Melissa
1099 Words
Chapter Four
We talked about a lot of things, about this village and our plan, to just blend in as we think of a way to find my way back.
He told me he had a wife, but she's now dead, and he had twins, both girls. Theresa is the oldest and Agatha the youngest. Both of them also bared a daughter. Theresa's daughter is named Lia, and she's nowhere to be found. Papi tried to find her, but it seems like she fully left her life here in Stone Cove.
And the other twin, Agatha, has a daughter named Melissa. He said she had been lost since she was a baby after her mother Agatha was found dead. But what the village knew was Melissa's with her father.
What happened to the family of this old man was horrible. Though he never told me the exact details about their death, the reality is that he's alone now, an additional reason for me to be there for him. But something feels strange, as I looked into his eyes. It felt like he was hiding something deep.
He walked me to the room I was in before, and showed me everything that was in there. He told me that the room is actually owned by his daughters, and that it was passed down to his granddaughter Lia before she lived with her fiancé.
"Everything that is in this room is now yours Melissa." I was stunned when he said that.
"How about Lia? What if she came back?"
"Lia's stuff is already in her fiancé's house. This is your home now, so you don't have to worry." he reassured me with his words.
"Now prepare yourself, because I'm going to introduce you to the village."
"What...?" I falter
"Just relax, grandchild, they trust me, so I'm sure they will trust you as well," he gently uttered. Papi's right, in order to blend in, they have to know me first. I need to take this risk.
Before we stepped outside the door, I took a deep breath. As soon as I got to have real exposure in the village, I was completely speechless and mesmerized.
Now, it feels like I'm indeed in a real fairytale. Papi's front yard is actually a garden, it makes me a bit calm to know that I can do my outlet while I'm here. However, some of the plants in Papi's yard were already dry, just like the flowers on my window's sill,
So, I think...no. I have another mission to solve!
We passed the gate which is only five steps from the main door. From that distance, I already got to have a full view of the cottage, and it's really beautiful. Every cottage in this village looks beautiful.
As we walked, I noticed the old well, circled by houses. The kind of well where Snow White and the prince first met, but bigger in width. I continuously followed Papi, and everyone's attention was onto mine and I gathered enough confidence to smile.
Wherever path we took, everyone greeted him with respect. He's indeed the eldest in the village. And every person he stopped by introduced me as his long-lost granddaughter Melissa, so I genuinely smiled to play my part.
He introduced me to the owner of the flower shop, Lady Herene. From her looks I thought she was like the stepmother of Cinderella, yet she was the opposite, welcoming and friendly.
"You're Melissa? You've grown so much. You were just a baby the last time I saw you. "
"Even I, cannot believe it," Papi replied as he looked at me sincerely.
His expression seemed odd when he said that.
We walked two houses from the flower shop where the bakery was located and introduced me to the owner. I stood beside Papi.
"Good morning Papi."
"Good morning, Rafael. It's so early, but you seem so tired already." Papi said.
"We have a lot to bake today, almost every day, actually. But it's only me and my daughter doing the work." He said, sighing at every sentence he uttered, then his sight went onto mine.
"Well, perhaps I can help?" I respectfully meddled in their conversation.
"And who...is this young lady, Papi?" Rafael asked.
Papi looked at me then pointed his eyes to the front where Rafael was standing, signing me to introduce myself to his friend.
"Good day Mr. Rafael. I am Melissa."
"You're Melissa? But how ...?" Rafael was completely shocked. I bet this man is very close to Papi to have this kind of reaction.
"She is! She's here now." Papi meddled, plastering a persuading smile. Rafael didn't ask another question, but his expression showed he wasn't satisfied with Papi's answer. Until a female voice behind Mr. Rafael lead the silence.
"Father! The breads are done." Our attention goes to where the voice came from, who's now besides Mr. Rafael.
"Good morning Papi, who's...?" The girl asked, pointing her lips at me.
"His Papi's long-lost granddaughter, Melissa", Rafael introduced me to his daughter. "Melissa, this is Beatrice, my daughter."
"Well met, lady Melissa" Beatrice said with a smile.
"Well met, lady Beatrice" I replied while I gave her my right hand. A sign for a hand shake. She was confused as well as Mr. Rafael and Papi. Again, what would I expect? I'm in an old era.
I took back my hand.
"But lady Melissa is too formal for me, I bet we're just the same age. Just call me Melissa."
"You as well, Melissa, you can call me Beatrice" She replied with a smile. The two old men just watched us as we exchanged pleasantries, and I could see on the horizon the smile painted on their faces.
"I think you two will be good friends" Rafael said.
"I'll state our farewell here, my friend Rafael, Beatrice. I have to show my granddaughter the rest of the village", Papi said.
"A great farewell to you both and have a nice tour "Mr. Rafael replied.
"I'll see you later Beatrice!" I said as I slowly stepped backwards and, while I gestured a farewell handwave to them both.
"See you later, my new friend! "Beatrice fondly shouted.
Beatrice looks like a good person, a friend who I can get along with. She's pretty and a little chubby, but that what makes her cute.
Papi and I continued our tour, till we got into the main square of the village. I met Lord William Becker with the other elders. From what Papi told me, he's the current leader of the village.
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