Two young couples walked into the fabric store, and Esmeralda Cortez, an employee, immediately noticed the wedding rings glinting on their fingers. She observed the woman clutching her husband's hand tightly as they entered, a bright smile lighting up her face while her eyes darted eagerly around the store. The man's countenance changed noticeably as she held onto him, a hint of displeasure crossing his features. Just then, he leaned down to whisper something in her ear, prompting her to release his hand reluctantly, her smile fading into a sad frown.
Esmeralda's colleague approached the couple with a warm smile. "Welcome to Gab's Fabrics! What kind of fabric are you looking for today?"
The woman glanced at her name tag. "Well, Nicole, we would like a flowered chiffon fabric that isn't too thick and has a lovely, soft feel. Any color will do."
"Great choice! Please make yourselves comfortable while I go fetch some options for you," Nicole replied, guiding them to a cozy vintage seating area before excusing herself.
Once they settled in, Esmeralda approached them with a friendly demeanor. "What would you like to drink while you wait?" she asked.
The woman squealed in delight. "Sweetheart, don't you think this place has such a welcoming spirit?"
The man murmured a noncommittal "yes," his gaze still fixed on the magazine he had picked up earlier from the table in front of them. Esmeralda smiled in acknowledgment of the woman's compliment.
"I would love a cup of tea," the woman finally requested, her enthusiasm shining through once more.
"Sir, what would you like to have?" Esmeralda turned to the man and asked.
His gaze shifted from the magazine, studying her intently as if he were committing every detail of her face to memory. Soon, he seemed lost in his own thought.
"Sweetheart, she asked you a question," his wife reminded him, pulling him back to the present.
His eyes flicked from her face to the name tag neatly pinned on Esmeralda's uniform. "Esmeralda," he murmured, as if registering her face in his memory. Esmeralda noticed the woman's expression darken in an instant.
"Just get me a cup of water at room temperature, please," he said with a pleasant smile. Esmeralda nodded and walked away.
When she returned, the couple was already examining the fabrics Nicole had brought. Esmeralda gently placed the requested cup of water on the table before returning to her earlier position. She couldn't help but notice the man glancing her way, stealing quick peeks now and then. It struck her as inappropriate for a married man to be so openly attracted to her. What would his wife think of his behavior? Although he was young, his features were far from appealing.
Meanwhile, the woman continued sending Nicole back and forth, offering distasteful remarks about each fabric. Soon, the area around her was littered with an array of colors. While staring at a particularly vibrant piece, she brought the cup of tea to her mouth, only to immediately spit it out, her face etched with disgust.
"What is this?" Lilith asked, her face twisted in disgust.
Esmeralda rushed to her side, alarmed by the distorted expression on her face. "Ma'am, please, what is wrong?" she asked, her heart racing. She feared she had broken the first rule of Gab's Fabrics: never anger a customer.
"Why is this tea so cold?" Lilith screamed at her.
"The tea wouldn't have gotten cold if you hadn't ignored it while sending Nicole on an endless search for fabrics," Esmeralda wanted to reply but she bit back the first thought that came to mind.
Instead, she quickly replied, "I am sorry, ma'am. I will get you a fresh cup."
"You better," Lilith shot back, glaring daggers at her.
"You didn't have to do that, Lilith," Esmeralda overheard her husband caution as she stormed away.
When Esmeralda returned later, she found the couple arguing. Lilith had picked out a fabric, but her husband was visibly unhappy with her choice, claiming it was too expensive.
"Sweetheart, I love this one more. I want to look beautiful for your sister's wedding. Please, just pay for it," she coaxed, her voice dripping with persuasion.
"That is right, my sister's wedding. You are not the bride, Lilith. Just take the other one; there is hardly any difference anyway." His tone was dismissive.
How ironic! Lilith tried portraying the character of a doting wife loved by her husband but in the end it wasn't what it seemed.
"But I love this texture more. Just pay for it." She made puppy eyes at her husband, desperately trying very hard to keep up with the charade.
The man rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed, and said firmly, "I won't pay for it because it's only a one-day event, so stop being so unreasonable."
Both he and Lilith sensed Esmeralda's presence as she placed the tea on the table in front of them.
Just then, the man sighed and added, "Fine, I will pay for it. It's no big deal." He puffed out his chest, pridefully sitting up and raising his shoulders high.
Lilith, aware that Esmeralda's presence had influenced her husband's decision, replied shamelessly, "Oh, honey, I love it when you listen to me." She quickly added, "You heard him, pack it up," her tone commanding, indifferent to the sudden change in her husband's demeanor as long as she got what she wanted.
Esmeralda scoffed internally, wondering why someone as beautiful as Lilith would maintain such a meaningless facade. It was evident to everyone that her husband didn't love her and had little regard for her wishes. Nicole took the fabric away to wrap it up.
As she left, Lilith grabbed the tea and took a sip, only to scream in pain. "Do you have the intention of burning me alive?" she yelled.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am," Esmeralda quickly apologized. The thought of telling her to blow on it before sipping crossed her mind, but she swallowed it down.
In a fit of anger, Lilith hurled the steaming cup of tea at Esmeralda. Fortunately, Esmeralda had quick reflexes and jumped back just in time, but the hot liquid managed to graze her hand, and the sting was immediate and sharp.
Lilith's husband rushed toward Esmeralda, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked, gently holding her hands and blowing on the red patch caused by the hot tea. Esmeralda instinctively pulled her hand away, a mix of shock and fear coursing through her.
"James!" Lilith screamed, her face turning crimson with rage. "Why do you care for that bitch?" She asked the most puzzling question on Esmeralda's mind.
Seeing Lilith's fury, Esmeralda began apologizing profusely, her mind racing with the fear of losing her job.
"Lilith, you hurt her, and now her hand is all red. Was she supposed to teach you how to drink hot tea? Why take out your frustration on her?" James scolded, his tone firm. "I won't condone your behavior. You must apologize this minute."
Lilith stared at him in disbelief. "I won't! She has obviously bewitched you; that's why you are taking her side."
"I didn't think you would bring this awful side of yourself to a fabric store. I'm surprised," James continued, his voice steady. "I married you because of our families' relationship, not because of love, and I made it clear from day one that I wouldn't tolerate nonsense from you. You must apologize."
Tears of embarrassment and shame glistened in Lilith's eyes. How could her husband make such hurtful comments because of a mere salesgirl? In a fit of anger, she lunged at Esmeralda like a wild animal, but James held her firmly in place, preventing her from reaching her target.
"You bitch," she screamed from his grasp. "Do you think you can bewitch him with your stupid blonde hair and those dirty green eyes, huh? Are those even green?" Her words dripped with venom.
Just then, Gabrielle, the owner of the store, walked in. "What is going on here?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he surveyed the tense scene.
The couple turned to face him, their expressions a mix of defiance and unease.
"Who are you?" James asked, his tone challenging.
"I'm the owner of this store," Gabrielle replied, his gaze shifting toward Esmeralda as he spoke.
Without wasting a moment, Lilith jumped in, "Your employee here has been flirting with my husband since we stepped into this place, and she even dared to burn me!"
The nerve of this woman to twist the truth. How can someone be so malicious? Esmeralda seethed silently, her anger boiling within her.
Gabriel sized Esmeralda up and down before responding, "I am sorry, ma'am, but none of my employees would do that. They know the consequences, especially her. She has been working here for months, and I haven't received any negative complaints about her."
Esmeralda wasn't surprised; she knew she had been excellent at her job. Yet here she was, tainted by a married man who had been throwing lecherous glances her way.
Lilith's eyes widened in surprise at Gabriel's defense, but before she could retort, he continued, "However, to make up for the inconvenience, she will apologize, and we will give you a 10% discount on the fabric you purchased."
With that, Esmeralda bowed her head low in sincerity and apologized. Lilith smiled triumphantly, having seemingly won the battle.
Once they left, Esmeralda approached Gabriel, feeling the weight of the situation. "I am really sorry about that," she said, her voice low.
Gabriel reassured her, "I'm not mad at you. Don't think too much about it." He checked the store's progress and then left to attend to other matters.
Later, as Esmeralda's shift ended, the receptionist informed her that Mr. Gabriel wanted her to drop by his office. Curious and slightly apprehensive, she changed out of her uniform and headed to see him, wondering what he wanted to discuss.