"Come in", Jade said to a mild knock she heard on her door.
* * *
Jade looked up as a woman entered her room.
"Miss Jade"
Half of the woman's face was scarred, drooping, and was of a different color to the other half. The other side of her face had a healthy look with her skin's normal complexion. It was difficult to keep staring at her face. Once you looked, you'd have the urge to quickly remove your gaze from her.
[What had happened to her? I can imagine how life must be hard for her], Jade thought.
Her head was slightly bent, maybe due to the fact that she only had sight in one of her eyes. The eye on the damaged side was almost non-existent, to say the least.
Jade was moved. She had never seen such a sight before and she tried to hide her shock and discomfort so that the woman doesn't feel bad about her predicament.
[I wonder if other people she had come in contact with tried to hide their feelings too. With how mean people can be], I thought.
"What can I do for you, ma'am?"
The woman began sobbing.
Jade allowed her to let it all out. Sometimes, it was good to cry instead of bottling all the pain inside.
"N-n-o one w-will look at m-meee", she explained.
"I am not married at this age, no job, who wants to hire someone that looks this hideous?" she trailed off, deep in tears.
"What happened to you, madam?"... Jade reached across the table and put her hand on the woman's own.
"Some years ago, I saw a pimple on my face. That was the beginning of disaster for me", she replied.
"I am sorry to hear this"
"I need you to do something... anything you can do for me. I want to be able to work and fend for myself. I want to live a normal life, and maybe get a husband along the way. Can you help me?", she begged Jade with her eyes.
Jade hadn't done anything like this before but she didn't doubt herself. So, she adjusted in her seat, straightened her spine, and stilled her breath.
"omorfia kai episkevi, ilios kai areas, elate an diorthosete kai an kanete dikaio"...
A subtle sound of waves filled the small room, and a brush appeared in Jade's hands. She dropped it carefully on the table then prepared a poultice of figs, wine, and a special powder Bacchus had taught her how to prepare for the purpose of healing and repair.
Jade picked up the brush, dipped it in the mixture she'd made. She walked over to where the woman sat with her good eye wide open because she didn't know what to expect but was full of hope that at least, something was being done about her case.
Jade applied it to the defaced side covering even the affected eye. She was full of faith in her ability and silently prayed that the result matches the one she saw in her mind at that moment.
"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
* * *
There and then, Jade could see the twists and turns of the skin on her face. Tissues joining together, cartilages fusing, skin sewing, and healing.
Sounds of boils bursting, puss drying up... and most surprising of all, the bad eyelid was forming.
[An eye should be forming inside too]
Jade was so happy like she was the one getting fixed. Helping people gave her a joy that she couldn't describe. It made Jade feel fulfilled.
After about 2 minutes, her screaming stopped.
Her eyes, both of them were open, and they were fixed on the ceiling with her head leaning backward, resting on the top rail of the chair.
Jade went back to my own chair.
"You can go now, Madam. I wish you all the best. Make sure to invite me to your wedding"
She was confused. Then she got up and walked over to the mirror in the corner. Uncertainty plastered all over her face.
When she looked at her reflection, she appeared spellbound. She stood looking for a while, and Jade allowed her. Jade could only imagine what was going through her brain.
"Oh my goodness... Oh my goodness... ahhh!!!!", she kept saying.
Jade started to laugh. The woman's happiness was contagious.
"You've changed my whole life, Miss Jade. You don't know what you have done for me. I pray for all the best for you...". Many blessings and prayers kept coming out of her mouth.
[If I don't stop this pretty woman, she will not leave here for other people to have their turn]
With a smile on her face, Jade got up from her chair to gently usher the woman to the door, then she grabbed Jade in a tight embrace. Letting out a little cough, the woman laughed and let her go.
Before she stepped out of the door, she planted a kiss on Jade's cheek and said again; "Thank you".
Jade nodded and closed the door behind her.
She didn't seem like the same person that walked through this door an hour ago. Jade let out a chuckle then went ahead to wash her hands.
* * *
"Daniil, I read your story. I am interested, man"
"Everyone is. I got to the office this morning and met lots of messages and fan mail on my desk. The story really stirred minds, I see".
"Oh? why wouldn't it? So, this mystery person... this enchantress. Is she real?"
"Yes, she is. I had my assistant set up an interview in 2 weeks. It is too far for me... I dreamt about what the interview would look like last night. Just imagine that"
They both laughed.
"Can I go with you?"
Daniil looked at Adonis with a confused look.
"I know... I know. But I'm itching to see this person, I don't even know why myself".
"Alright then, I'll let you know when the time comes. It is my interview though. Keep that in mind, Adonis"
"Sure sure. No problem. I just want to see, and hear from the horse's mouth"
"Okay then"
"Thanks, man. See you around"
Adonis walked out of Daniil's office... excited.