HUSH

HUSH. Episode 3

The warm afternoon sun bathed the quiet California town in a golden glow, its gentle rays spilling across charming streets lined with cozy cafés, flower-filled sidewalks, and family-owned shops. Life moved at an unhurried pace, the air filled with the soft chatter of neighbors and the occasional laughter of children playing nearby.

Inside the town’s small grocery store, the cool air offered a welcome escape from the afternoon warmth. Between neatly stocked aisles, she wandered with a shopping basket in hand, carefully picking out fresh vegetables, fruit, milk, eggs, and pantry essentials to fill her kitchen cabinets and refrigerator. Every item she chose carried the quiet promise of a fresh start, as the peaceful rhythm of her new life slowly began to feel like home.

Pushing my filled cart to the counter, I stare at the lady in the counter,smiling at me,Does she recognize me?,but am putting on my mom’s dress and a blonde wig,so why is she smiling at me

“Are you new in town,young Missy?”

I nod at her,waiting for her to scan my purchases and I should take my leave,but she went on,

“Welcome to Harmony, I knew you were new here,you look…… different “

I look at myself,exactly what I wanted,at least I can go undercover for a while

“So,what is your name?”,continues the lady,while she was picking up the items in the cart

“Bel…”

“Becca!!!”,a raspy voice yelled behind me,alas!,it was the old lady from the morning,I have some suspicion feel around this old lady

“Oh,you are Becca,Mrs Hollander,knows you,that means you are good neighbors with the old folks”

I smiled and nod at the cashier,the old lady stands beside me and smile at me,her wrinkled face close to mine,I could smell some peppermint under her breath,she was holding a little purse

“Good afternoon,Mrs Hollander “ I greeted her and collected the carry go bag from the cashier,hoping I will be allowed to leave peacefully

“Nice bumping into you here,you should come over for dinner “

“I would love to but I will be busy tonight “

“Doing what?”,she asked and waited anxiously for my response,which is strange cause,absolutely no one cares about what I spent my personal time doing

“Well,some cleaning and cooking “

“Oh darling, should rest for today and start working tomorrow,I could bring some assistance with me “

“Oh,you don’t have to”, I flashed a smile at her and about to go my way

“You should come okay,am having a visitor and would love you two there “

A visitor,from where,what if they recognize me under my fake mask,come to think of it,how does this old lady recognize me,does she knows me more than I do,is she an outsider,she can’t be,seems everyone knows her,I turned and look at her

“I will come “,I simply said and walk out of the store towards my house in the warm sun,one of this days, I might actually sunbathe

Evening settled gently over the small town, wrapping every street in a warm glow as porch lights flickered to life one by one. A cool breeze drifted through the quiet neighborhoods, carrying the comforting aroma of home-cooked meals and the cheerful sounds of laughter from every house. Though the town was modest, it pulsed with a simple kind of happiness that made every corner feel alive.

Inside a cozy yet surprisingly spacious home, the dining room was bathed in the soft light of an antique chandelier. Seated at the polished wooden table, she looked effortlessly comfortable, a silky blonde wig framing her delicate features. A beige cardigan draped over her shoulders, paired with loose, full-length joggers that gave her a relaxed, homely appearance. Across from her sat the elderly woman, her gentle smile filled with warmth and quiet affection.

Between them, the dining table was a feast of comfort and tradition, covered with steaming bowls of homemade soup, roasted chicken, fresh vegetables, warm bread, mashed potatoes, crisp salad, and slices of pie waiting for dessert. For a moment, the outside world seemed to disappear, leaving only the comforting silence of good food, kind company, and the feeling that she had finally found a place where she could breathe.

“You would love the soup,it’s my secret recipe”

The old lady raspy voice said while I dip my bread into the soup,putting into my mouth,the taste hits me hard,it tasted heavenly,tasted like home,am more used to subway burgers,or pizza that I forgot what homemade food tasted like

“Try those potatoes too”

I picked up the plate of mashed potatoes,seems I will be close to this lady for her food treat

“You know,when I was young and wild,I learnt how to make the perfect Irish dish from my mom,before running off to New York City,”

“Oh,my mom is half Irish also”

I added while picking up some pieces of salad on my bread,the lady passed me a cup of orange juice while I smiled at her,”yeah, I know,yiur mom is my only friend on this block before I started making friends “

“Oh is that so ?” I asked her,while she nods,she seems thrilled by my mom’s memories than I

We continued with the eating which am grateful for,cause am bad at making conversations with people unless am acting

“And yiur visitor,when is she arriving ?”, I asked and she glance at the wall clock, and looked back at me with a smile

“I never said the visitor was a she,he is actually my grandson”

“Oh,sorry for the misunderstanding “

“Oh,come off it”she said and chuckled and the front door bell chimes

“He is finally here”

The old lady said ,and stood up,I watched her walk slowly towards the door while my heart and mind anticipated in who could that be,I pray that my cover doesn’t blow,I looked at my reflection on my phone screen even I don’t recognize myself

“He is here,Becca “

The moment my eyes landed on him, the rest of the room seemed to fade into the background. He was… unfairly handsome. Dressed in nothing more than a simple outfit, he still carried himself with effortless elegance, his broad shoulders and powerful build impossible to hide beneath the fabric. Every movement was calm and unhurried, yet there was a quiet confidence about him that made it impossible to look away.

The warm glow of the dining room lights danced across his features, making his deep brown eyes shimmer with a quiet warmth I’d never expected. They weren’t cold or distant as I’d imagined; instead, they held a gentleness that contrasted perfectly with his imposing frame. For a brief moment, I found myself staring longer than I should have, silently wondering how someone could look so breathtaking without even trying.

“Uhn,sorry,where are my manners?”,I said and stood up smiling at my awkwardness,I wanted to stretch my hand for an handshake but I control myself

“Hi,am Becca,nice meeting you”

“Am Damian “

I love the way his deep yet sexy voice sounded in my ears,I look at him again maybe he will flitch,but he didn’t,meaning he doesn’t recognize me,I was happy at first then noticed he looked at me again,he was looking at my hair ,I hurriedly tap on it,and cleared my throat

“Son,take a seat,you don’t want our visitor to be uncomfortable by your stare”

Thanks to the old lady,the awkward air was cleared,we sat down and the night continues before the guy voice sounded again

“Are you blonde?”,his voice calm and smooth but my heart is in a turmoil,is he a fan or someone that knows me