Author's Note: This story taking place after The Apprentice completes their route with Asra. Also, I've edited this chapter a little because of grammar errors. -30/1/2019
I returned to Succulent Sweets holding a large basket that the produce stall owner graciously loaned to me to carry one pumpkin, four pomegranates, and ten pears. My teacher comes out of the back door that the kitchen is connected to with a beaming face, "Helen there you are! Did you get a great deal today?"
"Yes, I brought three pumpkins for ten pieces of gold today. But I only have one with me right now, the other two are back at the stall. I'll go get them in a bit." I informed him as I walked past him and into the kitchen to set the basket on top of the designated table we use specifically for our work.
"Helen, want to take a look at this before you head out again." My teacher says as he walks over to me while holding a plate that had an amazing cake on top it. The cake had chocolate cream around the sides with gorgeous craftsmanship of edible succulent plants on top.
"That's amazing! How did you do that sir?!" I ask him while analyzing the textures and patterns of the cake. "Is that coffee by the way?" I pointed out to him while leaning in closer.
"Yep, used some of my specially blended grinds to balance the sweetness out! Also, Helen, you know you can always call me Bart?" My teacher tells me while scratching the side of his face a little and setting the cake down on the other table we use for dining. He turns away looking a bit awkward. In turn it makes me feel out of place with the way I address to him.
"Haha, sorry, I forgot that formalities isn't the way you roll." I mumbled out loud while heating up from how nervous I felt. "Would you, like to teach me the recipe of how to make that cake later? If you're not too busy tha—." I didn't get to finish my sentence when the front door bell rings, notifying us that a customer has entered.
"Of course, Helen, now off you go now!"
With that I left as quickly as possible, to avoid any more awkwardness I could possibly cause.
Later in the day, I've returned the basket to the produce seller. Which is stupid on my end because I could've used it right about now. And although pumpkins aren't hard to carry individually, unless if there's two of them, it doesn't change the fact that they can be extremely heavy. It also doesn't help that it's almost midday which means the marketplace is much busier and a little hotter than earlier. I almost feel like I'm drowning in a sea of sweat and humidity in a stone box where none of the sea breeze could possibly reach me. Looking for the closest way to escape the crowd, I jogged over to a nearby doorway hoping that it'll give me temporary shelter from the sun's heat. When I reached the doorway, I leaned my back into it to relax for a second. Instead of relaxing, I fell backwards onto my back in pain.
"Shit, shit, are you two ok?" I mumbled to the pumpkins while turning them all around to check if they're bruised or cracked. After checking the two pumpkins, I gently put the aside so I could stand up and dust myself off. While dusting myself off, I surveyed my surroundings and concluded that I must be in a tea shop. At least that's what I hope it is, because there was also scents of incense being burned which makes me feel concern if I found myself in an area of worship.
"Hello, do you need some help?" The owner of the shop asked with wide eyes full of surprise.
Well, this is terrifying. Is the first thought that pops inside my head before I reply while laughing nervously, "No, I accidentally fell into your store. Sorry about that." I look away in discomfort of what I've gotten myself into.
"No worries, would you like some tea? You look like you need it." A man with curly white hair appears next to the store owner. He wraps an arm around the store and gives them a peck before he looks over to me with a friendly smile.
"Oh, you don't have to! Honestly, I feel like I'm the one who should probably give you something!" I exclaimed, my voice cracking a little because I'm completely terrified. At this point I've started picking up the two pumpkins off the floor and inch my way backwards. The two of them look at one another and waved a goodbye at me, and I bowed my head to them in response since I couldn't wave back at them without dropping a pumpkin. When I closed the door, I darted back into the crowd to go back home. Hopefully the pumpkins and me don't run into another accident where I drop them.