CHAPTER 02

The heat of the sun woke me up from sleeping. I rubbed my eyes using my finger before getting out a yawn. 

I hope this day will stand as a hope for me.

"Coffee for another wonderful day, Astra..." 

I almost jumped in shock when a crew member of the cafe spoke from behind. She was the woman who guided me last night to apply for their place. Yeah, I slept inside the shop. The manager let me in, though.

"Shameless self," I uttered, laughing at myself. I didn't want to accept it, but I felt like I was rejecting their help. 

"Don't be, Astra. Come on and get this. You have to freshen yourself for a good day. "

I nodded and slowly got the cup that she was handing to me. Oh, I don't know her name. Would she introduce herself to me?

"Pardon?"

She stared at me for a while before chuckling. "I'm Sew,"

"Ah.." I nodded and laughed with her too. I drank the coffee and it really tasted so good. Praise for this shop.

I got myself ready for my job. It is a good thing they are nice. They let me take a bath and clean myself up so I could freshen up. I really looks so unpleasant lately.

I heaved a sigh while I was wearing my apron in the locker area. I gulped as I felt the pool of tears that were starting to form in my eyes again.

I was promising that I would be brave, but here I am, feeling weak and don't know what to do first to start a wonderful day.

I was thinking about them, like, are they even good? Are they okay? Are they happy now that I am gone from their sight? I felt more pain from what I was just thinking about.

"Good morning, Ma'am." I greeted a customer. She nodded her head at me slightly before heading to an available table and calling for a crew for her order.

Time passed and I was just standing beside the entrance, greeting the customers that were entering the shop. Later on, I helped the crews serve the customers. I wasn't used to how to serve and what was right to do, but it was a good thing Sew was guiding me.

"Sorry, Ma'am." I apologized immediately when I accidentally bumped a customer who was walking towards the mini-restroom.

I felt nervousness in myself when the coffee spilled on her white dress. I felt my palms sweating because I knew I didn't consider cuatiousness.

"What the..." I heard her curse before looking at me angrily. I gulped and could not even move from where I was standing.

"S-Sorry----"I didn't finish what I was supposed to say when I slapped my pale cheeks. My face turned to the right side because of the impact that was caused by her.

We stole the attention of other customers. I was even more embarrassed because of the scene that I was in.

"This dress cost thousands, yet you just spilled a stain on it!" She yelled right in my face. I closed my eyes harshly and bit my lower lip. Heck! My cheeks hurt! Yesterday, my mother gave me a palm and now I have received another from someone!

"Astra." Sew approached my area. She got the tray that I was holding away from me. While me? I was still in my position earlier. I was facing the right direction and couldn't grasp in my own system what had just happened. 

"Look! She did this to me! I value this dress the most, but she ruined its beauty."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it."

"You didn't mean it? I know 'cause you're literally blind! Get out of my face before I call your manager and get you fired!"

I looked down in shame. Sew apologized again before gently dragging me away from that woman. I couldn't even stop myself when I felt my tears were slowly falling from my eyes.

"S-sorry, I didn't mean it." I apologized to Sew when we stopped walking. We were now on the outside of the shop and I am sure that she brought me here just to scold me.

But what I thought was the opposite of what she said after me.

"You didn't mean it. Don't be sorry for me. And you already apologized to her. Go on and get a rest. I know you're not feeling well and you are experiencing some pain."

My tears fall even more. She's like a mother that I never had. How I wish she was with me. I am longing for parental care.

"But... this is just my first day, Sew..." 

"This cafe isn't only for a shop, Astra. This also gives comfort. This is not only for business, but for a helpful approach also."

I gulped, feeling blessed. I was thinking that no one loves or likes me, that everyone loathes me, but then, here Sew is, introducing me to things that are made for comfort. 

She told me that I could have my rest even though this was my first day as a worker. On the first day, I did a scene. I scolded myself because of what happened.

I let out a heavy sigh before looking around. There were tall trees and they were swaying because of the wind. Fresh flowers are always blooming.

That's when I knew that life was too beautiful to be this wretched. You just need to fix yourself and prepare for the unexpected things that will come.

I closed my eyes to feel the fresh air. And when I opened my eyes again, they immediately darted to an area where a guy with a cap and hoodie was standing.

My brows creased because of the insights. He is familiar with it.

I stared at him for a minute while he was busy typing on his phone with the earphones that were placed in his ears. I immediately shifted my gaze before he was able to look back in my direction.

Heck!

Why am I staring at that annoying guy? It was the person that I talked to last night. The guy was a stalker. Why is he stalking me anyway? How is he related to me? Is there someone who dared him to follow me for an exchange?

All of a sudden, my cheap phone suddenly beeped. I got it while my brows were creased. Who is texting me? How I wish it was my family.

 

 

My brows furrowed even more when I saw an unfamiliar and unregistered number. Out of curiosity, I opened the message and read it.

"Look at your back," I read the text. I arched my brows. Who's this?

None itself. I looked at my back and was surprised when I saw the guy earlier. What the... I looked in the direction where he was earlier and saw that he wasn't already there. He's literally here now at my back. Heck, how did he do that? That was fast!

"H-Hey.." I uttered, but could not grasp how fast he was. Don't tell me he does have magic?

"How are you?" His voice was now firm, unlike yesterday. I gulped when he walked beside me before he sat with me in a lounge.

"F-Fine." I want to answer him rudely, but I just can't. His approach to me this time is now nice. And also, I can now clearly see his face. Heck! He's such a goddess! 

I already saw a perfect human. He's so hot!

I looked away when I realized that I had already been staring at him for almost a minute! But.. his eyes were like calling mine and my idiot self let him call mine.

"Are you going to live here?" 

I shook my head while busy roaming my own eyes around. "No...?"

"And you'll just take a rest? Knowing that you can use this extra time of yours to look for an apartment or something, don't just stare at someone. That wouldn't help you,"

I sighed. Why is he telling me this? And why would he even care? We're strangers, not friends.

"You're getting creepy, Mister." I hissed. I heard him chuckle, making me look at him again. Why does he laugh sexily?

"You were my neighbor, Astra. How come you don't recognize me?"

My mouth opened slightly because of what he just said. Neighbors? Really? Okay, then. I don't interact with my neighbors though. Let's just say they never interact with me.

I shook my head in annoyance before clearing my throat. "Excuse me, I do have work."

"Good thing you remembered it," I could sense the sarcasm in his tone. I sighed before shaking my head again. I then stood up and excused myself because I was going to continue my work. It is a good thing that the manager understands what I have been doing lately. She just warned me about being cautious. While Sew is always reminding me to focus on one thing.

After work, I still don't know where to go. I stood outside the café and thought about having an apartment. But I don't have any money yet!

Time passed and I couldn't believe that it was almost dark. Did I just think for an hour? Heck! What a waste of time!

I tousled my hair out of frustration. Darn! I can't think clearly! Why am I even pressuring myself?

"As, where are you going?" Before I stepped out of where I was standing, Sew asked. She walked towards me.

Sew 'older than me, maybe she's in her 20's? 24, I think. I wonder why she works here.

"Uh.. I'll look for money to get an apartment," 

she nodded before putting her arms above my shoulders. She then dragged me gently using her arms on me.

"Go with me, I have an apartment."

My brows met. "We're not close,"

"But that doesn't mean that you can't live with me. I was alone there. I want a companion and I want you."

"You already helped me, Sew, and I thank you for that. I don't want you to spoil me, "

"Okay, live with me for just a few days. And then, after you look for a job or money, you can look for another apartment. Deal?"

I sighed. I guess I already have no choice. She's already helping me with what I was struggling with earlier. I must accept her help because I have no one to approach in my time of need.

"Okay, thank you." She smiled at me sweetly. I just returned a faint beam to her.

We waited for a taxi. We immediately got in as we found one. Sew told me where her apartment was located and she also shared with me that she had no family. She's alone in her unit.

"How about you? Where's your family?" 

I was stunned for a few seconds when she asked about my family. Should I tell her the truth? 

"I left them," was all I was able to say to her.

"Oh? What was their reaction?"

I bit my lower lip and avoided her gaze. "Of course, I am mad and feeling blue." How I wish they were sad because I left, but I know they were happy because finally, their daughter and sister are now gone on their own. They don't even appreciate my existence.

I am the reason why they were suffering. All I did to them was embarass them. They spent more money just to make me study in a school and continue what I had started, but I just disappointed them. I failed. I failed my academics.

"I see. We're the same, though. I also left my family,"

I nodded, though I was shocked. "What was the reason?"

"Lack of money, I think? And I have to work."

I nodded my head again. We were really the same. I can't imagine ourselves being hated just because of that money thing. It really started with money. There is no case if you want to be rich, but make sure it has a valid reason and has a good purpose.

And because of the money, the family was able to shove me away.