The Lethal Keepsake

The Trip to The Classic Lady

"Okay guys, with this I close my tour at the Trevi Fountain. I hope everyone enjoyed it. Which place would you like to visit next? Send your suggestions to the number you see scrolling on the screen and let me take you there. Until then, Ciao!!" with that she waved her hands with her fingers swaying in the air, looking at the camera.

"Cut! Well done Minerva. Stand still for another minute, I will take a look at the video once", said Martin, the videographer.

After scrutinizing the last video clip, he slightly raised his head with a smile and gave a thumbs up.

"I think all these are more than enough for this trip. You can go and enjoy the rest of the vacation. I and Margaret will join you after settling these at our motel", pointing at all the recording equipment.

Minerva slowly removed her Lavalier microphone and placed it along with the rest of the recording equipment.

"Are you sure? I don't mind helping out with this."

Margaret who was packing all the equipment along with Martin, upon hearing this turned around and slightly shook her head.

"Nah! Issokay. You have already worked hard for days in research and planning to perfect this trip. This is the least we could do. Now go and get busy with fun."

With a playful smile on her lips, she said, "We won't be leaving you alone for long, so make use of the time" and winked at her.

Minerva's smile widened forming a cute dimple on her right cheek and a grateful spark danced in her eyes.

"Thank you. I'll be at the Antique store we visited earlier. There is something that caught my eye there."

She waved them goodbye, turned around swiftly, and made her way toward the antiques store.

She strolled past the maneuvering chamber next to the Trevi fountain and several other buildings.

On her way to the shop, she checked her mobile for calls and felt a twinge of disappointment at seeing nothing. However, she quickly mustered up a sense of joy in anticipation of buying the mirror.

The sun cast a slight golden glow on her milky skin, her wavy dark hair flowing under the beige hat. The late afternoon breeze gently swayed the strands of hair that escaped the hat's brim, creating an almost poetic dance of shadow and light.

With every step, she admired the majestic structures surrounding her, slightly lifting her hat, reflecting on how they appeared so much smaller on her computer screen during her research.

She walked for a while before she reached the antiques shop. The signboard above the shop proudly displayed the name "The Classic Lady."

Without further delay, she pushed open the door, and the bell chimed announcing her arrival.

At one corner of the shop, an elderly lady took her time meticulously dusting a shelf that resembled a miniature staircase. With deliberate care, she tended to the Persian dolls that adorned one of the shelves. Her movements weren't swift but gentle and precise. Despite the wrinkles on her face and arms, the old lady exhibited remarkable grace. Her eyes though withered by time, sparkled with a keen brightness and clarity.

Upon hearing the bell chime the old lady turned around with a warm smile saying, "Benvenuti". Spotting Minerva at the door her face lit up with recognition, instantly recalling Minerva's earlier visit for filming.

She smiled brightly, raised her hand, and gestured a beckoning motion to invite her in, "You!! Come in! Come in!"

Despite not being fluent in English, the old lady possessed the ability to accommodate English speakers and express her thoughts effectively.

Minerva swiftly walked past the vintage wind chimes hanging down from the ceiling, making her way towards the old lady retaining the smile on her face. "Granny! Could you show me the mirror from before? The one with ornate carvings of flowers and creepers.".

It was an ancient oval-shaped bronze pocket mirror, with intricate carvings of creeper plants and papyrus flowers around the mirror, and at the back of it was a similar floral decoration with a beautiful blue lotus flower in the middle of it. A sleek but comfortable handle, with two tiny birds at the end, facing away from one another. Its beauty wasn't something one could comprehend with a few words.

Minerva was attracted to it at first sight. She decided she had to buy that mirror when she saw it before, but had to wait until her filming for the day was done.

At the mention of the mirror, the smile on the old lady's face slightly faded. The previous enthusiasm in her voice was gone.

"You sure? It very dangerous."

She looked down thinking something and shook her head

"I no selling the mirror. Placed in display on mistake" and turned to walk back to the counter.

"Need anything else? Lot of good items here. Cute old mirrors also". She pointed to the other pieces of stuff placed on the display. She never intended to place that mirror for sale, after all, her grandson placed it on display not knowing the reason for his grandma placing it safely inside.