Ruby walked out of the government office, shielding her eyes from the glaring sun. She sighed, realizing she had forgotten to apply sunscreen before leaving the house. The sun felt harsher than usual, and she could already feel the warmth on her skin.
She walked aimlessly through the market, glancing at the various shops around her. The colorful displays of goods and the busy chatter of people filled the air, but she wasn’t in the mood to browse. She hadn’t found a fabric shop that caught her eye yet, and she didn’t want to waste time on something that wasn’t perfect for her small business.
However, she found a small shop selling decorative items. It was much smaller compared to the classic large stores around, but something about its quaint charm caught her attention. Pushing open the transperant door, she stepped inside.
The faint chime of a bell above the door startled the little ghost at the counter. He was bent over a book, scribbling lazily, but at the sound, his head shot up. His chubby pinkish cheeks puffed slightly, and his round black eyes sparkled with excitement.
He quickly shoved his homework aside, standing up straighter. "How can I help you, sister~~?" he asked, his voice high-pitched and cheerful. His excitement was palpable, and it brought a small smile to Ruby’s lips.
She found him utterly adorable. "Hey, little one," Ruby said, leaning slightly against the counter. "Where are your parents? I want to buy something."
The ghost’s excitement grew, and he nodded quickly. "Dada’s in the back making lunch! But I can help you, I know everything here!" he declared, his small chest puffed up with pride.
"Sure... Show me some beads and laces," she said with a laugh. The little ghost’s face lit up as he nodded eagerly. He glanced around the transparent shelves, his tiny fingers pointing out the colorful display.
"These are the beads!" he said, pulling out a box filled with vibrant, shimmering pieces. "And here are the laces!" he added, carefully lifting a roll of delicate fabric from the shelf.
He looked up at her with wide, expectant eyes. "Do you like these, sister? We have more if you want!" he said, his excitement bubbling over.
It was an adorable sight—his chubby little hands eagerly pointing out every bead and lace as if each one was a hidden treasure. Ruby couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm.
"Sorry about him," a melodic voice interrupted, soft and calm. She turned to see another tall ghost standing nearby, his deep black eyes framed by long lashes. They were as serene as a still lake, and his dark curly hair was tied neatly in a bun. His soft pink lips curled into a polite smile as he looked at her.
"Not at all, he’s adorable," Ruby said, returning the smile.
The ghost chuckled, his laugh warm and pleasant. "Hahaha, he enjoys running the shop more than doing his school homework," he said, his gaze holding a charm that was hard to ignore.
"I’m Ethan, and this little one is my son, Leo," he said gently, his voice warm. Ruby nodded with a small smile.
"I’m Ruby," she replied, her gaze drifting to the other side of the shop. Her eyes fell on a wall where canvases of stunning paintings hung in neat rows. Beautiful art, she thought, unable to look away.
"You like them?" Ethan asked, his calm voice breaking her thoughts. Ruby nodded.
"Ah, I’m sorry for distracting you with my chatter. Please, let me know what you’d like to see," he said with a soft laugh.
Before Ruby could answer, Leo tugged at his father’s sleeve. "Dada! Sister wants some beads and lace!" he exclaimed excitedly.
Ethan turned to her, an amused smile on his lips. "Is that right?" he asked, and Ruby nodded, unable to hide her grin.
Ethan brought out several transparent containers filled with beads, each shimmering under the soft light of the shop. Ruby leaned closer, her eyes scanning the variety—there were reds, blues, greens, and more. But it was the golden and silver beads that caught her attention.
"These are beautiful," she said softly, pointing at them. "Can you set these aside for me?"
Ethan nodded with a smile. "Of course," he said, carefully pulling out the containers and placing them on the counter.
Next, he guided her to a shelf with rolls of lace in different colors and patterns. Ruby examined them, running her fingers lightly over the delicate material. After a few moments, she picked two rolls—one with intricate floral designs and the other simple but elegant.
"I’ll take these," she said.
Ethan grabbed a pair of scissors. "How much of each would you like?" he asked.
Ruby gestured with her hands to indicate the lengths. Ethan measured the lace carefully, cutting the pieces with precision. He rolled them up neatly and placed them alongside the beads. "Anything else you need?" he asked warmly.
"That’s all for now," Ruby replied, satisfied with her choices.
She admired the quality of the lace and couldn’t help but ask, "Do you also have fabric?"
Ethan’s smile widened. "Of course we do," he said. "We have various types of fabrics. What kind are you looking for?"
Ruby thought for a moment. "I’m looking for soft, airy fabrics. Specifically in muted colors, to match the laces I just bought. One in sage green and another in dusty rose," she explained, her tone clear.
Ethan nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, excellent choices. Let me show you some options," he said, gesturing for her to follow him to another section of the shop.
Ruby followed Ethan to the fabric section, her eyes already scanning the shelves. As they walked, Leo’s excited voice echoed through the shop. "Dad, I’ll take care of the shop, so I don’t want to do homework!" he shouted proudly.
Ethan laughed softly, shaking his head. "This little ghost," he muttered fondly.
Ruby attention was soon drawn to the shelves filled with fabric rolls, neatly arranged by color and texture.
—To be continued...🪄