Finding Love

Chapter 14: A Small Dispute

"Do you like this dress Emma," asked Lisa as she held up a blue and black one with 3 fourth sleeves and laced edges. The front of the dress dipped slightly lower than most of my dresses but it was definitely beautiful.

"I love it," I said and the 2 boys nodded in approval. For the past 2 hours, I'd asked around about my mother but no one had heard of her. I'd ignored the slight pang of disappointment I'd felt and thrown all my concentration into picking a dress. I opened up my purse and pulled out the money for the dress before taking it in my hands. I was breathtakingly soft and seemed to shimmer in the sun.

"Is that it then," asked Jack in a bored tone. The poor boys had trailed behind us shop after shop growing increasingly bored as the time has stretched on.

"Yes, I think it is," said Lisa and I nodded in approval.

"I'll go get the horses and the carriage," said Michel before he disappeared into the crowds. I continued to browse through the various laces when a loud voice called out.

"There you are Jackie." The voice belonged to a burly young man of around Michel's age with muscled arms and a handlebar moustache. He had small beady eyes that seemed to gleam with a predatory intent as he stared at Jack with accusing eyes.

"Leave now Ross," said Jack in a cold voice. I'd never heard him sound so devoid of warmth before.

"Where's daddy Jackie or have you replaced him," said Ross as he glanced between Jack and his mother. It was now obvious that he was slightly drunk as his eyes were dilated and he was slightly unsteady on his feet. Even so, Lisa looked close to tears as Jack rapidly clenched and unclenched his fists.

"Little Jackie's getting mad," Ross, cooed.

"That's enough, " a loud voice boomed and the crowds parted to reveal Michel. His eyes were flashing with anger and were almost black in color. His whole body was rigid and he was almost shaking with fury. His eyes glanced towards Lisa's tears and then to his little brother before fixing them on Ross who was watching in amusement.

"I think you should leave," said Michel in a dangerously low voice. His teeth clenched and anger seemed to come off of him in waves. It was slightly terrifying.

"Or what wi..," Ross challenged but was cut of with a punch right to his face. He fell back and had just enough time to cover his face with his arms before Michel launched himself at him throwing punch after punch. Ross screamed but it was like Michel didn't even seem to hear him as he continue to pummel him to the ground.

"Michel stop it," Jack cried and shoved Michel off Ross. I knew for a fact that Michel had let Jack shove him as he slowly stood up, brushing the dirt off his pants. Ross screamed something at Jack before taking off and disappearing into the crowds. He hadn't looked too battered. My eyes slowly shifted back to Michel who was currently getting told of by his Lisa and Jack. I ran up to them and Michel glanced up to me.

"Are, are you all right," I asked with a slight tremor in my voice. The wild look in Michel's eyes was slightly terrifying and I involuntarily took a step back. His eyes widened and hurt and guilt flashed across them before he turned to Jack and Lisa who was examining his bloodies knuckled with equally concerned expressions.