• Chapter 11

    Cara gave Terence a lift to his hotel. She felt guilty about calling him a thief in public. She already explained to Terence where she meet him and he didn't react much. He just said 'oh, you are with that girl. I'm sorry about that'. Cara wondered why Terence right now is so different with Terence back then. He even bought her 10 pieces of chocolate chip cupcakes to share with her friends and as a token of apologizing. After a few minutes, they reached Terence's hotel and Terence invited her to go to his place so he could explain why he reacted like that.

    Terence guided her to his work room (as he called it) when they reached at his place. There are lot of fabric pieces on the floor and a few unfinished doll's clothes. There are also few drawings and measurement on some pieces of paper. He pulled a box from one of his closet drawer. Cara walked towards him as he beckoned her to come closer. He opened the box. In there contain ten beautiful dolls.

    "This is Master Zunko works of arts...," Terence said sadly.

    "What are they doing here?" Cara asked him. "You are making their clothes?"

    "They are arts that Master Zunko has thrown away." Terence sigh. "He has a bad temper and really has little tolerance to a ruin dolls."

    "Wow, but he's really look like a calm and reasonable old man." Cara tried to remember the old man that she met earlier. She took a doll out and try to see anything that might not perfect.

    "Huh, that's only his business face. Hes really a crazy old man." Terence definitely doesn't like his master. "He only keep me around because of my sewing skills and I don't ask question much."

    "Then why do you still follow him?" Cara looked at Terence. He sighed.

    "There are a few reasons really. One of it is because of them." He pointed at the dolls.

    "Umm.. please don't be mad by what i say... but they are only dolls right? Cara couldn't understand why hes so protective over some dolls. True they are beautiful but they are just dolls.

    Terence took a few minutes before answering her. "I don't.. hmm.. Its just that I feel my master's dolls has spirits in them. Like a living thing..." Terence tried to find words that can explain to Cara easily. "I couldn't abandon them. I know u must be thinking I am as crazy as my master but I just couldn't bear it when my master destroyed some of them by burning them or stepping on them until they broken to pieces. It just broke my heart to see he do it"

    Cara looked at Terence. She felt he really has a soft and caring heart under that stern look of his.

    "I'm sorry. You must think I am weird." he scratched his hair and smiling to Cara. He looked really different.

    "What happen to the doll that Naomi....? Cara couldn't continued her question.

    "Oh Karen? She's alright. Good thing nothing broken on her. Only has to change her clothes. Even Master was in a really good mood. So she was spared." Terence smiled. He does has charming smile.

    "Do your master knows about these dolls?" Cara asked again.

    "No, thankfully he don't. I have been secretly saving the dolls that he wanted to destroy. He would definitely kill me if he knows about these." Terence then staring at Cara. "You wouldn't tell him right?" He looked worry now.

    Cara leaned towards Terence and kiss him. Terence looked surprise, then jerked his head away. That shocked Cara back to reality and realize that she has done something stupid. She feel really awkward now. Cara turned to run away, horrified by what she has done, but Terence grabbed her arm, stopped her. Cara was scared as she turned back. They kissed again. It was loving and gentle kiss.