The Stories of Latia, Vol. 2: Demon's Curse

Chapter 6: Forever...

Chapter 6: Forever...

Avery Locke

So, I kinda lied earlier. I told Cass and Jayme that I had a job early this morning, but my schedule was completely clear. I just didn't want Cassidy knowing where I was headed 'cause it would ruin my surprise for her.

I took the train west to a neighboring town because I knew there was a jewelry store over there, and I didn't want to run the risk of running into Cassidy.

It was a cute mom and pop store that's been there probably longer than I've been alive, sitting on a quiet street corner, like a cactus standing in a desert.

"Welcome! What can we help you with?" The older man at the front counter warmly greeted me when I walked through the door, his Italian accent weighing on his voice. The counter he was standing behind was made of glass, and had all sorts of beautiful bracelets, necklaces and rings within it that I couldn't keep my eyes off of.

"Hi! I'm looking for a ring for my... partner," I say, a wide smile tugging at the corners of my mouth at the idea of it.

"Ah!" He exclaims, seemingly as happy as I am.
"Do you plan to purpose with such a ring?" He asks, grinning ear to ear.

"Yes. Yes, I think I do," I say, unable to contain my happiness which calmly erupts in me lightly hopping up and down and a short lived giggle.

"Wonderful!" He steps out through the door behind the counter, and returns shortly with a wooden, handmade box.

"Here we have a selection of ruby rings. If these aren't in your price range, we have some cheaper options. We also have diamond and emerald options," he explains, placing down the box, opening it to reveal five rings in a row, each on little pedestals faced upwards so I can look at the front of their rubies.

"Wow," I lightly gasp, carefully lifting the middle one to examine it closer. It's a sharp oval-shaped natural ruby, with a simple gold band, one end of it connecting to the ruby's top edge, and the other connecting to its bottom.

It's beautiful.

I was so entranced by the ring, that I hadn't noticed the man circling the counter and was now standing beside me.

"Do you think this is the one?"

"Yeah, I think so. She's going to love it," I quietly responded, still gazing at the ring.

"She will, indeed," he says without skipping a beat.