His mind drifted back to his own past. His wife had passed away two years ago due to an unknown illness, leaving him to raise their son alone. The two ghost sitting beside him, Elias and Rowan, were his neighbors and close friends. Unfortunately, they had also suffered similar losses. Elias had lost his wife while he was pregnant with their child, and Rowan had been working tirelessly ever since to support both Elias and the baby.
Ethan glanced at Karl, who was watching him carefully with narrowed baby-blue eyes, his arms folded in a protective stance.
He chuckled softly, amused by Karl’s territorial behavior.
"And Miss Ruby, this is Eilas," Ethan said, gesturing toward a man with short hair, who smiled faintly at her. Then, he pointed to the man beside him—one with long hair and sharp, deep-set eyes. "And he is Rowan."
Ruby gave them both a polite smile. "Nice to meet you."
Rowan leaned forward slightly, his voice steady and professional. "Miss Ruby, we heard you’re looking for people skilled in sewing. Both Eilas and I are experienced. If you’d like, we can even show you our work."
Ruby studied him for a moment, taking in his confident tone. "Even if you’re good at sewing, can you work fast?" she asked. "I’m preparing a large stock of robes, and I need efficiency."
Rowan’s lips curled into a slight smile, as if he had expected the question. "Rest assured, Miss Ruby. We are hardworking. You can test us."
Eilas nodded eagerly. "Yes! We don’t mind proving ourselves."
Ruby considered them for a second before nodding. "Of course. I have some extra fabric."
She stood up and walked to her room, gathering leftover fabric scraps from her previous work. These were pieces she had cut away, but they were still useful. Grabbing a needle and a spool of thread, she returned and placed them on the coffee table in front of them.
Settling back into her seat, she folded her arms and looked at Rowan and Eilas with an assessing gaze–calm, but sharp. The kind of gaze that made them both straighten unconsciously, a nervous tension creeping into their shoulders.
"This is a piece of fabric," she said, her voice even. "Since I only have one needle and thread, you’ll have to take turns. Who wants to go first?"
Rowan and Eilas exchanged a glance before nodding to each other.
"I’ll go first," Rowan said, stepping forward with quiet confidence.
A faint smile tugged at Ruby’s lips. "Alright, Rowan. I only have a small piece of fabric, but I want you to stitch it into a pretty, usable purse."
Rowan blinked in surprise. He had expected a simple test, maybe a straight stitch or a hem but this was an actual challenge. Still, he quickly composed himself and nodded.
Taking the needle and thread from Ruby’s hands, he examined the fabric carefully before beginning his work, his fingers moving with practiced precision.
Ruby leaned back slightly, watching him with quiet interest. Let’s see how good they really are.
Rowan worked fast, much faster than Ruby expected. His fingers moved with precision, his grip on the needle steady and controlled. Unlike her somewhat awkward way of holding it, his movements were fluid, confident, and efficient. He didn’t hesitate, each stitch placed neatly and evenly, forming a strong and decorative pattern on the fabric.
Ruby watched with quiet interest, noting how his deep-set eyes stayed focused, never once distracted. His posture was relaxed yet firm, showing his experience.
Rowan’s fingers moved swiftly, his grip steady as he threaded the needle through the dusty rose-colored fabric easily. He first folded the fabric in half, ensuring the edges aligned perfectly. With smooth, even stitches, he sewed along the sides, using a tight and secure seam to prevent any fraying.
Once the sides were stitched, he carefully reinforced the corners with small, precise knots, making sure the structure would hold. His movements remained fluid, not once pausing or second-guessing. Instead of adding extra materials, he worked purely with what was given, using a small, concealed stitch to create a simple yet durable closure at the top.
To finish, he turned the fabric inside out, hiding the rough seams within. The result was a soft, seamless pouch, its shape slightly rounded at the bottom due to his careful stitching technique. It was plain yet elegant, made entirely from the single piece of fabric Ruby had provided, without any unnecessary embellishments.
Rowan examined his work briefly before placing the purse on the table, his expression calm, as if this had been nothing more than a routine task.
Surprise flickered in Ruby’s eyes, she had found a gem. Rowan’s skill was far beyond what she had expected. Compared to his precise stitching, her own skills felt clumsy, almost amateurish. And truthfully, she didn’t even enjoy sewing that much–she could never focus on it for long.
She picked up the dusty rose-colored purse, running her fingers over the smooth, even stitches. A faint smile appeared on her lips. "Well done," she said, her voice carrying genuine appreciation. "It’s good."
Just then, Julian and Milo approached, carrying a tray with homemade snacks and freshly brewed tea.
"Please, have some," Julian said as he carefully handed out cups of tea to everyone. Meanwhile, Milo placed the breakfast plates on the coffee table.
Ethan let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "Actually, there was no need. Why did you trouble yourselves?"
Julian simply shrugged. "Guests should be treated well."
Rowan and Eilas exchanged glances before nodding in appreciation. "Thank you," Rowan said, taking a sip of the tea.
Ruby leaned back, still holding the purse, her mind already made up. She was definitely going to hire him first.
Karl absentmindedly bit his finger as he watched Ruby. She was different, a lot different. There was something about her aura, something commanding. It wasn’t just confidence; it was the kind of presence that made people stop and listen. Like someone authoritative, a person used to making decisions and having others follow them.
He had felt it before, but right now, as she sat there assessing Rowan and his skills, it was even more obvious.
—To be continued...🪄