Chapter 2

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.