Charlotte took a deep breath as she stepped out of her room. She had braced herself for the awkwardness that would follow rejecting Derek’s feelings, but surprisingly, it hadn’t been as bad as she anticipated. They rarely crossed paths.
While this was somewhat convenient for her, it didn’t make her feel any better. Especially when she saw Sarah in the morning.
“Good morning, Sarah.”
“Good morning, Cecile.”
“You don’t look well these days. Is something bothering you?”
“It’s nothing serious…”
Sarah’s expression darkened as she poured coffee into Charlotte’s cup. Observing her, Charlotte spoke thoughtfully.
“Is it because another boarder left? I’m sure you’ll find someone soon.”
“That’s part of it, but…”
“…Derek didn’t come home again last night, did he?”
“Yes.”
Charlotte’s face also grew somber.
“He’s been coming home late or not at all lately.”
It had been a week already. Sarah, speaking almost to herself, cautiously asked, “Cecile, do you have any idea what’s going on?”
Her question was half confirmation. Things had started to change after the dinner they had together. Charlotte understood the implication behind Sarah’s question. But she could only shake her head.
“I don’t know.”
“I see. I’m sorry if I upset you.”
“It’s okay. Feel free to talk to me anytime.”
Charlotte forced a bright response, finished her coffee, and stood up.
“Well, I’m off.”
“Take care.”
Sarah, also smiling awkwardly, saw her off.
The woman inspecting her dress smiled brightly.
“The embroidery you added makes my dress look so much better. Thank you, Cecile!”
“I’m glad you’re satisfied. Your detailed order helped me focus.”
“My theater troupe will be jealous when they see this dress. Would it be alright if I recommended your shop to them?”
“I’d be grateful if you did. Please, feel free to refer me to them. If they mention that Elena sent them, I’ll give them extra attention.”
Charlotte smiled warmly as she handed back the change. Dealing with various customers had been challenging at first, but it was getting easier. She’d learned a lot by watching Derek at the general store.
Noticing Charlotte’s slight change in expression as she thought of Derek, the customer asked gently, “Is something bothering you?”
“Oh, no. It’s just…”
As she tried to brush it off, an unexpected question came up.
“Has the rent for the shop increased?”
“Excuse me?”
“I heard a rumor that a businessman from Katia is buying up buildings around here.”
“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
“That’s a relief. I was worried.”
The woman, visibly calming down, suddenly brought her hand to her mouth.
“This is just a rumor, but you never know. Lean in a bit.”
Charlotte found herself leaning in closer, almost instinctively, as the woman continued her story.
“A businessman from Katia arrived here a few months ago. I think it was about a month ago. He seems to be in the brokerage business, but he had some business to attend to here.”
Her voice grew quieter and more secretive.
“But recently, I heard he’s started gambling and loan sharking around here.”
“Gambling…?”
“Yes. He bought an entire building and turned it into a gambling den. Somehow, he got the mayor’s approval, claiming it’s a legitimate business. But how can gambling be legal? And the loan sharking too—I’m pretty sure they get people into debt at the gambling hall and then lend them money at exorbitant interest rates, basically fleecing them.”
Charlotte’s ears perked up at this. At the same time, an absurd thought crossed her mind. It was a ridiculous notion, but if it was ‘that man,’ it could be possible.
He had a knack for luring people in sweetly before pushing them into a pit.
“What’s the businessman’s name?” she asked slowly, trying to hide her tension.
The woman, oblivious to Charlotte’s anxiety, replied, “Gerald? I think that’s what it was. I don’t know his last name.”
“Oh…”
“Oh my, look at the time. I didn’t realize how late it was while we were chatting.”
The customer, noticing Charlotte’s relieved expression, stood up to leave. Charlotte also rose to see her off and opened the door.
“You mentioned you have a performance today. Take care, and good luck!”
“Yes, thank you again, Cecile.”
The actress gave Charlotte a light hug before heading out.
After seeing her off, Charlotte tried to return to her work. But her mind was too noisy to focus.
Even though the name was different, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Drawing the curtains on the display window and closing the shop early, Charlotte took a postcard from her drawer.
[To Zhenya,
You must be surprised to receive this letter out of the blue. I have an urgent matter that I need your help with.]
After some hesitation, the words began to flow more easily.
On her way home, she stopped by the post office to send the letter. When she arrived at the boarding house, the place was buzzing. Sarah, who had been so downcast in the morning, opened the door with a bright face and hugged Charlotte.
“Charlotte!”
“Sarah?”
“I’m sorry for worrying you this morning.”
“It’s okay. But…”
Charlotte’s eyes quickly shifted from Sarah’s unusually well-dressed appearance to someone standing behind her. There was Derek, also dressed smartly.
“What’s going on?”
“Guess what? Derek has decided to take over the general store!”
Sarah’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“Take over?”
“Yes. The owner had to close the shop due to some personal issues, and Derek bought it for a bargain!”
“Wow.”
“He did incur some debt in the process, but with good business, he’ll pay it off in no time!”
The unexpected news made Charlotte’s eyes widen.
“He had to keep it a secret from even me because it was such a delicate matter. And there I was, worrying for nothing…”
“Mom, that’s enough.”
Feeling awkward, Derek interrupted suddenly, meeting Charlotte’s gaze somewhat sheepishly.
“Are you just getting in?”
“Yes.”
“Would you like to join us for dinner?”
It seemed like they were going out to celebrate Derek’s success. Not wanting to intrude on their family time, Charlotte smiled and shook her head.
“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll pass.”
“Then let’s have dinner together another time, Cecile. A friend of ours is joining us tonight, so it might be a bit much.”
Sarah, affectionately linking arms with her son, put on the gloves resting on the hallway drawer. As the door closed behind them, Charlotte sat down at the dining table and sighed.
Everything was going well. Everything. There were no problems.
Yet, an inexplicable sense of foreboding lingered.
Trying to shake off the unease, Charlotte stood up and got back to work.
***
‘Lady Luck must be on my side. Definitely.’
Derek reflected on the significant fortune that had come from a bit of bad luck. He couldn’t help but think he was blessed with good fortune in people—and luck in gambling, something he’d never experienced before.
“Oh dear, lost again!”
“Give us a break. Haven’t you won three rounds in a row?”
Two men sitting across from each other at a round table groaned, clutching their heads. Meanwhile, Derek grinned as he raked in the money.
“If I keep letting you win, it’ll never end.”
“Are you sure you haven’t been doing this for a while? You’re winning almost every hand.”
“Not at all. I lose sometimes too.”
It was true. There were days he lost, but he always won more than he lost, ensuring he never ended up in the red. With the money he’d earned, he paid half of the acquisition cost for the general store and was about to finalize the contract. Everything was going smoothly, like a ship sailing with a favorable wind.
“Well, I’m off for now.”
“Leaving with another win, I see.”
Ignoring the envious glances, Derek stood up and walked out of the lavishly decorated gambling hall. As he did, he made eye contact with a man standing among the staff. The black-suited men parted as the familiar face approached.
“Gerald.”
“Derek.”
The man called Gerald had an imposing presence that was palpable even from a distance. When they first met, Derek had felt like he was standing before a predator, his body stiffening even as he nearly lost consciousness from the pressure. Though his appearance had changed slightly, Gerald was still the benefactor who had saved him and introduced him to this place.
Gerald’s eyes swept over Derek, lingering on the coins he held.
“Looks like you won big again today.”
“Luck seems to be on my side.”
“Heading out already?”
“Yes, I have plans tonight.”
“I see. Take care.”
With a brief nod, Gerald turned away, and the men who had parted for him began to gather around again.
Society was moving away from the old class system, with capital and business taking precedence. Derek had initially wondered why Gerald had come to such a remote place, but seeing people from the capital seek him out made Derek admire him even more.
Currently, the place accepted common folk, but soon it would become an exclusive club for socially and financially recognized gentlemen.
Waiters carrying expensive wine and cocktails on silver trays, beautiful waitresses cheering beside gamblers, and the elegant smoke of cigars held by well-dressed wealthy men—all exuded the scent of wealth and luxury.
‘I will succeed. And I will walk in here with pride.’
With a determined look, Derek headed to the exchange counter to convert his coins into cash and left the grand, glittering building.
Unaware of the distant, watchful eyes following him.
🍉🍉🍉
