11

"Haxilla, clean up your mess here!"

"I don't want to do it because you're the one who started it."

"Wow, my coffee wouldn't have spilled if you hadn't bumped my arm!"

What's going on this early in the morning?

I shook my head in frustration and walked out of my room half-awake. I witnessed Haxilla and Britanny yelling at each other over a spilled cup of coffee.

"Oh, my goodness, Britanny! Simply wash it—"

They stopped fighting when I grabbed a rag and began mopping up the spilled coffee on the floor.

"S-Selena, you're awake," Britanny said while watching me mopping the spilled coffee.

I stood up and sighed in their presence.

"I can't imagine how messed up your house will be if you don't have a maid," I said, and they averted their gaze, perhaps because they were embarrassed.

If they don't have me to clean up their mess, this house will be worse than the garage.

Britanny has a habit of forgetting to clean her work area after she's finished with her props or make-up, which can be seen in every room of the house. The thing that irritates me the most is that she always blames us when she can't find her belongings.

Haxilla never touched the dishes, vacuum, mop, or any other cleaning tools. She grew up with a large number of maids working for her and doing her cleaning. In a nutshell, she's a spoiled brat.

"At the very least, we have you," Haxilla said unexpectedly.

When I put down my cup of coffee, I gave her a serious look.

"I can't stay on your side just to clean up your mess for the rest of my life. Learn to keep your surroundings clean."

Britanny teased Haxilla with a small laugh when she didn't respond.

"Britanny, I'm in the same boat as you. There is a trashcan where you can throw all of your props and pouches that aren't in use, so you don't have to blame others for your sloppiness."

"Ouch," Britanny said quietly. I walked to my room with my coffee and left them in the kitchen.

When I realized what time it was, my eyes widened.

"What?! Is it really 4:30 a.m. and they're arguing?"

I slammed my head on a pillow after setting my coffee on my table. That's why I'm so tired, argh!

When I heard them shouting to each other again, I was about to take a sip of my coffee.

Is it possible that they spilled the coffee once more?

I walked over to Haxilla's room, where Britanny had nearly turned it upside down in her search for the item she had misplaced yet again.

"I know because I put it in your bed!" Britanny exclaimed as she tossed the pillows to the floor.

"How many times do I have to tell you that my bed has no flash drive? And why did you leave your flash drive on my bed to begin with?"

Brittany continued looking for her flash drive despite Haxilla's words. I sighed and walked over to Britanny to assist her in her search.

"What are you up to?" Haxilla questioned me as she dragged me from her room.

"Please, for the God's sake, let me go! I really need a good night's sleep!" While regaining control of my arm from her clutches, I grumbled angrily.

With a disappointed expression, she exited her room. I looked at Haxilla's desk, but instead of a flash drive, I noticed some photos and notes.

I gathered all the photos and exited the room to confront Haxilla.

"Please explain. Why are there so many photos and notes in you? What exactly are you up to, Haxilla?" I inquired, perplexed and enraged.

Why did she feel the need to follow me around?

She completely ruined my personal space!

When she saw the photos I dropped, her eyes widened. I'm just staring at her and keeping a close eye on her.

She asked nervously, "W-Where did you get this?" I cross my arms and smile a little, but I'm irritated.

I slam the table down hard, causing her to flinch and giving her a death stare.

"You do realize how much I despise people invading my privacy, don't you?!?"

"I had no idea you were such a moron, Selena."

"What?!"

"Haru is a complete jerk."

To control my rage, I bit my lower lip and sighed to relax. I took another look at her, unsure whether or not to ask her again.

But I have to do it!

"How did you figure out that Haru is a jerk without speaking with him?" I inquired of her. Her eyes have changed, and they are now filled with rage and sadness.

She shrugged her shoulders and said flatly, "Nothing, I can feel it." They both flinched as I threw the glass to the floor.

Britanny keeps stopping herself from getting closer to us.

"I'm not in the mood to listen to such nonsense. So, how did you figure out that he was—"

"Because he's the reason why I lost my child!" she exclaimed, deafening the entire room.

Has she lost her child?

Haru would never do such nonsense, so she must be lying.

"Haxi, stop lying—"

"Believe what you want, but I can't forget how Haru said I needed to abort my child just because of his fucking reputation..." she shouted, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"H-Haxilla..."

I took a step away from her, still trying to absorb everything she said. I wanted to believe her, but I'm used to seeing Haru in a different light.

He'll never be able to do it. No, he won't be able to.

"We're just sex buddies, no feelings attached, but I'm so stupid for falling in love with him. He showed up once when he found out I was pregnant with our child, just to tell me I needed to abort that innocent child!"

'I'm not going to be responsible for that child.We aren't even married!'

'Please don't leave me, you promised to look after our child.'

'I never promised that, get out now and don't show your face here!'

"Ahhh," I moaned as the voices made my head hurt.

I felt tears streaming down my face and a shivering wind on my back, as well as cold raindrops dripping on my skin.

'Please, on your words, be a man! While we're doing this, we're both having a great time!'

'Honey? What's going on over there?'

'Get out of here! It's not my child, so get out of here!'

'No, I'm not going to move an inch.'

'Argh, just get out of here—'

'What are you doing here, cous'?'

'Improving your husband's ability to be responsible.'

'Can you explain what you mean?'

'No, perhaps she's drunk—'

'I can't drink any alcoholic beverages because of our baby's health.'

'What?!'

'N-No—'

"AAAHHH!" When I heard a loud noise, I screamed, aggravating my headache.

"Sheesh, I thought my head was going to explode."

I jerked open my eyes and rushed up to get ready for my first day at work.

Now is not the time for me to be late, argh!

When Haru called, I was fixing my hair.

I just stared at his name, unable to believe he is capable of such a feat. I ignored his call and emerged from my room to eat a small sandwich.

Haxilla simply stares at me, both of us still processing what happened earlier.

"You're wearing that dress again, Selena," Britanny abruptly spoke up, ostensibly to break the ice in the room.

"I believe it is my lucky dress,"  I giggled a little. Britanny sighed as Haxilla stood up and slammed her room door.

"Just be patient with her; it's a traumatic experience for her. Since the memory has reopened, we have been unable to communicate with her for about a month."

"I understand," I murmured, "I'm just frustrated and shocked for every detail I received."

My watch drew my attention, and I leapt to my feet and dashed to the door without saying anything.

Please, not now!

I looked through my bag for my car keys, maybe I left them at home or misplaced it in my bag. I'm in hurry now so I getting back to the house is not a good solution. 

I dashed to the bus station, but my heels nearly knocked me down, so I removed  them.

When the bus finally came to a halt, the number of passengers on board had suddenly doubled. It happened again, and same as before, I let them board first, but the bus is already packed.

Selena, you've been extremely fortunate.

I sat on a bench while waiting for the next bus; I still have about an hour before office hours, but it's always better to arrive early.

Haru's name flashed on my phone when it suddenly rang. I didn't pick up the phone and let him keep calling.

I'll have to reconsider my choice.

My phone continues to ring, and I keep checking my watch; 20 minutes have passed, and no bus has arrived.

Should I begin walking right now?

Oh no, the office is literally 5 kilometers away; walking will take so much time.

I picked up the phone when it rang again.

"What?" I replied coldly.

[I tried calling you several times but you didn't answer; what happened?]

"It has nothing to do with you."

[W-woah, relax okay, I'm just curious. Are you on your way to work, by the way? I'll pick you—]

"It's not necessary, thank you."

[Hey, did I offend you in any way?]

"Try to ask yourself," I hung up the phone with my fist clenched.

What is your reason to do such an evil thing, Haru? Why?

The bus arrives, and I board while my mind is racing with ideas. I've only been out of the country for almost ten years, but there have been so many things that have happened to my friends without my knowledge.

What would have happened to Haxilla if Haru hadn't done it to her?

Is it possible for them to live as a happy family or for us to love each other without any barriers?

Just one bad decision can completely change the course of the world.

"AAAHHH!" When something on the bus exploded, I yelled. Many passengers were startled by the loud noise.

"GET DOWN RIGHT NOW! THE BUS IS ON THE VERGE OF EXPLODING!" The bus driver's exclamation caused everyone to leave the area for their lives.

When I stood up, I had no idea what I was going to do. My system panicked, and there were a lot of people passing by in front of me, so I couldn't think clearly.

The little girl's cries of "Mom!" drew my attention. She's huddled in the corner, hugging herself.

I tried to get closer to her and tighten my grip on her hands. She trusted me, so she walked closer to me, and I carried her out of the bus. The bus is now engulfed in flames and engulfed in smoke.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

She gives me a nod and a tight hug. I ran as fast as I could and jumped off the bus; we were just in time because the bus had already exploded.

I took the little girl to the ambulance when it arrived.

"Would you please wait for your mother?" She gave me a nod. I left her with the medications and prepared to go to our office.

I can't run fast because there are so many people in the street as a result of the bus explosion.

I attempted to walk in a large space before running again. I was running in front of the cafe when a man bumped into me and spilled coffee all over my body.

It was blazingly hot!

"Fudge! Don't you see I'm approaching?" I inquired, but he simply tossed the coffee cup and walked past me as if nothing had happened.

What the fudge is this? He doesn't have any manners!

I hurl my stiletto at him, and it lands on his back, causing him to pause for a moment before continuing on his way.

What have I done to deserve this curse?!