Red Strings: Love Comes Unexpected

1.3. Sourire

Once upon a time, deep in the forest there lived little girl who could talk to shadows. She would do it in the silence for the villagers did not like people who could talk to shadows. Out of fear, they would cast them away and brand them as witches for those who could speak to the shadows always brought bad omens. This scared the little girl for she had seen it happen before. The little girl did not want to be cast away. She did not want to be kept away from her parents. But she also could not turn away the shadows who came asking for her help. She was gifted yet she was cursed is what she told herself. She must forever hold this secret to herself. She only knew she had to help the shadows gain passage into the light and she had to brave herself to do it without others knowing. And so, she carried on each day living two lives and making sure that no one else knew her secret.

That was until one day, while she was helping a shadow find its peace, there was someone else watching from afar so very silently. Like a tiger in the night, it crept to watch the little girl. 'Interesting creature is this little one,' it whispered to itself in the silence. 'When the time is ripe, I shall make her my bride but until then, I shall keep her safe from all evil.' And from that day, no evil dare harm the little girl and if it ever did, it would disappear without a trace. Never to be heard again.

-----

Even as Ava was screaming hysterically and struggled to break free from the hold of my mystery saviour, I was not going to stop from helping both of them. I needed to calm Ava down even if she tried to physically harm me. She had her reasons. Added to that, she is grieving a loss. And Lucas... He has disappeared... So it is not one soul but two souls to be dealt with. One of the living and the other of the dead. However it was not a story of two but a story of three.

Each step I took was now a calculated move. At each step a different scenario played in my head. What should I ask? What reaction will I receive? Was this all my fault to begin with?

With each step I move forward, unknowingly I muttered lowly, "I need the truth...!" Even if it might break me...

I ignore the person who steps forward in an attempt to stop me but nothing will stop me.

At every step I take, I am anxious and I am anticipating the replies I would receive from Ava. When I am finally in front of Ava, it felt like hours had passed even when it was only a few minutes. Nevertheless, I kneel down and reach out gently and rub her shoulders. Calling out to her, "Ava! ... Ava, look at me!"

Yet she ignores me but when I call out to her loudly and more sternly, I see that I have her solid attention as she stares deep into my eyes. Huffing very loudly while grinding her teeth, one could assume she was possessed. However, I knew better. This was pure resentment and it was directed at me.

Taking a deep breath, I look straight into her eye and without flinching a nerve I ask, "Ava, who is Lucas Moore?"

Almost immediately at the mention of his name, Ava stops her struggles and stiffens. Slowly she ragains herself and looks up to me. With a side yet evil smirk, she replies, "Yes Rhee—ah! Hahaha!" ...and she mutters incoherently under her breath.

This is going to take up all day if needed, I sigh to myself while dreading two things - one, I will need to shut the cafe for a day and two, fixing this resentment. I nearly forgot about the new stranger who had walked in and timely, saved me from whatever may have befell me.

"Excuse me, Ms. but I don't think it's safe for you to be so close to this person," says the man holding Ava still. Deep concern seen clearly in his eyes. "I could ring up the police for you if you don't feel up to you."

"Please... Just call me 'Rhea' and it's okay, sir! I mean it's all fine. Calling the police? That wouldn't be necessary just yet. This woman... she's grieving a loss," I reply as I look on the emotionally unstable Ava. Looking back to this kind bystander, I offer him a free drink as he helps Ava back to a seat. Devon as he introduced himself insists that he stayed just in case something happens.

Lucas' ghost is nowhere to be seen, neither can I sense him anywhere close. I barely paid attention to when he faded away earlier. At least for now, I would be able to focus on Ava for awhile. Or at least till Dore gets in. I could use a little bit for her professional help is assessing Ava's psych. "I better text her before I let it slip my mind", I whisper to myself as I pick up my phone.

Almost immediately, Dore responds and she will be coming over soon.

Now for the matter at hand.

One... Two... Three... Deep breaths...

I close my eyes and compose myself. Looking ahead of me, I walk across my little cafe and sit facing Ava as I did when she first walked in.

One... Two... Three... again breath.... 

"Let's talk about Lucas Moore"

*****

3 years ago
The day after the meeting at the library.

"I wonder what's keeping him," Rhea muses to herself while standing at the bus stop. Lucas had never been late and if something did come up, he would have told her. Having known each other from the start of college, they both understood each other. Those around them regarded the two as a match made in heaven.

Somehow today, there is a nagging feeling in the gut that seems to bother Rhea. Could something have gone wrong? She pondered to herself.

"RHEA!"

She looks up and is relived to see Lucas running towards her.

"Hey now Mister... You. Are. Late!!!" Rhea chides him playfully.

"Uh.. well... Some family matters," he replies her quickly and before she could ask him about it, he grabs her arm. "Nevermind that!"

And with his charming wink, "let's go! We have today to live!"

*****

"He is my fiance!" Ava replies coolly. "And you... Are the homewrecker!"

Her bluntness astounded me. I shake my head as I question her back, "me...? I am sorry but I could use a little explanation."

Her eyes grow big as she snaps, "Yes you! You little tramp!" She slams the table and continues on, "Even after winning and making him MINE! YOU!"

Hastily, Devon is back again to hold Ava down. But she retorts, "Let me go, you brute!"

I quickly distract her, "Ava! What about me? I have never met you till today.... Let alone know about you and Lucas."

"But you are all he ever did talk about! It was Rhea this and Rhea that! And so, I gave him the ultimatum... And he chose you!" Her seething resentment was undeniably clear.

"Oh Ava," I looked at her worriedly. "Just what did you do....?"

"I. Killed. Him!"