He looked at her trembling body and her scared face. He didn't want to scare her, he was just teasing her like he used to do when they played together in the past. He knew it was hard to believe for any human that he is really a god and came from heaven. Before coming to lreas, he thought she would immediately get attached to him like she did the first time they met. But that cheerful Craysophy had died long ago, and now her mortal self, Sophie, was so different from who she once was.
He wanted to get comfortable with her as soon as possible but his plan got ruined by himself. He sighed and grabbed her wrist before pulling her body into a hug. She was beyond shocked and afraid after witnessing such scenes and tried to break free but he tightened the hug while whispering.
"Don't move"
Surprisingly, after that she never struggled to break free from his hug but tightly clutched his clothes like a child. He caressed her back, offering the comfort she had needed for so long.
"I am not here to hurt you."
She felt so calm and relaxed that she never felt in her entire life. She came back to her senses and immediately pushed him away, quickly wiping the tears that had escaped without her consent.
" I'm not the one you are looking for. I'm not any princess or daughter of any god. I'm just a si--"
"Your name is Sophie, your parents died recently because they had sold their soul but failed to pay the amount and now you are paying your parents' debt. You are working in your family's pearl Shop. Since your birth you have been constantly facing hardships in life. Your grandma died when your parents left you alone with her when you were 2 years old and you are still blaming yourself for not being able to do anything. You had an older brother who died by falling from the cliff on your 4th birthday. You got ill when you were 6 years old and everyone including prodigy healers thought you are gonna die but you survived because you're destined to suffer. You nearly survived and never lived a life like other kids. Whether it's for being poor or getting bullied all your life for no reason is because you hold a destiny of immortality."
She was more scared of him after listening her life journey coming out of his mouth. He saw the fear on her face and soften his voice
" I know about all the things that happened in your life. Even though your looks doesn't match with Craysophy but its occasionally happens when someone take rebirth."
He clicked his tongue, confused. Something about her face felt oddly familiar.
" But... But there is something about your looks. I don't know why i keep getting sad seeing your face and--"
Before he could complete his sentence she ran away from him making him huff at her cuteness and silliness.
________
She entered into her house and closed the door with a loud thud voice. Her best friend, who had been living with her since her parents passed away, walked toward the door, humming as usual. Aurora looked at her with her slightly confused face and asked while coming toward Sophie
" W- What happened? Was someone chasing you? Demonic cultivators!??"
Sophie who was huffing as she was running so fast to reach home as soon as possible. She took long strides toward the room and started closing all the windows and wooden door making Aurora more confused. She tilted her head witnessing weird behaviour of Sophie.
"What are you doing?? What happened to you?"
Sophie turned around to face her best friend and she shook her head because she didn't have anything to explain and didn't know how to explain.
"Nothing.. Just met with a lunatic or maybe—..... Anyways, have you cooked something? I'm so hungry."
She tried to change the topic and her friend smiled before nodding.
"Yes! Our regular menu, salted rice and fish soup"
Sophie scoffed before going toward the washroom to take a warm bath and forget everything that happened today. Today is the very long day for her and she almost felt she was in a dream.
After taking a long bath she came to the living area to eat something as she was really hungry. The house was not too small or big. The living area is where they made a small kitchen to cook. In Front of the kitchen the small wooden table was there with cushions. On the left side of the table, there was a window which gives them enough light and air but now its closed by Sophie. Aurora was eating and Sophie sat in front of her eating her ' regular meal'.
"What's the plan? What will you do? How you gonna pay them back?."
Her chewing mouth stopped for a second but she immediately started eating. For few minutes she totally forgot about the loan and her burden because her mind was utilised by the mysterious person she met few minutes ago.
" I don't know, I'll try to talk them tomorrow and request them to let me pay in instalments. "
Aurora sighed and she felt helpless seeing her friend like this. She wanted to help her but she doesn't have any source. She is a orphan girl and really doing everything in her capability to help her friend but its not enough. She huffed before showing bright smile to Sophie.
"Don't worry!! We will earn huge money tomorrow and throw that money on their ugly faces. "
Aurora remembered while sipping the drink.
"Oh by the way, I made a few pieces of jewelry using big pears. Here, the colourful one looks pretty. I bet no one on Ireas can make such elegant hairpins. Tomorrow, I'll try to lure rich cultivators and convince them to buy it!"
Sophie chuckled seeing her so enthusiastic. Sophie already felt guilty, knowing Aurora had been managing the pearl shop while also cooking and cleaning. Every morning, Aurora gets up before the sun even rises to prepare a meal for the day. She also shows off her pearls jewelry which looks appealing to eyes in front of rich women to encourage the sale. Her tactics came in handy and Sophie got an order to make using the same design as Aurora was wearing . She had hired Zumin as a carriage boy to buy pearls and materials for the jewelry, but he often stole money from the counter and sometimes charged double.
"How are you even putting up with him? That thief not only takes wages but also steals your money!"
"I have no choice, we don't have a carriage and he takes extra charges for the carriage and for its maintenance."
Aurora frowned
"Didn't you notice the carriage parked by the tree?"
Sophie stopped and looked at her in surprise.
"Don't tell me you bought it"
Her friend smiled sheepishly and shrugged as if it was nothing.
"I bought it this morning.....Don't start scolding me yet, listen to me first. A few weeks ago, I saw an old man cleaning the carriage while I was heading home. Out of curiosity, I asked him how much he'd paid for it, but instead, he asked if I wanted to buy it. He gave me the lowest price and I bought it in exchange of pearl jewelries and savings I've been---"
"You have already done so much Aurora, you shouldn't spend your savings without thinking about yourself."
Aurora saw tears in her eyes and sadness on her face.
"C'mon, I bought it for myself. Do you think I would love traveling with just my two feet? I'm just too lazy to walk and in addition we can use it for your shop. I really want to kick Zumin out. "
Sophie smiled sadly and lowered her head feeling overwhelmed. Aurora was the only one who stood with her in every worst situation. She has a cheerful personality even though her life is almost as worse as Sophie. Everytime, Sophie felt guilty or sad, Aurora came up and cheered her up or talked nonsense until Sophie forgot about the things that were bothering her. Sophie always feel so grateful for having such a good friend.
Her chain of thought stopped when they heard a knocking voice on her window. Aurora got confused because it was unusual for her. Normally people knocked on door right? But Sophie have already guessed who that person was. She widened her eyes and started opening the window to see the person.
Aurora followed her hand moving in a slow motion making her feel impatient. Aurora immediately grabbed the window and opened it one go as it was really irritating and frustrating to see the Slow motion. Sophie saw him standing in front of her window with his stern face. Sophie's eyes widened, and she instinctively took a step back in fear.
To be continued