Michael Smith in trouble

Jess did not meet Clara at home. The only place she could think of Clara being apart from her house was at work. She went in search of her to return the clothes as this was the only opportunity she had before moving to the capital.

As Jess suspected, Clara was already in her uniform and behind the counter, preparing the usual meals the customers enjoyed. Jess froze at the doorknob when she heard the irritated voice of Ariana Deen yelling at the staff as usual.

Are you just resuming by this time when you were supposed to be here an hour ago? Ariana Deen yelled at Jess at the top of her voice, which attracted the attention of others in the diner.

Clara gave Jess a look of pity and mouthed something to her under her breath, which she could not hear.

I came here to see Clara as I have something of hers that I wanted to return, and for your information, I will no longer be working at the diner. Jess said

Clara was shocked at her words; she knew that her friend did not have enough money to help pay for their debt and the council tax and that their farm was on the verge of being forcefully taken over by Edmund.

Did she meet a nobleman who offered to pay off her debts? Clara thought.

But she knew Jess was madly in love with James, as she had refused many suitors because of James.

So, because you finally accepted to be one of Edmud’s mistresses so he could cancel your tax and help your miserable family out of poverty, you think you are now on the same level as me and can talk to me about quitting? Ariana Deen quizzed menacingly.

I do not have to explain myself to you or anyone else. What you or anyone else thinks does not matter because I know I have not done anything I should be ashamed of. I am only interested in my wages that you have withheld for the past three months, Jess said unwaveringly.

That is enough, both of you. It is too early to be having a shouting match and scaring away our customers. Pete, Ariana’s husband, said.

Jess, do not worry about your wages, for I will be the one to settle every dime my wife owes you. Mr. Pete said, bringing some gold coins from his pocket and slipping them into her hands.

Do not take what Ariana said to heart; she is just upset and did not mean any of it, Pete said as his wife stormed out of the diner, seething in anger.

Clara came out from the back of the door that led to the kitchen; she had not witnessed the drama that transpired only a few minutes ago, as she left immediately after mouthing something to her that she did not understand.

Are you resigning from your job? Clara inquired.

Yes. I got a job at the Royal Hospital and will resume tomorrow. Here I came to return this; it is already washed and sun-dried. Jess stated, handing Clara the bags.

I also saw the little shoe box you slid into the bag, and I could not be more grateful for your thoughtfulness and foresight, Jess said appreciatively.

I overheard some of the argument and was glad you finally got to put Ariana in her place.

Ugh! Don’t remind me because I was this close to taking the bags in my hand and hitting her with it, but I resisted the temptation of stooping to her level.

How can one stay with a breathing dragon as a wife? Jess asked with furrowed brows.

I am also wondering how Pete managed to stay with his deranged wife for this long. Clara replied as her eyes scanned the door to see if the witch would barge in and begin her usual craziness.

Pete was a peaceful man, well-liked by all the staff that worked in the diner. But his wife, Ariana, was a different story altogether.

Whenever she was around, the atmosphere became tense as nothing seemed to please her. Her looks were deceptive because she was a good-looking woman with brown hair and grey eyes, but her heart was as dark as the devil.

Jess left the diner after speaking with Clara and decided to visit her dad on their farm, where he, along with Rikky, Zedd, and Mathew, were clearing the farm to prepare for the new farming season.

Where is everyone? She thought, seeing the tools and machinery, but her father and the men working with him were nowhere to be found.

She went to the small house where the men usually rested and took a shield from the scourging sun. When she got closer to the house, Jess could hear the voices of her father and the other two voices she did not recognize.

She tiptoed to the side of the window to listen to what the men were saying as their voices echoed around the house, and Jess could hear bits of their conversation from a distance.

You have been saying the same things for over three months, and you still cannot come up with the money. I am tired of coming to beg you to repay the money I lent you. You make me look like I am in the wrong a baritone voice said.

I am doing all I can to gather the money to repay you. I am only asking for more time to repay all I owe. Michael Smith said pleadingly.

Both your daughters are of age; give me the eldest as a wife, and I will be willing to look past all your debts, take it as a form of dowry. The man said, and his words infuriated Jess beyond words.

Leave my daughters out of this. I shall repay your loan before the end of this month, Michael Smith said. Jess saw her father and marveled at how much he had aged in just a few hours of him leaving home.

Jess saw the man leaving the small farmstead, banging the door on his way out. She thought the door would break from its hinges because of the force he close the door.

Sir, I am sorry to say this, as it may not be my place to comment on a family matter. Your eldest daughter has passed the marriageable age according to our laws and customs. I do not see anything wrong in giving her hand in marriage to Mr. Edmud as his 7th wife.

Stop saying nonsense. I do not intend to sell my daughter’s happiness for personal gain; I am sure that at the right time, she will marry the man she loves and start a family. It is not her duty to repay my debts.

But Sir, your health-

Michael shunned Zedd from going any further.

Speak of what happened today to my wife and daughters, and you will no longer have a job, Michael Smith said, and Zedd nodded.