chapter three

Three years ago

Clara held on to the restaurant keys longer than she was supposed to.

Her shoulders slumped as she stood outside her father's restaurant, or should she say former restaurant.

She still couldn't believe it. The recent weeks were still a blur. Time felt so still yet too fast. She barely had any time to catch up.

The landlord tapped her shoulder. She looked up at him. He gave her a pointed look, his eyes drifted to the keys in her hands.

She handed over the keys and turned around to leave.

She could feel her blood begin to boil. All these years, her father had been nothing but a good tenant, but he only cared as long as he paid his rent.

She thought of the irritated look he had given when she had told him they'd be behind on rent this month. She had said her father was sick, but he barely batted an eyelid.

He had simply informed her to pay the rent before the end of the month or leave.

He didn't even ask what was wrong or if there was anything he could do.

Now, all the free food her father had offered him whenever he came to pick up rent left a sour taste in her mouth.

She turned back to look at the restaurant one last time before walking off.

She had grown up there. Her love for food and cooking had begun there. Fuck, she met Jade there.

She was still reeling in her thoughts when her phone buzzed in her pocket.

It was a text from Jade, and all it said was, "Come now."

Her heart dropped almost immediately.

Jade was with Dad. She wondered if something had gone wrong.

She could feel her heart hammering against her ribs.

She dialed Jade's number.

No answer.

It felt like her lungs had forgotten how to function.

She placed her hands on her knees, breathing loudly through her mouth until her heartbeat steadied.

She dialed again.

No answer.

She ran straight towards the direction of the hospital, trying to hail a taxi as she rushed.

Clara hated the smell of the hospital. It smelled like bleach and sickness and death mixed up. It made her stomach turn.

"What are the options?"

Clara paused in the hallway.

Jade's voice came from the room ahead.

She hurried towards it and found her standing in front of a nurse, her hands firmly placed on her hips.

"What's going on?"

Clara asked. She was still trying to catch her breath.

"Miss Hayes," the nurse turned towards her.

She held a folder against her chest.

"Is my Dad okay?" Clara looked behind the nurse to Jade.

"Yeah, he is." Jade nodded.

Clara let out a long sigh, her eyes leaving Jade and falling to the nurse, who was now standing right in front of her.

"I need to speak to you about your dad's treatment plan," she stated.

Clara pressed her lips and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Okay?"

"Well, the amount you deposited is not enough to continue treatment." The nurse began to go through the folder.

Clara assumed it belonged to her father.

"How much do I need?"

The nurse pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it over.

Jade walked over to go through the file with her.

Clara pursed her lips and turned towards Jade.

Tears filled her lower eyelid.

Where would she get this much in such a short time, and after that, what next?

She knew where this was going, and she refused to accept it.

"What happens if I can't pay?" she muttered.

Jade slipped her hands around her waist.

"We'll have to temporarily stop his dialysis sessions until the outstanding amount is paid."

Clara wondered how the nurse could give news like that in such a steady tone.

"I'll get the money... I'll get the money."

She handed the sheet back to the nurse and turned her gaze towards Jade.

Jade had that look in her eyes, the same one she had.

How would she keep up with the payment?

Their source of income had closed down, and working as a waitress barely fed her.

She squeezed Jade's hands gently.

"I'll get the money," Clara repeated.

Like saying it over and over again would solve the problem.

The nurse wanted to speak, but the look on Clara's face stopped her.

She excused herself and left the room to Jade and Clara.

"I need to see him," Clara said, marched out of the room, and went to where her father was being kept.

Jade followed behind her.

He slept soundly, a small smile stretched across his face.

He looked so peaceful. She kissed his forehead, and a teardrop landed on his cheeks.

She would do whatever it took to keep him by her side.

~~~~~~~~~~

Alexander Ford adjusted his cuffs as he lowered himself onto his seat.

He let out a relieved sigh and leaned back.

Another contract successfully secured.

He felt his stomach twist and remembered he had missed breakfast.

He placed a call, and Oliver came rushing in.

"Sir?"

Oliver stood by the door, his tie undone and his hair disheveled, a small drool by the side of his face.

He'd been sleeping.

"Get me lunch."

"Yes, sir, the usual?" Oliver wiped the drool off his face and straightened his tie.

"No."

Oliver raised an eyebrow.

No? Three years of the same order every afternoon and suddenly no.

Maybe he wanted to celebrate. Today was a big deal, the successful merging.

But Alexander Ford never celebrated.

"What can I get you, sir?" Oliver asked quickly, realizing he had been quiet for too long.

Alexander's eyes glazed over his desk and landed on his pens.

They were out of place. He carefully arranged them and looked up at his assistant.

He thought of the pasta dish he had gotten when he was promoted to CEO.

It was the only pasta dish on their menu.

"There's a family restaurant in Queens. I can't remember the name. Get their pasta."

Oliver tapped his feet frantically.

There were dozens of family restaurants in Queens. How would he find it?

"Astoria, I think," Alexander added and motioned for him to leave.