Chapter 5

Jemima appeared confused herself, even though she was the one who would cook the food.

"Which one do you want? The spicy one or the non-spicy one?" Jemima asked, waiting for the stranger's decision.

"It's up to you," the man replied softly. It would be best if that were all he said, keeping his curiosity about the package for later.

Jemima seemed to choose between the two instant noodle packages carefully, then nodded to herself.

"Oh, by the way, what's your name?"

"My name is Jemima; you can call me Jemi," Jemima said, feeling happy to have someone to talk to like this.

Hmm, his mouth couldn't stay quiet, thought the man as he sighed.

"Hey! What's your name?"

"My name is Jemi," she replied again.

"Akhm! My name is Julian, yes, Julian," the man answered hesitantly.

"Oh really? That's a nice name. I'm sure you're just bankrupt or kicked out of your house," Jemima assumed on her own.

"What do you mean?" Julian asked, not understanding the girl's words.

"Well, I mean... sorry beforehand, after you changed into slightly brighter clothes like that, you don't look like a homeless person anymore," Jemima explained.

Julian nodded as he looked at his outfit: a navy jacket with cream-coloured fur, a light grey t-shirt, and denim jeans. Only his shoes were not changed: Air Jordan Silver shoes.

"Oh, I just didn't buy the shoes. They look nice, although it seems fake," Jemima yelled out as she saw Julian taking off his shoes.

"Ahem!" Julian coughed in surprise at the girl's words.

"Are you okay?" Jemima asked.

Julian nodded while rubbing his neck, "I'm fine. Just a bit cold," he answered.

Jemima nodded in understanding.

"So that you know, those are unique and rare shoes. Since its first release, these sneakers have been sought after by most men worldwide because the NBA legend directly signed them, Michael Jordan," Jemima confidently explained.

"Do you know Michael Jordan?" she asked.

The one being asked just looked around cluelessly.

"But... I didn't know there was a fake edition," she added.

'What? Did she say these shoes are fake?' Julian's inner thoughts were startled.

If only he knew how much they cost. His heart was slightly pinched. It turned out that if he wasn't anyone, even when wearing branded items, they still had no value in the eyes of strangers who didn't know him.

"Are you offended? Didn't I apologize earlier?" Jemima asked, coming back with two bowls of freshly cooked noodles.

Julian shook his head, "then why are you silent?" Jemima asked again.

Julian's eyes were only focused on the two bowls of food in front of him, with pieces of meat and vegetables on top, looking delicious, although strange because it was the first time he had seen it.

"Hey, why aren't you answering?" Jemima asked again.

"Oh, sorry, so what should I explain?" Julian replied, asking back.

"Ah, never mind... let's just eat first. Julian," Jemima replied, thinking that someone like Julian, who lived on the streets, couldn't possibly know about fake shoes or not. Just being able to wear shoes was already something to be grateful for.

"Hump... yummy...," murmured Jemima as she prepared to scoop the broth in the bowl, but suddenly someone banged on her door.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Jemima's eyes widened towards the door, then alternated to Julian. They looked at each other, but Julian, who was clueless, seemed indifferent.

"Jemima! Come out!" a woman shouted from outside.

"Who?" Julian asked.

"Shh!" Jemima replied, raising her index finger. Although not understanding, Julian nodded and did the same, raising his index finger right above his lips.

"Come out, Jemima, I know you're inside!" the woman called again, sounding frantic.

Julian's eyes sneakily glanced at Jemima, the girl's face looking very confused.

"You should just open it," Julian whispered.

Jemima ignored the man's words next to her. Instead, she bit her index finger's nail.

"Jemima! Come out! Should I break down the door, huh?!" the woman shouted again.

Jemima's lips grimaced. Finally, she stood up and walked towards the only door of the house. The lock was opened, and the woman outside immediately swung the door wide open, almost hitting Jemima's face if Julian hadn't quickly pulled the girl's clothes, making her step back.

"Oh! Apparently, having a private moment with a man?!" snorted the middle-aged woman who barged into the house.

Jemima just lowered her head, looking embarrassed and not daring to respond to the woman's rudeness.

"Tsk! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, like mother, like daughter," the woman sneered again.

"Ah, whatever, I don't care—no wonder you didn't want to marry Ian. Apparently, you've been cheating with another man," she continued.

Julian glanced at Jemima; the girl looked scared and confused.

"Remember, Jemima, your debt is very high. Ian doesn't need to be repaid; that man only needs to be paid by your body," the woman said.

Julian was shocked; even his mind started to wonder about Jemima's job. 'Could she be a sex worker?' he thought as he saw Jemima's trembling body in fear.

Before Jemima could defend herself, the woman suddenly took a bowl of hot noodles then poured it over her head.

"Ouch!" Jemima winced from the heat.

"What is this? Are you crazy!" Julian snapped, reflexively scolding the middle-aged woman while quickly running and looking for something to wipe off the noodles poured on Jemima's body.

"Are you okay?" he continued to ask.

Jemima just stood frozen, tears starting to flow; the girl tried not to cry by biting her lower lip hard. But it seemed unsuccessful; the scene looked very pitiful until her pain was felt deep in Julian's heart.

"Hey! Who are you? Her customer?" the woman asked Julian while pulling his arm, which Julian immediately pushed away, feeling disgusted when the middle-aged woman touched him.

Julian remained silent, staring sharply at the woman.

"Uh! Your gaze is truly terrifying," the woman sneered, shuddering.

"Do you think I'm afraid? Hah!" she continued shouting, as if challenging.

For some reason, this was the first time Julian wanted to slap a woman's mouth since Sarah.

"Listen, young man, I have the right because I am her stepmother," the woman declared.