Chapter 3

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 cover up its dusty form.

They must be having a funny conversation because an amused grin was pasted on his face. When his gaze darted accidentally to me, his smile slowly disappeared. My lips quivered a bit, forcing a small grin to acknowledge his presence. I didn't know if he returns it back 'cause I quickly looked away after that and disappeared on the pathway leading to our house behind the inn.

"Hello, dear! How's your work?" My mother cheerfully welcomed me towards the dining. The exhausted expression on her wrinkled face didn't escape me, yet she still managed to greet me sprightfully. 

There's fried fish and soup served on the dining table. I felt awfully bad that she has to cook for our dinner after working the whole day in the stinking wet market. 

"Great, Mom! What about you?" I pulled the chair beside her. She heaved out a deep sigh.

"I'm afraid I'd have sell three times more to be able to pay rent."

My forehead immediately creased. "Rent? What do you mean?"

"The ex-mayor's son visited the market today. Seems like his father is in a critical condition at the hospital right now and they're out of money to pay his bills."

Oh, I think I know where is this going.

"The market's land was their property and for years, they let us use it for free. Now they're asking us to pay rent to be able to sustain the ex- mayor's medical needs."

I let out a harsh sigh. It'll be difficult not only for the vendors, but also for everyone. Sellers would be forced to increase the price in able to pay for the rent, which would also force the buyers to earn harder to be able to purchase goods. 

"Well, it's their right. We can't really have a say on that 'cause their family has always been kind to the community. I think we should just be grateful because they gave us years of rent-free in their land." I said and my mother nodded in agreement.

We're almost done eating dinner when Jack arrived home. He greeted us politely before heading towards the bathroom to take a shower. He looked worn-out. Actually, who wouldn't? His day was more eventful and productive than my whole week.

I went to the sink and volunteered to wash the dishes to decrease the workload. Jack went out of the shower topless as his towel was only covering his lower part. I quickly looked away as I felt him dashed behind me, heading towards my bedroom to get his clothes.

I joined my mom in the living room as soon as I finished. She's watching a local drama series while eating some leftover fruits she didn't manage to sell today. Jack was already at the dining, eating his dinner silently.

"Maybe I should also marry a rich man that would save me from this poverty," I jokingly said and my Mom glared at me.

That was the main plot of the drama. A poor girl from the province who married a rich politician in order to escape destitution. Gold digging at its finest!

"Don't you ever do that, Janina Avila! I will disown you!" She eyed me threateningly and I laughed at her.

"Why? What's wrong with that?"

"If you're doing it out of love, there's definitely nothing wrong with that. But if you just want to be a first class gold digger, I'll be the first one to slap you, Nina!"

I burst out laughing even more. My mom is the most principled person I've ever met. Every day, I thanked the creator that he gave me to the right woman. 

"I wouldn't accept even a single coin from you if you do that!"

"Relax, Mom!" I grinned playfully.

She rolled her eyes, sighing. "Anyway, I'm going to bed 'cause I have to be in the market earlier than usual starting tomorrow. Are you finishing the show?"

"Yeah, mom. Good night!"

"Good night, darling," she bent down to kiss me on the forehead and I watched her gently as she headed towards her room.

Jack sat down on the single couch across me, his eyes on the television.

"I heard what happened in the market today," he said coldly and I sighed wearily. I bravely looked him and I watched as his head turned to my direction, his eyebrow arched inquiringly.

"Hey, why don't we split up the bills?"

He nodded softly. "I don't have any problem with that. I'll pay for the groceries and electricity bill." His eyebrow still arched, as if waiting for my approval. I shook my head at him.

"The groceries would be too much for you to shoulder. You can have the electricity and water bill instead. I'll have the groceries and I'll help my mother to pay the rent," I suggested but he shook his head firmly at me.

"Water and rent is yours. Leave the grocery to me, Nina. I have multiple jobs than you," his voice tinged with finality. My eyes immediately widened at him. What does he mean by that?

"Oh, I'm so sorry for being an indolent bitch. My bad," I said sarcastically while glaring at him. His brow twitched in amusement as the side of his lips curved.

"I didn't say something like that, I'm sorry if you think that's what I'm trying to imply." There was a ghost of a smirk on his lips, as if he finds this conversation funny.

I rolled my eyes at him as I glanced back at the television. The show just finished and now they're playing a cliffhanger for the next episode. 

"Fine," I heard him spoke. "We'll go with your suggestion. But I'm still gonna help with the groceries from time to time, is that okay?" He sounded careful and I tried my best to stifle the smile that is threatening to curve on my lips.

"Deal," I said, eyes remaining on the television. I heard him sighed in relief, followed by a deep chuckle.

"What's funny?" my forehead crumpled at him. He shook his head, smiling.

"How's your day at the bookshop?" He inquired and I cleared my throat.

"Boring," good thing I was surrounded by books so I can entertain myself, I wanted to add but I don't wanna sound like I'm over-sharing. "W-what about you? Are works in the inn heavy?"

"It's fine. Fishing is way harder."

"Why don't you quit fishing, then?"

He shook his head. "I can't just sit here the whole morning without doing anything until my schedule. Besides, it still helps me earn. Or at least it feeds us sometimes."

I wish I'm as resourceful as him. 

A knock on the door interrupted us. Jack immediately rose to his feet to open up the door and my eyes almost pop out of its socket when I saw the inn manager grinning widely outside our door. I almost frown.

"Hi! I brought a cake," she chirped and I felt like pulling her hair for no reason.