A couple sauntered in. From the looks of their clothes, they appeared to be very wealthy. The lady was clasped her partner's arm tightly, giggling coquettishly while looking at him. With an innocent smile gracing her lips, she almost appeared ethereal, her delicate features framed by her cascading waves of brunette hair. And that ruby necklace she wore sparkled brilliantly, catching the light and drawing the eye.
It couldn't be denied, the lady was a true beauty.
Margaret's attention was irresistibly drawn by the towering figure beside her. His face was hidden behind a black mask but his piercing eyes gleamed with a hint of menace and indifference. He looked clearly bored as if everything around him was dull... Even the beautiful lady clinging to his side.
Everyone's eyes followed their movement and whispered among themselves. "Who are they?"
"I have never seen them before."
"That lady looks so beautiful like a fairy!"
Leila tsked. "So dramatic."
They found an empty seat and sat down. Margaret covered her mouth and let out a muffled scream. "That man is so handsome."
"His face is covered with a mask," she rolled her eyes, speechless.
"Go and serve them."
"Why don't you go?" Leila was disgruntled.
Margaret shook her head. "You go. My legs are too weak right now. I don't think I can walk."
"..." Leila resignedly walked over to the mysterious couple's table.
"This place is so small and dirty. We should have gone somewhere better. What's up with this town?" The lady exclaimed as she looked around in contempt. The man did not respond.
Leila managed to hear the lady's disdainful words, her lips twitched. With her signature polite smile, she said, "A good day to you. What would you like to order?"
The lady turned to her. With her long eye lashes fluttering, she said. "I would like..."
While Leila was taking down her order, she felt an intense gaze on her that made her involuntarily look up. Their eyes met.
The man's scrutinizing haunting black eyes never left her gaze. His eyes seemed to whisper about thousands of dark secrets, waiting to be unraveled. Leila had never seen such beautiful eyes. However there was an oppressive aura around him that made her somewhat timid.
Alarm bells rang in her mind. She could tell this man was not someone to be trifled with. Looking away, her attention turned back to the pretty young woman. The woman turned to her partner and asked in a sickly sweet voice. "What about you?"
"I will have the same as you," a deep magnetic male voice responded. The lady bloomed into a smile.
She whirled around and left to get their order. Leila did not like that couple at all. The lady appeared too fake and the man was just too arrogant. They were really a match made in heaven.
After the waitress left, the lady looked at her partner who had closed his eyes and mustered up some courage to say. "I have been wanting to tell you something for a long time. I wish I could be something more to you. I want to be the only woman in your life."
"Lady Bethany..." The man drawled with a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Is that why you insisted on coming along to Brokley with me?"
Bethany reached out to hold the man's hand who quickly pulled away. She looked hurt for a moment but her expression went back to normal "I know you once warned me about this before but I can't control it anymore. I really love..."
Her heartfelt words were interrupted by a loud crush. Her head whipped around, her expression ferocious, exasperated for having her time with her beloved disturbed. The waitress lay sprawled on the ground with the delicate tea cups shattered and all the contents spilled onto the ground.
A deafening silence descended on the shop. It was awkward.
Leila remained motionless, her strength drained. She could not bring herself to get up. At some point her shoe laces had come undone and she accidentally stepped on one, tripped and here she was laying on the cold hard floor.
Margaret who was serving other customers cried out, "Leila!"
How she wished she could bury herself into the ground and never come out to save herself from this embarrassment. Leila knew she couldn't lay on the floor and play dead forever. How could she be so clumsy?! Crying inwardly, she raised her head slowly. A pair of shiny black shoes that faintly reflected her face came in sight.
As she raised her head a bit higher she saw a pair of straight long legs. Leila blinked and looked up to only meet the masked man's cold stare that was tempered by a glimmer of amusement. She had fallen at the feet of Bethany's partner.
Leila froze, her eyes widened like big saucers. Her face flushed in embarrassment.
"Are you going to keep laying on the floor like that?" The man tilted his head, enjoying the myraid of emotions she displayed. At the sound of his voice, she quickly scrambled to her feet.
Bowing repeatedly, she apologized for her clumsiness. Her hands subconsciously clutched her dress. She could feel everyone's judging stares on her. Bethany stood up, fuming. "Incompetent! Your services are horrible. You ruined my dress."
She pointed at the small brown stain on the front of her white expensive looking dress. Leila lowered her head, knowing she was wrong. Bethany continued to berate her. "Do you know how much it costed me? Will a lowly peasant like you be able to afford to buy me a new one?"
Margaret came by. "Are you okay, Leila?"
"I'm fine," she nodded. After making sure Leila wasn't hurt, Margaret apologized profusely to the arrogant woman. Now she was showing her true colours.
Her partner had leaned back, his legs crossed, clearly enjoying the show with a raised eyebrow. Seeing this Bethany felt a boost of courage and...
Slap! A loud slapping sound echoed in the room, leaving everyone stunned. Margaret looked at her in disbelief. A palm imprint appeared on Leila's cheek. Leila stood, rooted on the spot unable to react for a moment.
"What's with all this ruckus?" The old baker heard the commotion and came out to see what was going on. He was stunned to see broken tea cups on the ground and a customer confronting Leila who held her cheek. Cold sweat broke on his forehead. He immediately understood the events that occured and hurried over to smooth things over.
Upon seeing Mr Rodrick, did Margaret come back to her senses. Her rage made her lose all her rationality. She pounced at Bethany. "I'm going to kill you!"
Leila quickly held her back. "Maggie, calm down!"
"How could I calm down? She just slapped you because of a mistake! You did not do it intentionally," Margaret protested.
"Don't act rashly. We don't know where they came from and who they are. They might be from an aristocratic family. You wouldn't want to get your family into trouble, would you?" Leila whispered.
" But..."
"Maggie," she said in a warning tone. Margaret deflated but still secretly glared at Bethany who raised her head high and snorted disdainfully.
Mr Rodrick managed to calm Bethany down and she left with her partner. Before they left, the masked man casted a glance at Leila. Narrowing her eyes, she stared back. She hoped she would never run into that couple ever again.
Mr Rodrick looked at her with a frown. "I'm sorry, Mr Rodrick. I caused trouble for you again." It wasn't the first time something like this happened.
"Just clean this mess up." Mr Rodrick sighed wearily. Leila immediately nodded.
"Your clumsiness will eventually lead to your death one day." Mr Rodrick muttered as he walked away.
"How could you be so calm?" Margaret complained. "If you hadn't stopped me I would have torn that b*tch into pieces."
Leila shook her head. "That man with her wasn't ordinary. Who knew what would have happened? Besides I was in the wrong."
Soon Mr Rodrick closed the pastry shop. "It's time to go home."
"Finally!" Margaret beamed. Leila thought Mr Rodrick would scold her for being late and what happened earlier but he only gruffly said, "Don't be late tomorrow."
Looking at his expressionless face, she wondered if he ever smiled. After Mr Rodrick left, Margaret worriedly asked, "Are you sure you are alright?"
"Yes, I am fine Maggie," she assured her. "Now go home. It's getting late."
"Okay, see you tomorrow then!" Margaret said reluctantly and they went opposite directions.
When she arrived at home, a strange scene greeted her. There were many people huddled outside, whispering to each other while shaking their heads. Her eyebrows furrowed. Why were there people standing in front of the front door? A foreboding feeling arose in her heart and she quickened her pace.
"What's going on?" Leila asked. The crowd looked at each other, unsure of what to say. This made her heart skip a beat. They all looked at her sympathetically. Without replying, they opened a path for her and she walked briskly into the house.
She met Mrs Smith in the hallway. She looked extremely haggard, her eyes red and swollen, her face pale. "Mrs Smith, what happened?" Leila ran over to her and frantically inquired.
"Miss Leila..." Mrs Smith's eyes were filled with sorrow, seemingly unwilling to tell her.
"Please tell me," she urged her anxiously. Mrs Smith closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she stammered. "It's... It's about your mother."