"This is your sister." The man who introduced himself as my father said. My eyes darted to the girl with curly hair, dressed in frilly clothes, a pink ribbon on her head. "I'm sure you two will get along. From now on, this is your home."
"I'm happy to finally meet you." My sister gently nodded her head and her golden curls bounced beautifully. She smiled and there were dimples on her cheeks. "What's your name?"
She looked like the princesses I've seen in the books and her elegance reminds me so much of my mother, which once again, made me clutch the doll I've been holding on not as a toy, but as armor against the pain.
If mother was here, it would look like they were the parent and child. Me being in the picture would be like a rock beside rubies.
"Melissa." I found my voice.
I ached at the way the house felt warm as I was presented with missing family members that I have longed for growing up. Is this the way I should cope with...missing my mom? If she was here, wouldn't that make us a complete family?
"Nice name." My sister took my hand and dragged me to the gigantic stairs, that again, I only see in the books. "Come, I'll take you to your room then let's play with our dolls."
Each step I took made me lost in thoughts. I dreamt of growing up in Lumina, the busy streets that I've seen every day of my life. Now, another chapter has opened and it was all brand new. I suddenly had a beautiful and nice sister.
Until the door closed and the sound of a slap echoed on the four corners of the room. I lifted my hand and massaged the cheek that had grown hot just now. Bewildered, I turned to question my sister.
"Why?"
"Why? Why would you have to come here, that's why! Who said that you can just barge into our lives?" My sister who said she was happy to meet me is now glaring at me. "You could have just rotted along with your mother, or might as well find your Paxley relatives. Perhaps there'll be a place for you."
The words that slipped out of her mouth are the exact opposite of her appearance. I wish I had not known her, I wish she'd never talk. She didn't like me, but I wish she did.
That night, I hugged my doll tighter than ever. My mother never hit me even once. But, she may not have loved me enough. If she did she would stay longer by my side...
*
...the way I stayed by hers.
"Cuddles, what do you think is the most vital when accepting a new customer?" I tied the end of the thread as I finished patching the last tear on a doll that I recently used for a special client.
Cuddles, who never learned to speak, just hovered above me in a stately and circular motion. It's like a little angel in the shape of a doll. I placed it down on the table, along with some pictures and things that didn't belong to me.
"That's right. Fairness. You have to hear both sides of the story before coming up with a verdict."
I picked up a picture of a guy I've never met before. At the back are letters that spelled Paxley. Oh, how nostalgic. I've heard the name quite a few times before. I've even passed by Castle Aberleen. It's just a two-hour drive from Lumina City.
My mother had not run too far from home, but no one ever looked for her. That just meant one thing, and I had learned not to put myself in places where I don't belong.
Realizing I have work to do, I remembered my client saying this guy had been bullying her in the university everyday by playing pranks on her. She can't even go to dates because the guy showed the whole campus an ugly picture of her when she was in grade school.
God, I hated bullies. Memories of the past come back to me and I'd think of my wicked half-sister. But then, I had fun. I've had my revenge the day I've quit that house in many ways than one.
Upon investigation, though, the guy wasn't bullying her. In fact, he has a crush on her that he does everything to get her attention. They're just two souls in need of proper communication, and that's why I'm here.
I've attached the picture on Muddles, the pink doll my mother gave to me, and the one with me the longest. I had a few strands of my client's hair then I tied it on Cuddles' hand.
"Perfect!" Now, the show begins.
With a flick of my hand, the dolls started moving. Slowly at first, and then they'd meet in the middle of the table. Anyone who sees it would think it's just a magical puppet show. However, somewhere out there, two people move like the dolls.
The guy will bow his head then apologize for everything he did. The girl a.k.a my client, is flustered at the sudden nice approach, and there will be a confession of feelings held for too long.
It's gotta be the cutest commission I've accepted so far. I couldn't wait for the payment, but more importantly, it's the customer satisfaction that counts.
I, after all, take pride in my needleworks. If people talk about the pretty young lady that basically lived in a humble shop that looked more like a toy store than a tailoring shop, that would be me. Your run-of-the-mill seamstress.
—
A/N: I see people assuming that Melissa's sister is Guinevere. My friend and I even got into an argument with a tiktoker who tells her follower it was Guin, based on the doll that showed on her trailer. Ahahaha dang.
