Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Three Years Later THREE YEARS LATER.

I rush down the street, knocking a few shoulders along the way and stepping into one icy mud pond. The cold winter air is like a blade cutting through my lungs. After making a sharp turn at the corner, I finally see the bus station.

A bus has just arrived.

“Wait…Please wait a second!!” I yell to the driver But he only gives me a cold and indifferent look before closing the door and driving away from the station.

“…Fuck!”

I bend down taking a time to catch my breath and then clieck the time.

It’s already 16:37 Now I have exactly 23 minutes to make it across the town and arrive at the restaurant I work in, which is impossible, which means I’m so screwed. Today is not the day to be late, because I’ve made a plan to talk to my manager about making an early withdraw of my salary. My rent is due in a few days and the incredibly high living expense in New York is sucking me dry. I have a student loan to cover my tuition, but I still llave to work my ass off to pay for that loan.

I’m now working at a fancy restaurant as a waitress. Not exactly a decent job, but it’s good money. Also, when people get tipsy, they tend to be very generous with the tips. I was a little concerned about the money when I got admitted into NYU three years ago. But Liam talked me into it.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “You will get the money thing figured out. Worst scenario if you don’t, I’ll help you with it.”

With a little help from his side, I’ve managed to make ends meet for the past three years. As long as I get that early withdraw today, I’ll be fine. Ten minutes later, I finally push myself into the overly crowded bus and leave for my job.

On the way, I start to work on my speech to the manager, who is a complete and total cheapskate. I better have some good reasons prepared for her to give me the money.

But suddenly my phone buzzes, interrupting my thoughts. I take it out and find it’s my mom.

Sigh internally, I answer her call, though I’ve already known the reason she called. “Hi mom.”

“Nat sweetheart! Have you put some thoughts into what we talked about last week?”

“Yes, mom. I’ve not changed my mind. The answer is still no.” “What?” she cries out. “You are not coming back for Christmas, AGAIN? Boston is only a few hours’ drive away! Let me hear your reasons!”

Well, mny reason is prelly simple, Ji’s Eason.

The boy who played and screwed me three years ago. My dear stepbrother. It’s been 3 years already.

We haven’t seen or spoken to cach other for the past 3 years. Since our last encounter in Miami, he has completely disappeared from my life. No call, 110 messages, and I’ve blocked all his socials. Mom tried to invite me back to Boston for Thanksgiving, Christmas and even spring break, but I’ve said no to them all just to avoid him.

It almost killed me the last time I walked away from him. We’ve stayed away from each long enough already, and things better stay this way in the future.

“Mom,” I hold my phone trying to make something up. “I’m too busy. School, work, everything.”

“But it’s been three years darling, and you are always busy. You ran back to Miami without a word, and I haven’t seen you since. Why Nat? Did I-did I do something wrong?”

Her last few words came out trembling and it makes my heart twitch. She didn’t do anything wrong. It’s all my fault.

“Nal?”

I shake off those bitter feelings and say, “mom it’s not you. And if you really want to know wiy…Ine and Eason liad a little of a quarrel when I left. I didn’t really want to run into him.”

I try to keep a casual tone, hoping she won’t get suspicious. Mom’s voice suddenly cheers up. “Oh! But you don’t need to worry about Eason. He’s not in Boston, “What? Where is he?”

I blurt out and instantly regret it.

Fuck Why do I care?

I have no idea what he’s been up to nowadays. Mom mentioned him a few times over the phone. It seems that he was admitted into Harvard and started to work in Mr. Ramirez’s company.

But besides that, he is like a total stranger to me now. “He is in New York darling,”mom says.

…What?

I almost choke on my own saliva, “He is in NY? Same as I am?”

“Yeah. He is visiting his girlfriend in NY. He’ll probably stay there a bit longer and help Shawti inspect his company. So you won’t see him at home this Christmas.”

“Oh, My mind went blank for a second.

– Eason has a girlfriend.

Of course, he has moved on. What else do I expect? It’s been 3 years already and he is always very popular among girls.

But a secret spot in my heart, I still feel pain. Probably because I’m still alone and single but he has already had someone. I guess the villain always wins. “Nat? Are you still there? Promise me you will think about it OK?” “Sure mom… Wait it’s my stop! Talk to you later! I quickly hang up the phone and jump off the bus When I finally dash into the changing room, it’s already half past seven. “You are late!”

My manager, Lori, shrieks at me with her hands on her hips. She seems displeased.

“Sorry,” I mumble as I quickly slip into my white shirt and black pants. “My landlord showed up at my door and I got caught up-” “Bla Bla Bla Bla! Do I seem interested in your lame excuse?” Lori barks. “Get dressed and move your ass out there!”

She is not in a good mood, which is not a good sign for me. I hesitate a second when she turns her back at me and decide to go for it.

Screw it. What’s the worst thing that could happen? “Lori? I was wondering if I could make an early” “Oh my god you are still talking!” she squeaks and dumps my apron on my face. “Get moving! NOW!!”

…Fine. Maybe later then.

I quickly fasten my apron and get back to work. The restaurant is unbelievably busy today. I didn’t dare to stop for even a single second or people would start to make complaints.

And I’ve not been my best sell either today. My mind was so caught up in my financial crisis that I didn’t really pay any attention to what I was doing most of the time. So while I was serving wine to a young lady, I accidently spilled a bit on her dress. “Ahh –!” she lets out a loud cry, jumping up from her seat immediately. “Watch it!!” I’m snapped back to reality instantly. Oh god, there’s a liuge taint on her white dress, which ! know won’t come off easily just by looking at it.

– What was I thinking!! I’m so screwed.

“I-I am so so sorry,” I grab a napkin before bending down and trying to clean it. Please let me-”

She dodges my hand like avoiding a plague and yells, “Take away your filthy hands!! You’ll only smudge it. This is Chanel and I’m on a date! You ruined everything!” Now her roaring is drowning out the gentle music in the background. Customers are turning, their heads back to stare. I feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment right now.

I’ve not made any huge mistakes like this before. What got into my head today?? “I’m deeply sorry,” I can only bow apologetically again. “Is there anything I could do Miss? We have a blanket for you to cover up the stain if you want…” “Then why are you still standing there!” she stomps the floor. “Go! Hurry! My boyfriend is going to be here any second!” I rush back to the kitchen and find that blanket I was talking about. On the way back I ran into Lori, whose pouchy face is purpling with rage. “You stupid girl!” she screams. “I heard everything! You better pray for that customer’s forgiveness, or you will be paying for her dress yourself!” I suddenly feel hard to breathe.

Paying for her dress myself? That’s a Chanel for god’s sake! I remember that once Eason bought me a Chanel dress and it costed him thousands of dollars. I’m still hoping to get that early withdrawal to pay for my rent, so where am I supposed to get the extra money? But now, I have no choice but to go back out there and face that customer’s wrath.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly move towards her table, gripping that blanket in my hands.

When I’m a few steps away, I suddenly find that her date has arrived. It’s a young man dressed in black suit with his back facing me. Though I can’t see his face, I can still tell that he is very tall and handsome.

Hope her hot date won’t give me a hard time as she did.

“Excuse me, here is the blanket you asked for.” I approach carefully, handing her the blanket. The couple turn their heads to me simultaneously and now I finally get to see the young man clearly. He has a beautiful face, perfect eyebrows, roman nose, half-domed cheekbones, and emerald, green eyes.

Everything about him radiates upper-class grace and vigor of youth. He is about 20 years old but seems very sophisticated. I stand there in shock staring at him, as is a thunder has struck on me. …Eason.