Chapter 8

Sophie walked down the stairs that following morning wearing a red dress as she walked towards the door that led to where she and the other women worked. But after she had opened it she was surprised to see Baron standing there with a tray in his hands. She also noticed that he was wearing one of the new vests and bowties that her mother had purchased for him as he was wearing the green vest with a red bowtie along with a pair of black pants as he smiled and greeted her with, "Good morning, Sophie."

"Oh yes good morning, Baron." The long haired brunette replied, as she shut the door behind her.

When she passed by the table though she was slightly surprised when one of the three young women said, "Sophie, Baron made us all some of his special tea." Another then added, "It's really good you should try it."

She stopped walking and before she could say anything a teacup was handed to her. And when she looked to her right she saw Baron's face with that same smile still showing as he said, "Here you are."

"Thank you." Sophie responded with, as she gently took the cup from him. She then put the edge of the cup to her lips and sipped. Her eyes widen as she moved the cup away from her lips and let out a light gasp. While she looked at the cup she went on with, "I can't believe it. This the best tea of cup that I have ever had." She then looked over at the orange and cream furred half cat as she ended with, "When did you find the time to make this?"

Still wearing that smile he answered with, "I actually woke up quite early this morning. So I decided that I would make something for all you since everyone here as been very kind thus far." He then put a finger up as he added, "But this blend of tea is my own personal recipe so I can never guarantee the favor. So you were quite lucky that it turned out the way it did."

The brown eyed young woman just nodded in understanding as she thanked him one more after she had finished the cup of tea and had set the empty cup back onto the tray. She then went into the room to where she would put the finishing designs on the hats. And once she had done this the other women had finished their cups of tea also and had placed them onto the tray as they each thanked the half cat for making them some. The green eyed half cat nodded, but while he looked over at the long haired brunette he thought, "Hmm, perhaps when the hat shop is closed I can do something else for her."

ooooooo

Sophie let out a heavy sigh in the late afternoon as the smoke from the passing train covered the large window that she would every so often look out from. She then placed her tenth finished hat onto the dummies head as a knock could be heard on her door and when she turned the young woman saw the woman who normally ran the front counter as she said, 'Sophie, we just closed the shop and I think you've done enough work for today. Why don't come out with us today?"

"No that's alright you all go on ahead and have fun." The long haired brunette replied, as she gave the slightly older woman a soft smile.

To the brown eyed young woman's surprise though she saw that Baron had just walked into the room as the older woman said, "Oh, there you are, Baron. I just wanted to thank you for helping me run the front counter today. Normally the shop is not as busy as it was today, but I guess since almost everyone in town has heard about you they must have wanted to meet you."

"I was more then happy to be of help." Baron replied with, as Sophie started to get up out of her stool that she had been sitting on while she took off her apron and placed it onto the talbe.

She then wasn't surprised to see that the three other young women had surrounded him again as one asked, "Baron, why don't you come out with us?" Another nodded her head in agreement as she added, "Yes, we would really enjoy your company."

The brown eyed young woman's expression sadden as she had a feeling that he would accept their offer. But to her surprise he replied with, "As I'm certain that I would have a wonderful time with all of you. I think I should stay here and keep Sophie company."

Sophie slowly shook her head from one side to the other as she protested with, "Oh no Baron, you don't have to do that..."

She stopped speaking however when she saw that the half cat had circled around the three other women and had placed both of her hands into his as he interjected with, "You are right Sophie, I don't have to stay." She then looked into his emerald colored eyes as he went on with, "But I want to stay."

The long haired brunette then heard the other three young women let out pouts and light gasps of shock as the older woman just smiled as she said, "Well, if two are both intent on staying here than that's fine." She then walked a little bit away as she turned her head and added, "Let's go, girls."

The three young women slowly nodded theirs heads in understanding as they followed the older woman out of the side exit to the work area. Sophie then lightly blushed as she realized that Baron was still holding onto her hands as she stuttered, "Um Baron, y-you can let go of my hands now."

To her surprise though he had only let go of one of her hands as he replied, "I will at least only hold onto one of your hands if that makes you feel bit more comfortable." He then started to lead her outside of the back entrance door as he continued with, "Because you see there is a question that I would like to ask you, Sophie?"

After he had led her to the middle outside area that connected the three buildings she asked, "And what question is that, Baron?"

He then stopped walking once they had reached the middle of the area. And as he turned to face her he asked, "Would you care to dance, Sophie?"

A dark blush appeared on the young woman's face as she slightly protested, "D-Dance? W-Well, I'd love to Baron. But don't we need music if we're going to dance?"

"Music is not always necessary when it comes to dancing." Baron replied, as he got into position by putting his hand against her waist.

To this Sophie responded by placing her right hand onto his shoulder as he then started to turn around the area. Unlike Haru who had a bit of trouble keeping up with him at first, the long haired brunette had no trouble keeping up with the orange and cream furred half cat as he complemented her with, "I had no idea that you were this good at dancing, Sophie."

"I...thank you Baron, that's very kind of you to say." The brown eyed young woman replied back with, before he dipped her after turning for some time.

He then gently pulled her back up onto her feet, but when he started to twirl her around a few times she thought, "W-What's wrong with me? Why do I always act so nervous around Baron?" The green eyed half cat then gently retook her hand as the two started to turn again. While they did this though Sophie continued with, "I wonder if I should ask him or not?"

Before she could come to a decision though she was broken out of her thoughts when Baron asked, "I know that it not my place to say anything Sophie, but may I ask you something?" Curious as to what the half cat had to say Sophie nodded her head and as he started to twirl her around again he added, "Why do you not have more confidence in yourself?"

Hearing this question had caught the young woman off guard as she answered, "Well, I-I suppose I don't have that much confidence in myself because I'm not that beautiful."

"Really? Well, I think what you need to do is just believe in yourself." Baron replied, as the two started to turn around the outside area once more.

"Believe in myself?" Sophie mentally asked herself, as she then started to look into the half cat's eyes. She then went on with, 'I-I will try and do that Baron, but I'm still not that pretty so I don't know how much help it will be."

After he had dipped one final though she realized that the orange and cream furred half cat was now staring into her eyes as he replied, "You know Sophie, you may not hold yourself in high regards when other women are around you." He then gently pulled her back onto her feet as he ended with, "But you truly are beautiful."

Her eyes widen after he had said this while her face blushed deeply as she stuttered, "Y-You think I'm beautiful, Baron?"

He nodded as his expression then turned rather soft and before the young woman knew it she was starting to lean her head upwards while he leaned his downward. But before their lips could meet in a kiss Sophie quickly realized what she was about to do as she pulled away and said, 'I-I'm sorry Baron, b-but I just remembered that I should go make us something for dinner later on this evening."

And before the half cat could even get a word in she was gone and had already opened and closed the kitchen door behind her. While she stood up against the door though her face was still a deep red as she asked herself, "Why was I about to kiss Baron? Have I truly fallen for him?" She then nodded her head as she added, "If I have then I must ask him to tell me the entire story as to how he arrived here. I just hope that he will tell me everything."