Early in the morning I headed to the clothing store with Yuria. Because she grabbed my hand and dragged me that she had something to show me. Lately, it has become more common for her to come back late at night to make clothes, so it must have been something amazing. She hadn’t arrived at her destination yet, but her face flashed pink with excitement.
All the way, Yuria was worried about my legs. I had to reassure her several times that she didn’t have to worry about her. My legs were almost in good condition already. It was only a little bit sprained as I expected, so with a little maintenance, the condition has improved a lot.
Now everything was fine except for a slight limp.
We soon arrived in front of the clothing store. I held Yuria’s hand with anticipation and entered the store. Just before stepping in, the picket hanging on the door was about to turn from CLOSE to OPEN. Yuria took my hand and said.
“Let’s take a look and see. Yes?”
She doesn’t seem to want to be disturbed by other people. I nodded and placed the picket. When I entered the store, Emma and Michaela greeted me. Yuria went up to the second floor. Michaela followed her up to help her.
“Oh yeah… What are you trying to show me?”
I looked around the store until the two came down. Clothes with different designs were hung on the hangers along with ready-made items. These were the clothes Yuria designed and made herself. Now she has improved her skills to the point where she can make clothes the way she wants.
You worked hard, Yuria.
I wiped my clothes off and smiled. I like people who work hard. I can’t stand hating someone like that. You can’t help but love while worrying about the person who doesn’t care about the wounds on her hands, doesn’t sleep, and is absorbed in you. Even more so if it’s my family.
Then there was a thumping sound.
Yuria came down with a mannequin with Michaela. A huge piece of cloth was written on the mannequin, so it was impossible to see what clothes it was wearing. Yuria took off the fabric, revealing a beautiful dress. It was a mini dress. It was slightly above her knees and was white in color.
The shoulders were exposed and he looked cool.
Flower and leaf patterns were delicately embroidered. The skirt part sits down in the sky. It was beautiful. Even though I am not versed in design, I could tell that it was a great design.
Yuria smiled brightly and grabbed the mannequin’s shoulder.
“This is the first dress I ever made, Lala.”
“Did you call to show me this? really, so pretty. You did a really good job.”
“What did I do to say I made it? Actually, I got a lot of help from Michaela.”
Yuria smiled embarrassedly, and Michaela said firmly.
“I was only giving you a little help. Almost all of them were made by the second boss.”
“I made it with you in mind.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, Lala, I want you to wear it… Will you wear it?”
So you brought me here today.
The store isn’t even open…
It felt like my heart was pounding. The dress Yuria made for me. I was happy. It feels like my sister, who is only four years old, made a bracelet for me by stitching beads one by one with his tiny hands. I wasn’t usually the type to cry, but today it seemed like I was going to cry. But I can’t cry on a good day like this.
“Hurry up and put it on!”
Emma pushed me into the changing room on the other side of the store. I took off the clothes I was wearing and put on the dress. The size was surprisingly perfect. I remembered the last time Yuria came with a tape measure and measured my size.
As I walked out of the locker room, Yuria applauded. She was smiling with a face that looked happier than anyone in the world.
“It suits you really well! really, really….”
Seeing Yuria’s face made me happy too. Michaelado and Emma also gave compliments one word at a time. I thanked them both briefly and looked into the full-length mirror. If Yuria wore it, she would have been prettier…
At that moment, the door to the store opened, and someone poked out a face. It was Isley.
I left a note at the door, thinking that Isley would come home.
I was going to the clothing store today, so don’t wait for me. He seemed to have come to the clothing store instead of going back home. They greeted him. Emma said it was fine, and she said come in quickly. Even though the store was closed, no one felt uncomfortable when he came in. Isley often followed me to the clothing store. His visits were familiar to the staff and my sisters.
Emma said with a smirk.
“The second boss made the dress for the first boss. Mr. Isley, please come and see.”
Seeing Isley entering the store with a puzzled face, I do something I will regret. As an excuse, I was so excited to receive the dress from Yuria. Because I felt like I was in my own world. So I turned around and smiled broadly at Isley.
“This is the dress Yuria made. Pretty, right?”
The dress drew a circle and fell down. Seeing Isley’s blank face, I realized that I had acted too late. He didn’t say anything for a while and just looked at me. Like someone possessed by something…
It was only when I was embarrassed by the gaze and smiled awkwardly that Isley slowly opened his mouth.
“Yeah, pretty….”
Emma said with a playful smile.
“Is it a dress or the boss?”
Today, for the first time, I wanted to shut Emma’s mouth. I know what will come out of Isley’s mouth. Hearing that, I might be so embarrassed that I might run away from this place. I was okay with him being quiet. ‘Cause I’m telling you to be quiet. By the way, there were not only Michaela and Emma, but also Yuria. So I quickly said this as Isley was about to open his mouth.
“A dress, of course. Yuria made it so carefully. ”
Yuria grabbed my hand.
“What are you talking about, Lala? You are prettier.”
“I look like that because of your dress. I’m going to change clothes now.”
Yuria nodded her head with a sad expression. After stroking her hair, I went into the changing room. As I got out of my change of clothes, I heard a knock on the store door.
Knock, Knock, Knock, Knock.
There was a sense of urgency in the knock.
When I went out, I saw a woman with a familiar face. She appeared to be in her mid to late thirties of her age and was caught with her curly hair. She was Shelly’s mother, Olivia. Since she was hanging out with children, she became friends with them.
Olivia always emphasized her appearance. She always pinned her own hair with large pins and kept her outfit neat. But today was different. Her hair was sparse as if she had not been properly combed, her clothes were wrinkled, and her shoes were ripped. It wasn’t the only thing she was concerned about. With her dark face, she was shaking her body like an anxious man.
“There….”
Olivia opened her mouth with a face that looked like she was about to cry.
“Layla, have you ever seen Shelly? Or didn’t she come to your house, my Shelly?”
“Yes? What are you talking about?”
“Shelly is gone. I haven’t seen him since last night…!”
We sat Olivia in a chair and listened to the story. She took the coffee I handed her and cried.
“Yesterday Shelly said she was going to sleep at a friend’s house and left. I hadn’t cared much about her until then. I knew where the friend lived and all her parents. But the next day, I go to Willie’s house and he tells me she’s never been to his house. He said he never made a promise to go to sleep in his house.”
Olivia started crying.
“Then why did she say that? Where the hell did she go? I, I really don’t know.”
Tears fell on the coffee, creating a faint wave. She bowed her head and sobbed.
“It was then that I realized that Shelly had gone missing. I spoke to my husband, to the guards, and to the people around her for help. But still, I couldn’t find it. No one has ever seen the child. Could it be that something wrong has happened to the child? who… Maybe it was kidnapped? I’m so worried…!”
“Don’t cry.”
I borrowed a handkerchief from Yuria and wiped her face. Shelly, the little kid who always brought good news. I remember her holding a candy and smiling brightly at me. I was worried about Shelly too.
Disappearing suddenly… What the hell happened to Shelly? Why did she lie to go to her friend’s house and leave? Is she running away? Or is she involved in something? I can’t figure out why, so I get frustrated and start to have bad thoughts.
No. Shelly will be fine. Let’s think so.
I erased the thoughts from my head and took Olivia’s hand.
“I’ll help you find it too.”
“Really?”
I grabbed her hand and Olivia’s hands were shaking.
“I’ll go tell you as soon as I find Shelly. Do not worry too much. She will be found soon.”
“… Thanks. Layla.”
Olivia nodded and left the store. The faces of those who heard the news of Shelly together darkened. They are also concerned. Shelly was only five years old. If she said that such a child went missing, anyone would react like that. she has a bad heart.
“I’m going to find Shelly.”
When I said that, Yuria hesitated and opened her mouth.
“… Is it okay if I take a day off from the store today? I’m worried about Shelly too, so I don’t think I can stand still.”
Michaela and Emma seemed to agree. Emma grabbed her two hands with a sad face.
“I want to find her too. I wish I could find Shelly sooner…”
“When I hear stories like that, I feel uncomfortable and I can’t stay still… l I want to join too.”
Michaela scratched his head and sighed. Isley also said he would go find her with a worried look on his face.
We left the shop’s picket CLOSE and went out.
The sky was clear without a single cloud.
On such a fine day, why did I hear such bad news?
