A sense of hope tugged at my heart. The idea of creating something meaningful in this space was tempting, the vision of the gallery already forming in my mind. But then, the reality hit me.
Settling down here would mean leaving behind the life I had known—the fast-paced energy of Cresden, the familiarity of city streets, and even the lingering memories of Sebastian. My parents were expecting me to return home soon. They thought this was just a brief holiday, a break before I started working for my father and set aside my dream of pursuing art. That was the plan. The pressures of my old life that I was supposed to return to.
My mind was torn in two—one part longing for the fresh start that Hallow’s End promised, and the other clinging to the comfort of my old life, despite knowing it no longer fit who I wanted to become.
“I’ll have to think about it,” my voice faltered, betraying the conflict within me.
“Take your time,” Harold said kindly. “I believe you’ll make the right decision.”
After leaving the gallery, Ivy suggested we grab lunch at a nearby café. We strolled to a lovely spot called The Sunflower Bistro, its wooden tables and a fireplace inviting us in. As we stepped inside, the scent of freshly baked bread and simmering soups wrapped around us. Sunflowers in vases brightened each table, adding a cheerful touch to the atmosphere.
A waitress behind the counter spotted Ivy and waved enthusiastically. “Hey, Ivy! Thanks again for that special tea blend you made for me. It worked wonders! Can you whip up some more when you have the time?” she called out loudly, drawing a few amused glances from other customers. She didn’t seem fazed by the attention, grinning widely as she made her way over to the table where we had just sat down.
Ivy’s face lit up. “Of course, Em! I’m glad it helped. I’ll bring you a fresh batch tomorrow. The moon’s energy is perfect for brewing something extra special tonight.”
The waitress grinned and shook her head, clearly accustomed to Ivy’s strange ways. “Thanks, Ivy. You’re a lifesaver. And this must be Vinnie?”
Ivy turned to me with a friendly smile. “You got it. Vinnie’s new in town, and might just be our next favorite artist.”
The waitress extended a hand to me, her smile genuine. “Nice to finally meet you, Vinnie. I’m Emily. Welcome to The Sunflower Bistro!”
I shook her hand, awkwardly. “Thanks, Emily. It’s nice to meet you, too.”
We settled at our table, the soft gingham tablecloth smooth under my fingertips. After we glanced over the menu, Emily took our orders, and Ivy turned her attention back to me, her gaze brimming with curiosity.
“So, what brought you to Hallow’s End?”
Spending the day with Ivy had been refreshing. There was a genuine sense of friendship forming between us, something I hadn’t felt in a longtime. Her kindness and easy-going nature made me feel like I could trust her and, despite the weight of my past, I felt the urge to open up to her.
“It’s a long story,” I began, gazing out the window at the colorful town square. A woman was trying to walk a golden retriever puppy, who seemed more interested in exploring everything around them. The puppy bounced around excitedly, tugging at the leash and nearly toppling over a small display of pumpkins. The owner struggled to keep up, laughing as she tried to gently steer the puppy away from further chaos.
The brief amusement from the scene outside faded as I turned back to Ivy. “I grew up in Cresden,” I began, my tone serious. “My parents are both highly successful—my father runs a large corporation that acquires and restructures smaller firms, and my mother thrives in high society. She’s always pushing me tomarry well,” I added, the words dripping with disdain. That was the last thing I wanted.
“My father expected me to take over the family business, Carlisle Enterprises, seeing it as my destiny, while my mother envisioned me navigating elite social circles. To them, art was a frivolous hobby with no money in it. It’s ironic, considering our home was filled with expensive artworks that they didn’t understand—they were just there to showcase their wealth.”
Ivy’s eyes widened as she recognized the name. “I’ve heard of Carlisle Enterprises. There was news recently about a successful takeover of some small businesses in a town not far from here—Brookside, I think. People around here have been talking, wondering if the same thing could happen in Hallow’s End.”
I winced at Ivy’s mention of the takeover. “Yeah, that was all my father’s doing,” I admitted. “The idea is toimprovesmaller businesses. Streamline their operations, cut costs, and then either integrate them into larger corporate structures, or sell them off at a profit. It’s all about maximizing efficiency and profit margins.
For small towns like Brookside, it can be a tough decision. Sometimes, these businesses are struggling to stay afloat, and a takeover can mean an influx of capital and resources that keeps them open. Plus, having a well-known corporate brand attach its name can attract more customers and tourism, making the shops more appealing. But, it often comes at the cost of losing the local flavor, and unique character, that made those businesses special in the first place.”
Ivy raised an eyebrow playfully, though there was a subtle undertone of concern in her voice. “You seem to know a lot about how it all works. You’re not here to scout and plan a takeover of our little town, are you?” she joked, but I could sense she was gauging my reaction.
I let out an uncomfortable chuckle. “No, definitely not,” I assured her. “It’s just that my father made me work for him and learn the ropes during my summer breaks in college. It was part of the deal he set if I wanted to pursue an art degree, which had nothing to do with the future he envisioned for me.” I paused, reflecting on how complicated my feelings were. “I realize now, how lucky I was that he even funded my education. It was partly because I convinced him that I’d eventually join the business, even though I never really wanted to. I guess I’ve always felt torn between following my passion, and meeting my family’s expectations.”
Ivy nodded, her expression softening. “That sounds really complicated. It must be tough trying to balance what you want, with what your family expects. I can’t imagine the pressure you’re under.”
“It’s exhausting trying to keep everyone else happy, while still figuring out whatIreally want.” I sighed, the weight of it all sinking in. “I’ve been saving up from part-time jobs during college, and I’ve even squirreled away some of the allowance my parents give me. I opened a separate bank account they don’t know about, so they can’t keep track of it.”
Ivy raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. “Would your parents really do that? Monitor your spendings?”
“Yeah, they would. It’s not just about control—it’s more about the family wealth. They’ve always been careful about where the money goes, and are very protective of it. They wanted to make sure I wasn’t spending recklessly, or on things they didn’t approve of. Even now, they like to keep tabs on everything, just to make sure I’m staying on theright path, as they see it.”
Ivy looked thoughtful for a moment. “So, has all that made it hard for you to move out and do what you really want?”
I nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. “Pretty much. Even with the savings I’ve got, it’s not enough to really strike out on my own in Cresden. My parents have always been my safety net, and I guess I’ve been afraid to cut those ties completely. They’ve made it clear that, if I don’t follow the path they’ve laid out, the financial support stops. And honestly, I don’t have much experience in the real world outside of their influence. It’s scary to think about going it alone, especially when they’ve controlled so much of my life up until now.”
As the words spilled out, I suddenly realized how much I was sharing, and a wave of awkwardness hit me. I barely knew Ivy, and here I was, unloading my whole life story. I bit my lip, feeling a bit exposed. “I’m sorry,” I said, glancing away. “I didn’t mean to drop all of that on you. It’s probably too much to share with someone I just met.”
