Chapter one.

"Lisa."

"Hmmm?" Lisa hummed. She pulled open the oven's small door and placed the pan of chocolate cookies she had just made in before turning to her best friend, who had just arrived. "What is it?"

"I found another job." Karen put on her apron, taking her position at the sink. "A waitress. At a bar. It is night shifts, and the pay is pretty good. I asked for the both of us if you want."

"A bar?" Lisa slammed the dough she was kneading against the bowl. "I will pass."

"I thought so." Karen wiped her hands dry, then turned around to lean on the metallic table. "It sure will be boring without you."

"Work isn't supposed to be fun." Lisa pointed out, and Karen ignored her. Saying instead.

"Did something happen?"

"What?"

Karen rubbed the tip of her chin thoughtfully. "Your smile is so bright that my eyes are starting to sting. Did you get yourself a boyfriend behind my back or something?"

"As if." Lisa rolled her eyes, but the smile on her lips remained. She announced. "I already gathered enough money to pay for Felix's tuition fees, and there will still be enough to pay for extra lessons even after I remove the rent. I am so happy."

"Hah—its your bother again." Karen pouted her lips, pretending to sulk. "You really like him a lot. I am jealous."

Lisa gave her the stink eye, stating. "It's not like I don't like you too."

"Then me and Felix, who do you like more?"

Lisa merely glanced at her before she returned to mixing the mixtures. "I think the oven heat might be too high. Can you help me check on the cakes?"

"Betrayer." Karen swore under her breath, but still, she wiped her hands and did as she was told.

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Lisa was out the moment her shift ended.

As she walked, it felt like she was floating. Even the particularly cloudy weather didn't seem to bother her, and the breeze was extremely sweet against her nostrils.

'Finally, I don't have to worry about Felix not taking the exams.'

After her mom died some years ago, it was just her, her father, and her little brother, Felix.

But ever since then, Lisa has been the breadwinner of the house. Her father, who knew only to drink, gamble, and create debts for her, was the most devastating part.

It took hard work to be able to raise the money needed, and Lisa had to shuffle between different jobs, from one shift to the next.

There were many times she wanted to give up and questioned her strength.

But now that it paid off, Lisa didn't feel that bad anymore.

All the sleepless nights didn't matter, as long as Felix could go to school.

Just like her mother wished.

She planned everything in her head. She would pay for his tuition fees, pay the pending rent, buy the little things he needs, ask him if he wanted some extra lessons, and keep the rest for feeding.

Perfect.

The door was locked when she arrived home, hinting that there was no one around.

Felix normally has football training after school and comes home late, while her father does whatever he wants.

She fished the key out of her bag to open the door. Flipping the light switch on, she changes into her fluffy slippers, halting in her steps at the sight of the living room.

Everything was in a disarray, and she was suddenly hit with the thought that the house had been robbed, only to calm down some seconds later.

First, the door was locked, and no sensible robber would do that after stealing.

And second, no one in their right mind would want to steal from them. There was nothing to steal.

At this part, a bad premonition started to grow in her mind, and she rushed to her room.

Just like the living room, everything was a mess. Clothes lying on the floor, and drawers ajar.

Lisa's head turned blank.

She stepped on the brake of her running thoughts. Hurriedly searching through the hidden corner in her closet where she had hidden the envelope,.

'It is gone.'

"No. It can't be." Her breathing became chaotic as she ran to the living room with both hands and feet. She had seen a brown object sticking out by the foot of the sofa when she walked into the house, and when she examine it closely, she collapsed.

'It's the envelope.'

The envelope contained all of her savings. It's all gone.

Every single penny.

Lisa closed her eyes, her lips trembling. She blinked back the tears, pulling herself up.

She headed for her father's room, and sure enough, all his things had disappeared.

Finally. He is gone.

There was a small piece of paper on the neatly made bed. Lisa sat down and picked it up to read with trembling hands.

My dear daughter. I have caused you a lot of trouble in this life. If I ever come back, I will surely repay you.

Lisa stared at the crooked and ugly handwriting. Reading it over and over again.

She didn't cry. It wasn't the first time this was happening. He'd take her money all the time. But it had never been this much. 

Folding the paper neatly, she grabbed a pair of scissors from her room but was unable to bring herself to tear it.

After all, these might be his last words to her.

So she kept it in the bottom drawer in her room before going to the kitchen to make dinner.

"I am back." Felix arrived just as she finished. She hurried him to take a bath, then served his meal.

"Where is he?" Felix frowned, noticing they were one person short.

Lisa purses her lips, saying it hesitantly. "He—he left."

She watched his expression, which was non-existent. "Oh."

He nodded his head, then continued eating. "good."

Mc sighed in relief, giving him a smile that broke through the sadness. "Don't be afraid, okay? We will be fine."

Felix wanted to tell her that he wasn't in the least, but he still said. "Okay."

He then looked at her and asked. "Aren't you going to eat?"

"I already ate." Lisa lied. "You must be tired after practice. Eat and go take a rest."

Her phone vibrated in her pants pocket, and she leaned back to answer it.

"Hey."

"Lisa!! Come out. I brought a drink to celebrate." She heard Karen's excited voice.

"Celebrate what?"

"You finally gathered enough money to pay little Felix's school fees. You have been so worried ever since last year. We definitely got to celebrate."

'celebrate?' Lisa's stomach churns.