Ruby made her way to Uncle Otis’s shop and asked if he could drive her to the market. With a nod, he agreed and dropped her off. Ruby thanked him and handed him the fare before heading into the busy market streets.
Her destination was Ethan’s shop. As she stepped inside, Her eyes quickly landed on Leo, perched atop the counter. His legs swung back and forth, his small hands propped under his cheeks as he stared at Ethan with a bored expression.
Ethan, however, seemed oblivious to the child’s antics, his focus entirely on the large ledger spread out before him. He was busy scribbling numbers and notes, his brows furrowed in concentration.
Ruby smiled lightly. "Looks like I’m interrupting something."
Ethan glanced up, his expression softening the moment he saw her. "Oh no... you’re not interrupting anything," he said with a chuckle, his smile transforming his otherwise serious features.
Ruby couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly charming he looked when he smiled, though she quickly brushed the thought aside.
"Hello, sister~~!" Leo chirped cheerfully from the counter, waving enthusiastically at her.
Ruby’s smile grew as she walked over to him, ruffling his soft hair playfully. "How are you, little one?" she asked warmly, her tone light.
Leo giggled, leaning into her hand as if seeking more attention. "As always, good, sister~~!" he replied, his voice bubbling with cheer.
Ethan’s lips twitched into a small smile as he observed the interaction, his pen pausing momentarily. "He’s been waiting for you, apparently," Ethan teased, though there was a fondness in his voice.
Ruby raised a brow at Leo. "Waiting for me? Why’s that?"
Leo grinned mischievously. "Because you’re nicer than him," he whispered dramatically, pointing at Ethan.
Ethan let out an exaggerated sigh, shaking his head. "And here I thought I was the favorite."
Ruby laughed, the warmth in the room growing. "Well, I guess I’ll have to take care of you today, huh, Leo?"
Leo nodded enthusiastically. "Yay, sister day!"
Ethan rolled his eyes playfully, already sensing his peaceful morning slipping away. "I assume you’re here for something specific, Mias Ruby?"
"Actually, yes," Ruby said, her voice calm but polite.
Ethan’s eyebrows lifted slightly, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes as he set the ledger aside. He motioned toward the back of the shop. "Come with me," he said, his tone easy but carrying a hint of interest.
Ruby nodded and followed him through the familiar door that led to the quieter back room.
As they walked in, Ruby glanced back over her shoulder, wondering if Leo was following them. The boy, however, stayed behind, still perched cheerfully on the counter.
"I’ve got the shop, Dada!" Leo called out, waving at them with a bright grin.
Ethan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I’m sure you do," he replied warmly.
Ruby couldn’t help but smile faintly at their playful exchange. She walked further into the room and sat down on the sofa.
"Did you bring your designs?" Ethan asked, his curious eyes fixed on her.
"Yeah, I did," Ruby replied, reaching into her bag. She pulled out her notebook and flipped it open to the pages where her designs were drawn. Carefully, she placed it on the table in front of him.
Ethan leaned forward, studying the sketches. There were five designs, each one neatly drawn and labeled with small notes. His eyes scanned over the details, taking in every line and curve of her work.
"These are good," he said after a moment, his eyes lighting up with interest.
Ruby watched him quietly, a small spark of hope flickering in her chest.
Ethan pointed to one of the sketches. "These designs are different from the usual robes people wear. They’re practical and perfect for everyday use, easy to move in. But what truly makes them special are the borders and patterns you’ve added—they give them a unique charm and make them stand out."
He flipped through the pages again, nodding as he examined the details. "The mix of style and function is clever. And the designs on the robes themselves? Pretty cool," he added, his tone genuinely impressed.
Ruby’s lips curved into a faint smile. "I wanted to create something unique but also useful," she explained. "Something people can wear every day without feeling like it’s too much."
Ethan nodded again, leaning back in his chair as he glanced at her. "You’ve done that. These are fresh ideas. I think they’ll catch people’s attention."
"I know! That’s exactly why I want you to be my supplier," Ruby said with a small smile, leaning forward slightly. "I came today specifically to meet you and ask if you know any people who are good at sewing."
Ethan’s eyebrows raised in surprise, but a thoughtful expression quickly replaced it. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, considering her request.
"Sewing, huh?" he said, tilting his head slightly. "That’s an important step. You’ll need skilled hands to bring these designs to life."
Ruby nodded firmly. "Exactly. I can do some sewing myself, but if I want to expand and meet demand, I’ll need more people—people who know what they’re doing."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he thought. "I might know a few people," he said after a moment, his voice thoughtful. "Although they’re not professionals... they’re good at sewing." He glanced at her face, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
"Who are they?" Ruby asked, her tone curious but calm. "If I like their work, I can hire them."
Ethan studied her expression for a moment before continuing. "Actually, I know two people. Both lost their wife about a year ago. They’ve been raising their kids together ever since," he explained, his voice soft.
Ruby tilted her head slightly, her red eyes narrowing with interest.
"They’re doing odd jobs to get by," Ethan went on. "Mostly house cleaning and small repair work, but they’re pretty skilled at sewing too. They’re just trying to make ends meet."
He hesitated, his gaze dropping for a second. "But... I’m not sure if you’d be interested in hiring them. They’re widowed ghosts, and people tend to avoid hiring ghosts like them. Most of the time, they’re rejected outright," he added, his voice heavy with frustration.
—To be continued...🪄