BROKEN VOWS

Chapter Eighteen. Future past

Rainbow's POV.

Six years ago...

Rainbow crouched in the cramped storeroom, surrounded by a dizzying array of artifacts that seemed to hold secrets of the past. Dusty relics, yellowed with age, cluttered every available inch, making it a challenge for her to navigate the narrow aisles. The air was thick with the scent of decay and forgotten memories.

As she consulted the list in her hand, Rainbow couldn't shake the feeling that her employer, Mrs. Witkin, was stalling. The old woman had been searching for excuses to keep Rainbow from leaving, ever since she'd announced her decision to quit and move to the big city two weeks ago. The list, Rainbow suspected, was just a ruse – a desperate attempt to keep her from departing.

Rainbow's heart overflowed with tender affection as she thought about Mrs. Watkins, the eccentric matriarch who had swept into her life like a whirlwind four years ago. Fresh out of high school, Rainbow had been a fledgling, desperate to spread her wings and take flight. But every door she knocked on had been met with rejection, the cold, harsh reality of being a minor slamming shut in her face.

That was when Mrs. Witkin, a spry and spirited woman with a mischievous glint in her eye, had burst onto the scene. With a dismissive flick of her wrist, she'd scoffed at the notion of Rainbow's age being a hindrance. "Pish posh!" she'd exclaimed. "If anyone wants to sue me for hiring a minor to keep me company, that's just one more exciting heading for my tombstone!" The memory of Mrs. Watkins words still made Rainbow chuckle, her eyes sparkling with mirth. The old woman was a force of nature, a whirlwind of wit and wisdom, and Rainbow adored her for it.

"I'm not getting any younger waiting for you, child," Mrs. Watkins said with a playful scoff, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "If you can't even find these five items on the list, how can I trust you to take care of yourself out there in the big city?" Her words were laced with a hint of teasing, but I knew better.

I shot her a knowing glance, my eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, come on, Mrs. Watkins," I said, my voice dripping with playful accusations. "Look who's talking as if they didn't intentionally send me on a wild goose chase, just to keep me from leaving." I chuckled, shaking my head.

With a flourish, I picked up the last item on the list, which had been hiding in plain sight the entire time. I handed it to Mrs. Witkin with a triumphant smile, my eyes glinting with mischief. "Here you go," I said, my voice tinged with satisfaction. "Now, are you done trying to stall me?"

"And about the big city" I said with a grin, "I'll learn everything I need to know about the big city in no time." Mrs. Watkins eyebrow arched upward as she accepted the item, her light blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Of course, you figured it out," she said with a gruff tone, "you always do." Her gaze seemed to bore into my soul, as if searching for a weakness to exploit. "Do you have anything I can blackmail you with, just so you can stay by my side forever?" The audacity of the woman left me breathless.

I chuckled, recalling the countless nights I'd spent under her roof. "I've been ripping off your kindness for four years now, and I used to talk in my sleep," I said, hoping to appeal to her sentimental side. Mrs. Watkins expression turned thoughtful, but after a moment, she shook her head.

"That's not incriminating enough," she declared, a sly smile spreading across her face. With a flourish, she produced a gold medallion from her pocket, the same one that had once belonged to her beloved daughter. The medallion glinted in the dim light, its significance weighing heavily in the air.

"I couldn't possibly accept this, Mrs. Watkins," I protested, my hands recoiling from the treasured medallion as if it were a sacred relic. "It belonged to your daughter... I could never fill her shoes." I searched her face, hoping to find a glimmer of understanding, but she remained resolute.

"Exactly!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with a deep conviction. "It was my daughter's. And if she had a child of her own, she wouldn't have a problem with her being like you." Her words struck a chord deep within me, rendering me speechless.

As I stood there, frozen in emotion, Mrs. Witkin opened her arms wide, beckoning me to her. "This old woman is just thanking you for everything you've done for her," she said, her voice trembling with gratitude. I sighed, feeling the weight of her appreciation settle upon me, and slowly stepped into her embrace.

"Get out of here before I change my mind and kidnap you," Mrs. Witkin said with a sigh, her arms still wrapped tightly around Rainbow as she hugged her.

I smiled, my eyes somber as I bowed her head. "Fine," i replied, my fingers absently twirling the medallion as i slowly pulled away from the old woman's embrace.

As I walked into the main shop, Mrs. Watkins trailed behind her, still peppering me with questions. "Is there anything I can do to keep you from leaving? Could you take over the shop after me?" Rainbow chuckled fondly, shaking her head at the old woman's persistence.

Her gaze drifted toward the front of the shop, where a woman sat in Mrs. Watkins usual chair. Rainbow's footsteps slowed as the woman turned to face her, a curious expression on her face.

The stranger was a vision of elegance, her blonde hair styled in a sleek ponytail that accentuated her heart-shaped face. A pink coat draped elegantly over her shoulders, and her white silhouette heels clicked softly on the floor as she stood up. Her every movement exuded refinement and poise, and Rainbow found herself transfixed by the woman's captivating presence.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but we're closed," Rainbow said, trying to sound polite but firm. The woman's face lit up with a warm smile, and Rainbow's eyes widened as she took in the uncanny resemblance to Mrs. Witkin.

"It's okay, Bow," Mrs. Witkin said, appearing beside Rainbow. "She's here to see me."

The stranger's gaze never left Rainbow's face. "I thought we were meeting at home, Mother?" she asked, her voice husky and smooth.

Mrs. Watkins chuckled. "I wanted to show you something first."

The stranger's eyes roamed over Rainbow's face, her expression a mixture of curiosity and admiration. "Oh! I'm um..." Rainbow stuttered, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks as she struggled to find her words.

"Is this her?" The woman asked, her voice laced with surprise, her eyes still fixed intently on Rainbow. "You didn't tell me she was this beautiful, Mother."

Mrs. Watkins eyes sparkled with amusement as she chuckled. "I know you're familiar with the phrase 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' Lauren."

Lauren's gaze lingered on Rainbow's face, as if drinking in every detail. Mrs. Watkins eyes met Rainbow's, and the girl felt a flush rise to her cheeks. It was no secret that Mrs. Witkin adored her looks, often lavishing praise on her electric blue eyes and radiant skin tone.

"But I only describe her beauty like a grandmother would," Mrs. Watkins said with a smile, "so don't judge me." She reached out and pinched Rainbow's cheeks, her eyes twinkling with affection.

Rainbow's blush deepened as Mrs. Watkins continued, "Rainbow, meet my daughter, Lauren. Lauren, meet Rainbow."

Lauren's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression a mixture of curiosity and wariness. Rainbow sensed a hint of tension between the two women, a subtle undercurrent that hinted at a deeper, more complex history. The estranged daughter, Lauren - the one Mrs. Witkin always spoke of with a tinge of sadness and longing. Whatever had driven them apart, it was clear that the wounds still lingered.

"Nice to meet you, ma'am," Rainbow said with a polite smile, "and thank you again for everything, Mrs. Watkins." With a gentle wave, she turned to leave, disappearing into the fading light of day.

As soon as Rainbow was out of earshot, Lauren's expression turned serious. "I don't understand why you can't just tell her, Mom," she said, her voice laced with frustration.

Mrs. Watkins face crumpled, her eyes welling up with tears. She shook her head, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her emotions. "This is my punishment for failing to be a good mother," she whispered, her voice cracking with sorrow. "I don't deserve to be in her life."

As the words spilled out, Mrs. Watkins body seemed to collapse in on itself, her shoulders shaking with sobs. She slumped into the chair, her head in her hands, as tears streamed down her face. Lauren's expression softened, her eyes filled with compassion as she watched her mother's anguish.