"And where have you been, lady?"
Amara jumped at the deep voice that greeted her as soon as she entered her shop. At the foot of the stairs was Vida, sitting at the first step, her hand balled in fist supporting her chin upright, as though it kept her head from falling into the sides.
She gulped the nervous lump in her throat and gave her a crooked smile, "Just to the other side…?"
Vida was looking at her like she was a child that committed something wrong. Her sharp black eyes were drilling holes into her, as though silently reprimanding her. She bit her lips and sighed. Perhaps, sneaking at night was indeed dangerous.
She was ready to apologize when she heard Vida breathe out a loud sigh. She scratched her head and asked her again, this time, her voice wasn't strict, just curious, "And what did you do there? It was almost dawn; did you sleep in there?"
"No!" Amara answered in haste, shaking her head rapidly. She didn't want to be misunderstood, although, maybe if she hadn't pulled away from Azer, then she might have stayed longer. "I mean, you were sleeping so soundly that you didn't hear the commotion outside. I went out to check."
Vida stood and walked to her, "What happened?"
"They said a thief broke in. Luckily, they caught him."
Stopping right across her, Vida pulled one of her loose sleeves up to her shoulders while staring at her playfully. Amara felt embarrassed. Her face became red in shame and she averted her head to escape her prying eyes.
Vida continued, "I don't see any reason for you to check them yourself. The neighbors across are two adult men with large builds, they could easily apprehend the thief. What if you got involved instead?"
"Sometimes, I just don't really know if you're stupid or just reckless."
"Hey!"
Vida sat on the table and crossed her legs then folded her arms on her chest, "So, are you two dating now?
Amara blushed, "…I think?"
"You're not sure?! Are you kidding me?! You've already done the deed and –
"We didn't! Nothing happened, Vida. Please, don't overthink! We just talked and…had an understanding…"
Another sigh came from her friend. She could see worry in her dark eyes, and she understood why.
Vida jumped from the table and walked to the stairs again. She seemed to have lost interest in listening to her romance, but then she stopped and looked back at her. She looked hesitant about something. She leaned on the wooden railing and yawned, then she spoke again.
A voice filled with careful consideration, she started, "I'll be honest. I have a feeling that that man isn't normal. I can't point it out, but I have a bad feeling about him. I know I shouldn't be saying this to you. I feel like an awful bitch trying to throw shit on your best day, but I'm just…worried."
Amara smiled knowingly. The tip of Vida's ears turned a shade of pink. She rolled her eyes at Amara and spun around.
"Just be careful, okay?"
When the sky gradually brightened, Amara, though lacking in sleep, still managed to open her shop in time. Her eyes landed on the table where the two mugs were, and a small smile formed her lips.
Unconsciously, her gaze wandered to the shop across which was closed for the day. The broken shards that scattered on the sidewalk were already cleaned; the exposed interior was temporarily covered by a large tarpaulin.
Last night, before they parted, Azer had informed her that he had other business she had to tend to, and that was why the shop would be closed for a few days.
She sighed. Shaking her head, she almost turned red in shame thinking that she already missed the man, even though it hadn't been long since they parted. Taking the finished mugs inside the shelf, she started doing her chores.
It was the afternoon that Amara heard the bell hanging above the door chime. She was visited by a familiar guest.
The woman entered her shop, directly looking at her, as though implying her visit wasn't to purchase her ceramics. She strode past the shelves and tables where her works were displayed and calmly walked up to the counter where she was sitting arranging the receipts of orders she received.
"How may I help you?" She spoke politely, flashing a small smile across her face, as any other person working in the service industry.
The lady whose name was still unknown to her smiled sweetly and asked back kindly, "I am looking for a vase for holding flowers. I noticed this shop since I often visit the bakery across. I didn't know you were working here."
'I'm sure you know. If you always visit the shop across, then she probably saw me once from the other side. The glasses weren't that obstructed anyway,' Amara thought to herself.
She had a feeling the woman visiting her had something to do with what happened before – when Azer chased her away and chose to have dinner with her instead.
She stood and gestured to the shelves where the vases were, "What size are you looking for? I have different sizes of vases here, with different designs as well. You can choose whatever you find suitable."
"Oh, the designs are pretty."
"Thank you."
"Do you make them yourself?" The lady asked and roamed around the shelves slowly.
"Yes. I made them myself," Amara answered, following her from behind. She had the opportunity to study the woman because of that. Her white and slender hands were like polished candles, with her nails properly trimmed and painted a color that suited her.
The way she walked was straight and proud, and her movement was graceful. With each step, she exuded elegance, and her clothes were simple, yet Amara could tell it wasn't a cheap dress.
She concluded that the lady was a noble – pretending as a commoner, roaming the streets to search for something that would entertain her. Maybe she got bored with all the banquets and tea parties, that she preferred visiting that neighborhood instead.
"The flowers I received were a bunch of carnations arranged beautifully. They said that red carnations mean love and affection. So, I wanted to preserve them as long as I could. And I like to put them into something beautiful as well."
"Then, if it's a red flower, white vases will suit them most. If you will decorate it with leaves and other accessories, green will suit them as well. I have plenty of white and green vases here, in different shades."
"I prefer white more. Azer likes white. He always wears a white shirt after all," the woman replied and giggled while gazing at the white vases.
Hearing Azer's name escape from the woman's mouth, Amara was frozen on the spot. Her purple irises trembled ever slightly, and her throat was caught in mum. As if sensing her troubled mind, the woman looked back at her and smiled so sweetly, looking so innocent.
Amara blinked and composed herself, gaining back the small smile that disappeared from her face seconds ago. She swallowed the lump in her throat and answered in a calm voice, "I'm sure the flowers will look good with the white vase."
The smile on the woman's face widened and she replied, "Is that so? Then I'm choosing this one. The design was simple yet looked elegant. It will suit my room in the Vernice Mansion for sure."
Then, she hummed a song, as though she didn't just drop a bomb on her. Amara's eyes would have widened if she hadn't felt like grabbing a vase and smashing them on the ground.
The Vernice Mansion was the residence of the Vernice family in the capital, lined in the royal streets where townhouses of noble people were located. It was the Duke of Vernice's home – which means the lady could be his…daughter?
"Can you wrap this up now?"
She bowed slightly and quickly took the chosen vase. She carefully wrapped it in thick clean cloth before putting it in a box filled with crumpled paper. She taped the cardboard box carefully and tightly before sticking the copy of the receipt with the name of the shop above.
"Please, handle it with care," she said as she gently pushed the box to her. If the woman deliberately blurted out that she was a noble lady to receive a privileged service like personal delivery, then Amara would just pretend she didn't get it.
She flashed her timid smile and mumbled 'thank you' as she escorted the lady to the door. Normally, whenever she sends a customer who purchases a product in her store, she thanks them and tells them to come back again.
But her mouth wasn't cooperative this time. Instead of wishing her to come back again, she prayed that the woman would never return.
She was astounded, hearing that Azer gave that person a flower after kissing her so passionately. Or maybe she received them before that occurred? Amara couldn't know.
She just felt awful, that she was too weak and easy to believe that obvious sly innuendo. Her faith immediately wavered, and now she couldn't wait to see Azer to ask him directly. She wanted to believe that it was all just a lie, but her heart couldn't be at ease.
It was as if the woman knew her weakness and exactly struck her on that spot. Now, her insecurities are rapidly gnawing at her shaken confidence and making her faith crumble so easily.