Wolf under an oak tree.
Chapter 6

I have been restless these past few hours with little to no sleep. I know that most people must be having this issue like me, where you are wearing something extremely uncomfortable, and your mind keeps thinking of ways to get rid of it so that you can have a peaceful slumber.

How am I going to remove this off? Besides, it's already two am, and all the jewelry shops must be closed right now.

After tossing and turning for a few more minutes, I got up from the bed and wore a pair of short shorts with a crop top before grabbing my purse, phone, and car keys, I left my room and walked towards the end hallway. Once I reached the last door, I gently knocked on it a few times before I heard the creaking of the bed, and Ada opened the door. She looked half asleep, with messy hair.

“Hey Ada, do you know any jewelry shops that would be open right now?”

“Iris, it's two something in the morning, and I don't think anything would be open right now. Why don't you wait till the sun rises, and I will take you to a jewelry store myself?”

“No, Ada, I want to get this thing out, right now. So, do you know any place that would be open twenty-four seven?” I asked her, and she was thinking for a while.

“I know a place. It is an antique store, and I think they would help you remove that ring too.” the moment I heard those words, I was dancing in joy.

“So, where is this place?”

“It is located in the borders of Akaroa. It is like the last shop at the edge of the border of the town,” she said, and I hugged her.

“Thank you. I will go there and remove this thing.” I said, and I rushed to the staircase.

“Iris wait!” Ada rushed towards the top of the stairs.

“I don't think it's safe for you to go to that place at this time. Give me a few minutes, I will wake Cole up, he will take you there.”

“Ada, I will be fine. And I will give you a call when I am done, alright?” I asked her, and I can see the reluctance in her eyes before she nodded, and I waved at her and left the house. It took thirty minutes for me to reach the antique shop, the road was deserted with only a few street lamps, giving a spooky atmosphere.

Maybe, I should have listened to Ada and got Cole to come with me.

I parked my car in front of the shop and got down, as soon as I closed the car door, a gust of wind whizzed past me, causing an involuntary shiver down my spine.

Hopefully, I won't die tonight and end up in a ditch. And why did I even wear a pair of shorts? Uh! I do hate myself now.

A bell rang the moment I opened the door, and inside was pretty dark with few lamps turned on.

Wait! Is this shop closed?

“Hello? Is anyone here?” I yelled while looking around, and when I didn't see anyone here, I turned around to leave the store when the door abruptly opened and in came Walter.

“Sorry ma'am, welcome to The antique, a place to buy and sell history. So, how can I help you?” Walter asked me.

“Oh wait! You are that woman who banged on my car yesterday, right? What was your name again?” he was thinking for a while before he answered again.

“Iris Hendrix.”

“So, you do remember.” I joked, and he smirked.

“Of course, how could I forget a pretty face like yours?”

“So, what brings you here?”

“I have a small favor to ask. But before that, I want to know where the owner of the shop is?”

Wasn't there supposed to be an old woman in the name of Camila?

“She um, she is sick, so she asked me to help her manage the shop for tonight,” he replied and shuddered.

“Oh that's alright then, I just came here to remove my ring, which is stuck to my finger.”

“Oh, that is an easy task. Come inside and take a seat, I will bring the tools,” he said and guided me towards the back of the shop, and once I was seated, he went inside through a door before coming back with a tool kit.

“Okay, show me the ring,” Walter asked, and I outstretched my left hand and placed it on top of his.

“Wait! you are married?” he implored, and I started getting irritated in hearing the same question for the past few hours, on top of that, my body was exhausted, so I just nodded my head.

“So, can you remove it or not?” I asked him irritated, which brought him back from his shell-shocked state.

“Um, yeah I can remove it.” Walter stammered, and then he got to work. He examined my finger for a few minutes before taking out a few tools to cut the ring. And I didn't know why but the thought of destroying a beautiful piece of jewelry tucked my heartstrings.

“Wait! Can't you remove the ring without damaging it?”

“I guess I can use a portion that would help. Give me a minute.” Walter replied, and I nodded my head before he took his phone out and called someone. He tried calling that person a few times, but it looked like he didn't answer the call.

“Stupid Mike, he must have left his phone at home, again,” Walter muttered under his breath before he tried another number, and within the second ring, the person answered, and I can hear a deep baritone voice from the other end which made my insides flutter in an unknown excitement.

“Hey, I know you will get annoyed, but could you please go wake Mike up and tell him to bring the multipurpose potion down to the shop?” Mike asked, and I couldn't hear what the other person replied before Walter disconnected the call and came back and took a seat opposite mine.

“Just give me a few minutes, I have told my friend to bring the potion,” Walter said, and I nodded my head.

“So, why are you removing the ring that your husband gave you?” Walter asked me after a prolonged silence. And when I was about to answer, the front door opened again.