Desirable Beast

CHAPTER ONE

GRETEL knew poverty since she was a child. She lived in a small cottage in a humble village and her older brother, Hansel, and their mother. Despite that, she grew up to be happy and grateful because she had a complete family.

But five years ago, their father died while he was working in a merchant ship. They met a storm, and not even a single soul came back alive to the shore. Their mother had to work harder so she could provide for the two of them. From a plain housewife, their mother began selling fruits and vegetables in the market. While her brother Hansel helped her, Gretel would be in-charge of their house and garden and assisted in their stall when she had more time.

Their stall never ran out of customers, especially young men, whenever Gretel was around. She was beautiful with her sun-kissed skin, long, brown hair, and slender body.

Men would bring her fresh flowers and other gifts, hoping she would give them a chance. But Gretel knew her priorities, and it was her family. She could not marry yet. After all, she was just nineteen years old.

Gretel wanted to marry the man of her dreams. And she knew she must wait and take her time. He'll come along; she was sure of that.

"Here. Take all of them. Don't let me see them again."

Gretel laughed as she took the pile of books from her friend.

She was waiting for her under a huge oak tree. It was on the other side of the road, in front of their houses. They would usually hang out in the afternoon.

"Books are one of the most wonderful things in the world, Dory." She wiped the little dust from the book.

"Unfortunately, I sit in front of the sewing machine for a whole day every day, so I don't get much time to read. Books are just adding to the clutter in our house, " Dory said with a frown.

Dory's family owned the biggest dress shop in town. Sometimes, Gretel would work part-time for a few bills, which was a big help.

"If you got more clutters in your house, you know what to do, okay?"

"Of course. You're just one call away."

The two of them laughed. Dory finally sat beside her.

Gretel glanced at the huge mansion on top of the hill. It was a beautiful view from there. It was built a couple of months ago by a wealthy merchant from another town.

She would hear stories about the man. How he dressed nicely and how intimidating he looked. Some would say he was good-looking, but he did not look friendly at all. Gretel wished she would see him just to satisfy her curiosity. She wanted to see for herself what kind of a man he really was.

"What are you thinking?" Dory asked.

"Will I ever get to live in a beautiful house like that?" she said and sighed.

"If you can marry the terrible person who lives in there."

Gretel glanced at Dory with a frown.

"Do you really think he's a terrible person?"