I jolted awake from my dreamless slumber when I heard some noises outside. My eyes automatically searched for the wall clock hanging across my dim room, it reads three-thirty.
Jack usually leaves during this hour to go fishing along with the neighbors. I walked towards my window, slightly opening the lower panel of the jalousie. Jack was outside together with two men who were both carrying a water pail. He's in his usual fishing attire, a dirty white towel was hanging around his neck. My forehead creased in confusion. He's still gonna go fishing? I thought he'll stop since he's got a better job in the inn now?
He went back inside the house to turn off the lights. Darkness enveloped the place, their flashlights were the only source of brightness. The moon was covered with thick clouds to herald a foggy morning for Willowvale. My eyes followed them until they were out of sight. Once I couldn't hear their footsteps anymore, I groggily went back to bed and continue my sleep.
When I woke up, the morning sunlight was already illuminating my bedroom. I opened my window and fixed my bed. The whole house was silent. The chirping of birds and the sounds of waves crashing on the shore were the only greetings I received that morning.
My mother had to go back to being a vendor when I was kicked out of the hospital. She's been out of the market for over a year now before this unfortunate event happened to me. Once I find a high paying job again, I'll drag her out of that smelly place.
There's fried rice, boiled egg, and dried fish on the table. I bring the breakfast with me to the living room and turned on the radio. The newscaster was talking about the weather. I quickly took a peek from the window and noticed the gray and thick clouds in the sky. It's probably gonna rain hard today since the wind is colder than usual too.
For weeks, I was always left alone at home. The television and the radio were my only source of entertainment, plus Alicia. Though, the kid has to go to school during the weekdays so I had to endure the boredom every morning.
I took a shower and slid into a white camisole dress which I paired with a thin cardigan. I was just about to lock the house when I saw Jack appeared from the end of the pathway, topless while carrying the same water pail he always brings when fishing.
Our eyes automatically aligned. He's early today. Usually, he arrives back an hour before lunch.
"Going somewhere?" He asked, walking towards the water faucet to rinse off the specks of dirt on the pail. The container was empty, he must've successfully sold all the fishes he caught this morning.
"Yeah. I thought you're scheduled to start your work at the inn today?" I returned a question. The veins from his arms were protruding as he forcefully washes the water pail. I looked away from him. Staring at his body felt like a sinful act.
"It's just a six-hour shift. My schedule will be starting this noon at one."
"A-alright. If I'm not back before eleven, fry the chicken I bought yesterday for lunch."
I glanced at him again and he did the same. His green eyes examined me.
"Where are you going, anyway?" He inquired, his brow twitching. I bit my lower lip as I looked away. I just couldn't manage to stare back at him for too long!
"I'll just buy a new book. I'll try to look for a job too while I'm out."
He nodded, glancing at the sky."You should bring an umbrella."
"I have one, it's here in my bag."
There's a small bookshop selling secondhand books near the wet market where my mom was selling goods. The place isn't too far from Whale Bay, it only took me less than ten minutes to walk.
As I was about to enter the bookstore, I noticed the paper pasted in front of their glass wall door. They're currently looking for a cashier! My eyes twinkled in excitement as I walked inside. Diana, the old lady who owns the shop, was currently at the till. Her hawk-like eyes were scanning the place for possible book thieves. I chuckled silently.
"Hello, Diana!" I greeted joyously, waving the paper I ripped off from the shop's door. "This job is mine!"
The old lady laughed at me. The corner of her eyes wrinkled in relief. "Oh, thank goodness, Nina! Yes, you're hired."
I walked towards the counter to face her properly. "Where's your cashier, by the way? And do I need to submit a resume?"
"No need for that, dear. Cindy resigned two days ago to fly to the city. She managed to get a scholarship from an Ivy League school."
My mouth hanged open. "Really? Wow, that's amazing!"
Diana nodded wearily. She looked worn out from guarding the shop. Well, she's honestly too old for this. I'm not even sure if she can still count money properly.
"Are you okay? Do you want me to start now?"
"Will it be okay to you? I really wanna go home to spend the rest of my day on the rocking chair, Nina."
I nodded quickly, feeling a little awful for the old woman. Diana is alone in life. Her husband died early and they never had a kid. I'm not sure where are her relatives but I've never seen anyone pays her a visit to her big mansion near the hill.
"I'll be back at one pm, Diana!"
"Please do, dear. I'll be waiting for you."
Rain pours as soon as I exited the bookstore. It isn't that strong, but the forceful wind made it seem so. The small umbrella protecting me almost bent, I had to stop by in a waiting shed and wait for the bad weather to calm down.
There was a laundry shop across the street facing the shed I was in. Big posters were covering the double glass wall door but it wasn't enough not to see what's happening inside. I felt a lump on my throat as I squinted my eyes even more. I can't be wrong. Jack was inside.
And he's not alone. Cassandra was clinging tightly on his arm as they sashayed out of the shop, both sporting a grin on their faces. The girl was long-legged and beautiful. She has that skin color I've been wanting for a very long time. I know her, she's the current manager of the inn. She's also the owner's daughter.
The rain and wind haven’t calmed down a bit. I watched as they passed by in front of the waiting shed while sharing an umbrella. He didn't even notice me. I bit my lower lip as I forcefully swallowed the lump in my throat. My eyes stinging for an unknown reason.
Did he get in the inn because of her? Are they together? Girls here in Willowvale are obviously crazy for him but I've never seen him entertain anyone. Or maybe I didn't notice.
I let out a shaky breath as I watched the rain slowly stopped. I remained standing there on the waiting shed, absentminded and pained. And what was the reason?
“I’m finally employed!” I tried to sound as happy as I can as the three of us sat together at the dining table for lunch. I was showing off the wet poster to them. “I’ll be starting today.”
Jack stole the paper in my hand as he reads it silently in front of my mother.
“Oh, that’s wonderful to know, darling!” my mother looks genuinely happy while Jack’s attention remains on the paper. I suddenly remember what I saw this afternoon. As much as I wanted to ask, I couldn’t open my mouth to speak. Also, I don’t want him to think that I’m meddling with his business. If he wanted for us to know, he’d tell us anyway.
“By the way, Jack…you do not have to attend to me in the market anymore. You’ve got so many works in your hand now. Worry about yourself, dear.”
“It’s fine. I still have a few hours to spare before my work in the inn. I’d like to be of help to you as much as I can.”
I was a little shocked. So he still went to the market after fishing? And later, he’ll be at the inn to work? Or is it really for work? For all I know, the work he’s talking about is doing a beautiful brown-skinned manager.
I grimaced a bit. I was being a little too hard and judgmental.
“You need a uniform in the inn, right? I saw the helpers and they’re all wearing the same clothes,” my mother asked and Jack nodded.
“Yes. Miss Cassandra helps me to pick up the uniform at the laundry today.”
Right. By helping, you mean literally clinging into you? Well, for sure he likes it.
“Good luck to the two of you, then. I wish you both a nice day at work!” Mom exclaimed happily and I sighed, knowing I couldn’t have a nice day ahead of me anymore ‘cause the first-half was already ruined.
I didn't know it would be this boring.Obviously, the townsmen of Willowvale aren't big fans of books. People here would rather collect seashells on the shore and make a necklace out of it to earn than to sit on a corner and read, they think it's a waste of time.Mostly, it was the tourists coming in to visit the shop. Diana needs to establish a policy about silent reading 'cause it greatly affects the sale of the store. People come and go empty-handed 'cause they're allowed to read here without paying and buying the book.I mentally rolled my eyes as I watched the last costumer exited the shop. We closes at six pm and opens up at nine in the morning.Jack was outside of the inn when I passed by on my way home. The brown and off-white uniform looked perfectly fit in him. His muscular arms were flexing sexily as he brushes the hostelry's wall with a paint roller. Another employee was beside him, they're both repainting the color of the walls to cov
The unexplainable bitterness that succumbs to my being made it so hard for me to swallow the soft velvet cake in my mouth. For someone who claims to have cake as their all-time favorite dessert, it’s odd that I couldn’t enjoy the sweet flavor that’s currently exploring in my tongue.“Anyway, I’ll go ahead. I just dropped by to deliver the cake as a welcome gift for you,” Cassandra said, her white set of teeth were showing as she smiled sweetly at Jack. The subtle touch she made on his arm didn’t escape my eyes.This girl is getting way too comfortable being touchy to him, I thought bitterly. Well, he’s not flinching so obviously, he likes it too!I mentally rolled my eyes. She’s obviously just using the cake as a reason to see Jack. ‘Cause how the hell did she lasted for almost an hour here if she just dropped by to give us the cake? Desperate bitch!“Thank you, Miss Cassandra. I’ll w
"Leandro..." I uttered, meeting his dark grey eyes full of malice. I took a step back when he moved to jump in the water. He dove near my direction so my face got drizzled.I continued moving backwards, my eyes never leaving him as he tried to recover from the fall. Leandro is handsome, he almost has the same physique as Jack. Though, the latter has more bulk. His family's riches only added to his appeal so he got all the girls at his disposal. But now that they're slowly losing their power and money, I wonder what vile plans he is planning underneath his sleeves.Alicia ran quickly next to me; alarmed and concerned. Leandro's reputation is really not a joke 'cause even the kids knew how fucked up he is."Hello, girls! May I join the party?" He smirked teasingly and I felt Alicia's tight grip on my hand. The kid hid fearfully behind me. I tried to force out a laugh, trying to cover up the tension I was feeling."Oh, uhm...W-we wo
"Nina, you forgot to bring my basket!" Alicia gasped when she noticed I was only carrying one basket in hand, and that was mine. I smiled apologetically at her then flashed a peace sign. The kid continued whining."Nina?! What about my mangoes?! And the basket? That was Mama's advance Christmas present for me! She'll be mad if she sees me empty-handed when I go back home."We took the coastal road for the second time that day. Fortunately for Alicia, Jack insisted to give her a piggy back ride 'til we get home. The hot weather hasn't subside a bit. It's still boiling hot so I didn't bother to wear my sundress anymore. I just covered my lower part to protect myself from the malicious stares of the passersby.But Jack was a different conversation. He seemed to be more bothered about me being half-topless 'cause I can feel the subtle glances he's been throwing at my direction since we got out of the beach.If he was a different man, I'd assume th
Normal.I sighed, a little relieved as I put down the blood pressure monitor at my bedside table. I couldn't bring him to the hospital since we do not have the money for that. Good thing my past job came in handy so I managed to assist him with first aid at least.Some older men who were watching near us saw what happened. They were kind enough to help me up and bring him here in our house...to my room.My hand flew to his forehead, his temperature was normal too. I wonder what happened to him? Is it about his memories? Did the fireworks triggered it? Well, that's good for him. However, it was worrisome to see him in pain."Mom, it's fine. You should go to bed, I'll look after Jack." I said after seeing her yawn for the twentieth time. She was leaning against my bedroom door, concern along with weariness were etched on her face. She was almost hysterical earlier when we brought him home unconscious.My mother nodded as she f
The house feels empty with my Mom not around.It was a Monday evening, I just got home after a long, boring day at work. Jack...or Florian, isn't home yet. I'm not sure if he'd be working overtime again but I'm slowly getting worried for his health.Is he still sleeping? He arrives home late from the inn and wakes up early in the morning to go fishing. Once he's back, he would go to the market sometimes to sell the fishes. After that, he would then get ready to leave for his work back at the inn. A tiring cycle. Unlike me who's sitting pretty at the till 'cause whether I manage to sell a book or not in a day, I would still get paid the same.I just finished cooking for dinner and I thought of bringing some packed food for Florian at the inn. He mentioned once that meals are not free in their workplace, meaning he's been eating late these past few days because of the overtime.My lips curved into a satisfied smile as I finished packing the food
I inhaled deeply, trying to calm down my nerves. He’s too much for me. Every little detail about him is striking and screaming manliness. From his head down to his foot, there’s nothing you could put to waste. It’s not even shocking that girls would still line up for his attention even if he isn’t on the same level with the rich bachelor men of Willowvale. His physical looks were more than enough to attract them.I blinked profusely as I tore my eyes off his body.“I prepared your dinner-“ my words got stuck in my throat when he completely disregarded my presence and walked past me, heading straight to my bedroom where he’s been staying at these days. I even saw him roll his eyes!What’s wrong with him? He’s really gonna throw tantrums just because of that?!He slammed the door shut and I stared at it in disbelief. Oh, wow! I couldn't believe my eyes as I continued watching the c
I didn’t bother to question him anymore. He took a quick bath after we ate, determined to come along with me to the shop. He was already dressed when he got out of the shower.Wearing a simple gray shirt and black cotton shorts, he looked dashing when he sauntered to the living room while drying his wet hair with a towel. The shirt was a little fit to him and it highlights his muscular chest and biceps.“Where’s your cardigan?” His brow furrowed as his eyes scanned me again with disapproval. His eyes lingered to my shoulder and arms which are the most exposed part of me. I let out a forced cough.“It’s in my bag, I’ll wear it later at the bookshop when it gets cold. The air-conditioner was newly cleansed so the machine was working two times better these days-““Wear it now before we leave the house, Nina.”“Huh? I-I’ll wear it later-“ I bit my lower lip when