Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila approached the final vintage clothing shop.
Located slightly off the beaten path, it had been established for some time.
The shop was reportedly doing well, though Leila arrived close to closing time, and few customers were present.
The owner was a striking woman, radiating beauty yet with a touch of aloofness.
Leila had researched beforehand and learned her name was Molly Evans.
Upon arrival, Leila conveyed her needs. After presenting her request, she added she didn’t mind some advice if teaching her how to mend clothes proved to be too much hassle, stressing any help and invested time would be well compensated.
Molly, upon hearing this, broke into a warm, engaging smile. She evaluated Leila from head to toe and then gently shook her head. “I don’t need your money.”
Leila’s eyes grew somber. She wondered if she was facing rejection again, perhaps because she was mute.
But just as these thoughts crept in, Molly spoke, breaking the silence. “I’ll teach you, but there’s one condition.”
Condition? Leila’s heart sank a bit, and her expression turned cautious.
Molly noticed the wary look in Leila’s eyes and let out a chuckle. She reached out, affectionately pinching Leila’s cheek. “Young lady, we live in a society governed by laws. Could I possibly force you to do anything illegal? It’s just a request, and you’re free to decline.”
Realizing her fears might be unfounded, Leila relaxed slightly and blushed, gesturing for Molly to continue.
“It’s nothing serious, really,” Molly assured with a smile. “I just find you incredibly beautiful. You possess a rare charm and a calm yet spirited presence. Would you consider being a model? I need one for my shop’s clothing line, and though I’ve been in business for years, I’ve never found someone who truly fits until today. What do you say? Will you give it a try?”
A model? Leila pointed at herself, her charming eyes brimming with surprise and doubt.
She typed down her question, “Could I really do it?”
“Yes, you can,” Molly said encouragingly. “How will you know unless you try?”
After a moment of thought, Leila nodded in agreement. Molly was generous enough to offer lessons for free. This arrangement was more than satisfactory for Leila.
Once she had Leila’s consent, Molly’s excitement was palpable as she began selecting various outfits for Leila.
Molly picked two gowns and a coat, each distinctly different from the others. Leila was skeptical about her ability to wear them convincingly.
But Molly was confident, saying, “Just relax. I’ll handle the makeup, and I’m confident these choices will suit you perfectly. Besides, you’re the model I chose. Whether the outcome is impressive or not, that’s my responsibility. Now, try on the outfits.”
Leila agreed, choosing to try one of the gowns first.
Once Leila had changed, Molly entered with her makeup kit ready, along with a camera.
It was evident that Molly had been planning this session for a while, just waiting for the right person.
They completed three different photo shoots, after which Molly mentioned they would need to wait to see the finished photos. During the wait, Molly taught Leila a few techniques.
Leila, who had been adept with crafts from a young age, found the lessons quite manageable. Though not a professional, her prior experience with needlework came in handy.
Molly proved to be a patient and enthusiastic instructor.
By the end of the session, Leila had gained considerable knowledge. She bowed to Molly, expressing her gratitude with her gestures.
Molly offered a smile in return. “You’ve really been a great help to me.”
Then Molly ushered Leila to sit in front of the computer.
The displayed photos were already there. They were stunning, requiring little to no editing.
As Molly had observed, those outfits suited Leila well.
Though the styles varied, each one flattered her.
In the photos, the attire and Leila enhanced each other, and with Molly’s expertise behind the camera, the results were flawless.
Molly gazed at Leila’s radiant smiles in the photos and sighed, “It’s such a shame you’re not in show business. Have you ever considered it?”
Leila smiled and typed a response on her phone. “Not really, I’m not able to speak.”
Molly’s realization hit her suddenly, and she smacked her forehead. “We mesh so well, and I enjoy our time together so much that I sometimes forget you can’t speak. But no worries, I’m just pondering out loud. I hope what I’ve shown you today proves useful.”
Leila nodded, paused to think, and then offered to exchange contact information. She thought it would be handy to have someone to consult if she ever found herself puzzled by something in the future, rather than being left to figure it out alone.
As Molly bid Leila farewell, she couldn’t resist asking, “Can I print these photos and display them outside the shop? If you’re shy about it, I can cover your face.”
Leila shook her head in response. She figured there wouldn’t be many people visiting a vintage clothes store anyway. Besides, Molly had already been kind to her. It seemed petty to refuse.
Leila quickly typed a message on her phone. “You can display them outside your shop. It’s an honor for me.”
After Leila left, Molly got to work.
As Molly was arranging the photos, she sensed someone behind her.
It was a passerby who was captivated by Leila’s photos and couldn’t resist snapping a picture.
When Molly turned around, the passerby greeted her enthusiastically, saying, “Miss, did you manage to get a celebrity to promote your shop? It looks fantastic.”
Molly gave a small smile. “No celebrities here, just a girl who was here to learn a few things from me.”
The passerby nodded, then quickly turned the pictures he had snapped into a video and uploaded it to his social media with the caption, “Discovering The Beauty Around Us.”
Leila was cheerfully heading home, blissfully unaware of the online storm she was about to unleash.
Under Molly’s expert guidance, Leila swiftly finished mending Rachel’s mother’s clothes.
As Leila gathered her things to leave the room, a wave of dizziness struck her, almost causing her to stumble.
She paused, supporting herself against the sofa, and touched her still-flat belly.
It occurred to Leila that she often became too engrossed in her work and neglected to eat. Skipping meals was one thing for her, but not for the baby growing inside her.
She made a silent apology to her belly, her heart twinging with regret. Her unborn child might never hear her voice, much less learn to speak from her.
Yet, the sadness was fleeting. Leila went online, found some nutritious pregnancy recipes, and headed out to buy groceries.
She was now living in the home Jerome had arranged for her.
Wandering the supermarket aisles, focused on her shopping list, Leila was startled by a child charging her way.
Leila instinctively shielded her belly. Preoccupied with her own condition, she hadn’t noticed the child.
The child tumbled to the ground and burst into tears.
Leila, visibly upset, cast a disapproving glance at the young boy throwing a tantrum on the floor. He looked to be about seven or eight, solidly built. Luckily, the collision was minor. A more serious one could have landed her in the hospital.
The child’s cries were sharp and contagious, drawing a crowd.
Disinterested in a confrontation, Leila decided to walk away.
Just then, a sharp, cutting voice stopped her. “Stop right there! Do you think you can bump into my grandson and just leave? How does that make any sense?”
Leila chose to ignore the outburst.
However, the elderly woman was relentless and quickly caught up, grabbing Leila’s wrist.