Richard immediately became suspicious.
"Wait."
Noah froze.
"Please don't open that."
Noah looked confused.
"Why?"
Richard stepped backward.
"Security."
Two guards approached.
Noah looked around.
"What happened?"
Richard pointed toward the bag.
"Don't touch it."
Noah slowly removed his hand.
"I wasn't doing anything."
The guards stood beside him.
One was a woman named Angela.
The other was Marcus.
Angela looked at Noah.
"Sir, please step away from the bag."
Noah obeyed.
"I just wanted to show him the watch."
Richard said,
"Did you steal it?"
Noah stared at him.
"What?"
"The watch."
"No."
"Then why are you carrying it?"
"Because it's mine."
Richard looked at the guards.
"Open the bag."
Noah immediately protested.
"No."
Richard's expression hardened.
"If you have nothing to hide, there shouldn't be a problem."
Noah looked at him.
"You accused me of stealing it."
"I asked a question."
"No."
Richard stepped closer.
"You are carrying an expensive-looking watch in a bag into a store."
"I told you it belonged to my father."
"That doesn't prove anything."
Noah's face became tense.
"I don't have to prove anything."
Richard looked toward Angela.
"Call the police."
Noah's eyes widened.
"Wait."
Angela hesitated.
Richard repeated,
"Call them."
Noah took a step backward.
"I didn't steal anything."
"Then you'll have nothing to worry about."
Noah looked around.
Other customers were watching.
A wealthy couple near the entrance had stopped shopping.
A businessman whispered to his assistant.
Melissa stood behind the counter.
No one came to help him.
No one asked whether he was telling the truth.
They had already decided.
Dirty clothes.
Old bag.
Expensive watch.
Suspicious.
Noah looked down.
He had seen this before.
Not in stores like this.
But in other places.
Restaurants.
Hotels.
Banks.
People often looked at him and decided what he was before he ever spoke.
But this time hurt more.
Because his father's watch was the only valuable thing he had left.
He reached slowly into the bag.
Angela raised her hand.
"Don't."
Noah stopped.
"I just want to show you."
Richard said,
"Open it."
Noah slowly opened the bag.
Inside were several pieces of clothing.
An old notebook.
A pair of work gloves.
A small metal box.
And a black velvet case.
Richard's eyes immediately went to the case.
"What's that?"
"The watch."
"Take it out."
Noah removed the velvet case.
He opened it.
Inside was an old silver watch.
It looked worn.
The metal had scratches.
The leather strap was cracked.
But the face was beautiful.
There was a small symbol engraved beneath the twelve.
Richard leaned closer.
His expression changed.
He knew that symbol.
He had seen it before.
But he couldn't remember where.
Angela looked at the watch.
"Sir, is this yours?"
Noah nodded.