Against her better judgment, she went back to the cave to check on him the next day and found that he was gone. There was no trace of him there as if he was not there at all. Except there was a missing blanket in their house.

Lia was not disappointed that he left. She shrugged and went back to gathering materials, hoping that, wherever he was, his wounds would hopefully heal.

She returned just as Tamara went out of the workroom. Her eyes were bright with accomplishment.

“Did you finish it?” Lia asked as she set her basket on the table. Tamara had been busy with the finishing touches of a new product she planned to sell next. Creating and supplying medicine to her friend’s shop was her way to earn money, but this was the first time she dabbled with cosmetics.

“Oh, yes!” Tamara went back inside the room and when she came out again, there was a small pot in her hand. She beckoned for Lia to come closer and applied the rouge on her daughter. She passed a mirror when she was finished. “What do you think?”

Lia studied her reflection. “It’s pretty. The color is just right, not too showy but not too light that it’s unnoticeable. It’s more of everyday use, though. The customers might want something that can be used in events?”

“That’s because I made sure that it would be useful for everyday use. This is originally for you only.” She laughed when Lia made a surprised expression. “It’s going to get cold soon, and you always have dry and chapped lips during this season. I just thought that maybe some other young ladies have the same problem. The color is really just for aesthetics.”

“I loved it! The customers will love it too. I’m sure.”

Tamara took Lia’s basket and placed it inside the workroom beside the cluster of pots. They all seemed to be ready for delivery. “I don’t know what Yolly will say about this when I deliver it.”

There was something strange with the way Tamara said her words that made Lia pause. “Is there… something wrong with the delivery?”

Tamara shook her head and sat down, all of her previous enthusiasm gone. Lia had an inkling to the cause of it.

“How about I do the delivery?” Lia proposed.

Her mother’s eyes grew wide, and she almost stood up before she stopped herself. “What? No.”

Lia shrugged as nonchalant as possible. “Why not? I’d like to try doing it.”

“Alone,” Tamara said with finality. “No. It’s dangerous.”

“And it’s not if it’s you?” Lia let that linger in the air before speaking again, “There’s always that risk that people might know you. With me, they don’t know my face so it’s okay. There’s a lot of people coming and going to town right? I won’t stand out.”

“But those men…”

“I don’t think they saw my face clearly. I won’t be caught.” Lia did not know if that was true, but she had to sound reassuring somehow. Tamara was rattled since the goons appeared, and she was frustrated that she did not know what to do about it.

“It’s been a while since you’ve been in town. Won’t you get lost?”

Lia tried to search the memories of the old Lia and found what she needed, though a bit blurry. “You’ve brought me there before. I think I still remember. Just sketch me a map to Yolly’s place and I’ll be set.”

Tamara still seemed unconvinced by the frown on her face as though still thinking of a way to discourage her daughter. Lia took her hand and placed it with both of her own. “I’ll be fine. I’ll come back in no time.”

With a shaky laugh, Tamara patted their joined hands with her free hand. “Is this what people call a rebellious phase?”