Chapter 4

“I was going to sell those things, but they broke it all,” I explain to Mindy.

We’re here now at my cousin’s house, she’s Mindy Cruz, 26 years old.

Elizabeth is already sleeping now. I told her to sleep because it was late at night and I know she was tired from the trip.

The buyer arrived early, and she gave only a small amount of money because of the damages. I can’t decline because I need money to go here. I need to buy food for my daughter.

I’m going to look for a job so I can support my daughter. I gotta enroll her in her new school tomorrow.

I was able to graduate from high school and college without my parents. I work, doing my responsibility as a mother and a wife at the same time. I’ve been through a lot before, but I didn’t give up.

I’m the type of woman who doesn’t give up easily. They say everything happens for a reason.

The world will not be destroyed yet so, I’ll not give up. I shouldn’t just give up, especially for my Elizabeth. I can handle it. I can do this.

“So, when are you going to look for a place to stay, Elyse?”

“I don’t know, Mindy, can we just stay here? I’ll just help you with your house bills and chores. You’re the last person I can ask for help.”

“Of course, you two can live here. Why not? I’m all alone in here. Of all cousins, you’re my favorite Elyse. Have you forgotten that you’re the one who helps me continue my study, you even help me build this house. Now, it’s time for me to repay your kindness.”

“Are you saying that we can live here for the main time?”

“You can live here forever if you want to.” She laughed after saying that.

“Thank you very much.” I hugged her tightly. “I... I honestly don’t have anyone else to ask for help.” I wiped my tears.

“Shhh... don’t cry Elyse, your daughter might hear you.” I tried myself to come down.

“By the way, when do you plan to find a job?” She asked, and I shrugged.

“Is there still a vacant at the restaurant where you work? Even just being a janitor, it’s okay for me.”

“Oh, sorry Elyse...”

“Uhm, it’s okay. I’ll just take care of it, I’ll try to find some online jobs, or maybe they’re posting some jobs on Facebook, that is just near here.”

_

We went to bed, and the next day I take care of Elizabeth first. I took her to her new school, then after that, I started looking for a job online.

I’m just here, sitting on the bench while scrolling on my phone. I hold my phone tightly; I have to be careful! My phone may get stolen.

“Hiring assistant-- “I didn’t finish reading that because someone suddenly grabbed my phone. My eyes widened because of that. I quickly chased the man who took my phone. He’s wearing a black t-shirt and pants.

Even though I didn’t see his face clearly, I know he’s handsome, just sad because he’s a thief.

I took off my shoes on my left foot and continued running.

“Hey! Give me back my phone!!” I shouted at the man. He looked at me but still running.

“Damn! I hope you’ll get hit.” I closed one eye and threw my shoes at him hard. It hit his head and he suddenly fell.

I quickly went to him and took my phone. I punched him back and pulled his hair.

“Damn you!! Did you think that I couldn’t catch you!! Don’t you know that I entered sports in high school, I won the gold medal when there’s an event in our school!”

He suddenly pushed me so I sat on the ground. He quickly ran away from me. When I look at my phone, it has a crack and doesn’t want to open it anymore.

Seriously?

Good news, I got my phone back. The bad news is that it’s broken.

How unlucky I am! I hope I’ll get lucky and finally found a job tomorrow.

I was walking today, and I stop when I saw a familiar restaurant.

“Wait, from what I remember, Mindy is working here as a waitress,” I murmur.

“Get out! Leave and don’t ever come back here, you thief!!” I was surprised to see Mindy being pushed by a woman out of that restaurant.

“Ma’am Fiona, I’m not stealing anything, I didn’t steal anything from her, I’m telling the truth!” Mindy even knelt at that woman, begging.

I saw another woman behind Fiona, she was smiling and staring at Mindy. It looks like she’s happy seeing Mindy like that!

What’s going on, by the way?!

I quickly walk toward them and pulled Mindy’s hand to help her stand up.

“Why are you kneeling to that woman Mindy?! She’s not a god, so why are you kneeling in front of her!” I glared at them. That woman in the white dress looked at me sharply.

“She’s my boss, Elyse, and I can’t lose this job just because of this misunderstanding. Just let me do this, please.” I saw her eyes, it was like she was begging me.

Seeing her like this breaks my heart!

“Just shut up and let me handle this! She’s just a boss, not a god, Mindy! Your Mom didn’t give birth to you to kneel to anyone!”

I have never treated my employees like this. Not even one of them has ever knelt before me. I have never made an employee cry and accused something that they never did.

“Who are you to interfere huh?!” she asked, raising her eyebrows at me.

“I’m her cousin!”

“Oh, you’re just a cousin, but then you act like her Mom.” Her boss fakes a laugh.

“Did you know that your cousin stole my money?!”

“She stole your money?” I asked.

“Elyse, what she’s saying isn’t true. I didn’t steal anything. I don’t even know why her money is inside my bag!” she says by way of explanation.

“You don’t have to explain to me Mindy, I know you very well. I know you can’t do that.” I hold her hand and put her behind me.

“Do you have any evidence that she stole your money?”

“Evidence? It was already seen in her bag! Isn’t that evidence for you?!!” Irritation filled her face.

“Well, I guess this restaurant has CCTV’s. Why don’t you look at it first, before accusing someone? I’ll only believe it when I see it on CCTV.”

“N-No! Why would we need to look at CCTV! It’s already in her bag, it’s my money, so I know she stole it!” I smirked.

“Why? Are you scared? Oh, maybe you put your own money in Mindy’s bag... you’re not that crazy to do that right?”

“W-Why would I do that?! I’m not s-stupid to do that thing!” I can see the guilt in her eyes.

“Oh, you just called yourself stupid by now.”

“What the f**k are you saying! You know what Mindy, you didn’t tell me that you have a crazy cousin! Did she just come out from the mental hospital?!”

“Are you done talking now?” I raise my eyebrow.

“Let’s just go Mindy, leave on this restaurant. You still can find a better job and have a good boss who will not treat you like this!”

I took Mindy’s bag, and I saw some money. This is probably the money she was saying.

“Oh, is this the money?!” I took it out of the bag and threw it at the woman’s face. “Go on, get your money now! By the way, stop wearing that bag. I know it’s fake, just like your nose.”

I pulled Mindy away from that place. We stop walking and we sit when we saw a bench.

“E-Elyse... I don’t know if I should be angry at you or I should thank you. I know you’re just concerned that’s why you did that but... I don’t have a j-job anymore, what should I do now.” I heard her sob.

People are looking at us, but I just didn’t mind them.

“Do you know the woman next to your boss? It looks like she’s mad at you.”

“S-She’s my ex-boyfriend’s girlfriend.”

My mouth turned into O. “What?! You broke up with your boyfriend?”