A Mere Phantom

Bright couldn't restrain a bitter laugh that escaped his lips. It was a laugh tinged with self-mockery, an acknowledgment of the naive hope he had clung to for far too long.

==============================

Earlier, when they were at the market, Bright had secretly observed Emma from a distance as she energetically sold her wares from her stall, interacting with customers with a genuine zeal.

For a brief moment, he had watched her, a smile playing on his lips, his heart warmed by the vivacity she brought to her work.

Unbeknownst to Bright, Clayton had also noticed his son's smile, but he chose to remain indifferent, focusing on his meal instead.

He had grown accustomed to the emotional distance between them, and the connection that had once bound them had been eroded over time.

As Clayton finished his meal, he made a swift decision to depart from the restaurant. He couldn't bear to prolong their time together any further.

The strained atmosphere between father and son had taken its toll, and Clayton preferred to retreat from it, leaving Bright to his thoughts, however distant they might be.

After the dinner concluded, Bright presented his father with a large, carefully wrapped package containing a tea set he had purchased.

Curiosity gleamed in Clayton's eyes as he looked at the gift. "What's this for?" he inquired.

Bright's smile was both warm and genuine as he explained, "It's an early birthday gift, Dad. Your birthday is just a few days away, and since I'll be staying at Cooper Clove to continue my education at the continent's best school, I thought I'd give it to you now."

Bright carefully presented the tea set to his father, who accepted it with a gracious nod.

Clayton examined the delicate porcelain and intricate patterns with a genuine interest that warmed Bright's heart.

Bright knew his father's appreciation for antique items and the stories they held.

"Emma mentioned that it was once owned by Lady Winthrop, a renowned socialite in the 16th century," Bright explained, mirroring Emma's earlier description. "She was famous for hosting the most extravagant tea parties in all of Cooper Cove. Legend has it that the most influential politicians, artists, and even royalty attended Lady Winthrop's gatherings. They would savor the finest teas, discuss world affairs, and forge lasting connections."

As Bright continued to recount the story, he couldn't help but notice that Clayton's enthusiasm was slowly waning.

A faint frown marred his father's otherwise composed features, and the way his gaze kept darting to his pocket watch sent a clear signal that he was pressed for time.

Bright muttered to himself, "Oh, it seems you're quite busy."

Clayton nodded curtly. "Yes," he replied tersely.

"Alright, then. I'll walk you to the carriage," Bright offered, his voice tinged with disappointment.

Side by side, they strolled towards the luxurious Anderson family carriage. Clayton held the tea set gift from Bright in his hands, but his mind was clearly preoccupied with the impending business meeting that demanded his immediate attention.

As the opulent carriage arrived, Clayton's hurried demeanor became even more evident.

Without a final farewell, a word of advice, or a warm embrace, he swiftly climbed aboard the horse-drawn carriage.

The parting was abrupt, leaving Bright with a sense of emptiness and a sigh of resignation, realizing that the connection he had yearned for with his father would remain elusive for now.

In a moment of harsh self-awareness, Bright couldn't restrain a bitter laugh that escaped his lips.

It was a laugh tinged with self-mockery, an acknowledgment of the naive hope he had clung to for far too long.

Deep down, he had yearned for that elusive look of affection from Clayton, a longing that had persisted against all odds.

But the reality before him couldn't have been more different. It was as if Clayton regarded him as a mere phantom, a presence without substance or significance.

The sting of this revelation cut deep, leaving Bright wounded and heartbroken.

Tears threatened to spill from Bright's eyes as he grappled with the brutal truth. He had been chasing a mirage, a love and connection with his father that had always remained just out of reach.

The pain of that realization welled up within him, leaving him to confront the heartache he had long tried to ignore.

***

Emma's fervent whisper carried the urgency of a culinary secret. "Add more of that fiery sauce! It's still lacking," she urged, her voice brimming with determination.

With a hint of exasperation, Emma called for even more of the piquant sauce as she diligently prepared their Spicy Curry for the upcoming sale.

This element was at the core of the business strategy Emma had meticulously crafted from the very beginning.

Beside her stood Rosalind, a close friend known for her financial acumen but not quite as versed in the art of marketing.

Their purpose was to partake in the yearly bazaar held at the commencement of the school year, an event critical for raising the much-needed funds for the school's art night.

Emma had purposely priced their Spicy Curry at a seemingly modest sum of five rupees, creating an alluring facade.

However, beneath this seemingly generous pricing lay a clever ruse – their Spicy Curry was exceptionally, tantalizingly spicy, pushing buyers to complement it with their moderately priced yet oh-so-refreshing four-rupee large glasses of tea.

This ingenious strategy amalgamated all the essential elements of an effective marketing plan.

The attractively low price of the Spicy Curry served as the bait, while its fiery flavor enticed patrons to quench their thirst with their reasonably priced beverage, significantly enhancing their overall revenue.

Emma's mastery lay in her ability to seamlessly blend strategic foresight with practical execution, thus paving the path for their success in the school bazaar.

Emma had ingeniously devised this marketing strategy. The Spicy Curry's enticingly low price acted as the initial lure, but its fiery punch compelled buyers to complement their meal with their reasonably priced beverages, resulting in a substantial boost to their overall revenue.