relieved at what she had said, "then I'd like to know where I can find Frida."
The lady is taken aback by my request, understandably because Frida is her friend, "Why do you want to know about Frida? What's your relation with her?"
I blink, "She makes weapons, doesn't she? I need her to make my bow."
She takes a moment to relax her already tensed shoulders. The smile that disappeared a second ago came back, and she replies, "go straight to that street, then turn right on the crossing where you'll see a house with a front garden."
"Walk straight, and you'll see a blacksmith's shop," she continues.
"Thank you," I say gratefully.
She gives me an apologetic look, "I'm sorry if I was suspicious of you; there was a woman who went looking for Frida only days ago. After that, she got extremely sick."
I gasp, "she got better after that wound she acquired from that creature who attacked her and a girl. But that wound became dangerously infected after a woman visited and threatened her," she continues the story sadly.
"I'm sorry I didn't know," my heart beats rapidly in my chest after hearing such dreadful news. Who could that woman be, what had she done to Frida?
"It's alright, dear. If you want to have your bow made, then Jack Flinttank, her husband, will assist you."
I grip the paper bag forcefully from the deep regret of not having to see her earlier. She could have gotten hurt because she became involved with me.
I thank the kind lady, was about to head away when I turn around for the last time, "I didn't catch your name, Ma'am."
"It's Nora Bardot," she smiles at me, and I froze.
That's my family name, Bardot. Could she be someone who's a part of my family? However, that's impossible. No other human can come in here. Maybe I'm overthinking this. Nora may have the same surname as I do, but we're not related.
I start walking toward the street Nora had pointed to, as my thoughts are bewildered. There's so much to think about that my brain might heat up and stop working before I know it. My heart feels heavy with all the sudden incidents.
I think this story is getting more complex the further it gets. I don't know how I'll handle it.
There's too many empty spaces, missing puzzles. Everything is adding up so fast that I can't keep up. Ever since I got here, my life had changed forever. I'd expect this to be a soft fantasy, but it became a fantasy action all of a sudden. It's also frustrating how I keep finding out secrets but can't unlock them.
The frown that sat on my lips hurts the muscles on my face. I examine the street I'm in. This town, even as crowded, is still so beautiful. It makes me feel better seeing the children who look very human-like, playing with glowing pixies with bright smiles on their faces.
I come to the crossing where on my right is a big house with a garden on the font. In its garden are various kinds of flowers with colorful petals. Whoever lives in this house must own a flower shop.
Turning right, even from a distance, I catch a glimpse of the shop where I'm heading. In the large open doorway where it showcases the inside of the shop, a tiny figure stands looking out.