Chapter 3.25

"Why are you so nervous? Weren't you the one who trusted her for this?" Mr. Dodds queried Jean as fidgeted in her chair yet again, looking at the door with a troubled expression.

Jean pursed her lips and shook her head. "It's not that…" She trailed off. She hesitated for a moment but still decided against saying that she trusted Isabelle's skill, yet she did not trust her own idea and what his reaction would be to the tablecloths. It was her first time helping, in a way, in the restaurant so his opinion really mattered to her.

The past week, he had shown very polarized interest in the tablecloths; sometimes asking about them, sometimes not in the mood to hear anything about the tablecloths. So far, she was half convinced that he was just indulging her and did not really care about what she had created; yet a small treacherous part in her scolded her pessimistic thoughts.

Her Husband always cared about her and her ideas! 

But he also did not outright accept the tablecloths…

Well, it was fair to say that it was different to see them in paper than in person.

But what if he really rejected the made tablecloths? If that happened, then she would not have the courage to propose any other idea…

"Then?" Mr. Dodds insisted, taking Jean out of her internal conversation.

"I..." She muttered, not sure if she should really speak up. Her Husband patiently waited for her, yet she was aware that he also had a limit, so…

The assistant posted outside Mr. Dodds' office knocked on the door and announced the arrival of Isabelle and Felix Edris. Jean sagged relieved that she would not be subjected to her Husband's interrogation; meanwhile, Mr. Dodds felt his mouth twitch at her reaction. He could notice her hesitation to speak, so he had to know what she was reluctant to say.

At home of course.

He did send her a look, silently warning her that the conversation was not over, while she just resigned herself to her fate. Once his message was received, Mr. Dodds told the two outside to come in.

Isabelle, as always, swung in with a strong presence and abundant confidence, as if she actually owned the place. The one accompanying her seemed more…

"That's a really huge paintin'!" Felix whispered-exclaimed, noticing, above all the other fancy decoration in the office, the painting that covered most of the wall behind Mr. Dodds' desk.

…relaxed. The teen (because he looked way younger than his older brother, Ethan, not only in attitude but in the appearance, too) was lively. Too lively and carefree; he really acted his age. It was interesting to see the different personalities the brothers had (because Mr. Dodds was well aware of the type of relationship Isabelle had with the brothers thanks to Jean).

The eldest was a workaholic through and through, sometimes too tense. The other brother he had met was like a peaceful and looming mountain and this teen was vivacious and easygoing, still not touched by the cruelty of the world. At least not directly. The other brother was still a mystery but Mr. Dodds could bet the young man was also different from his brothers.

And then, there was Isabelle, who just gave the painting a fleeting glance, as if she had seen better painting and merely focused on the occupants of the room.

"Good morning. It is nice to see you." She greeted the Husband-and-Wife pair.

Felix hurriedly reacted and also greeted. "Good morning!" Loudly at that.

Mr. Dodds guessed that any other woman courting a teen like Felix, who acted like that, would be ashamed of him. Isabelle looked unbothered, though a little smile graced her lips for a second. But he was not there to analyze another person's love life; he was there to make business.

"Always a pleasure to see you." Mr. Dodds politely said, gesturing at the two to take a seat. As soon as Isabelle and Felix got comfortable in the chairs, he went directly to the point. "May I see what you brought?"

Felix, without being told, pulled up the colorful straw box he had placed on the floor and opened it. He had spent the last three days making that box with the help of Lucas, who knew how to make straw baskets. In fact, all the baskets the brothers had were made by the second brother.

The teen thought carrying the embroidered wares Isabelle made in a basket the brothers used to put animals, dead or alive, or the laundry or even the plants for the flowerbed was not acceptable. And the box with the thread and needles was too small. She had suggested a bag, but she also affirmed that they clothe could get wrinkled.

So, he had the idea to make a box specially for all her orders.

It was a bit smaller than the ones made to carry things, but the weaving was tighter. That was to make it water and dirt resistant. Most importantly, although it was a box, it could be carried on the back, like any other basket.

As soon as Isabelle became aware of the idea of such box, she loved it and even asked Felix to use strips of fabric to adorn it. So, the box was not only the usual color of straw, there were lines of colorful fabric here and there.

Looking at the box, Jean's eyes sparkled in wonder. It was such a simple and lovely thing!

Isabelle stood and pulled out the contents of the box. A cream-colored piece of fabric unfurled as it came out. Jean gaped at the result of the design she came up with. She never thought it could be made in that way. It looked even better!

"Jean's design was perfect to make some cutwork around it. I also added tassels in each corner. And, of course, the golden thread makes it even more elegant. I think you know where to use these." Isabelle pointedly looked at Mr. Dodds while extending the tablecloth with Felix's help.

Among the private rooms on the second floor, there was white one with a bamboo forest painted on the walls in grey and soft green. It was definitely painted with ink. The furniture design was the simplest of all the private rooms, yet not less elegant. There were some potted White Nun Orchids placed in strategic corners and removable slide doors that let in plenty of light and air.

There were even wind chimes.

Since the room was on the opposite of the one that provided a panoramic view of mountains, this one had a balcony from which one could see the bustling town.

Mr. Dodds quickly caught Isabelle's meaning. He was not planning to use that room for the luncheon with the group of important people, obviously settling on the one with the panoramic view as it was his best room. However, he accepted that if he wanted to use those tablecloths, then the other room was the best option. They were a novelty and something that would garner attention.

The only problem with the other room was that the sight of the town; it was not attractive at all. He did comment that to Isabelle.

"Do not make it a luncheon then." She waved.

"They want a lunch meal." Mr. Dodds stated.

"Are they staying only for one day?" Isabelle queried.

He paused. "I'm not sure. They are guests from the school's principal."

Scholars… Picky scholars most likely, Isabelle thought. They would not like for the appointed meal to be changed. However… "Just say that special guests need a very special room and that you have prepared something for them." Scholars also liked it when their egos were stroke, and to always be given the best.

"What have I prepared for them?" Mr. Dodds leaned on the table, looking intently at Isabelle. She surely had an idea. If she wanted to sell her tablecloths, then she had to share that too.

Isabelle was aware of his thoughts so, she gestured at Felix to fold the tablecloth and put it back into the box, then she got comfortable on her seat and smiled. "The sun sets on the west." She began. "And, I heard that the lights in town at night are charming in its own way." At least, that is what Ethan once told her.

The white private room was on the west side of the restaurant. And, although the scholars must have seen better sights in cities or other busier towns, it was better than to see plain mountains. Scholars liked mountains on paintings, not in real life. Otherwise, they would be living surrounded by trees and rivers, not brushing elbows with each other in expensive restaurants.

Mr. Dodds pondered the suggestion. He could attest that Basin Town at night was charismatic with its colorful lights, tantalizing smells and even spectacular artistic displays, yet he was not completely convinced. To weigh the pros and cons, he could run a test. He could compare the two sights from the two rooms depending on the time of the meal and reach a conclusion based on that.

He was even thinking of inviting the Principal to present the options. There was still time for the event after all.

And even if he did not use the tablecloths for the meal with the scholars, he could use them at any other event. Jean's ideas… how could he not hoard them?

Without another word, Mr. Dodds opened a drawer in his desk and took out a seemingly prepared amount of money and slid it towards Isabelle. "I'll get them." He grinned. Isabelle did not take the bills and just stared at Mr. Dodds. She had not mention any price for her work. "It's a fair amount. This is Jean's work we're talking about." He rose an eyebrow at her expression.

Only then Isabelle reached for money and put it in her own purse. She set the price for the tablecloths at 12 coins, otherwise she would have charged 15 coins for them. After all, she spent four days working nonstop on them, even using another stitching technique and the tassels she added at the last minute.

Overall, the work was worth 20 coins, however, Isabelle took into account that the work was for Jean, who readily told her to keep the thread as she had no use for it, and thought that 12 coins was fair for a friend. But there Mr. Dodds was, paying the full amount, 20 coins, 2 bills.

"I hope we can continue doing business in the future." She returned, making his smile falter. "Well, then, we have to go. We need to run some errands. Take good care both of you." She bid her farewells after taking out the other tablecloth and putting it on the chair together with the other one.

"Bye, Isabelle!" Jean joyfully waved them goodbye while Mr. Dodds nodded.

The moment the door closed, Jean jumped to her feet and picked one of the tablecloths to inspect it.

"What is it?" Mr. Dodds asked, perplexed by his Wife's reaction.

Jean did not respond for a while and just kept brushing and staring at Isabelle's handicraft. Then, she sighed and carefully folded the tablecloth she manhandled. "I haven't a clue how she made this. I've never seen this technique." Mr. Dodds rose an eyebrow at her words. His Wife was no embroidery expert but her knowledge was quite extensive. For her to not know…

Luckily, he listened to Jean and paid what she considered was a fair price.

On Felix and Isabelle's side, as the two made their way out, they waved at Ethan who was cleaning the tables on the ground floor, and then headed to their next stop: Mrs. Attile's shop.

Isabelle had wanted to start making her own dress, but the fact that she was missing the fabric for the brothers' suits nagged at her, so that was the what she was going to get in that visit to the shop.

She carried 40 coins from her own money for that purchase, already aware of the prices of the fabric she was buying. Twelve yards of black, four yards of white and five yards of red Worsted Wool. In total, she was going to spend 31 coins and 5 dimes. Together with the money she had spent for the fabric of her dress, more than 50 coins were going to be spent only to dress up for the wedding.

Marrying is such a ruinous business for the bride and groom; grooms in this case. She thought that as she counted her saved money before the trip, somehow having more than 100 coins.

She had made plenty of money with the handbags, plus the dress for the Commissioner's daughter and the money given by the brothers.

However, there had been many expenses, too; starting with buying vegetables as the patch was previously destroyed, then, they had to resupply the medicine box (with even more medicine than it had before), and many other small expenses. Though, certainly, the fact they had to buy vegetables was what gouged their savings the most.

They could not wait until they were able to plant and harvest their own food once again!

Either way, to better manage the money in the house, Isabelle wanted to write down each income and expense they had from then on. For that, she needed to buy paper and pencil. Glancing at the teen walking beside her, Isabelle decided that if the paper and pencil were not that expensive, then she would buy another set for him, too

But, first, the fabric.

Mrs. Attile carefully wrote down the type of fabric and amount there was in the store. With how slow the business was, she could not acquire more fabric from her cousin; where would she put new bolts of fabric? Looking around at the cluttered shop, she sighed. Having a variety of goods was good for the business, however, the sheer number of bolts in the shop, no matter how organized, made her clients uncomfortable.

"It's kind of stuffy in here."

"The sun outside's cooler than this shop."

"There are many good things, sadly it's too small."

"No matter the good price, I'm not coming back. It's too hot."

 "I can barely walk in here."

Those and many more comments were made by the people that stopped by. Although all of them bought fabric, it was clear that they would never return. Mrs. Attile understood the sentiment, she could also feel the tightness in the place; however, she also thought that true clients would overlook that aspect of the shop and focus on what mattered.

Price and variety.

She only had to be patient and wait for that type of client to start patronizing her relatively new shop.

The door softly opened and in came the type of client she envisioned, aside from the client being the young woman she coveted. Her skills, she coveted her skills!

Mrs. Attile attentively listened how she asked for Worsted Wool, an excellent choice to sew more formal wear but still within reach of a budgeted family. Though, she was puzzled as to why Isabelle needed so much fabric. If it was only for one person, then…

Her thoughts were interrupted when the heavy stack of fabric was put on the counter by Ginna, who heaved a loud exhale after carrying such a heavy load.

"21 yards, Mrs. Attile." Ginna confirmed the order.

Mrs. Attile nodded and quickly calculated the price. "31 coins and 5 dimes." Isabelle took out a quite lovely purse (why does this young woman always pulls out eye-catching things?!, Mrs. Attile inwardly exclaimed) and started counting the money in it until she placed 32 coins on the counter.

The older woman quickly counted the coins and immediately returned 5 dimes as change. Only when the purchase was done did Isabelle address Mrs. Attile. "So, wedding dress or guest dress?" She inquired.

The shop owner paused for a moment, pleasantly surprised at the younger woman's proactivity. "Wedding dress." She blurted out, then, composed herself and continued at a more sedate pace. "The ceremony will take place at the end of the year." That way, if Isabelle took up the order, then she could be given time to think of a design and sew it.

As Isabelle hummed in consideration, Ginna pointedly coughed; not one bit ashamed to let them know she was eavesdropping on the conversation with what she was about to say. "You've been away for a few days, Mrs. Attile, so you mightn't know that the girl's Mother-in-law is gonna make the dress." She would have loved for Isabelle to take the brunt of a badly planned gift, however, since the matter also involved her Boss, then she could not remain quite.

Oh.

Both Mrs. Attile and Isabelle deflated at the news.

It would be quite disastrous if the girl was given another dress. It would imply that the dress from the Mother-in-law was awful. They could not go down that path. "Do you still want to make it? Even if it is not for the Commissioner's daughter?" Isabelled asked the older woman.

"Not for the Commissioner's daughter…" Mrs Attile mumbled, suddenly reminded of some gossip her cousin shared with her the last time she visited her. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should share the news; after all, it was different to make a dress for a town girl than a city girl… Ah, well, they could only try! "My cousin's sister-in-law is marrying in three months. Everything has already been arranged except for the dress. Apparently, she wants the most perfect one." She recounted.

"And you think I can make the most perfect dress." Isabelle deadpanned.

Mrs. Attile waved her hand unconcerned. "The woman has planned to call for several seamstresses to make her a dress and actually organize a 'showroom'. What she wants is to brag that many seamstresses want to curry favor with her by sewing her a dress." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, with so many attendees, more than one could be interested in your dress." She smirked.

Even if the dress would not be picked by her cousin's bratty sister-in-law, someone else might buy it.

It was a win-win situation!

"What happens if it is still not sold?" Isabelle returned. She would not work on a piece that would just gather dust in a corner.

"Ah, here is the good part. My cousin saw an opportunity in her sister-in-law's idea. If the showroom is a complete success," and she was sure her cousin would make it succeed, "then, she is more than willing to open up a shop or a store that would exclusively sell wedding garments." Mrs. Attile smugly unveiled, proud of her cousin's idea. "Don't worry. I am sure you will make a dress that can be sold." She encouraged the younger woman, who still seemed uncertain.

Isabelle had to admit that the idea was very ambitious. It certainly would not succeed in a town such as Basin Town, yet cities were different. Her own ambition roared at her to be part of such a venture, so she nodded. "Alright. There is time for the event. I can sketch several designs, so next time I come, you can see them and choose one. Only then I can start making the dress." She proposed.

"Sounds good. It's a deal, then." Mrs. Attile easily extended her hand.

"Deal." Isabelle shook the offered hand.

Contracts or any type of documentation could wait after their first collaboration. If everything went well, the two would definitely contribute to something unheard of in Basin Town and Silver City.