Bound by Moonlight

CHAPTER FOUR: ENCOUNTER

CLARA

Because of what happened, I couldn't sleep all night, so I woke up the next morning. Jessie came home early with more food. I guess she noticed that I hadn't slept, and I was a bit anxious, so she asked if I was okay.

"It's like you're the one who works all day." she laughed.

I laughed too. "I just didn't sleep last night. How was your work?" I said, asking for her day.

"It's fine. Clara, can I ask you a favor? Can you first take the dress I got sewed to Miss Agnes? I'll just send you the address."

I agreed. I also understood because Jessie was still tired and didn't seem to have slept properly. I also have nothing to do here, and so I can go to another place here in Shrineville. I ate breakfast before I left. Jessie sent an address that I had just followed. It's a bit far from downtown and I still have to go through some woods before I get to my destination. I saw a simple but elegant house with a full garden.

"Excuse me, are you Miss Agnes? I was the one Jessie sent to get the sewn dress." I said to the woman watering the plants.

It came and opened the wooden gate for me. She let me come in first, and she would take the dress upstairs. I sat on the chair and observed her clean and beautiful house. On the side are different clothes hung. Jessie said she had a*****e downtown and rich people came for her sewn dresses. Just a few minutes later, she came down with a box that might have been Jessie's clothes. She handed it to me and I immediately thanked her.

"Your name is Clara, isn't it?" she says.

Does she know me?

"Yes, you know me?" I asked her.

"Not much, Jessie just mentioned you. How was your stay here?" she asked, smiling.

"It's okay. Shrineville is actually a beautiful and peaceful town compared to Emberfall, but people are somehow elusive towards approaching me, even though I'm not a bad person." I said jokingly.

I didn't expect her to laugh at my lame joke. She even offered me coffee and croissants that I couldn't refuse. She sat in front of me. I feel like I am a guest in her house because of how warm and sincere she is when she welcomes me. It's as if I'm not a newbie in their town, like how other citizens see me.

"I'm sorry if they're like that. Not only are they used to having a new visitor in our town, but they're good people. Besides, I think you're a good person. Jessie wouldn't accept you if you weren't." she said, smiling. "It looks like I'm being too talkative, sorry. Anyway, I'm Agnes Harton, a tailor. If you want to sew clothes, you can visit my shop downtown. The name is La Sastre." she reached out her hand for a handshake.

She said more as she led me out. I was smiling because she talked to me comfortably. Like it's not our first time meeting, it's just fun. She has this warm and welcoming presence. I said goodbye with a smile and thanked her.

"Your welcome. Nice to meet you, Clara."

"Nice to meet you, too, Agnes." I said goodbye.

I had just left Agnes and was driving back when my phone suddenly died. Where is the address? I cursed because I didn't remember the directions. I calmed my nerves at first and tried to remember the road I had taken earlier. I just went straight through the woods hoping to reach or see a highway here. But it looks like I'm just lost in what I'm doing. I'm not good at direction.

I just went straight to driving, but my eyes widened when I couldn't step on the break. My heart was pounding with nervousness and fear because the car just kept going straight no matter what I did when I broke down. I'm crying because I don't want to die, and I don't want to die in this place even more. In the place I didn't grow up. My grip on the steering wheel was tight, and I closed my eyes when I saw that the car was going straight to the cliff. I thought I was going to fall completely, but the car stopped at the end of the cliff. I was breathing deeply because I was on the brink of death. I looked in the side mirror and saw a man approaching me.

I just stared at him until he was in front of me. I only realized it when I heard a c***k in the car and quickly got off. "Ah, thank you. But how did you do that?" referring to how he was able to stop the car from falling.

"What are you doing here? Do you know that this place is dangerous, especially for someone like you." He didn't answer my question.

I was swallowed by the depth and coldness of his voice. I wet my lips. "I thought this place was safe? You, what are you doing here?" I boldly asked him.

I was surprised when he looked at me and slowly approached me. For some unknown reason, my heart feels like it wants to jump out from its beating. The way he looks at you just like you're about to suffocate.

Who is he?

"I have no obligation to answer your questions. When your car is fixed, leave here immediately." he said while looking deeply into my eyes. When he turned away, that's when I remembered to breathe.

He looked at the car and fixed it. I can't stop staring at him. I think they are about the same age as Agnes. He was wearing only a black shirt and jeans, his hair was still a bit messy. His deep gray eyes, piercing nose and heart-plump lips, I can only say one thing about him. He is handsome. In addition to that, his muscular arm almost touches his clothes and it looks appealing. I just looked away because I felt like I'd lusted him. When it was over, he came to me.

"Go straight down that road and you'll see the highway. Get out of here and make sure you don't go to places like this again." he said, as if giving me a warning. I didn't answer him, but I rolled my eyes at him.

I was about to open the car, but suddenly it came out of my mouth. "What's your name?" I asked without looking at him.

"You do not need to know." he said.

When I turned around, he was gone. I looked around, but I didn't see him, even his shadow. I wondered how he disappeared so quickly. As I drove back home I couldn't stop thinking about the man I'd encountered. Who is he, and what is he doing in the woods? Is his house near Agnes there too? I have so many questions in my mind about the man. I'm also a little guilty because I didn't even thank him. I feel like I'm losing my mind about what's happening to me. I have been in danger many times in this place. My head hurts from what's happening, so I prefer to sleep. It seems that my heart and body have not yet recovered from my near-death experience.

Hue, what a lucky day, Clarissa.

A week in Shrineville really overwhelms me, my experiences with the people and lifestyle here. But as time went on, I gradually got used to it. Today I visited Agnes's shop. In the past few days, I became close to Agnes because she was the only person who did not avoid me. I first looked at the clothes she made. She used good quality fabric and the design and embroidery are also very nice. These clothes are even better than the expensive boutiques in Emberfall. When Agnes was finished doing her things, she came to me, and we sat on the couch.

"Your shop is beautiful and the clothes you make are also beautiful."

"Thank you. It's just a bit tiring because I don't have enough people. Because one of my employees took a day off. " She only has a few staff here. "Wait, you wanna work with me?" she suddenly asked me. "I heard from Jessie that you are looking for work. I can offer a job to you. Only you will look after and be the cashier of my shop." she even held my hand while smiling.

"Ah..uhm, are you sure?" I'm a little hesitant because I don't know anything about fashion designing or any business, but I also thought it would be a good opportunity to earn money to continue my investigation.

"Of course. I trust you, don't worry because I'll pay you a lot." I smiled at her and nodded and agreed to be her employee. She hugged me with joy. Sometimes I think that I am older than her because of how she acts, but at the same time, I am happy because she trusts me.

I am really grateful to the people who help me wholeheartedly. I grew up depending on myself because I know I can only rely on myself, but it's really different when there's a hand ready to help you.