City
The Moonlight Lilac Chapter 8: 1 - The One With The Red Door 1.1
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CHAPTER 1 - THE ONE WITH THE RED DOOR 1.1
Mykel turned over on his side and rested my head on his left arm.
"I can feel that it's true. You know that family, we've been hearing for a long time that they offer jobs in surprise. They say there are really many agents around and when they see something special in you, they'll just give you a business card. I really hope that's it, because if so, this is it my love! You don't need to go abroad again.
Arentsvelt is the richest family in the country right now and I heard that they pay really really well. The Lord really loves you, what? Just kidding, you just got home, you're just thinking about where you're going to get a lot of money to solve your aunt's money problem, and that's it! You were given an answer right away. May God bless you." he said, kissing my forehead.
He's right. If this is true, Rey doesn't know how much help he has given to me and my mom.
I planned to stay in Canada for a little longer. Somehow, my mom and I have been able to relax since I worked there. I can send money every month and my mom can save money. But that's what I thought. Lately, I learned that the money I send her doesn't save because she's paying off her debt. But that's not the reason why I rushed back to the Philippines.
It's something more complicated than that, but it also has something to do with money.
My mother has been receiving death threats. Worst is someone tried to run her over last month. That's really what got me home. There's a big benefit to being close to the law. The owner of the car that tried to hit my mother was caught right away and we learned that he's working for someone high up in the police force. Luna was very angry when she found out. She told me she wanted to rush in and shoot the person who did it, but of course I stopped her and that's not what I wanted to do. I know the root cause of this problem.
Before my father died, he had a casino addiction. My father was a police officer. He was so addicted to gambling that he would even take my tuition money that my mother was saving. When my father got addicted to gambling, he changed a lot. He is no longer the father who didn't even let a mosquito land on me before.
Every time I look at him, all I can see is the face of my father, but a different human. He became a stranger to me. I felt even more distant from him when I saw him hit my mom one time. I hated him.
When I saw that, I immediately went to the kitchen and got a kn*fe. I pointed it at him. I yelled at him repeatedly and told him to stay away from my mom. That's also when I realized he was so drunk on alcohol that night. That's one reason why I really hate alcohol. It can turn you into a different person because it gives you the confidence to do something stupid without thinking of the consequences.
That night, when I pointed the knife at him, I saw my father whom I knew in his eyes. His tears flowed and he seemed to have come to his senses. He was talking and asking how his beloved daughter could be pointed at him with a knife. That was a very emotional night. He walked out of the house and left without words. As soon as he left, I hugged my mom.
I love my father, but no one can hurt my mother. No matter who you are.
The morning after that, I was so surprised when my dad picked me up from the university. At first, I didn't want Luna to go with me, but eventually, I went on her motorbike. We left the school and then, everything went fast. My biggest nightmare happened.
While we were driving, a red car was following us, driving fast. You could see that the driver of the car really had a plan to do something bad to us. Dad drove faster and said, "Hold on tight." I was so scared then, not just for my life but for my father's. Despite every bad thing that happened between us, he's still my father. All of a sudden, I heard a loud crash. The red car caught up with us.
We both fell down. For some reason, I only got a scratch on my thigh. I don't know, but it seemed like what people around me always said was true, that I was really strong in the Lord. I fell down on the grass and quickly got up. I felt numb when I saw my father on the other side of the road.
"W-what?"
Shaking, I ran in my father's direction. And just in the blink of an eye, I lost him. My father died in my arms, saying sorry to me.
Several years have passed, but we still can't escape the curse brought on by his gambling addiction. His creditors have returned, now in the millions, and my mother and I want to pay. I want them out of our lives, but they are too big of a people. Even Mykel and Luna have a hard time fighting them. Luna's thinking of bad ways to eliminate them, but of course, I tell her to stop thinking about them. We will fight fairly.
Sometimes you just wonder when all your suffering will end. If there's a time machine, I'll use that. Just a little peek at my future life. I just want to know if every bad thing happening is still worth fighting for. If everything will be okay in the end.
"Love, are you okay? Why are you crying?"
I quickly wiped away my tears when Mykel's words brought me back to reality.
"Bad memories." I answered briefly, which I knew he understood immediately. He knows my scars.
"Sssshh, sorry for bringing it up. I'm sorry, my love." he apologized profusely while hugging my head. "I'll help you okay? Every step, I'll be with you. I'm just here by your side." he continued.
I wrapped my arms around his waist while my head was pressed against his chest.
"Thank you..." I said weakly.
If it's true. I hope so, I hope this business card will help me a lot.
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The other line is still ringing. I'm still waiting for someone to pick it up. After a few rings, no one answered.
I'm standing right now next to our landline phone hanging on the wall, holding a cup of coffee.
I had just finished eating breakfast. While I was having coffee earlier, my mom insisted that I call the number so we could check. I hadn't even finished my coffee yet.
"What did they say?" my mom asked curiously, standing behind me. She was even more excited that someone answered the call.
"Mom, you see no one is answering. They probably didn't say anything." I sighed in defeat. "It must be a scam." I was about to hang up the phone but mom quickly stopped me.
"Oh, why are you giving up so soon? You've only just been tested. Try again, Sky! Later, the person guarding the phone will just pee." she insisted. She really wanted this job for me.
Who wouldn't? Arentsvelt Corp. is what's written on the business card.
I dialed the number again. After a few rings, there was still no answer. Arggh! Rey looks like a fool.
"Oh what did they say??"
"Mom, nothing." I replied to my mother, annoyed.
"Hey, come on! Just stand over there and I'll call."
Mom pulled me away from the phone and took it. She re-dial the number. My mom still didn't speak for a few seconds, No one's answering. That's it! I give up. I can find a job on job street or linked-—
"Hey! Hello! Good morning. Finally, you answered! You've been calling for a while," the mother began, thinking that you were talking to her friend.
I quickly grabbed the phone from mom. Shit! Someone's on the other line.
“H-hello?” You stammered out. Damn it, Sky! You're so confident, you're welcome.
“Yes? Who's this?" the person on the other line sounded authoritative. It was just so intimidating! She was the voice of the old HR people in the movies who you know have been with the company for years.
How do I start? What should I say? C'mon self!
"Hello?" she checked on me again when I didn't answer right away.
"I'm sorry about that. Good morning, this is Skylar Parker. You may not know me, but one of your staff gave me a business card and said that | should call this number. He offered me a job as a private instructor. His name is Mr. Rey Guevara. I met him yesterday at the airport, just in case he informed you about me."
'I hope Rey gave them a heads up!
A few seconds of silence. I even checked the phone to see if I was answered, but it wasn't. Shit! Did I say something wrong? Don't they know Rey?
Oh shit, RV!
"Mr. R.V?" I continued what I said earlier, but still no answer.
"Tell me about the taxi driver. Describe that—."
"Ssshhh" I scolded mom.
"Hello?" I checked the other line again. Okay! Do they not want to talk to me?
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ENJOY