Enrico

My heart beat fast and I couldn't move my feet. I was glued to my spot as I stared at him... he's so beautiful... like a beautiful creature that has fallen from above. "H... hi." I said, stuttering from my words.

I wonder what he is doing here, with his gorgeous look, he should be in photoshoots or recording videos. He can be a famous model or celebrity.

He looked at my eyes and I could not even decipher what his intense stares mean but then, he smiled which warmed the atmosphere. "What can I do for you, miss?" His voice was even so soft which is so nice to hear, it was like a song. Maybe he could be a singer too.

I bit my lip. "Ahm... I saw this flyer outside." I said and was about to show him the flyer but it was not in my hand and when I looked down, I realized it fell out of my hold. I bit my lip and looked back at him, "I... I wonder if you are still hiring for a wai-"

"You're hired." He said cutting me off.

What!? I was partly agape from what I heard. I am... immediately hired?

"S-sir?" I asked not sure of what I heard, maybe I mistakenly heard him. That would be impossible if he hired me immediately without even asking anything about me, or a bit of an interview.

He chuckled and I was stunned, amazed with his handsomeness, "I said you're hired." He said as he pointed my nose like we are very close friends and sat at the counter chair while watching me.

I was a bit embarrassed as I blushed from his actions towards me. I bit my lip not knowing what to do, I felt melting from his stares and so I looked down and played with my hands instead.

I have never seen him before and I keep wondering, how did the City have this Food house. Maybe, I am not a good observant since I was so busy with my own life, not minding the others.

I was speechless, not knowing what to say. Did I step on an Angel's territory?

"Would you like Ice cream?" After some time, he offered, which made me look at him. He stood up and walked towards the ice cream counter which was on the side.

"Ah, n-no, it's okay." I said but it seems like he didn't hear me as he filled the cup with chocolate ice-cream. Then he walked towards me. We were divided by the counter table as he put the cup on top, "Here, since you will be my employee, this one's for you. No need to pay, it is for free." He said and smiled.

His smile makes him more handsome than he is, "Hey! Are you okay?" He asked as he snapped his fingers in front of me.

I blinked my eyes. "I... I... Thank you, sir! Thank you so much!" I exclaimed as my tears were threatening to fall out of gladness. I have been walking all day... lurking around for work and now, I just got hired... I wanted to cry for joy.

"Why are you crying? Don't you like ice cream? I'm sorry, what flavor do you like? I thought you would like chocolate since girls do like that a lot." He said in worry as he smiled weakly.

My lips were quivering as I smiled, "No... I... I'm just so happy." I said with glistening eyes.

"Oh, is that so? You're welcome. You could start tonight. Come here at 6 pm and your job will end at 9pm." He said with a sense of calmness in his voice.

Heaven might have answered my prayers, even though it couldn't help me completely, at least I could pay the hospital bills and ask for more days. I just need extensions... for my father's life and him waking up is a dream I most wanted to ever come true.

"So... what is your name?" He suddenly asked, breaking the silence between us.

"I am Vern... Vern Felisia." I answered.

"What a nice name. By the way, I am Enrico or you can call me Rico." he said, extending his hand to me.

"Nice to meet you." I took his hand and was surprised to feel it... cold. But I ignored what I felt... it is just normal, right?

"Nice to meet you too." I said and immediately pulled out my hand.

He looked me straight in the eye and I don't know if I was hallucinating or not but there were changes on his eyes that I couldn't decipher. "You look tired, you can go home now and take some rest. You will be working later and it will surely tire you out." He said, smiling.

It seems like many will buy in his Food House. I think that would be for sure since by just looking at his appearance, many people will come to buy food from him. Looks on this day do sales big time.

"Thank you so much, sir." I said, smiling at him.

"Just Rico." He corrected me.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you Rico. Bye, see you later." I said, smiling widely at him.

The night job is for the Enrico Food House. I have to find a job for the day but where should I start? I could tire my whole body just to extend my father's life because he even sacrificed his own life for me.

I walked towards my apartment. I think I will really need rest for now but before that, I have to take a bath first, I felt sticky.

I have been lurking around all day long for a job and maybe, tomorrow I could start looking for another one. I have only 1 week, and I need to find money in just 1 week.

'I've been there, Vern. But I lost the battle... I lost my mom. So keep on fighting Vern. Don't be like me... don't give up.'

I sighed remembering what Sheina had said.

I have to keep on fighting as long as I can. I cannot just give up.

I got out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel when suddenly I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I walked back in the mirror to see myself completely.

My eyes fell right on my chest where a birth mark was shown... It was like a snowflake with a big ex that covers it, but the snowflake is still visible. I was so confused how my birth mark was curved so perfectly. But I shrugged the thoughts and went to my closet to find my clothes.

*****

I don't know what is running through my mind right now, I feel blank. The world might have been so harsh to me but there are still people who were given by God to help me.

Money truly affects people big time to the point that you are able to sacrifice everything for money. I sacrificed my happiness and my hard work just to earn money.

"Are you ready?" Rico said to the Five of us. He hired Five female employees at night for his restaurant and I am one of them.

"Ready!" We answered at once. I'm so glad that Rico is a nice man despite his handsome look. Because some others are handsome but hiding a devil heart.

Looking at Rico, he is just all girls' dream man. "Good! Now, come on girls, to your position."

He said as he changed the banner outside from close into open. I was so surprised at how people kept on entering the Food House. As if something was pulling them to come here, or is it because Rico cooked amazingly delicious food that could be smelled around the city? Nevertheless, we have so many customers and I need to work.

All I did was to serve every person who keeps on coming inside and taking the vacant tables. When I got here earlier, I saw a bunch of tables and chairs in and out of the Food House.

Now I know why even the outside place of this food house has chairs and tables, those were extensions. The outside was dark but it didn't stop the people from coming into this food house.

However, I was so confused... something is different... my guts are telling me that something is strange among these people. But I ignored the feeling since I could see nothing wrong.

In just an hour, the tables were full and only the outside was left vacant. "Vern." I heard Rico called.

He was looking intensely at me and so I walked towards him, "What's wrong sir?" I asked.