Chapter 70: Ace’s
Ace’s POV
I heard the loud coughing of my mom on my way to the living room. "I told you to take your medicine." She only smiled at me as she gestured for me to come near. "What is it this time? I’ll be late for my job."
My mom who’s sickly and can’t handle having too many jobs only takes care of the house and my younger sibling. "I know we’re having it tough these days, but remember to rest, my dear." She said as she pats my back and caressed my hair. "After I get back to normal, I’ll be working again so you don’t have to worry anymore." I’ve been hearing that lots of times now, but it doesn’t matter anymore.
"I still need to work for my tuition, and Shane’s preparing to go to middle school," I said as I picked up my bag. "I’ll be coming home late, I think I’ll buy a cake later."
"You don’t have to." My mom reminded but I ignored her and rushed to the door. It’s been hectic ever since that incident happened.
"You’re going out?"
I looked behind while putting my shoes on. "Yeah. Remind mom to drink her meds before going to sleep." I said.
"But it’s Christmas." I stopped after Shane said that. "If dad didn’t die then—"
"Let’s stop talking about that. I’ll make it up to you guys next time."
"You keep saying that."
I swallowed a lump in my throat as I forced a smile. "Next time." After that, I went out of our apartment and rushed down the stairs. ’I’m going to be late.’ I ran as fast as I can towards the convenience store I work part-time.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this, I wasn’t supposed to work right now. But the manager called me and said that they’re short of staff because the part-timer for today can’t come. It’s Christmas, and I’m supposed to spend it with my family, but I chose to work.
"Thank god, you’re here!" The manager greeted me with a relieved expression. "I’m so sorry to call you on your break but it’s rough without another part-timer here." She said and I just nodded as I changed into my clothes.
It’s Christmas, I can hear the same repetitive Christmas songs outside being played and lots of people are walking past our convenience store. ’It’s supposed to be cheery and happy, but I feel empty inside.’
"Merry Christmas, please come again," I said those words lots of times now to the point that I feel like I’m tired of Christmas. Everyone’s celebrating with their families, lovers, and friends. While I’m here, working and greeting people a merry Christmas.
Everything would have been different if he was still here.
As I was putting new stuff on the section aisle of hygienic necessities, I felt my phone vibrating causing me to look at it. It was Andrei, he was greeting me with a Merry Christmas and wanted to hang out sometime. That reminds me, Noelle’s been out of contact since the semester break started. She said her phone was being fixed. I wonder if she’s truly doing great despite what happened to her family.
When her father died, everyone grieved for her. Their family was all over the news and she received condolences from random people. When my father died, no one knew about it. The police didn’t investigate it like they were doing to solve Noelle’s family case. My father died without anyone helping him.
It pains me that I am viewing Noelle’s parents’ death with envious eyes. ’I shouldn’t think like this.’ But I can’t stop the unpleasant thoughts from appearing inside my head. If my father wasn’t poor, if he wasn’t a construction worker, his death will be more focused on. He died at the hands of those filthy loan sharks, chasing after him for the debt that doesn’t belong to him. It was all their fault that my family’s suffering from loss and poverty right now.
"Thank you for your help, dear." The manager of the convenience store said, and after that, I went my way out while eating a sandwich the manager gave me. It’s already nearing the expiration date so I’m allowed to eat it. Since I already wasted this day, I’ll just go to my other work. I contacted the manager, and she said that she’ll be more than delighted if I come to work now. I think they’re busy too.
I walked on the path where there are too many people to bump into. Some of them are couples, some are happy families with their children holding their hands, and others are like me. Alone, walking in the cheery street with no one but ourselves. ’That sounds so dramatic.’ Is it because this is the first Christmas I didn’t spend with my family? Is that why I’m feeling melancholic right now?
I wish to go back to the past. If I can, I could prevent what happened to my father. Prevent his death, and my mother won’t get sick like this from all the worries she’s going through. But those loan sharks are far from over. They’re still asking us to pay the debt my uncle acquired. That uncle’s nowhere to be found. He must have fled after realizing that he can’t pay his debts. He’s my father’s only brother, but he brought us too much pain and I can’t stop myself from hating him.
"Thank you for coming, Candace." The manager of the bar I worked in greeted me. There I saw that lots of customers are inside. "Go change your clothes while I tend to these customers first." I agreed and went to the changing room.
I’m working on an 18+ bar where a minor isn’t allowed. The manager even hesitated to accept me even after learning that I’m already 18. It’s because she sees me as too young to work in this kind of place. Himitsu Bar is the name of this place, and I only work the night shift because it’s only open during the night.
The salary is too good for me to be choosy. It helps me support my family by myself. Even though this place is swarming with criminals. Mafia, drug dealers, and even killers go in and out of this place.
The manager told me about that before I started working here. She warned me that I’ll meet all dangerous kinds of people here. It was risky, but I didn’t have a choice. Apparently, this bar is owned by a mafia group. I didn’t ask anything about the owner since all I need to do is work. "Oh? You’re here, Candace." One of the co-workers just arrived. Her name is Hanna and we both entered this line of work at the same time. "I didn’t expect you." She said.
"It was an abrupt choice."
Hanna chuckled after I said that. She greeted me with a Merry Christmas and started talking about random things. I didn’t bother listening as I wasn’t interested at all. I’m here to work, not to chitchat with anyone. After changing clothes, I went out of the locker room and straight to the front bar where our manager is doing the bartender work. ’Well, she’s a bartender after all.’ "What can I help with?"
Daphne turned to me. "Here, bring this to those customers." She said with a smile and I happily oblige. The bar’s busy and everyone looks like they’re all having fun. Those loan sharks that are after my uncle’s debts often go to this bar too. Whenever they see me, they make me pay money and I always do to prevent them from harming my mother and brother. It’s the hardship of being the oldest child, I must always act that everything’s alright. If I fall, my family will crumble into pieces more than this.
After serving drinks, I went to the restroom to clean since the person that should be doing this task is not around. "For my mom’s meds." I reminded myself as I mopped the floor. It must have been hard for my father to work his old body just to be able to make me graduate from school. ’I miss him so much.’ I thought while wiping my sweats.
"Should I switch with you?" I turned to the person near the door. It’s Julian, he’s my co-worker and I think he’s interested in me.
"I’m fine."
Julian stopped forcing me after that and went back to his work. I don’t have time for romance, all I need is money to support myself and my family. After cleaning, I went to the counter again and of course, Daphne has another task for me to do. "I’m sorry but will you bring this to those men? They’re regulars so be careful, okay?" I nodded and brought the drinks to the table Daphne pointed to. I can already hear those men’s loud voices, and they’re speaking in a different language, one I can’t understand.
"Kaoru’s been mild since he started guarding the young miss."
I heard a familiar name but I ignored it as I placed the tray on their table. "Here’s your drink," I said as I put their glasses on the table and picked up the tray after.
"It’s because the lady’s really nice."
That voice quickly made me look up and my eyes widened. I dropped the tray to the ground causing these people wearing all-black suits to look at me. "Is there a problem?" I felt Julian’s hand on my shoulder but I couldn’t take my eyes off the person in front of me.
His hair looks different than normal, they’re pushed back, and the puppy-like aura he always had is nowhere to be seen.
"What are you doing here, Kaoru?"
