Somebody's Someone - Chapter Four

It's a beautiful, cool fall evening, and a soft breeze stirs the amber leaves across the brick-paved walkways of Willow Cove Commons, a cozy yet vibrant shopping center where neighbors gather to admire window displays and laughter echoes from café patios. Lanterns strung between the storefronts cast a warm glow on the boutique's expansive glass front, compelling passersby to pause, engage, and step inside for a final look at the day's finds.

Inside the boutique, the atmosphere is inviting, warmed by soft track lighting and the captivating sound of jazz music drifting through well-placed speakers. Clothing racks stand as steadfast guardians, showcasing pastel cardigans, silk blouses, and linen trousers, each tagged with care. At a mahogany folding table, Yennia confidently refolds a stack of recently tried-on dresses, smoothing out creases as she checks the wall clock—7:10 PM. She knows she has just twenty minutes left before closing at 7:30.

Behind a frosted glass door marked "Office," the shop's owner is hard at work, engrossed in a small stack of end-of-day paperwork. The rustling of receipts and the clicking of a calculator punctuate the tranquility, the only sounds beyond the soothing music. She remains poised in her swivel chair, meticulously balancing the day’s sales against inventory needs, and making decisive mental notes for tomorrow’s deliveries.

Outside the office, Yennia moves purposefully from display to display, straightening off-kilter hangers, adjusting shoes on low shelves, and sweeping away a few fallen leaves that have blown in from the crisp autumn wind. The boutique’s door chime has been quiet for the last thirty minutes, and the once-bustling foot traffic of Willow Cove Commons has settled into a mellow calm. Soon, she will clock out and step into that perfect fall evening, but for now, she remains focused on her tasks, anticipating the arrival of one last customer.

A soft tinkle from the antique Express Bell above the door breaks the evening hush in the boutique. Yennia looks up from a neatly folded stack of cashmere-trimmed scarves and greets the newcomer with a bright smile. "Good evening and welcome! How can I assist you in finding something special tonight?"

A tall, dark-skinned woman with a fit, graceful frame and long braids cascading over her shoulders stands confidently in the entryway. "Yes, I'm shopping for a gift. My sister's birthday is coming up."

"Perfect timing," Yennia replies, stepping around a display of cable-knit ponchos. "We’ve just stocked some stunning fall pieces. Our wool-blend cardigans are ideal for this weather, and those brown heels you're wearing would be fantastic with our new embroidered denim if you're also considering something for yourself."

They stroll past a rack of earth-toned sweaters, engaging in a lively conversation about seasonal styles and layering trends. The woman is dressed in a sleek, open-front vest adorned with detailed embroidery layered over a fitted, long-sleeve top and dark jeans that complement her figure beautifully—strong, feminine, and effortlessly stylish.

"That vest and those heels make a great fall statement," Yennia asserts, genuine admiration in her voice. "You have incredible taste! I appreciate pieces that exude boldness and expressiveness, and your outfit certainly delivers."

The woman smiles brightly, her expression warm and appreciative. "Thank you. I gravitate toward things that feel grounded yet elegant."

Yennia admires the smooth, intricate pattern of the woman's braids. "And your hair… absolutely stunning," she states with conviction, watching as the woman brushes it gently over her shoulder. "Braids carry so much personality."

The woman chuckles. "My stylist—who happens to be my sister—knows how to keep me looking sharp."

At that moment, Yennia's gaze fixes on the crystal pendant resting against the woman’s chest. It’s striking—delicate yet commanding. She leans in slightly, her heart racing with excitement. "That necklace is absolutely stunning! Where did you get it?"

The woman lifts the pendant into the lantern light. Deep violet shimmers from a polished amethyst set in an intricate gold frame lined with tiny silver inlays that glint like scattered stars. "My amazing boyfriend gave it to me," she replies confidently. "He had it custom-made in my family's dialect. It's called Alyā—it means 'sky,' and he said it symbolizes love and protection."

"Wow," Yennia whispered, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the stunning pendant. "'Sky'—that's such a beautiful name. I’ve always had a fondness for amethysts; their deep violet hues captivate me. Crystals like that hold so much meaning and energy. They’re more than just adornments or jewelry."

"They truly are," the woman affirmed with a warm smile. "This piece was crafted by an artisan from my home country. He specializes in natural gemstones, particularly those sourced from the unique landscapes of his region where they are mined."

"If you don’t mind me asking," Yennia said, a hint of eagerness in her voice, "I would love to find something similar. Do you think he sells his pieces online, or does he focus solely on custom creations?"

"I’m not entirely sure," the woman replied thoughtfully. "But when I get back to my car, I can ask my partner to look it up. If he does, I’d be happy to either email you the link, send it through text, or even reach out on social media—whichever you prefer."

"Really? That would be amazing!" Yennia exclaimed, her excitement infectious. She reached into her apron pocket, pulled out her phone, and navigated to her social media profile, presenting it to the woman with a bright smile. "Here, feel free to send me a request, and I’ll accept it right away."

The woman tapped on the screen, her fingers moving gracefully. "Done! I’ll let you know as soon as I get back to the car."

From the cozy back office, the sound of her boss's laughter floated through the boutique, merging with the rhythmic tapping of a calculator and the gentle rustling of paper.

At the register, Yennia efficiently rang up a chunky knit sweater in a rich terracotta shade and a pair of soft, taupe suede boots, slipping them into a sturdy craft-paper bag with an innate elegance. As she watched the woman gather her purchases, a soft, wistful chuckle escaped her lips. "I wish someone would surprise me with something like this. It would remind me that I’m loved and cared for."

The woman paused, her gaze gentle yet unwavering, shining with a touch of empathy. "You will be somebody’s someone someday."

Those words hung between them, fragile yet profoundly honest, enveloped in the warm glow of lantern light and the serene quiet of the closing hour. Just as the woman began to turn away, the office door creaked open softly. Jamila, the vibrant boutique owner, stepped out with a radiant smile, her flowing burnt-orange blouse fluttering slightly and her patterned headwrap complementing her joyful demeanor as the jangling of her keys filled the air. "All wrapped up for the night," she announced cheerfully. "Yen, are you ready to head out?"

Yennia nodded gently, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere, intertwined with thoughts of the shimmering amethyst and the tender promise behind the woman’s words. "You’ll be somebody’s someone," she mused quietly, hoping that day might arrive sooner than her heart dared to imagine.

As Jamila rounded the counter, her gaze fell upon the woman lingering near the register. Her breath caught momentarily in surprise before blossoming into an overjoyed smile.

"Zahra? Is that really you, girl?" she gasped, her voice filled with delight.

Zahra beamed and opened her arms wide in greeting. "Hey, Jamila!" she exclaimed, embracing her friend tightly. "I came to pick up a gift for my sister's birthday, and I just knew that 'your spot' would have the perfect item. But when I arrived and didn’t see your car, I thought maybe you weren’t working today. Still, I just had to come in and shop."

Jamila laughed heartily, her hand resting affectionately on Zahra’s shoulder. "You know you could have called! I would have cleared out the whole back office and set up a nice tea for us. My car didn’t start this morning; the starter is acting up again, so I had to take an Uber to get here."

"Well, it looks like the universe conspired in our favor," Zahra said with a warm smile. "The store looks absolutely beautiful, Jamila. Your love and effort truly show in every corner. You should consider opening a shop in Charlotte, so I won’t have to keep traveling back to Virginia Beach just to sneak up on you."

Jamila smirked as she gestured toward the register, her pride blending with a warmth that radiated from her. "And this right here is my rock. Meet Yennia. She’s been essential in keeping the boutique thriving since she started."

Yennia looked up confidently, a smile on her face. "So, you’re the best friend who’s going to Vancouver with Jamila this weekend?"

"That’s me!" Zahra declared with enthusiasm. "And it’s great to finally 'officially' meet you," she said, reaching out to firmly grasp both of Yennia's hands. "I've really enjoyed our conversations tonight. You have that calm, grounded energy that Jamila talks about."

"Thank you," Yennia responded, her voice lit with positivity. "I appreciate your warmth. This has been a wonderful way to end the day."

Jamila turned back with mock exasperation. "Why didn’t you text me, huh?"

Zahra chuckled, tucking one of her braids behind her ear with confidence. "I wanted to surprise you! But when I didn’t see your car in the parking lot, I figured you were off somewhere. I still needed to shop, though. Bae suggested we head here a couple of days early, get a hotel, and enjoy the city before our trip. So here I am… surprise!"

"You’re lucky I’m easy to surprise," Jamila teased with a grin. "But now that I've seen you, I need a ride."

"That’s already taken care of," Zahra said with a confident smile. "Bae’s waiting outside for me. He’ll happily drop you off, assuming he’s not annoyed at me for being in here too long," she added, laughing.

Jamila let out a relieved gasp. "You just saved me another Uber fare! Bless him! He doesn’t even know I’m hitching a ride yet."

Meanwhile, Yennia folded the last receipt, organized the register, and tucked her apron into the drawer with purpose. She knelt slightly to grab her purse and jacket from under the counter, her heart still buzzing with the evening’s energy.

"You can clock out now," Jamila said, her tone warm but firm. "You did a fantastic job today. I appreciate you and everything you bring to the team."

"Thanks so much," Yennia replied, stealing one last glance at Zahra before heading toward the door with determination.

"I'm grabbing my things now," Jamila called after her. "We’ll be right behind you."

With one hand tucked beneath her jacket collar, Yennia stepped into the cool fall evening. The amber glow of the storefront lanterns lit up the dark, and the air was crisp and inviting. Yet something in her chest hummed loudly with possibility.

"You’ll be somebody’s someone, someday."

The words resonated within her, powerful and clear — an affirmation she couldn’t ignore. She hadn’t seen the man waiting outside yet, but when she did, the night would unfold something she never anticipated.

🖊️ *Author's Note:*

I deeply appreciate you taking the time to read Chapter 4 of this multi-chapter series.

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Thank you again for being part of the journey.

This story and its entirety was written by me. AI was used solely as a tool for ideation and refinement.

🎨 *Visual Companion:*

Want to see the characters behind the words? Explore the portraits of Zahra, Jamila and Zak, and the evolving energy of the story through art:

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/izivne/

https://linktr.ee/Neshzivne.db?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaexkFRY20k_54EXStRAkI0Gv0drO8bNqmTJ2TRo_d-RJIlfAX97UTytrBh-yw_aem_fZZylizwYkiP1MIsNW_qDA

https://www.pinterest.com/ndadirri

The artwork accompanying this story was generated using AI and thoughtfully edited by me to reflect the tone and spirit of the narrative.

Chapter 5 coming soon....