The Familiar Black Car

''N-No…''

At the sight of the black car, Calla released a shaky voice, her vision turned double for a moment.

As the daughter of a prominent family, she was familiar with the intricate design near the bonnet of the car.

A logo only belonging to a specific affluent car brand. One of the many, used by her family. The same car was also hard to find in this side of the state.

'Did they find me?' That was the first thought in her mind. Before choosing to live outside her parents' home, she made sure to choose a city far away from them, and the prominent families.

Poor cities were greatly looked down upon by these families. It was also rare for any of them to think of having a visit. This was the main reason why Calla had chosen to live in this kind of city, hoping that she wouldn't bothered by anyone from the high society or her parents.

Though, it seemed she had been a little naïve about her thoughts.

As Calla stood frozen on the spot, the young lady had gotten into the car, and the vehicle was wheeling towards Calla's location.

*Baa-dump*

*Baa-dump*

Calla's heart thumped heavily as she hoped for the car to pass by without anyone stepping down, momentarily forgetting about the money that she was supposed to return. She hoped that her frightened thoughts were her illusion. She hoped that she wouldn't have to see anyone from her painful past.

*vroom*

As if time slowed down, the car drove past Calla. The palm of her hands oozed with sweat as she anxiously waited for the vehicle to leave her side.

Not knowing if it was her illusion, Calla felt a gaze drilling to the side of her face. Because of her scarred appearance, Calla has been a very sensitive person, especially to people's stares.

That specific gaze was coming from the car wheeling past her side. When Calla realized this, she gulped down the invisible air in her throat, desperately wishing that her thoughts were not true in her mind.

She wasn't ready to face any of them from her past.

She wasn't ready to face those eyes.

Her husband and her mother-in-law were enough for her deal with it. She didn't want to add more people to her list.

*vroom*

Much to Calla's relief, the black car drove past her frozen figure, not seeming to stop for anyone.

'I truly hope that I was overthinking.'

Calla turned her head sideways to take a look at the plate number of the car. Seeing the numbers and letters, she couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity with the car.

'Have I seen this car before?'

Calla didn't have time to look deeply into her thoughts as the door on her side opened, revealing the toned figure of Jenna.

''Are you okay? You look pale.''

''Y-Y…'' Calla cleared her throat to give a clearer reply. ''Yeah, I am.''

Perhaps she was overthinking again. The unique plate number of the car felt familiar because of her family.

'I guess that explains the customer's behavior…' Calla concluded, lowering herself to pick up the paper money. The customer might be maid or a young lady of a prominent family. Since the car drove past her, then maybe the person inside did not recognize her.

The gaze she felt was probably a curious one and nothing more. However, that did not change the fact that she still needed to be careful.

''Now that I look you, there is something different, that I can't my finger on.'' Jenna's words attracted her attention away the black car. After a moment of thinking, her eyes then lit up, almost exclaiming in realization. ''You are not covering your face!''

''I am staring at your entire face…'' Her face leaned closer to Calla's, her gaze eyeing the latter suspiciously. ''….which is weird since you always hide under your hoodie. Calla, Is there a problem?'' She asked in concern.

''No. My skin feels sticky. That's all.'' Calla assured with a smile. She couldn't tell Jenna about the bullying in the university unless, Miss Lola would be aware as well. That was something she wanted to avoid.

However….In her heart, she was extremely glad that Jenna noticed something about her.

For that to happen, didn't it mean that she was being cared for?

Calla smiled to herself.

****

''What took you so long?''

''I had to make sure the feed was not a fake one, young miss.'' The young lady who entered the pet's shop forced a smile on her lips, not wanting to tell her young miss about the scary gaze from the tattooed lady.

''That's good.''

''Don't worry so much, young miss.'' Staring at the side profile of beautiful young miss, the young lady tried to give words of comfort. ''We should be leaving this city tomorrow. I am sure the master will take Popo to a proper hospital.''

''Hmm…'' The pretty lady referred to as young miss hummed in response. With her hands hovering each other on her lap, her sitting posture was upright and her gaze focused on the passing scenery beyond the tinted glass window.

Thinking of the familiar face she saw moments ago, her light green eyes became unreadable.

''Come to think of it young miss, I saw a lady with a mask over half of her face. Perhaps she was involved in an accident or something.''

Hearing the words from her side, the pretty lady's eyes flickered with instant recognition. A knowing faint smile settled on her lips.

'So this is where you hid, Calla.''

***

''See you next week, Calla.''

''Yes, Jenna. Don't forget….'' Before leaving the pet shop, Calla wanted to give some reminders to Jenna who was sweeping the tiled floor with a broomstick.

''Yeah, I know I know. Now go before the sky becomes dark.''

*Ding* *Ding*

After bidding Jenna and Miss Lola goodbye, Calla stepped out of the pet shop, taking a quick look around herself. She took a deep breath and stretched her arms upward, relieving her taut muscles from stress.

The evening time was here and she knew she had to leave the pet shop before the night comes. Her husband's home was almost an hour away or more from the university and the pet shop. Normally, she either takes a taxi or a train if she was lucky to get to the station on time.

'It was 17:15pm the last time I checked my phone. I should get to the station on time.' Calla thought, taking the left side of the road. The other way was another route to her university, which was not very far from here.

''Calla, you are going home?''

''Have a wonderful evening dear.''

''Calla, how is school going on for you?''

''Calla….''

On her way out, she greeted some familiar faces on the streets. There were occupants of some homes very close to the pet shops, and also some owners of different shops surrounding the pet shops.

''Thank you, madam, I am doing good.'' With a plastered smile on her lips, Calla made sure to acknowledge every one of them.

 ''What a good child. if it weren't for her face, I would have hired her for my business.'' One of them whispered to herself after Calla walked past her to greet another.

''...''

Still with her smile, Calla continued to acknowledge everyone that called out her name. Even she felt uncomfortable greeting every one of them, she knew she had to do it for the sake of Miss Lola's pet shop.

Having a good relationship with the people around them was very beneficial. Some of the customers coming to the pet shop were recommended by these people in the past.

Though they had ignored her when searching for a job, it did not mean she could ignore them the same they did to herself.

Calla understood the main reason of their reserved attitude in the past was because of her face. Some might have thought it would bring bad luck to their business, and others might have thought it would scare away their customers.

''Calla dear, a friend of mine is planning to get a hamster. I know they are a very rare these days, but I wonder if it is possible to get one from the pet shop?''

''We do have one left sir.'' Thinking about the little energetic guy she rescued in the past, Calla's mood elevated and she gave more replies with a brighter smile to the worried old man holding a cane to steady himself. '' If the hamster is to your friend's liking then it will be possible, sir.''

''Oh thank goodness. I was scared of telling him to search for one in the big city. There are hardly pet shops in our city and other average cities like ours.''

''I understand sir.''

Either way, the pet shop was the one in the benefitting side, so putting on smile to satisfy these people was not a big matter to herself.

****

The first person who welcomed Calla, as always, was Carol.

''Madam…''

Noticing the worried yet anxious look on her face, Calla knew something not good had probably happened....again and it might be related to her mother-in-law or her husband.

''Is mother around?'' Calla forced a smile on her lips.

''Yes, Sir's mother is around, but….''

''But?'' Calla's smile faltered. With the way carol took her time to answer her simple question, she had a feeling that she wouldn't like the next words.

''She brought a guest.''

Her guess was right.

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