Snake Charmer's Curse

Chapter 3: Walk With Me

***Five Days Later***

"Good afternoon, Mr. Garter! My, this is the most you've come to the café in a week!"

Aspis laughed dismissively and asked, "Is it a crime? I find the atmosphere here to be quite pleasant and wish to relish it by finishing my book in peace before the holidays start."

The woman lifted her hands in surrender. "I am pleased you are enjoying the café as we adore your company. Shall I get your regular?"

"It's Friday today; I shall order your chicken and mayo jaffle."

"On its way, Mr. Garter," replied the woman with her winning smile.

Some time had passed, and Aspis had eaten most of his meal. He only had twelve pages left of his book and was eager to finish its story. As he was getting to an exciting part, the bell chimed, and a familiar fragrance embraced his nose. He calmly looked up, only to see Faith had entered the café. Today she was alone, wearing all black except for the light blue denim jacket. Her makeup was the same as last time, and her long hair was tied into a high ponytail.

Ah, my sweet newcomer has come to finally pay the café a visit. Aspis chimed to himself somewhat enthusiastically as he leered at her from the comfort of his corner. He had been waiting for this opportunity ever since the day she evoked the tempestuous storm of his past within him.

"Hello and welcome! Let me guess the berry bliss smoothie?"

"Amazing you remembered!" Faith sang delighted. She seemed to be more relaxed with her surroundings and in a jovial mood.

"I have some exciting news! Brent, the owner, heard your comment about the new wrap you enjoyed so much. He decided to add it to the menu as a permanent dish, just to welcome you to Vilda City," said the server, beaming brightly.

Aspis's eyes narrowed; his good mood suddenly soured, but his face showed no change in expression.

"Oh wow, that is so kind of him! Please tell him thank you for me. Also, I wanted to ask, is there an art supply store nearby?"

"If I remember correctly, there is a stationery shop close by. When you leave here, there's the little shopping complex building right across the road. From the main entrance, turn to your left, and walk down until you reach the escalators. Take the one that goes down and continue forward; you will see a large sign saying Jumbo's Arts and Crafts."

"Oh great! Thank you!" said Faith excitedly. She then felt a large presence behind her and instinctively turned around, only to find Aspis staring at her in a gentle manner.

"Oh, sorry I've been blabbering too much, I'm almost done, sir," said Faith quickly in a panic and began rummaging through her handbag for her wallet.

"It's alright, my dear, I actually came to speak to you," he reassured warmly.

"Oh?" Faith almost squeaked.

Aspis could read her face very well. I see, so I was right, the poor girl does have a slight social phobia. He cushioned his intimidating presence and uttered gently, "Apologies for eavesdropping, but I couldn't help but overhear you asking for an art supply store. There is indeed a grand one, but a bit further from here. I am on my way there now. Would you care to walk with me?"

The uneasiness of Faith's anxiety slowly withered, and said gratefully as she shyly studied the handsome old man, "Thank you very much, I’d really appreciate it."

"Only a pleasure; once you receive your order, we can go," Aspis coaxed sweetly.

"Thank you, sir, uh…" said the woman as she continued to dig in her handbag.

"My name is Aspis, and you, my dear?" he introduced while staring at her intently as she finally got what she was looking for from her large jam-packed handbag.

"A pleasure to meet you, Aspis. I am Faith," said the woman as she held out her hand to shake his. Aspis carefully wrapped his long-gloved fingers around her small hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. The moment contact was made, his heart raced, and it felt as though his chest was overflowing with so many raw emotions that he did not know if his lungs were being crushed from it, or if they were filled with too much air ready to burst!

Aspis hid all his feelings behind his endless smile with difficulty, then turned his attention to the server. "Amy, could I please have the bill?"

"Of course, Mr. Garter, right after I am done with her order," said the woman as she pointed to Faith about to take her card.

"Oh, just add it to my bill. I will take care of it," he reassured.

"Oh no, please, I will pay for my thing! I can't let you do that," Faith exclaimed anxiously. Aspis waved his hand dismissively, then proceeded to take out his card and tapped it before the woman could convince him otherwise.

“Done,” he hummed playfully.

"Thank you, Aspis," said Faith uncomfortably while subconsciously fidgeting her card in her hands.

His eyes instantly caught a glimpse of the rings on her wedding finger, then said, "Think nothing of it, it just makes it easier for Amy instead of having to restart the billing process, isn't that right, my dear?"

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Garter," said Amy grateful.

"Well, I have seen you here before, so next time we cross paths, I'll buy you coffee," Faith suggested in defeat.

"I will hold you to it," he chuckled in response.

Once Faith's order arrived, he eagerly guided the woman out of the café. As they walked towards their destination in silence, Faith took note of her surroundings; it was a quiet route, and it looked somewhat isolated. Her paranoia started to get the better of her, resulting in her cussing herself for blindly accepting help from a stranger.

Aspis now and then stole a few glances at the woman with a warm gaze. He noticed her firm, anxious grip on her smoothie and handbag's straps, as well as her distant eyes. Is she scared of me? I need her to lower her guard and not fear me, he strategized determined as he continued to observe her.

"So my dear, are you an artist by profession?" Aspis asked, genuinely interested and trying to distract her from overthinking her fears.

Faith snapped out of her thoughts and responded somewhat timidly, "I wish, but for now, it's more of a hobby because of the little time I can spare due to work. I am a structural designer by profession, and you?"

"Ah, so you work for the design company across the café?" Aspis asked avidly, to which Faith nodded uneasily, not sure if it was such a good idea for him to know where she worked.

"Very interesting. This old man is retired and a complete novice when it comes to art, but it has been something I'd love to try my hand at, especially painting."

"Oh, that sounds exciting. What type of paint? Oils, gouache, watercolour?" Faith asked, intrigued as her guard unintentionally lowered. She loved meeting beginner artists. She always finds it fulfilling to encourage them to succeed in their creative aspirations.

"Watercolour, I find it to be the most elegant of mediums and finishes," Aspis said passionately.

"So true, and the most difficult, in my opinion. I take my hat off to you," responded Faith, impressed as she looked ahead of her, taking more mental notes of her surroundings.

"Sounds like I can get some handy advice from you," Aspis said tenderly as he looked at her intently with his hunter-green eyes.

Faith shyly looked down at the ground and continued, "I know a little and can help where I can, but watercolour is the one medium that never spoke to me, so I won't be of great help,” she laughed sheepishly.

"Oh, I am positive you will be, my dear," the large man replied affectionately as he shifted closer to her.

“What would you like to paint as your subject matter?" Faith asked, trying to hide her unease and took a large sip of her drink.

"I have a dear fondness for reptiles, especially snakes."

"Wow, I never thought of that combination. It could turn out to be beautiful indeed," said Faith with a mental shiver as she visualized the snakes.

"I saw that reaction," Aspis teased. "Are you afraid of them?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Faith was taken aback but immediately felt bad that she might not have been able to hide her discomfort. She never wants people to think she looks down upon their interests if she reacts negatively toward them. She usually has a master poker face but was shocked at how Aspis saw right through her.

"Unfortunately, I am very much—unoriginally. However, I won't be afraid if it's a painting of one. I'll admit, there are some species with absolutely beautiful patterns and colours, but I will only admire them if it is a picture."

"Interesting, why do you fear them so? Is it the way they look, or is it ancient superstition perhaps? I mean, a majestic tiger can tear you limb from limb by just looking at it, far more dangerous than some snakes. In my personal opinion, when they snarl or show their teeth, they look more like demons than anything else."

Faith let out a melodious laugh at the truth of Aspis’s description of an angry tiger, in turn causing the man’s heart to beat helplessly and his facade to almost falter. After regaining her composure, Faith absorbed his words and pondered over them thoughtfully.

"That is true, though you mentioned superstition...um," she paused, contemplating whether she should say what was on her mind next.

"Go on, I am listening," he urged, intrigued.

Faith gave a shy, embarrassed giggle, then continued, "You might think I am a bit loony, but every time I dream of a snake that strikes me and I wake up from it, something terrible happens. And it usually happens on the same day I wake up or within three days after having the dream. I have only had five of those dreams and so far misfortune struck on all five occasions."

Aspis’ eyes developed a keen glint as he observed her with new interest. He was gently holding his hand at his chest as his erratic heart drummed from excitement. He suddenly stopped. "Oh, we need to go through here, my dear," he instructed, catching the woman off guard as he casually interlocked his arm with hers.

Faith's discomfort returned as she looked down the long dark alleyway. Before she could say anything in response, Aspis' hold firmed, and he started tugging her towards the darkness with a forming grin over his lip.