Anastasia

Chapter (4): Amiable Blue

Adrienne opened the door of her house for the stranger to enter and Sage looked at her, sending her a small smile but she was still skeptical as she walked inside the cozy house.

"Um, you could sit on the couch if you'd like. I'll just set the fireplace."

Sage moved her legs to the couch and took a seat as Adrienne started to lit up the fireplace. Sage's eyes wandered across the room, scanning it and she figured that the stranger was rich but she wasn't aware of the real intention though and she was scared. She could never trust a stranger even if they were nice to her. They could be a wolf disguised as sheep after all

"I'm gonna go and check on something real quick then be back, alright?" said Adrienne.

Adrienne left the room and Sage got up from the couch and headed to the fireplace, raising her palms to get warmed by the flame and her eyes inspected the statues above it and some pictures of the stranger with another woman, and another one of her with a little baby. She smiled to herself at the photo and hoped the stranger was really kind to her family and not like the men and women she deals with every day and every night.

Sage turned around and walked over to the coffee table and saw a few dollars on it. She looked around, checking the surroundings and when she found no one, she took the money and hid it in her pocket.

"Who are you?"

A small voice behind her caused her to panic for a minute but she looked over her shoulder and found a little blonde girl, cradling a stuffed giraffe in her arms.

"I'm, uh..." Sage forget her words as fear consumed her that the little kid witnessed her steal others' money.

"You're pretty." said Freya with a huge smile and Sage unconsciously smiled in return as her heart melt.

"Thank you. You're pretty too. So is your little friend." She pointed at the stuffed giraffe and earned an adorable smile from Freya.

"Freya! Freya, come on, I'm not playing hide and seek with you!" Adrienne voice echoed through the hallway as she was entering the living room, searching for her daughter. "Fre-" She smiled and took a deep breath when she saw her having a conversation that was cut short with the stranger in her house. "There you are." She pulled her up and held her. "What're you doing here? It's already 10:00. You should be in bed." She kissed her cheek and Sage smiled again at the sweet encounter.

"Sorry, mommy."

"It's okay." She said gently.

"I'm gonna... leave." said Sage interrupting them. "I think the rain just stopped."

Adrienne turned back to her. "You sure? I could make you a drink if you want. Coffee or tea." She shrugged.

"Uh, no, thanks. You've done enough for me. You already got enough on your plate as well." She smiled a little and nodded her head towards Freya who was slowly dozing off on Adrienne's shoulder. It was a shy smile but it showed how grateful she was at the small save she got from Adrienne during the rain.

Adrienne nodded but Sage held the gaze. The painful eyes that Adrienne saw a minutes ago disappeared and got replaced with glimmering ones.

Sage broke the contact and Adrienne placed her palm against Freya's back as she walked with Sage to the door and opened it for her.

The moment Sage stepped out of the house, Adrienne closed the door behind her and released a deep breath that she was holding for a long time.

"Is she your friend, mommy?"

"Hmm?" She turned her head and stared at Freya.

"That girl."

"Oh! No..." She shook her head slowly with disappointment in her voice. "No, she isn't my friend."