His oppression

Radcliff Abram

Chapter Eight: RADCLIFF ABRAM

It was finally the weekend. That meant we're going to pawn shops available in the city to bargain with the price of the ring. If we can go as high up as a thousand dollars, then we'll definitely take that. With how I handle my money, that will be more than what we'll need and that's fine. It's better to have a surplus of financial aid than being short in cash at all. That being said, perhaps it's too good to be true. For a ring, no matter how massive or extraordinary it looked, we're probably going to get scammed out of our pockets.

I have yet to research the properties that the ring contained if it's pure gold or whatnot. But it did weigh heavier than I expected. The jewelries I've owned are all imitations because I just don't bother spending all that money to purchase one. But people tell me to invest in jewellery, you will never run out of money in the future, they say. You can use your necklaces, earrings, rings or bracelets to pawn or better yet, sell them for money. It's still kind of a scam because at the end of the day, it's still my money. And if I sell those jewellery, it's already unfair at my end because they're going to lessen the price that I will get.

Do you understand?

"Are you sure you're okay with going out? You look pale."

"That's just how I look." I quickly answered, holding in the cough.

"You didn't look pale before." his voice was concerned and so did his face look. "How about we do this some other time?"

"No, no. We cannot be wasting any more time than we should have." I gestured my hand so we could drop the subject. "I can't afford wasting time."

He nodded his head, smiling a bit in my direction. "When we get the money, can we go to a restaurant to eat?"

"Do you eat?" I asked him.

He shook his head this time. "But you eat."

"Yeah, so?"

"My money."

"Yeah.. so?" I asked once more, not understanding where he was getting at.

"We'll use the money to have you eat." he pointed out. "Except for that one time, you barely eat."

"What is this?" I asked, putting my hand on my hip. "Why are you concerned? You shouldn't be."

"But I am quite concerned for your health."

"Why?"

It just didn't feel right that he'd actually care about my well-being. It feels weird on the inside. My stomach was doing up and downs, twists and turns, just overall made me feel nauseous. I don't want this!

"I just am. Can I not mind about your health?"

"N-no," I sighed, getting my bag from the rack. "I haven't been to a pawn shop before. Honestly, I was about to sell the doll too."

"Yes, I am very much aware of that. So I had to move quickly before it would take me centuries again to find someone who is like you. Who can see and talk to me."

"You're not lying to me, are you?" I finally asked him, my eyebrows furrowed.

He shook his head before smiling sadly. "I hoped and prayed that that was the case here. But I've witnessed a lot of melancholy in the world. I am not even certain that when we do lift the curse up, I'll remain intact."

"What do you mean by that?" that got me more puzzled.

"If I'll have a physical body that can undertake the surrounding now. I am from a different time."

"Oh," I nodded my head, kind of having the grasp now. "You just want the curse to be gone?"

"It doesn't matter if I'll be gone too." he nodded his head with a sigh escaping his lips. "It does feel dreadful to be immortal. It isn't the fact that I turned into a doll, the real curse is having to live in a sad and cruel world without knowing when you'll find the end."

"Yeah, I understand." I spoke quietly, trying to register in his current condition.

I, too, wouldn't want to live if I'm going to spend an eternity being invisible and alone. And witnessing how all the people you get attached to die and you'll have to experience that again and again, I can't imagine the torture. But I don't want to pity the guy, that's what most people don't want because it makes them weak, according to their own words. So let's take their word for it.

"What were you like in your lifetime anyway?" I just asked, trying to make small talk because it got awkward in the car real quick.

"You could say I was born into a wealthy family." he answered, looking back at me as he put his leg over the other despite his legs being too long for the car itself. He looked uncomfortable yet he remained poised. "Mother and father were known merchants who were respected by the people in the kingdom. Even royalties have come forth to and spoke their names honorably."

"No wonder you're selling your ring just like that." I pointed out with a frown on my face.

I often despise rich people. No matter what, for me, they have motives behind their kind acts. Whether it be for publicity or just for attention, they're truly despicable. And regardless of how Mr. Rich Merchant's Kid here has been nice and genuine towards me, I'll always think he's up to something. Though he doesn't really have physical money to begin with, I cannot stress enough that I'll always think about that.

I may have regretted asking.

"If it's going to help us, then it's fine. I don't care about it anyway."

"Are you sure?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

Suspicious but okay.

"That's pure gold, by the way. My rings were always authentic."

"Pft, spoiled."

"Yes, I was a bit spoiled as a child and growing up."

"Then, how old were you when you got cursed?" I just asked.

"I was 27 years old. I still look the same the day I had been put to the curse." he responded, sighing. "I had a little sister coming, she was a miracle baby since mother and father were at the age where they can't bear any children anymore. But you know what? When I was there during my mother's labour, I swear to the heavens that she looked right at me. As soon as she opened her eyes, she turned her head and cooed. I knew her ocean blue eyes were looking at me. I couldn't possibly make that up."

"I guess even in your time, babies are the most sensitive when it comes to spirits and such."

"Babies can see spirits?" he asked in bewilderment.

I nodded my head. "I've heard a few stories here and there. Even animals can feel them. But I still don't believe any of this."

"You're a non-believer?" he just asked like that was the most casual question ever.

"Look, I just don't want to be bothered. My life has been bad as it is and getting involved in this sort of thing will just ruin the serenity left." I sighed frustratingly. "So as fast as we can possible, let's just end this."

"I do understand, Aria." he smiled at me, revealing his pearl white teeth. As soon as he smiled, the sooner it got replaced by a frown. "I just don't know how I'll get out of this without your help."

"Yeah, yeah. What do you think I'm doing?" I waved my hand before stopping when I reached a pawn shop. "Let's go. Get off my side again." I told him before grabbing my bag from the back and getting off.

When he slid out, I closed the door and sighed. "Pawn shop or an antique store? I think we'll have better luck with money when we go to an antique store, yes?"

I didn't even think of antique stores. It didn't come to my mind. His ring is very, and I mean very antique. Fossils are worth millions and if they find how long this ring has been existing in the world, bling bling— cash in your hands.

"Antique shops? I think so too." he nodded his head, looking back at me.

"There is one just a couple of blocks away, we can walk." I told him.

I didn't even wait for his response, I just started walking towards the direction. One thing I really like about myself is the fact that when I got to a place even just once, I don't need directions the second time. I already know it by heart. So when I visited the antique shop with my grandpa years ago to sell his old watch, location was added in the map of my mind.

“I don't know how much gold costs now. It was really expensive in my time." he told, now walking by my side.

"Gold is still valuable. Especially if they're pure like you said." I responded, looking at him. "I'm sorry but I'm really not going to spend my money on you."

"That is absolutely understandable." he said, now looking at me too.

Now that I actually have the time to take a good look at him, there is no denying that the man was God damn attractive. His skin was tanned, cheekbones high and cheeks hollowed. Like a model you would see in magazines. His height was also God-gifted, you wouldn't see any physical flaws present.

The only thing I think about when I see these type of guys are the more handsome they are, the more they have played with women's hearst and that's just not cool. I'm not being judgmental, well I kind of am, but based on what I have observed from people around me, that's always the ending.

We went inside the antique shop and I was instantly greeted with the same aroma from when I was a teenager. The same old scent that felt really nostalgic.

"Hello, how may I help you?" the man on the counter greeted with a smile on his face.

Honestly, I was expecting an old woman. From before, an old woman was the one who accommodated grandpa so the man was probably her grandchild or something.

"Do you buy antique?" I asked, taking the ring from my coin purse, showing it to him. "It has been passed down to me by my mother. I'm getting short on money and I badly need it right now."

"Oh, I get it." he smiled at me before taking the ring from my hand and inspecting it.

He brought out a weighing scale for gold and stuff, I don't know. It probably was one because it was so little compared to an actual weighing scale.

"Is this pure gold?"

"I've been told it was, belonged to my great great great.. great, great, great grandfather." it was intentional that I put emphasis on great and grandfather just so Radcliff could hear that. 

That he's an old man.

"I'm quite surprised at how well this has been preserved." he told me before taking a look at the ring again, putting it to his eye level. "There are carvings in it. Abram."

"Yes, that was my grandfather's, from my mother's side, last name. I was also told it came from the 16th century."

"Yes, it did come from the 16th century. These engravings are from the Abram's family. They had a huge influence on bartering and they were renowned merchants."

I frowned. Radcliff may be telling the truth. It meant he really was a spoiled brat.

"That's unfortunate for me," I laughed nervously. "I didn't get any of the money or were we rich to begin with."

"Their heir, Radcliff Abram, suddenly disappeared one day and it took everything from them to find him. Their wealth was no more. This belonged to him."

I, now, suddenly got nervous. The man was eyeing me suspiciously.

"I don't know, ask my great grandfather why he has that." I raised my arms up in surrender. "I have no clear understanding of the history of that ring. I just need the money right now."

He should probably be more concerned as to why he knows who Radcliff Abram was. Because I am. Who has that time in their hands?

"A thousand bucks, I'll take it off your hand."

That's kind of a small price if we're talking about rich people here.

"Do not agree, Aria." Radcliff said beside me.

We had a lot of talking to do.

"No deal."

"Oh come on!"

"That thing is pure gold! A thousand bucks do not suffice." I crossed my arms against my chest.

"Three thousand—"

"A little higher."

The man glared at me.

Even though the money was more than enough, I like playing around first.

"Five thousand dollars, take it or leave it."

I sighed, nodding my head. "Okay, fine."