Chapter 130: The Memory Bring Him Here
"No!" Aurora gritted her teeth, holding Daisy back from rushing toward the counter. She pulled her hand away from the doorknob, whispering fiercely, "You can’t let him see you, Daisy... Take a deep breath, now."
Daisy struggled against her grip. "But—but I can’t... I can’t sell that one to him! He’ll understand what it means..." Her lips trembled with desperation.
"Shhh..." Aurora pressed a finger to her lips, urging silence. "He’ll hear us..." Her chest rose and fell rapidly. "I’m sure he wouldn’t understand anything, Daisy... So for now, just calm down."
Theo’s head snapped toward the storage door, his sharp gaze catching the faint shadow behind it. A flicker of curiosity, or was it suspicion? passed over his face.
Adam’s throat cleared nervously, stepping slightly between Theo and the counter. "So, the baby crochet... this one is quite special to the artist," he said carefully, keeping his voice steady. "Actually, not just this one... every single keychain hanging here carries a deep meaning. Each design represents something the artist holds close, memories, feelings... personal things."
Theo’s eyes lingered on the display, scanning the keychains with a new intensity, his fingers twitching as if he wanted to reach out but stopped himself.
The reason he had come was because of the memories between him and Daisy, the times they had come here together, relaxing and peacefully looking at the beach.
But then he saw a man walking quickly toward the shop, his face oddly familiar. There was something in the features, the way he moved... It reminded him of Aurora. That’s why he had followed him here.
He sighed, thinking, ’Could I be wrong?’ His gaze sharpened on Adam. In the short time he’d spent with Daisy, he hadn’t learned much about her. Crochet? He’d never seen her do it, and she hadn’t shown any interest in this sort of thing before.
"I’ll take all of them," he said suddenly, breaking the tense silence. "And please... ask the artist if she... or he... could make more. It would be perfect as souvenirs for the end-of-year party."
Adam frowned, forcing an awkward laugh. "Right... end-of-year party..." His eyes rolled upward, thinking, ’Big company giving something like this at the party?’
Theo didn’t notice Adam’s silent judgment. His eyes stayed fixed on the display, scanning each keychain as if memorizing them. "Yes, I want them all. And make sure they’re handled carefully. Each one matters."
Adam nodded, masking his surprise with a professional smile. "Of course, sir. I’ll pack them carefully and coordinate with the artist to make more."
Theo’s jaw tightened as his fingers brushed over the edge of the counter. "I’ll take this baby one... it seems too special to leave behind." He quickly pulled out his wallet and handed over his card. "Can I pay for it now? And have the rest delivered to the company, including transportation costs?" He offered a faint, almost hesitant smile.
Adam quickly swiped the card, keeping his voice steady despite the tension. "Absolutely, sir. I’ll arrange everything. Delivery should be smooth, no worries."
Theo’s gaze lingered on the baby crochet keychain, his expression softening ever so slightly. For a brief moment, the sharp edge of his frustration dulled, replaced by something heavier, an ache he hadn’t expected, a reminder of memories he hadn’t realized he still carried.
Without another word, he turned and walked out of the shop, each step full with thoughts, his shoulders tense. The cool air outside greeted him as he made his way to his car. Unlocking it, he slid inside. For a moment, he just sat there, one hand gripping the steering wheel, the other resting over his knee, as though grounding himself. His eyes flicked once more toward the shop through the rearview mirror before he finally leaned back and pulled out his phone. Connecting it with the car, he dialed a number and started driving away.
Back inside the shop, Adam let the blinds fall back into place and rushed to the storage door. He cracked it open, his voice low and urgent. "He’s gone..."
"Are you sure?" Aurora asked, peeking through the narrow gap of the door.
Daisy pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her breath. Her lips curved into a bitter line as she murmured, "No... you don’t understand. He wouldn’t let go of something once he’s taken an interest in it."
Aurora turned to her, unsettled. "You mean... he’ll come back?"
Daisy’s gaze dropped to the floor, her voice quieter now. "He usually does."
Silence pressed between them as they exchanged uneasy glances, each of them weighing what to do next.
"Thank God we registered the name under someone else..." Aurora finally broke the silence, her words clipped.
Daisy’s brows are knitted. "That’s what I’ve been wondering... who is it? You never told me..."
"Just someone he doesn’t know," Aurora replied quickly. "So he’ll clear his doubts, I promise."
But even as she said it, her frown deepened, the certainty in her voice undercut by the flicker of unease in her eyes.
While the silence in Theo’s car ended as the line clicked. A familiar voice answered almost immediately.
"Sir?"
"I’ll be staying here for a day," Theo said flatly, eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Cancel all the meetings for tomorrow."
There was a pause on the other end. "All of them?" Miles, his assistant, sounded hesitant. "You’ve got two investors flying in—"
"They can wait." Theo cut him off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Push it back. Rearrange whatever you have to."
"Understood." Miles’s voice was careful now, testing the edges. "May I ask...what exactly are you planning to do there?"
Theo’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. For a moment, he didn’t answer. Then, his lips curved into a humorless smile.
"Just a curiosity that kills me..." He paused, letting the silence stretch until even the sound of the engine felt too loud. Finally, he spoke again, quieter this time. "Miles... help me find out something."
"What is it, sir?" Miles gulped lightly, feeling like something heavy was coming.
Theo’s eyes flicked toward the crumpled receipt resting on the passenger seat. His jaw worked once before he spoke.
"Find out everything about Wanderer’s Keepsakes..." he paused, voice sharpening on the name, "The owner, when it opened... everything. I want every detail, Miles. Leave nothing out."
There was a beat of silence, the faint sound of typing already crackling through the line. Miles swallowed again. "Understood, sir. I’ll get on it right away."
Theo’s lips tugged into a smirk when the call ended, his voice low and edged with meaning. "I wouldn’t be this curious if you hadn’t pulled the blinds down the moment I drove away."