A MAZE OF GREED

Two days had passed. Ruth had neither found work for her, nor she had bought Mrs Payne's medicines. She kept giving excuses like- 'Oh, I am so sorry, Mrs Payne, I forgot!', or 'The physician was not available.

She covered her ears when Mrs Payne coughed badly during the nights. Tears beat her will and streamed down her eyes now and then.

The money she had saved was getting exhausted with the speed of the running horse. In the next couple of days, she would remain with no penny in hand, no food on her plate and a tonne of guilt and disappointment in her heart.

Thea kept persisting about the job in 'the great manor'. But Ruth had already made her mind and would tell Thea straight NO.

However, with the passing time, the foundation of her resolve started cracking like the black soil cracked in the summer, due to lack of moisture.

Rees met Ruth yesterday and was only trying to convince Ruth to accept his suggestion. He tried every way of convincing her- a little too much- that felt strange.

Ruth asked herself the question that Thea and Rees kept asking-why? What was the real reason that she was adamant about not accepting the suggestion when she needed just that at that very moment?

And after mulling over it for days, she found the answer. She had this weird and unexplainable feeling inside. Like a siren of warning. Something told her in an indecipherable way that something was waiting for her on that path if she choose to walk on it.

Ruth was not sure if she was ready to face that. And that was why she clung onto the easy way out- avoidance.

No matter how earnestly she tried, Mrs Payne would see through her facade multiple times. She asked if there was anything bothering her mind, or if she wanted to say something, but every time Ruth would just shake her head with a smile and changed the topic of their conversation.

Today was the third day, and Ruth did not know what to expect from it. She got ready as usual and left the home after waving at Mrs Payne.

On the second floor, she lingered momentarily. The thought of asking Florence for help crossed her mind. It was not for her but for Mrs Payne.

Ruth could not buy her medicines as they needed that money to live the next days till she finds a job. She thought of asking Florence for help for Florence's relationship with Mrs Payne had taken a better turn after Mr Payne's tragic death.

But then she changed her mind. What would she tell Florence if she asked why Ruth did not have the money? She would put two and two together to know that the woman who was crying outside a tailoring shop three days ago was no one else but Ruth.

Ruth shook her head and walked out of the apartment building. Zoe walked beside her, unbothered by the male cats' attention that she received.

None of them attracted her interest not only because they were just normal cats and she was a supernatural being, but also because her heart was seized by someone else's name.

Today Thea had to rush to the shop earlier as Mrs Linlithgow had started bad-mouthing about Mr Cooper and his shop. The old man met her husband in a hope of he would calm down his wife, but instead of that, the arrogant rich man demanded compensation.

He threatened that he would stain his shop's name in front of Lady Theodora, and Mr Cooper would lose a chance to serve the O'Dells- a dream for which he practically lived till now.

When Mr Cooper returned to the shop, the first thing he did was spent five minutes straight in spluttering a string of curses.

He ordered all the employees to hurry with their assigned orders and also decided to make two dresses for Mrs Linlithgow as an apology.

For that, he had to travel to the East in the closest textile market and buy the appropriate type, coloured, textured fabrics that he hoped Mrs Linlithgow would like.

He ordered Thea to take care of this additional work as it was her fault to bring Ruth to his shop and convince him for giving her a job.

Ruth felt very bad for her friend. If only she could help her in any way. She would have suggested Thea bring the fabrics at home, and she would help her with the dresses. But after the incident with the golden dress, she was not sure if she could handle another such responsibility.

"Good morning Ruth!"

A familiar voice fell on her ears, and she stopped in her track.

A woman who was the eldest coworker of her in Mr Cooper's shop smiled at her.

She was the same woman who helped Ruth when she and Thea's friendship was strained months ago.

"Good morning!" Ruth gave a small smile to her.

"How are you Ruth?" The woman asked.

Ruth did not know how to answer that, so she just said, "I am fine!" Yet. She wanted to add.

The woman was wise enough to not touch the painful topic. There was nothing for her to say anyway other than she felt sorry and wished it would not have happened.

But did her words made any changes?

NO!

The damage was done, and now there was no need to open those stitches.

"Have you found another job?" She instead came to a useful point.

"Not yet. I am still searching places but I think I lack skills in every area other than sewing." Ruth replied in a small voice.

"Do not worry Ruth! I am sure you will find something better." The woman assured.

"I heard what happened after I left." Ruth said with remorse.

"Let's not talk about it." The woman said with a frown.

Not able to control it anymore, Ruth's eyes welled up in tears, and she apologised. "I am so sorry that you all are under great tension with Mr Cooper because of me. But trust me I did not ruin that dress. It was good the last time I saw it. But then..."

Ruth trailed off. What would she say- it was my cat and not me? Who would believe that? And even if they did, was it not Ruth to be blamed for that too?

"Ruth... I trust you. We all do! You were the only employee who used to complete every responsibility with care and precision. It must be an accident or something, we all understand. Do not apologise!

It could have happened with anyone, and Mr Cooper would have acted the same way with them if not worse."

Ruth, still guilty, only nodded.

"Do you... do you perhaps know someone or some place where I can find any work? I am fine with any kind of work and even if they pay little." Ruth paused, then continued.

"I need money for not only living but also for Mrs Payne's medicines."

"What happened to her?" The woman asked in concern.

Mr Payne's death had made every person in Vincardine sorrowful. They all mourned over his death and worried for Mrs Payne's future.

"She is having cough for the last week. And due to her old age, she needed better care."

"Oh, right! You are really a good soul Ruth! God will not be unfair with you, trust me!" She said.

But that was not what Ruth wanted to hear that time.

The woman then remembered something, her face lit up in excitement.

"I think I know a place where you may find a job. But..."

"Really? Where is it? I do not mind any other thing. I just need a job." Ruth said desperately.

"There is a new building constructed in the main square, near the statue of the great originator. I heard someone say that they are looking for a help."

"What kind of help they need?" Ruth asked nervously. She was afraid that she might lose another chance due to a lack of required skills.

"Nothing to worry about. They only need someone to take care of the building and do chores like dusting, cleaning, sweeping and such kind of work. I do not think you will need to spend the whole day there, maybe only mornings every day.

But I think it will be good for you if you are comfortable with it, as you can look for another work or take personal orders of tailoring for the rest of the day."

That sounded like a plan. And it made sense. Ruth thought for a minute, weighing all the possibilities and coming with plan B for every negative possibility.

"You are right! I can do that. And I do not mind working as a cleaner if it means I can have food on my plate. But what were you trying to say before but hesitated?" Ruth asked.

She did not see any problem in her suggestion then why she hesitated.

The woman said after a moment. "It is a good opportunity I agree. But there is something I should warn you about."

"What is it?" Now Ruth was curious and little bothered too.

"Before deciding to go there.... you should know about the owner of the building."