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CARA
CARA
Author: miss.ssab

chapter one

Author: miss.ssab
last update Last Updated: 2022-03-04 20:39:18

Success doesn't come easy. Success requires hard work. That was the last sentence of the book I was reading. I was so hooked on the book that I forgot someone was waiting for me.

"Cara, hurry up! Your dad is waiting for you," my mom shouted. I hurriedly picked up my book and went downstairs. I grabbed a sandwich and an orange juice and went inside the car.

 "Where's Carlon?" my father asked me as soon as I entered the car.

 "He's coming, "I told him, and I saw carlon running down the stairs.

"Why are we in a hurry, dad? My class is at 9 am. It's not even 8 in the morning, "Carlon asked my dad while my dad started to run the car.

"I need to talk to a client. They're planning to withdraw their huge orders from us. I can't let that happen. Our employees started working on their orders we will lose a lot of money if that happens since it's customized," Dad told us furiously.

"Did they tell you what's the reason for them to pull out their orders?"I asked him.

"They can't give me a proper reason." He said, looking so disappointed.

"It says right there on the first page of our website that once you place an order, there's no cancellation. Our supplies aren't cheap. It's pricey. We will surely lose money," he added.

 "What can I do, dad?"I asked him calmly, thinking how I could help.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it," he said to me.

My parents have a business of ready-to-wear clothes. This particular buyer ordered 250 pieces of polo shirts with their company name and the personal name of their employees. Our fabrics aren't cheap. We make sure our products are high quality. I hope they won't pull out their orders once Dad talks to them. This business is our only source of income. We get all our expenses here, so I'm worried.

Once I arrived at school, I went straight to class. My friends are there waiting for me.

"Cara, can I copy your assignments?" Julia asked me.

"Sure, "I told her then, grabbed my notebook to give her. They were busy copying my assignments when Mr. Smith sat beside me. I looked at him with my annoyed face.

 "What do you need?" I asked him.

 "Nothing, I'm just sitting beside you. Is there any problem with that?" He said, smirking at me.

Mr. Smith, let's call him Austin. Have been very irritating since the semester started. He's been following me around the campus to annoy me.

"Don't annoy me today, please. I'm not in the mood to argue with you," I said, not looking.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he tried to look at my face. I didn't answer him. "Hey, what happened?" He asked again.

"Dad has a problem in our business. I hope it ends well." I finally turned to him.

"Is it that bad?" He frowned.

"I don't know but based on my father's reaction earlier. It seems like it could end up bad." I said, recalling his reaction when I asked him in the car.

"Whatever happens, always remember you have us. You can tell us everything, and you can always ask us for help, whether it's financial or support." He said, looking serious. I laughed at him.

"Why are you laughing?" He asked, but he was smiling already.

"Thank you for being so thoughtful, Austin. I know I have you guys. That's why I'm so thankful for you and Julia," I told him sincerely.

"Hey! What are you talking about? Are you dating now?" Julia said, teasing us again.

"How many times do I have to tell you that Austin didn't like me. He just loves to annoy me, nothing more. We're just friends." I have to tell this to Julia every time she teases me with Austin. It seems like she's not used to Austin when in fact, we're always like this every day.

"Are you done with the assignment?" I asked him.

"We have assignments?" He asked me back with his wide eyes.

"We do. Oh my gosh, Austin! Our professor will come in any minute now." Austin is unbelievable. He's always like this. This man didn't pay attention in class. So, I gave him my notes so he could copy them.

I am a very diligent person. I love reading and learning new things. Not only that, but I want to graduate with flying colors and also make my parents proud. I have always been interested in starting a business. I have many ideas in my head, but I honestly don't know where to start, so I decided to finish my degree in entrepreneur first before I engage in a real business, but my problem is I am afraid to take a risk.

My morning classes were over, so I went to the cafeteria with Julia. We bought some snacks to eat.

 "You have been very active in class lately," Julia said while we sat at an empty table.

"I'm trying my best to have a high GPA. I want to be consistent in the dean's list." I said while eating some chips and scanning my notes.

"Have some fun too, "Julia smiled at me.

"I'm having fun, Julia! We hang out a lot every weekend. " I said to her.

She just laughed at what I said. Some of our friends joined us at the table, eating and laughing while waiting for our next subject. I browsed my social media then what I saw shocked me. Our shop's name is gaining a lot of attention right now. I would be happy if its a positive reaction, but it wasn't. A random guy posted negatively about our shop. His post about us wasn't even correct. He even dragged our family name into the issue. I immediately excused myself from my friends and went home.

I don't mind waiting for the bus in scorching hot weather. I want to go home and know what happened.

"It was a misunderstanding," my mom told me.

 "They ruined our reputation, "I told them anxiously.

"What do you mean, Cara?" My dad asked me with a furrowed brow.

 I showed them the post that was gaining a lot of attention. They were concerned about our business right now.

I told my parents to sue the person who posted, but I don't know if they will listen to me.

Months have passed, I thought everything was okay, not until my mom admitted to me that since that day we barely received orders, and since we have a few workers, some of them need to leave us as we cannot afford to pay for their salary, we also have a large debt to pay. I didn't know about this, but it started when my dad needed to have an immediate operation for his heart. Mom borrowed a large amount of money which we haven't settled yet. We ran out of money to operate the business. My dad decided to work at a bank while my mom stayed home.

"Cara, is there any food left? I'm hungry," Carlon asked me. He's sweating so bad while still holding a ball.

 "Did you play basketball again?"I asked him

"Yeah. I'm playing with your friend Austin and Jim," he told me, breathing heavily.

"Here." I gave him a glass of water and made him sandwiches

 "Since when did I have a friend named Austin?" I asked him. Austin is a friend, and I was just joking with Carlon.

"C'mon. Austin definitely likes you," He chuckled.

"Shut up! Don't ever say that again, "I said, looking disgusted.

"It's too obvious, Cara! You're too blind to see it." He said, smirking at me.

"I don't want to think about that. We're friends. I don't want to feel awkward with him."

"Can't you feel anything? Like butterflies?" He said, obviously teasing me.

"Stop it! I'm getting goosebumps," I said, avoiding eye contact with him.

Carlon laughed then went to the bathroom to take a bath.

 I went upstairs to look for my mom. I saw her holding a check.

"What's that?"I asked her

"We sold our sewing machines." my mom said, looking at the floor.

"What? Why? How about our business? Is it closing?"I asked her worriedly.

"We don't have a choice. We need money for you and your brother's tuition fee," she said. My mom looks so sad, and it's breaking my heart.

"I will work. I'll find a job, mom. " I said sternly.

 "You don't have to, Cara. We will find ways, okay? It'll be okay soon," she said. "No, mom. I'll help you and dad, "I told her.

"How about your studies? You want to graduate, right?" she asked me, looking worried.

 "I will work and study. I can do it, " Mom sighed and hugged me. After we talked, I went straight to Julia's home.

 "Julia, do you know any work I can apply to?" I asked her. She looked at me with confusion.

 "Why? Do you need work?" She asked me.

"I need to work. I want to help my parents. Our business is closing, "I said.

"Really?! I can't believe that one post from someone can make your business fail. Your parents are probably so sad right now. They work so hard for that business to grow, "Julia is shocked too.

 "Don't worry. I'll help you find a job. It'll be okay," Julia added.

 "I hope this is just a joke, but it wasn't. Here's our reality now," I sighed, looking so worried.

"What kind of work do you want?" she asked.

"Anything, "I said.

"Okay, I'll ask my mom if she knew any vacant job," She said, smiling at me. "Anyway, my mom and I baked banana bread. Try this, and tell me how it is," she added. I tasted the bread, and it was good, not too sweet. I ate more, and she noticed that I liked it. " You don't have to tell me if it's good. I can tell right now that you liked it," she laughed.

I am very thankful to Julia for helping me in our current situation.

I can really count on her. She's the best.

Later that night, I received a text message from her, telling me that a convenience store was looking for a cashier. I immediately tell her that I'll be applying for that job.

The next day, I went to the store with Julia. I talked to the owner, and he allowed me to work part-time. I will be working in the store at night after my class.

 "I'll join you at night when I don't have anything to do at home, so you won't be alone here," Julia said.

 "Don't worry about me, Julia. I'll befriend the security guard so that I won't be lonely here, "I said, smiling at her.

"Oh! I remember!" she said and went to the owner and asked him. "Is Roman still the guard here at night?"

"Yes, he is. How did you know him?" The owner asked her.

"I used to be here at night last summer. He's always welcoming and kind to us, "I looked at her.

What is she doing here late at night? I asked myself. She turned to me and said, "Last summer, I learned how to drink alcohol." she laughed, remembering the silly things she did.

"I remember staying here until we're sober. Roman is very kind to us. We became friends because of that," she said.

 I was a bit relieved to be working with a nice person. I hope we get along.

 I went home and found my Dad cooking.

"Honey, you don't have to work. Your mom and I can manage our expenses, just focus on studying," he said as soon as I entered the house.

 "I know you, Dad. You'll overwork again. We can't afford it if you get sick again. Don't worry about it, I will not be neglecting my studies. I promise you, I'll still be on the dean's list this semester," I assure him.

"I don't think I can change your mind, "He sighed as I hugged him.

"I'm sorry if you have to do this, Cara. I promised once I saved enough money, we'll open our business again," He said. I got teary-eyed.

"Tonight is my first day at the convenience store. The owner will be teaching me how to use the machine, so I will go there a little early tonight," I told dad.

"Call me anytime you need me. Okay?" Dad said. I nodded at him.

Sadness is all over me. We had that business for a long time. I didn't know it would close like that, and I'm afraid of my studies. I'm scared to stop going to school because I have a lot of dreams for my family and myself. But whatever happens, I will still chase my dreams. I will be a successful businesswoman!

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    Carlon sat infront of me."What about cara?" he asked me."She's been working too much.""She is. That's why I volunteered to deliver the brownies, so she won't have to worry,""Always look out to her. She might overwork herself again. I'm worried," I said."Don't worry, Austin. Our father will start his therapy soon. That's was the only reason why cara worked so hard, to earn money for dad's therapy, but his batchmates from high school helped him.""That's great news. Anyway, that's all I want to say, to watch over cara," I smiled at carlon."Thank you for looking after my sister. She found great friends with you and Julia," he said.We ate there and planned about basketball.CARA'S POVWe were at Julia's house baking brownies and cookies. Austin and I message a couple of influencers to send them free products for an unbiased opinion. We make sure to put it in presentable packaging.

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Latest chapter

  • CARA   chapter fourteen

    There's a cafe shop owner who reached out to us regarding our brownies. They were asking if we could supply for them. I immediately called Julia about this, and she told me to set a meeting with them. I was so excited about this. It means people really like our product.Last night, a few people messaged us on our website if they could resell our cookies, and now this. I couldn't get any happier. We are receiving a lot of blessing today.I was at the counter chatting with customers when Austin entered the store. I was shocked to see him here again."Austin, where have you been? I haven't seen you for a couple weeks," Roman said."I got busy, it's nice to see you again," he smiled at roman.I shook my head as I saw him looked at me."Cara," he said, standing in front of me with his hands on his pocket. "Hi," I bite my lower lips as I awkwardly greeted him."Are you busy? Can we talk?" he asked. I l

  • CARA   chapter thirteen

    Austin's POVi've been feeling anxious these past few weeks. I don't like what i'm becoming, and I blame Hope for everything. This version of myself today will definitely make cara and julia man.I admit, hope is fun to be with so as her friends, but their influence was not good for me. I've been skipping class, and always drunk. I don't really smoke, but because of them, I started smoking atleast twice a day. Hope always wants to make out, and I always give in whenever i'm drunk, but I make sure we don't go as far from making out. I'm not gonna do it with her,nor with anyone else as long as i'm not married. "Austin, come with me in the faculty room," our professor said. What is it this time? As far as I know I didn't do anything nor with anyone. I quietly followed him inside the faculty where some of the other professor were."Sit down," he said as he sit on another chair. He looked at me, and I was quite unsure of what we were talking

  • CARA   chapter twelve

    AUSTIN'S POVI spent a lot of time on Hope these past few days. We are always in her place or with her friends. She always brings me along with her. Instead of going to Julia's place to help with the orders, she will always say that Julia and Cara can do it without my help.She is so clingy, but I let her be. Hope distracted me from thinking of cara and that damn kiss. It bothers me so much that is why I became like this. I asked Hope if she could be my girlfriend when I was so drunk in the bar, and of course, she agreed right away. After becoming a couple, she always wanted to be with me almost 24/7. But to be honest, I don't feel the love in the relationship.The night I asked her to be my girlfriend, we went to the park with her friends. She was so drunk that night and wanted to kiss me. We were disrupted when a loud motorcycle passed and stopped in front of a girl. It was Cara. I know cara very well, and I know she's looking at us, especially hope and

  • CARA   chapter eleven

    I spent my morning baking at Julia's place since she was studying for an exam. I baked the oatmeal cookies. And, of course, the brownies. Julia and I were thinking about putting marshmallows at the top of the brownies and calling it smores brownies. I haven't talked about Austin to Julia yet. I haven't heard from him since the night I kissed him. I think it's better that way, but we surely need to fix things if we want to be how we used to be. Truthfully, I'm bothered about what I saw last night. For me, it's very unlike Austin. He's now in a relationship with Hope, who she barely knew."Cara, it's burnt," Julia suddenly said, pointing at the cookies in the oven.I immediately took the cookies out from the oven and panicked since we couldn't sell them anymore. "You seem distracted. Does something happen again?" Julia asked and sat beside me, still holding his reviewers. "No, everything's okay," I said, still checking if we could save some cookies."What is

  • CARA   chapter ten

    "Stay," he said.Should I stay? I guess there's nothing wrong staying here at Julia's place to accompany these two who were drunk. So, fine! I'll stay.I sat on the other couch."Sit beside me," Austin said. He is so demanding when he's drunk"Just sleep on the couch and I'll stay here," I said."C'mon, cara. When I fell asleep you can go back there."I sighed and sat beside him. He rest his head on my shoulder and closed his eyes.I couldn't move and get my phone as he might wake up. I was about to fall asleep too

  • CARA   chapter nine

    Julia and I sent the cookies and brownies to the social media influencers. We are excited about their feedback because we know our products are good."My professor talked to me yesterday," Julia said as we went out of the delivery store."Why? is there something wrong?" I asked."My grades are getting low," she said in frustration."Why?" I asked her again. Julia is not as studious as I am but she did great in our previous semester, same as Austin."I don't know, but our professor told me that noticed that I was a bit distracted.""Do you think baking is distracting you? I can bake our orders alone, so you can focus on your class," I said.I don't want her to be distracted. I care about her grades, it's her future."No, it's not baking. Our professor told me I spent too much time on Dylan," she said."You think so?" I asked."Maybe he's right. Instead of studying g I alway

  • CARA   chapter eight

    Carlon sat infront of me."What about cara?" he asked me."She's been working too much.""She is. That's why I volunteered to deliver the brownies, so she won't have to worry,""Always look out to her. She might overwork herself again. I'm worried," I said."Don't worry, Austin. Our father will start his therapy soon. That's was the only reason why cara worked so hard, to earn money for dad's therapy, but his batchmates from high school helped him.""That's great news. Anyway, that's all I want to say, to watch over cara," I smiled at carlon."Thank you for looking after my sister. She found great friends with you and Julia," he said.We ate there and planned about basketball.CARA'S POVWe were at Julia's house baking brownies and cookies. Austin and I message a couple of influencers to send them free products for an unbiased opinion. We make sure to put it in presentable packaging.

  • CARA   chapter seven

    AUSTIN POVSince the start of our college life, cara has been there to help us all the time. I'll miss her a lot this semester. I know she'll work all day, and I hope she won't stress herself too much because of their problem.I was already in our room for our first subject for today. I sat at the back and waited for Julia to arrive. This girl is always late nothing changes. Our professor last semester almost dropped her out of the class because she's always late in her class. She always has excuses, unlike cara, who is always early and always prepared for a quiz or any test. These two best friends are opposite, but they get along. I guess the one thing that made us closer is whenever we think about the future. We always visualize our future, and whenever we do that, I get motivated and inspired to do more. We wanted to be successful, and I'm glad to partner with them in this baking business. I hope we can make this big, and speaking of baking. I have to talk to

  • CARA   chapter six

    CHAPTER SIXAustin left as soon I got off his motorcycle, but I didn't mind it and went inside the house, and I found my parents sleeping in the living room and snoring. WHAT THE HECK? Lights are off at Carlon's room too. So, he's asleep by now.I was helping my mom prepare for lunch today. I miss doing this with her. Ever since I started working and baking, I seldom helped her with these chores."Mom, about the enrollment," I said. I only have two days left to enroll for the second semester."I don't have the money yet. Where's your salary? Can you use your salary for the last month, first?" she asked."I gave it to you," I said."I already spend it for our expenses," she sighed."Will I be able to enroll this sem?" I asked her frankly."I want to enroll you this semester, bu

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