4 Temporary Refuge

The soft, melodious chirping of birds and the gentle fragrance of flowers in bloom filled the air, rousing Elara from her slumber. As she slowly opened her eyes, she was met with the sight of an unfamiliar ceiling, a stark contrast to the surroundings she had fallen asleep in. Panic surged through her as she sat up abruptly, her heart racing.

Taking in her surroundings, she realized that she was resting on a comfortable bed, a far cry from the cold floor she had slept in. The disorientation intensified her unease. She quickly scanned the room, her eyes darting around for any signs of her belongings. To her relief, she spotted her backpack on a nearby table, and a hasty check confirmed that all her personal items were intact.

With a newfound sense of determination, she approached the window, intending to open it and assess her surroundings. But just as her hand reached for the latch, the door to the room swung open. Elara froze, her body tense and ready, standing like a statue, waiting for the intruder to make their presence known. The mysterious circumstances that had led her to this unfamiliar place left her on edge, uncertain of what lay ahead.

A middle-aged woman entered the room, her attire entirely black, her raven-black hair cascading around her. Her wide, white smile appeared almost out of place amidst the surrounding darkness. Her voice, when she spoke, had a soothing quality, as if every word she uttered was a melodic note in a gentle song. She gazed at Elara with an expression of warmth, her demeanor disarming.

With a playful laugh, the woman remarked, "You weren't planning on getting out that window, were you?"

In her hands, she carried a tray laden with an array of delectable foods, many of which happened to be Elara's favorites. Elara struggled to find the right words to respond, eventually asking, "How did I get here?"

The woman's laughter persisted, and she replied, "You preferred sleeping in the corner of a dark, dangerous alley all alone?"

Elara was insistent, her tone firm as she repeated her question, "I asked you a question."

The woman chuckled, clearly enjoying the verbal exchange. She settled down and began to answer, "That's three questions if I counted correctly. Let me answer one at a time, like you should have asked them."

Taking a breath, she continued, "I got one of my employees to carry you here when I spotted you sleeping there."

Elara's curiosity deepened as she probed further, "Why?"

The woman responded with a sense of amusement, "Second question: You are at my place. Below is my shop. And my name is Seraphina Nightshade."

Elara pondered for a moment and then, with a hint of gratitude, said, "Thank you for giving me a place to sleep. Now I have to go."

Seraphina, however, was not ready to let her guest depart so soon. She insisted, "Not before you have something to eat, and you have an injured knee."

Elara had always been cautious around strangers, not one to easily place her trust in others. However, the events of the past day had led her to be aided by two individuals she had never met before. First, it was the driver who had accidentally hit her, and now, this woman, Seraphina. For reasons she couldn't quite grasp, Elara found herself feeling surprisingly at ease in Seraphina's presence.

With a hint of reluctance, Elara shuffled over to the corner of the bed and accepted the tray of food that Seraphina had brought. Hunger gnawed at her, as she hadn't eaten since her hasty escape from her tumultuous home. A full 24 hours had passed without food, and the aroma of the meal that lay before her was irresistible.

Seraphina settled nearby, her eyes intent on Elara as she devoured the meal with a voracious appetite. In the midst of this unexpected act of kindness, Elara's gaze shifted momentarily, revealing the depths of her emotions, but the momentary vulnerability soon vanished.

Upon finishing her meal, Elara looked up and noticed how Seraphina was watching her with a soft, knowing look. An embarrassed blush crept onto her cheeks as she spoke, "Was I supposed to leave some for you?"

Seraphina's smile was warm and reassuring. "No, dear. I already had my breakfast. I usually eat at 8 am."

Elara's eyes widened in surprise as she inquired, "What time is it now?"

Seraphina glanced at her watch and replied, "It's exactly 13:00."

Elara's eyes went wide with shock. "Oh, no!"

With a sense of urgency, Elara rose from her seat, gratitude in her eyes as she said, "Thank you for the food, Miss Seraphina, but I have to go."

Seraphina's inquisitive eyes met Elara's, and she couldn't help but ask, "Running away from something?"

Elara replied with a hint of weariness, "Someone."

Understanding the gravity of Elara's situation, Seraphina nodded. She offered, "I see. My place is well hidden, you can use it as your hideout until your knee recovers."

Elara, however, was determined to maintain her independence. She responded, "It's okay; I will find a place to book."

Seraphina felt a pang of empathy for the young woman before her and decided to reveal a bit about her past. "Listen, I was once a nurse, and I can really help you with that injury. Just trust me."

Elara regarded Seraphina with suspicion, her guard still firmly in place. But Seraphina attempted to ease her concerns by extending an offer of trust. She handed over a set of keys, saying, "You don't have to be suspicious of me. Here, these are the keys to this place. You can walk out the door anytime; you're not a prisoner. I just want to help you. Running with an injury is not the best idea."

Elara pondered the situation in silence, weighing her options carefully. Finally, she relented, "I will leave after three days."

Seraphina smiled, appreciative of Elara's acceptance. "That's exactly what I need to help you with your knee."

With a sense of purpose, Seraphina stood and suggested, "You can take a shower. I'll bring a set of new clothes for you to change into, so you can take off the dirty ones you're wearing."

Elara offered her gratitude with a simple, "Thank you, Miss Seraphina."

Seraphina's eyes softened as she revealed her true feelings. "I always wanted a daughter, so for the next three days, I will treat you like my daughter. I hope you won't get annoyed."

Elara responded with a gentle chuckle, her heart warming to the unexpected kindness she had found in this woman. 

Elara gazed into the bathroom mirror, her eyes red and puffy from the unexpected surge of emotions that had overwhelmed her. Despite the tears, her reflection revealed a striking young woman. Her beauty was a unique blend of features that captivated anyone who had the privilege of laying eyes on her.

Elara possessed a porcelain complexion, flawlessly smooth and almost radiant in its natural glow. Her skin was fair, kissed by a hint of delicate rosy hues, which seemed to deepen when she blushed.

Her expressive eyes were a shade of deep, soulful blue, like the vast expanse of the ocean, harboring a world of emotions within. They were framed by long, dark lashes that added depth and allure to her gaze.

Elara's high cheekbones and softly curved jawline lent her a classic elegance, while her lips were a shade of rosy pink, naturally full and inviting. She had a beguiling smile that could light up even the darkest of moments.

Her hair, a flowing cascade of chestnut brown, was silky and smooth, often worn loose to fall gracefully around her shoulders. It framed her face like a delicate curtain, enhancing her beauty even further.

With a slender and graceful figure, Elara had an air of poise and sophistication that drew the eye, yet her countenance was touched with an undeniable warmth. She was the kind of beauty that emanated from within, a combination of both physical allure and a captivating personality.

As she examined herself in the mirror, Elara's tear-stained face seemed to only enhance her beauty, adding a layer of vulnerability that made her even more endearing. Her reflection portrayed a young woman who carried both the weight of her past and the promise of an uncertain future, a beauty that transcended the superficial and delved into the depths of her soul.

Elara was keenly aware of the striking resemblance she bore to her mother, a fact evident from the photographs and home videos that had been preserved. Her heart ached at the memory of her mother, and the images stirred emotions within her.

After a heartfelt sigh, she decided to take a quick shower. The previous day's ordeal had left her feeling dirty and in need of refreshment. The warm water cascading over her body was a soothing balm to her spirit, washing away the physical and emotional grime that clung to her.

Dressed in a comfortable robe, she waited for Seraphina to return. Elara had always been drawn to a casual style, but Cecilia, her stepmother, had constantly emphasized that she should dress according to her status as the eldest daughter of the Morgan family. The jeans she had worn the previous day were the only casual clothing she possessed, as her backpack was primarily filled with dresses she had intended to sell at the shop.

When Seraphina returned with a fresh set of comfortable clothes, Elara offered her gratitude and retreated to the bathroom to change. 

With her change of clothes complete, Elara emerged from the bathroom, ready to explore her temporary sanctuary. Seraphina suggested, "Come, let me show you around the place in case you need something and I'm not here."

Elara agreed, saying, "Okay." She followed Seraphina through the modest yet cozy living room, the elegant dining area, and the inviting kitchen. As she moved through the space, she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for Seraphina's generosity and kindness, which had provided her with a temporary haven in a world that had turned unexpectedly cold and unforgiving.