Hora of Moldova (Volume 1)

Chapter 1

The bell above the door jingled merrily as Mrs. Popovici bustled into Laura's boutique, her face a mixture of distress and determination. Sofia, sorting through a new shipment of fabrics, looked up from behind the counter. Her mom, Laura, emerged from the back room, wiping her hands on a cloth.

"Mrs. Popovici, good afternoon!" Laura greeted, her tone warm and welcoming despite the visible urgency in the client's eyes.

"Laura, Sofia, you have to help me!" Mrs. Popovici exclaimed, her voice rising in a dramatic flourish.

She held up a stunning teal dress, the hem clearly torn.

"I have a gala tonight, and this is the only dress that fits the theme! I was putting it on, and it caught on a nail. Can you fix it?"

Laura stepped forward, examining the damage with a practiced eye.

"It looks like a clean tear. I can mend it, but it will take a bit of time."
"Oh, thank you! You're a lifesaver," Mrs. Popovici said, her relief palpable.

She glanced around the shop, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"And how are you both? Sofia, you look more and more like your mother every day."

Sofia smiled politely.

"I'm doing well, Mrs. Popovici. Boutique's been keeping me busy."

Mrs. Popovici nodded vigorously, her earrings jangling with the motion.

"Busy is good! Keeps you out of trouble. Not that you would ever be in trouble, of course. You're such a good girl. And Laura, how's business?"
"Steady as always," Laura replied, threading her needle and beginning to work on the dress. "We've been getting a lot of custom orders lately."
"Oh, that's wonderful! I always knew you would thrive once you got out of that factory. You're too talented to be cooped up in a place like that."
"Thank you," Laura said, a hint of gratitude in her smile. "I've been very lucky to have such supportive customers."

Mrs. Popovici waved her hand dismissively.

"Luck has nothing to do with it. It's all your hard work and talent. Speaking of which, I heard there's a new café opening down the street. Have you been yet?"

Sofia shook her head.

"Not yet. I've been meaning to check it out, though."
"Oh, you must! The pastries are to die for. I had the most divine chocolate croissant there yesterday. You should take a break and treat yourself."

Laura chuckled softly, her focus still on the dress.

"We'll make sure to do that. "

As Mrs. Popovici continued to chatter about the latest neighborhood news and her plans for the gala, Laura looked over at Sofia and discreetly signaled her to head to the back. Sofia understood immediately. She nodded and slipped quietly into the back room.
In the solitude of the storage area, Sofia closed her eyes, focusing on the tear in the dress. She felt the familiar warmth of her magic welling up inside her. With a gentle wave of her hand, she summoned the elements, a faint glow surrounding her as the power flowed through her fingertips. The tear in the dress began to mend itself, the fabric weaving back together seamlessly. In moments, it was as if the dress had never been damaged at all.
Back in the front of the boutique, Laura kept Mrs. Popovici engaged in conversation, hoping to buy Sofia enough time. Just as Mrs. Popovici was finishing her story about her latest culinary adventure, Sofia emerged from the back room, the dress now in perfect condition.

"There," Laura said, holding up the dress. The tear was now a seamless part of the fabric, invisible to the untrained eye. "Good as new."

Mrs. Popovici clasped her hands together, her eyes shining.