Chapter 6 Rejecting Charley

--A few days later--

My mother has sent me on an errand. But unlike any other day, it is the pesky fly Charley who is following me. He takes his position at guarding my back like a docile pet. I know it is useless to say anything to my mother, who has her eyes on him as her future son-in-law, so I pretend he is invisible. 

Charley's father Gerald was once a human, cursed with demonism. His mother, Jane, was my mother’s best friend. My mother had run into Gerald during her travels in the futuristic world. There, Gerald had vowed to protect her all his life. When my parents time-travelled back to Tyi, he had joined them to spend the remnants of his long lifespan in Tyi. As Gerald had earned many merits helping my mother, she regarded him as her benefactor.

Although Charley is half-demon and half-human, the old shaman of Tyi made a sacrifice during Aunt Jane's pregnancy. He parted with more than hundreds of years of cultivation to ensure that demonism did not manifest in her unborn child. Charley, like his other siblings, was born fully human. 

Though I don’t hate Cheng, I spent my entire life knowing him as a person. My childhood name for him was Sissy. Though now he appears to have grown out of it, in no way can I perceive him as a full-blown male? Sticking to his mother and sisters makes him a shy person. For this exact reason, I am unable to accept him as my fiance.

Charley does not say a word when I brisk-walk far from him and enter the bustling streets of the Tyi Central Market. Strolling past the stalls, I stop at one booth and lay down my masterpieces on an empty spot. The vendor, Big Cat, a burly moustached friendly-looking man, smiles broadly and greets me.

“Miss Winter, you are here again with more products to sell, I see!” Then his eyes move on to Charley, who is trying to catch up with my swift pace. “Ah, it seems the weather is great today, very cloudy and perfect for a couple’s day out!”

I furrow my brow. “Uncle Cat, what do you mean by that?”

Uncle Cat just widens his smile. “I’ve heard the good news between you two, ahem.”

I express my displeasure. “Uncle Cat, we are nothing of the sort. Don’t believe those false rumours that are spreading around. Let’s get to business.”

He admires my latest work, handcrafted figurines made from wood. I have presented a man, a woman, a child and various animals. It had taken me my entire childhood to learn the art. Probably my mother doesn’t know of my secret hobby, although it has brought in some amount of cash. In the locked chest under my bed, I have stowed away a pair of figurines, made in the resemblance of Han and myself.

“This should fetch some good money,” Uncle Cat looks proud of me. Charley is rooted to the spot, amazed by my handiwork, yet he cannot find the words to say. I ignored him, continuing my conversation with the vendor.

“By the way, where’s my cut for last week?”

“Ah, I forgot again.” He placed his hand into his inner shirt pocket and drew out a small bag of silver nuggets.

“Thank you,” I said, pocketing the bag. “I’ll see you.”

Charley scooted after me as I made my way relaxedly towards the local physician, located a few blocks ahead. His helper weighed out a combination of herbs with scales while mumbling something inaudible.

“If it’s not the younger Miss Yale!” he exclaims with a glad expression. “Here for your mother’s prescription again?”

“Yes, but give me an additional three packs. Recently we got a new maid, and she has been over brewing my mother’s prescriptions,” I lie. My mother has been taking a combination of herbs to prevent pregnancy, and one of the underlying components is rosebud. Obviously, Charley does not know about traditional medicine. As Aunt Jane has been nauseous again recently, I believe that she has never taken such preventive measures. I admire her for being able to give birth to up to ten children.

The assistant bought my alibi, and I handed him the money, adding some coins out of my pocket, and we were on our way again. Charley offered to help carry the eight packs of herbs, but I rejected him. I didn’t want anyone misunderstanding anything between us.

We walked through the central market once more to return to the path leading to my home, but to my surprise, Autumn and Hans walked past us. Autumn was holding a stick of candied hawthorn and humming her favourite love song, which I have never bothered to remember the lyrics. A closer look yielded the fact that Hans was holding one of my wooden masterpieces, the snow rabbit. He was also smiling. Instantly, my heart churned with pain, and I couldn't bear to stay to watch them a second longer.

Hans scrutinised us, tightening his hold on Autumn’s hand, while Autumn was indifferent and gave us a cheerful smile as she greeted us by our names. Due to courtesy, I was compelled to return the greeting, calling Hans the most dreaded address, ‘brother-in-law’. My heart just hurted more to have to call him that. 

He smiles at me evilly, saying, “Oh, Little Sister Winter appears to be in such high spirits today. And who is this hunk you have with you?”

I know he is sarcastic. Although Charley was two years older than me, he was an immature youth and could never compare in looks with Hans. 

He came closer, pulling Autumn with him. But his expression turned sour when he took a whiff of the contents of the eight packs I have with me.

“What in the-”

“It’s for my mother,” I quickly answered, fearing that he would misinterpret anything. He eyes me strangely, then begins to stare daggers at Charley. I wished he could read my mind to understand that I had done nothing to cheat on him and take preventive measures. Because rosebud can also be used to trigger a miscarriage naturally, I don’t want him to think otherwise.

He didn't say anything, but in a flash, I feel something poking inside my sleeve. I retract my sleeve, pretending to adjust it while ensuring that the message parchment he has stuffed inside it stealthily was secured.

Autumn didn't notice anything unusual as she was far too obsessed with the new gift Hans had just presented her and the pleasant surroundings. I made an excuse to return home, saying my mother was anxiously waiting for her medicine. But Autumn was the one who clung to Hans and thought they should get to the physician faster as she is feeling dizzy. She casted a wink at me,which I disregarded. Eventually, their images gradually became smaller until they disappeared from view. 

We stopped outside my parents’ cottage. I bravely faced Charley and stated firmly to him, “You don’t have to accompany me inside. It’s enough, Charley. As I’ve told you, I will not love you and never will. What we are doing is just a facade. I’m very grateful for your help in making my mother believe that you are good for me, but it will never happen between us. I’m sorry, but even if you get engaged to me, we don’t have a future.”

He doesn’t look hurt at all. “I understand. And I don’t hope for you to love me. You have my word that I won’t touch you, Sister Winter.”

“Thanks,” I mutter and turn my head, about to enter the door.

“Wait,” he says. I answered him without turning around. "Yeah, what?"

“Before you go, can I kiss you?”