The week went by quickly. My crops were sprouting already. My ankle was better too.
Walking through the town hall, I spot Caroline and Jodi chatting happily as Vincent followed after Penny and Jas.
I opened the glass door of Pierre's store and was greeted by a cheerful voice. Gus was happily shopping for ingredients for the Saloon. Marnie was looking at produce. Demetrius was looking at seed packets.
"Hey, Farmer!" Pierre gave a small wave behind the counter. "What can I help with you today?"
"Grass starters."
He gave a nod and handed a bag full of them. A chime of a bell followed by an 'ahem' caused everyone to turn around to the source.
My blood boiled that moment I saw him.
Morris
He strode in with confidence, catching the eyes of many.
"Come and get it, folks... coupons for 50% off your purchase at Jojamart!"
He waved some coupons around in the air, instantly swarmed by the townsfolk.
"But... I can't match those prices! I'd be selling at a loss!" Pierre cried out, devastation on his face.
How lowly. Disgusting. Out of all the places I moved to, why is he here? Why?
I laid my head low when his footsteps neared us both. Seeing his face would make me do irrational things before I know it.
"It must be so difficult for you," his voice was next to me now. His shiny shoes practically in front of mine. "To lose your loyal customers like that."
I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth as I hear the arrogance in his words.
No. You're better than this. Leave him.
"Hm?"
I felt his stare. I imagined his smug grin as he laid eyes on me.
"Well. Look who we have here!" His shrieky laugh filled the store. "The desk worker that thought she had a point."
Don't look up. Don't look up. Don't look up!
"Oopsie-daisy! Did I add salt to the injury you gave yourself?"
"Morris, I'm gonna have to ask you to stop harassing the farmer." Pierre said with a stern voice.
But Morris merely ignored him. Every word he said about my old job brought back horrible memories again.
"How's your sister?" He knew where he was going with that question, but it seemed he wanted to get on every nerve I have in my body.
"Your sister made a big talk about how you two would be more successful than me." He turned to walk away.
"But do you seriously think you could beat me with a run-down farm? Especially in a crappy town like this?" he scoffed. "I was right about you two. Just a bunch of idiots with dreams out of their reach." He turned to walk away.
"Especially your sister." He murmured out.
That's it.
My hand quickly clutched his arm before you could walk away and pulled him back to meet me in my eyes.
My reflection was on his glasses, his eyes hiding behind my enraged face. I knew he was scared because he knows that nobody was around to protect him.
"Farmer?"
I gritted my teeth in frustration as I couldn't find the words that showed how much I wanted to obliterate him. He desperately tried to pry my hand off his arm with grunts of effort. Both of my hands were on his collar, lifting him up to look me in the eyes again.
"It was one of your people." I let out. "My sister would be here right now if it wasn't for your people!"
I clenched his collar harder, eyes flaring.
"I don't care what position you have in that stupid company anymore. But if you think you can get away with insulting my sister and my home, I hope the hit on your head will be hard enough to set that mind straight." I slowly let go, the glare in my eyes never disappearing.
His knees buckled, unable to make a run for it. Pierre couldn't say anything, shocked by the scene that unfolded in front of him.
"If you're frightened, never show your face to me again."
Morris flinched as I walked past him, exiting the store. For once, Pierre felt a tinge of sorry for Morris.
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The sky turned into a beautiful mixture of purple, pink, and orange as I made my way to the Saloon. Upon arrival, I saw a variety of the townspeople in there, lively music playing throughout the whole saloon.
Gus gave me a warm smile as I walked up to the bar.
"Heya Farmer! Glad you're here." Gus put the glass jug he was wiping down neatly and followed me to the register.
"What can I get you today?" he smiled, kindly.
"I'll just get a coffee."
"Alright ." Gus turned to grab a coffee cup and began filling it.
A soft shove followed by a hearty laugh caught my attention. Pierre took a seat next to me and slid a bright pink packet with a strawberry on it to me.
"It's a thank-you gift for earlier today. I usually sell this during the Egg Festival, but I couldn't think of a better gift for you." Pierre didn't wait for my response and left to use the restroom.
Gus placed my cup of coffee in front of me and took the money I owed. Making my way to the clacking of pool balls followed by grunts of frustration, I saw Sam losing badly to Sebastian in a fair game. Abigail was sitting on a blue couch, watching the game.
I took a seat next to her, careful not to spill the hot contents inside the mug. Abigail took her eyes off the game and started a conversation with me.
"So, my dad told me what happened this morning." she chuckled softly. She hesitated for a moment. "I'm sorry about your loss."
I put my mug down on my lap, sighing heavily. Abigail felt the gloom roll off of me.
"Thank you." I gave her a warm smile before taking another sip of my coffee. Another topic distracted our minds from the event this morning.
The impact of the pool balls and the occasional sighs of irritation from Sam filled the room, along with some quiet giggles from the two girls. It felt peaceful. Sebastian eyes would gaze over at me from time to time, getting deep into a trance the more he looked at me.
"Uh, Seb? It's your turn now." Sam's voice turned Sebastian's attention back over to the pool session now.
"Oh. Right, sorry." Sebastian bent over and lined up with the cue ball, aiming at the solid 8 at an angle.
His eyes snapped to the sudden movement of the farmer as he took his shot. Sam watched his friend missed his solid ball and hit his last striped ball into a pocket. Sam couldn't believe it. He leaned over on the table and took aim at the cue ball and landed a hit on the solid 8, rolling into a pocket and earning Sam his first win against Sebastian.
Sebastian couldn't believe it either. He fell on his knees in silent defeat. Sam couldn't process what was happening. He raised both his arms in triumph, but his face still held a shocked expression.
Now what? The two didn't know what else to do.
Sebastian looked over at the couch that Abigail and the farmer sat on, but only saw Abigail. Where did she go?
"Hey, Abby?" Sebastian called out.
Abigail's attention turned to him. "Yeah?"
"Where did she go?" he gestured to the empty seat next to her."
"It's getting late so she left. I'm gonna get outta here too." She hopped off the couch and made her way out. "I'll see you guys later." With a wave, she was out of the door.
The duo were left to clean up their game and headed home afterward. They said their goodbyes and made promises to meet each other tomorrow.
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Might change the P.O.V.
