Chapter 5
“Y-Yeah, we broke up and I just recently knew that he’s been cheating. I mean when he courted me, that time he already has a girlfriend. And now his girlfriend found out, she’s thinking now that I am the one who flirts with her BF first!”
“His face is thick, just like Daren! And that woman is very dumb. You didn’t know anything, you’re not stupid to date with that bastard if you knew that he has a girlfriend!” I just clenched my fist.
“Stop crying! Just forget that bastard. You don’t need a guy like him!” I hugged and tap her shoulder.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you find a new job, we’ll figure this out. I still have money left so, let’s spend it buying food to eat for the main time. Shhh, stop crying now...”
After a minute she stops crying and now, we’re just talking some funny, it makes me happy seeing her laughing at my jokes.
“Elyse, I think you have to pick up your daughter now.”
“Oh, right! It’s already 4:01 pm, damn!” Mindy comes with me to pick up Elizabeth at school.
The three of us ate ice cream first before going home.
“Is your new school, okay, sweetie?”
“Yes! I love my new school more than the old one. My new classmates are kind, they are so friendly, Mom.” I can see it in her eyes, she’s happy. I know my daughter. I know when she lies or when she’s telling the truth.
“Oh, really? That’s good to hear sweetie.” I smiled and gently pinch her cheek.
“You know what Mommy, they even give me foods made by their moms.” I suddenly lost my smile.
I feel sad now, this life is not what Elizabeth used to. I should be cooking and giving what my daughter wants... I want to give her everything. I want the best for her.
“Don’t be sad Mommy, I’m not jealous of them, anyway. I’m just happy because they're nice and kind to me. Still, you're the best Mom for me!”
“Thanks for understanding sweetie, don’t worry Mommy will do everything to make our lives the same again and so, that I can give you what you want.” She hugged me.
“You don’t have to, what’s important to me is that you’re with me. We’re living together, you’re by my side.” She mumbled.
Before my teardrops, I immediately just change the topic. “Do you have any assignments? Do you want me to help you, sweetie?”
“Yeah, we have an assignment but I can do it, Mommy.”
“Elyse, baby Elizabeth, come here now, let's eat dinner!” Mindy said.
The food is already served at the table.
“Is it okay that our dish is vegetables?” Mindy asked.
“Sweetie, I’m very sorry if it’s just vegeta--“
“Mommy, eating vegetables is good for the body, that’s what the teacher said.” I stared at my daughter, who sat in the chair and started eating the vegetables that Mindy cooked.
Of course, we eat vegetables before but Elizabeth is not used that the only food at the table is vegetables and rice.
I raised my head to stop the tears from dripping into my eyes. This is not the life I dreamed of for my daughter, she’s the reason why I worked hard before. I want to give her everything but now I can’t do that, I can’t even buy her delicious food.
Mindy’s house isn’t big and the air conditioners are broken, but it’s okay because there’s an electric fan. Her TV is still okay and there are only two rooms here.
I sat on the chair already and started eating.
_
“Go to sleep now Elizabeth, you still have classes tomorrow.”
“Sang me a song, Mommy, please?” she blinked her eyes twice.
I laid her on the bed and made her lay down. I combed her hair while singing a twinkle, twinkle, little star.
That’s what I always sang to her. When I was still pregnant I always looked at the sky while staring at the stars. I caressed my stomach while singing.
I can’t help but cry as I remember the happy memories we had with Daren.
A few minutes later she fell asleep. I slowly got up and left the room. I saw Mindy sitting near the window. She is now staring at the sky.
“What are you doing?”
“You surprised me, Elyse! I was just watching those stars.” She mumbled. I sat next to her and also looked at the star.
“Do you remember before, when we’re still a kid? We always climbed on the roof of our neighbor’s house just to look at the stars.” I chuckled.
“Yeah, we’re even excited every time we saw a shooting star.”
“Then we’ll wish and hope that it will come true.” I just smile as I remember that.
“Oh my god, let’s go to sleep now Elyse, we still have to find a job tomorrow.”
Right! I have to wake up early and I need to take my daughter to school.
The two of us got up and go to our rooms.
“I’m sorry but we don’t accept people who already have a child.”
Tsk, what’s the matter if I already have a child?! Does having a child can’t work anymore! Just tell me if you don’t like me, just don’t make some stupid reasons you make.
“Okay.” I went out and started walking. I looked around, and I saw some sweet lovers and then another couple with their child, they’re happy and having fun together.
They look very happy, just like Daren and I with Elizabeth back then. But everything changes because of that mistake... No, it’s not a mistake Elyse! Cheating is not a mistake, it’s a choice. So, I just let him be then, if that is what makes him happy, then fine.
_
“What? What did you say?” Mindy asked again.
“They didn’t accept me because I already have a child.” What kind of restaurant is that, by the way? I’m just applying in washing plates for the main time, tsk! Oh, maybe Daren is involved with this!
He mentioned to me before he leaves that he wants to take Elizabeth away from me.
“What? What kind of reason is that? Are they stupid?!" She’s annoyed.
“Yeah, stupid.” I rolled my eyes.
I looked at Mindy’s phone when it suddenly vibrates.
“Elyse, I’ll go home first, is that okay?” She’s going to leave me?
“Why?” I asked, confused.
“Daisy, just text me, she’s waiting for me outside my house right now.”
Daisy is Mindy’s older sister.
“Oh okay, send my regards to her and tell her that I miss her, okay.” she nods and said goodbye to me before she leaves.
I need to find a job as soon as possible.
“Is not that Elyse Acevedo?”
“Yeah, right! The cheater!”
Damn, some people do recognize me. I just didn’t mind those two girls, who are staring at me.
_
As I walk, I stepped on a piece of paper.
“What is this?” I asked myself.
“Oh, wanted maid...?” I read what was written on the paper.
“What is this? WANTED MAID is just stated there and then the salary is 50k every month.”
“What the-- is this a scam?” I looked closely at the paper and when I looked at the back of the paper, there was a number on it.
How can I call this number, I don’t have a phone anymore? Well, there’s nothing wrong if I’ll try, right? But how can a maid’s salary be 50k per month? Impossible. I mean, maybe it is possible if the person who’s looking for a maid is rich.
I look at the two girls who are just near to me. As I can see, they’re holding the same paper as mine. “Look at this! They’re looking for a maid, the salary is 50k--“
“Don’t try to apply Ilyn. If you still want to live, just ignore that."
