Chapter 71

"Golden thread?" Mrs. Attile asked, baffled. "Yes, I know it but… It's only sold in cities. It is also quite pricey." 

The fabric shop I took Jean to was luckily being manned not only by Ginna, but by Mrs. Attile, too. They had been arranging the bolts of fabrics when we arrived. Ignoring the different levels of enthusiasm I was received with by the two women, I immediately asked Mrs. Attile about the thread.

"How much can you get it at?" I inquired. If I recalled correctly, Mrs. Attile had a cousin in a nearby city. So, she might be able to acquire it.

She paused to think, but then halted. "Wait, I didn't say I was going to look for it!" Mrs. Attile rose her hands as a stopping sign.

I clicked my tongue. She was quick-witted and caught herself before I could make her promise to buy it for us. "Then, do you know of someone who can get it? We will pay them handsomely for the entrustment."

She looked at me in a way as if she could guess what I was trying to do with her. We looked at each other for quite a couple of seconds, weighing down who would bend first. She was an option, not my last resource. 

It would have been nice to get the golden thread, but if it was not possible, then it was fine either way. If it was not golden, then blue was good. That had been my second option. 

"Since the thread is not possible, then I also want to acquire some fabric." I quickly changed the topic and started looking around. "Last time, I saw a very nice fabric. Come, Lucas, I will show you." I dragged my silent mountain towards a corner of the shop. "Here! What do you think?"

Lucas stared at the fabric I pointed. I grabbed the white one and slightly rubbed it. It had a nice texture despite the appearance. "It's too..." Finally, Lucas spoke only to fall silent again. I noticed his troubled expression and giggled.

"It can be used over another fabric." I told him. His expression eased and nodded.

"It's fine then." I laughed at his reaction.

"I was thinking of using it for the wedding dress." I commented.

"What a wonderful idea!" I startled. For a moment, I forgot Jean was also accompanying us. She took the fabric, her eyes sparkling in wonder. "What was your whole idea? Tell me! Tell me! I really want to see the dress when it's done!" 

I smiled. "Well, you might as well see it since I wanted you to help me with something for the big day." Although I did not think we could make a big party, I still wanted some witnesses for the event. Jean and her husband were the only people I could ask to attend.

That was, of course, if they had the time to go.

"I would love to!" Jean softly accepted, completely delighted.

"I want to see it, too." Mrs. Attile, who I had also forgotten about, piped up. "In fact, I have some fabric here that many city ladies use for their wedding dresses." She beckoned us to follow her and we did. "This!"

She grabbed a bolt of white fabric and extended it on the counter as it was actually kept behind the counter, as if it was some sort of treasure. And, by the look of it, I could not blame her. 

It was a soft fabric that had a very luxurious appearance. Like, Sateen, it had a glossy sheen on the outside and a matte finish in the inside. However, Sateen was a bit rougher. This fabric was very sinuous and slinky that made me think it was perfect for slimmer dresses.

On that thought, I asked: "How much is the yard?" It was not going to be cheap.

"10 coins." Mrs. Attile stated.

Silence. 

Even I was spooked by the price. That was only one yard! I turned by incredulous gaze at Mrs. Attile. She had no expression on her face, but I knew…

"What is the catch?" I questioned. 

She did not immediately replied. She just gazed at the shirt Lucas wore. I rose an eyebrow at her. If she wanted something, she had to voice it out. Yet another duel of wills happened between the two of us. 

This time, I would not back down. I loved the fabric, but I could make do with any other one. I was not obligated to use this new one. 

"Alright. You win. I can get you the thread. Of course you will have to pay for it, plus the entrust. In exchange, I want you." Mrs. Attile said.

"I beg your pardon?" I blinked, perplexed at her words. Lucas also stepped closer to me. 

She seemed to have caught with what she had said and backtracked. "Not in that way." She shook her head and hands. "This shop is a bit out of the way. The location is not that good. So, I want to have a way of promoting it."

I frowned. "I do not understand."

"Well, I was thinking I could display some clothes beside the fabric, so people can see what the fabric could be used for." She explained.

The moment I heard that idea. A memory seemed to come crashing into my mind. However, as fast as it came, it left. I did not mind as I got what I needed from it. "Cities do that."

Mrs. Attile's gaze shone. "They do. My cousin is using this method with her own shop after she saw it in another shop in yet another city. This fabric, for example," she patted the bolt she took out to show us. "Not many would use it for a wedding dress. At least not many in this town."

"The Commissioner's daughter is also going to get married." I followed the idea and added a detail. We both shared a smile, knowing perfectly the market we could aim for. "You get me the thread, and I can make the dress to show off around town."

"It's not only about this dress." Mrs. Attile hinted.

"We can talk about that as soon as I get the thread." I countered. 

"Deal." Mrs. Attile extended her hand. I took it and shook it.

We exited the shop without buying anything. If I made my wedding dress with that fabric, then I needed more money than the one I had available. Meaning, I first had to do Jean's order and wait if the handbags were sold in the course of the week.

"What happened back there?" Jean asked, looking lost.

"Business happened there." I patted her shoulder. "You can patronize that shop, too. They have good prices and the quality of the fabric is good." I told Jean. She nodded in agreement. "The lunch event is not going to be soon, right?"

"In a month."

"I will return to town in a week. I hope by that time Mrs. Attile can have the thread and you the fabric. So I can work on it as soon as possible." I told her my plan.

"And if she can't get it?" She inquired.

"We go with blue." I shrugged. "But, let us hope the golden thread appears." She nodded. "We will go to the market now. Do you want us to walk you to the restaurant?" 

"No need. I have to return to the shop, anyway." Jean said. 

We bid farewell and went on our respective ways. We had to buy our weekly supplies, and I had to gear up for another business battle. 

I was sure Corey would offer me those containers.

"You can do it. I believe in you." Lucas encouraged me when I told her what awaited us at the market.

Yes, how could I not love this soft bear?