chapter 6; another visit to the woods

"I certainly have," he eagerly responded, reaching out to take the drink from her tray and placing it on the rack. Eve's expression turned into a frown as she returned the bottle to her tray. "Oh, I apologize for my impoliteness. I was simply intrigued by this drink. Have you ever had it?"

The man locked eyes with her and replied, "Absolutely, it's a truly unique blend of flavors you won't find anywhere else. However, it's not meant for you." He once again took the bottle from her tray, flipping it around to reveal a label that read NFH. Eve glanced at the label but didn't understand its significance. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand. What does this label mean?"

"That is the very point," he explained, his voice carrying a hint of mystery. "It's beyond your comprehension, and it's not available for purchase." He reached for another bottle from the rack and placed it in her tray, saying, "But this one, on the other hand, is even better."

"Thank you," Eve said, her voice filled with curiosity and gratitude. She examined the new bottle, noting its clean and simple label. "And what sets this one apart? Why is it better?" Her interest was piqued by the man's confident claim.

"You ask too many questions, Miss Mothew," the man replied as he walked past her towards the counter, holding only a can of Coca-Cola.

Eve quickly pushed her cart to follow him. "Has anyone ever told you how rude you are?"

The man continued to walk, not turning to face her. "That's an old story," he replied cryptically.

Eve sighed, determined to get some answers. "Well, since you know my name, can I at least know yours?"

"It would be better if you didn't," he responded, his tone suggesting that it would somehow jeopardize her happy stay in Crestwood.

"It's just a name," Eve insisted. "How could it ruin my stay here?"

The man uncoiled the can of cola and took a sip. "How about you pay for my cola, and I'll answer two of your annoying questions?"

Eve sighed and took out a few notes from her wallet. "In that case, I can take it as buying you a drink. Sure, I'll pay for it."

The saleslady interrupted their conversation. "Ma'am, your total bill is £12..."

"Okay, and I'll also pay for his cola," Eve said with a gentle smile.

The saleslady calculated the total. "That will be £19."

Evie asked curiously, "Is the cola made from precious gold?"

The saleslady responded politely, "No, madam, it's just regular cola."

Evie continued, "How can a simple bottle of cola cost £7 in America, which is equivalent to 9 dollars?"

The saleslady replied calmly, "Miss, is not just any cola. It is a special edition, limited release, crafted with rare and distinctive ingredients. Its exquisite taste and novelty make it highly sought after, hence the higher price tag."

Eve took a deep breath and took out more note from her wallet, paying the total with a slightly surprised expression on her face. "Thank you," she said to the saleslady, then turned to the man.

" I just paid $10 just got to get answers to a stupid question." Eve blurted glaring at the man.

" that's was your choice , anyways thanks for the drink , I would answer your two questions next time." The man said and before Eve could reply, the grocery store door was already jingling, Eve frowned.

***** ***** *****

After several days, Eve found herself still confined to her cottage. Despite her initial excitement, boredom had taken hold.

Back in Finland, she had daydreamed about the countless books she would read, the movies she would watch, and even crafting her own dress designs, given her background as a fashion model. Unfortunately, reality did not align with her expectations.

Crestwood had no signal or network coverage, and the unforgiving cold climate made it impossible to venture outside without bundling up in multiple layers of coats. Even though the twins would occasionally visit when their nanny was away, the overall monotony persisted. In an effort to combat her restlessness, Eve resolved to explore the surrounding woods and take a leisurely stroll.

As Eve strolled through the woods, she couldn't help but feel a sense of tranquility wash over her. The crisp air, the rustling of leaves under her feet, and the silence of nature provided a much-needed escape from the confinement of her cottage.

As she walked deeper into the woods, she noticed a path veering off to the side that she hadn't seen before. Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to follow it. To her surprise, the path led to a hidden clearing, where a pristine frozen lake glistened under the pale sunlight.

Eve's eyes widened with awe as she took in the breathtaking sight. Despite the cold temperatures, the beauty of the frozen lake captured her heart. She decided to venture out onto the ice, carefully testing each step to ensure safety.

Once she reached the center of the lake, a sudden inspiration struck her. She slid her feet back and forth on the icy surface, gracefully dancing as if she were on a frozen stage. The joy that filled her heart in that moment was immeasurable.

Eve swilled round and round but something unfortunate happened, the frozen ice water suddenly cracked with out warning, that exact ace Eve stood sank immediately into the cold iced water, Eve let out a silencing shriek as she sank into the cold lake, her whole body went numb in the water.

As Eve sank into the cold lake, a mix of fear, panic, and shock overwhelmed her. The sudden shift from joy to danger took her by surprise, leaving her momentarily frozen, both physically and mentally. The icy water seeped into her clothes, chilling her to the core and rendering her unable to move. The shock of the cold made her muscles tense up and her limbs feel heavy.

As she grappled with difficulty, she inadvertently gasped for breath as the freezing water trickled down her throat. Desperately attempting to expel it, she unwittingly swallowed more, losing consciousness, sinking into the depths of darkness. Right before her eyelids sealed shut, a swift figure charged toward her.

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Draw the house but change the Flag