Ces Cendres Entre Nous

Laura pushed the door to Alex's bedroom open and stopped frozen in shock.

Alex, her boyfriend, was busy making out with cassie her best friend. They were in a compromising position.

The image seared itself into her brain, and Laura felt like she had been punched in the gut.

"Alex!!!" She yelled, her voice shaking as tears started welling up in her eyes.

The both of them quickly slid under the sheets, and Alex faced her with cold eyes.

"Surprised?" He raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean by surprised ?" She asked.

"Isn't it obvious? You no longer have my time. You're always busy with your brother and work. Honestly, George is going to die anyway. So, stop trying, " Alex snapped.

Aurora's anger boiled over. She felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins.

She was trying her best to be optimistic about George's health, but Alex's words cut deep.

She stormed to the side of his bed. Before he could react, her hand flew out and slapped him across the cheeks, sending his head tilting sideways.

"You can say all you want about me, but don't you ever dare open your filthy mouth and talk about my brother," she snarled.

With that, she turned and ran out of the apartment. The tears she was holding back had started streaming down her cheeks freely.

She was late for work and couldn't find a cab. She quickly wiped her tears and took off on foot.

After about 30 minutes of running, she arrived at the restaurant, gasping for breath.

She quickly wiped her tears and composed herself before pushing the door open.

The restaurant was meant for elites only. And the atmosphere was calm as usual. She spotted John her colleague, coming out from the kitchen, and she ran to him.

"Is Mrs Miller around?" She asked.

"Ehm... she came about an hour ago," John replied.

"Oh God, I'm doomed," She muttered.

"Quickly get dressed in your uniform before she comes out," John said as he glanced at the door leading to Mrs Miller office to see if she was coming.

"Ok," Laura nodded, running into the staff's changing room.

She quickly changed and emerged only to find Mrs Miller waiting for her, a Stern expression on her face.

"And what's your excuse for today ?" Mrs Miller asked.

"I'm... I'm sorry, please. I couldn't find a ride here," Aurora quickly apologized.

"Sorry? Be sorry for yourself. You're fired!" Mrs Miller half yelled.

Laura's eyes widened in horror. She couldn't lose this job. George's medical bills are there, and her rent was almost due. She lost her other jobs last week, and this was the only one she had left.

"Please don't do this, Ma'am. I really need the money for my brother's hospital bills, please, I'm begging you," Aurora fell on her knees pleading.

"I don't care. I won't have you coming to my restaurant late every single time and always trying to cook up an excuse or an apology. That's it. Take off my uniform and leave these premises now!" Mrs Miller yelled.

Aurora searched her face to see if it held a single remorse, but she saw none. All she saw was anger and hate.

Right from the start, Mrs Miller didn't like her, but she tried her best to please the old witch but couldn't.

Fresh tears start rolling down her cheeks as she grabs Mrs Miller's legs.

"Please don't do this to me. Please ma'am. My brother's life is in your hands, I need this job, please," Aurora cried.

"Get those filthy hands of me. Your freaking brother's life isn't in my hands," Mrs Miller snapped, shaking Aurora off her leg.

"Leave for the last time, or I'll call the cops," She threatened.

Laura knew that was it for her. She was officially jobless and heartbroken.

She changed back into her casual clothes and left the restaurant reluctantly.

Her mind was messed up as different thoughts ran through it. She didn't even know whether to go home or to the hospital to check on George.

His cancer was surely eating him up. She was already owing the hospital, and his medication bills were the only thing she was able to clear.

Her phone rang from her pocket, disrupting her thoughts. Without checking the caller's ID, she brought the phone out and answered the call before placing it on her ear.

"Hello," she whispered.

"Hello, Miss Jacobs, this is Doctor Connor speaking," the caller said.

Her eyes widened as she regretted picking the call. She was trying to avoid any call from the hospital lately because of the bills.

"Ehm...Doc... Doctor... Connor. How may I help you?"Aurora stuttered.

"You have not been picking up my calls, but thank goodness you did today. George's condition has taken a turn for the worst, and we need to perform an urgent transplant. One of his organs is down," Doctor Connor informed.

"How much will it cost," Aurora asked, knowing fully well they'll ask for money.

"$7,000" Doctor Connor replied.

Her eyes instantly widened.

Where was she going to get that amount from, she bearly had $2,000 on her.

She quickly ended the call and shoved her phone back into her pocket.

This was it. She was finally hopeless. She couldn't watch George die, but on second thought, she couldn't do anything currently.

A thought suddenly crossed her mind, and she stared at the story building ahead of her.

"If I can't watch you die, I might as well die before you," she muttered, proceeding into the building.

She cried as she ran up the stairs leading to the rooftop. All the memories she had with George came playing back in her head in vivid flashes.

More tears fell from her eyes as she got to the rooftop.

The night breeze was cold as it blew by, pushing her hair forward, making it cover her face.

She quickly tucked her hair behind her ears, approaching the edge.

"I'm sorry, George," she mumbled, closing her eyes.

Just as was about to jump, a muscular hand encircled around her waist, pulling her back.

"Ahhhhh!" She screamed as they both fell backward, with she landing on top of him.