49Despite the varying look of disdain, shock and disbelief that was thrown at him, Darien dismissed their looks and trudged forward to where the bratty receptionist stood waiting with malevolent intent,As he walked the short distance, that ironically felt long, he could still hear their derogatory comments.“Must be lost or something, maybe he thinks this is an antique store.”One man scoffed to his companion,"He looks like a deer caught in the headlights, they better keep an eye on him. He probably is here on ulterior motive,” the woman leaned to her companion’s ear, and conspiratorially whispered-yelled for the benefits of all,“They better keep an eye on him. He probably is here to steal, that coat must have compartments to aid in his mission."The few people who had heard her comment, nodded their heads in agreement and looked at Darien’s direction.Darien was unmoved by their remarks, his sole mission was to get the gown that had caught his attention, and as he thought of Lavin
50Darien and customer spoke at once, and all eyes turned to Darien, as they began to chuckle in a disbelieving manner, humour colouring their feature."Did I just hear him correctly? Wants to buy the moon, does he?""He's certainly joking, I must tell you!” "Oh, sure, and I'm here to purchase Jupiter. Got a good deal on its moons?"Laughing, another one said, "Maybe he's looking for a good lunar property. Heard the Sea of Tranquility is lovely this time of year." "I've got some oceanfront property on Mars to sell him next!" "Next, he'll be asking for the rings of Saturn as a wedding gift. Can you imagine?"Chucklingy, someone said, "my friend, the only moon you'll own is the one in your dreams.""Better start saving now; the lunar market is really taking off!" "Wait, let me guess, he plans to commute from Earth on his private spaceship?" "And I was just considering buying the Sun, but I was worried about the heating bills. Any advice, Darien?"The laughter and mockeries filled t
51The man Darien pointed to, flinched to the book and gaped at him, as he absentmindedly pointed at his chest, he gasped before he stuttered out,“H-hey! Take that back! Do you think I'm like the lady over there who you casted your stupid spell over?!” He snarled and snapped at Darien, before he stomped his feet, “Well news flash! I'm not!"Darien quirked his eyebrows at him and shook his head, there was no need to try to explain anything to a dead horse.The people began to murmur amongst themselves, they didn't know what to make of the situation, the lady was lying unconscious on the floor just as soon as the man had spoken, and now he had targeted another fellow, they truly didn't know what to make of the situation. It was disturbing and alarming to say the least.In a split second, as everyone's eyes darted between Darien and the said man, their widened eyes trying to take in whatever drama that would occur.“This man is a wizard!"“Next thing we'll hear is someone's going to die
52Darien looked the man over and smiled calmly, the echoes and agreements of all the other patrons did nothing to sway him."Yes! I support!""Someone have the police on dial!""This man should really be arrested!"Darien’s smile widened slightly, a mixture of amusement and regret evident in his eyes. “I assure you, I have done nothing that needs undoing. My intentions here were never to harm or frighten anyone.” His voice was steady, cutting through the crescendo of accusations and panic.The crowd, however, was not easily placated. Fear had taken root, and with it, the need for a scapegoat.“But you did something to him!” a woman shouted, pointing at the man struggling for breath on the floor.“And about her, the lady!” another chimed in, her voice tinged with hysteria.Darien sighed, his gaze sweeping over the faces around him, each twisted in fear, suspicion, or anger. “Fear often leads us to seek blame outside ourselves. These...incidents, though unfortunate, are not of my makin
53As Darien stepped out into the cool evening air, the noise of the shop's interior felt like a world away. He had barely taken a few steps when a voice called out to him, "Wait, please!"Turning, Darien saw a woman hurrying towards him. She was striking, with long, wavy auburn hair that caught the fading sunlight, and green eyes that sparkled with a mix of urgency and hope. She was slightly out of breath when she reached him, her chest rising and falling rapidly beneath her simple but elegant dress.Darien's brow arched in curiosity. "Can I help you?" he asked, noting the earnest look on her face.She nodded, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Yes, I... I saw what you did back there. In the shop."He regarded her quietly for a moment, "And?"She took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "I'm Eveline Carter," she said, extending a hand, which Darien took, noticing her fingers were cold."Darien French," he replied with a nod, releasing her hand.Eveline bit her lip, her eyes searchin
54Eveline's eyes turned molten as she glared at him, with her eyes throwing daggers,she replied him via a set jaw,“Unlike you, I made an attempt to find a cure for Emily! What have you done Ethan?! All you do is stand and judge people! Show me some damn respect and give me some damn accolades for my effort.”While she spoke, her chest was heaving rapidly and her fists was clenched tightly, her brother was her undoing, still glaring at him, she questioned through gritted teeth once more, “I repeat, what have you done?!"“At least he didn't bring some lowlife pathetic looking drag into the sanctity of our home!”The clear voice rang out causing Eveline to gasp and bite her lips tightly, tears glistened her eyes as she glanced over at her mother. Lady Elizabeth faced her daughter with a scowling face, sneering as she did. Lady Elizabeth could barely cast a glance at Darien, for she felt insulted by his presence.Darien stared at the lady and wondered to himself if he was the one she ha
55Dr. LeRoy, puffing his chest out, made his way through the room with a sense of authority that seemed to dwarf everyone else's presence. He cast a disdainful glance at Darien, who stood calmly by Emily's bedside, observing the unfolding scene."Step aside, now!" Dr. LeRoy barked at Darien, his voice laced with a mixture of command and contempt. "Your presence here is not only unnecessary but potentially harmful to the patient."Darien, trying to maintain his composure, replied softly, "I was just trying to help. I believe—""Help? You?" Dr. LeRoy interrupted, his laugh sharp and cutting. "What could you possibly know about medicine? Look at you!"Ethan chimed in with a smirk, clearly enjoying the scene. "Yeah, Darien French, don't you see you're out of your league here?"Darien's fists clenched at his sides, his jaw set tight. The insults stung, but he knew getting angry wouldn't help Emily. He took a deep breath and tried again, "Dr. LeRoy, I really think you should reconsider the
56Darien's hands, which had been clenched into fists, relaxed slightly. What would Dr. Moore think of the situation? Would he see through Dr. LeRoy's arrogance? Or was him another so-called doctor?Ethan, who had been smirking at Darien's predicament moments before, now looked somewhat sheepish, his earlier confidence waning in the presence of the esteemed doctor. He took a step back, as if trying to blend into the background, his gaze shifting uncertainly from Dr. LeRoy to Dr. Moore.Lady Elizabeth, who had been the picture of disdain, now straightened her posture, her expression morphing into one of polite interest. The room's temperature seemed to drop a few degrees, her icy demeanor momentarily thawed by the surprise entrance."Dr. Moore, what an unexpected pleasure," Dr. LeRoy greeted, his voice oozing a mix of eagerness and a hint of nervousness. "We were just—""Handling things, I can see," Dr. Moore interrupted, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp, taking in the scene before