CHAPTER FIVE: ELICIA

To pass the time before University as it was already October I decided to work at a nearby Café, Plaza Café; it was approximately 10 minutes from home and five minutes from my mom’s workplace Cedars Sinai Medical Centre.

Sometimes my mom and her co-workers came to eat at the café.

I started working at the Café to avoid staying at home alone it was becoming boring, worse without my best friend. Lydia recommended as it was something light, that would not trigger anything and she said and I quote ‘Keeping myself a bit occupied’.

After Jace broke up with me I did not tell my mom because she would have ended up worrying about trivial things.

I was surprised I handled the breakup well or maybe it was because I had already started noticing the distance Jace was keeping and braced myself.

As l was driving home from work around 6 pm. l spotted rooftop from across the street holding a pink and purple heart-shaped balloon.

A little girl probably around the age of 8 approached him with a huge cute smile.

Author’s pov

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“For you little miss sunshine.” Rooftop says.

“Why thank you, kind sir.” The little girl giggles giving him a curtsy.

“You look pretty as always.” He says giving the kid a big hug.

“Is mom okay?” The little girl asked.

“Of course, she is Vee. She is not coming home soon though. She has some business she has to take care of before coming home.”

“Okay, did you get into a fight again?” she asks rubbing Rooftop’s bruised left cheek.

“Oh look, it's Aunt Michaela you should go to the car now.”

A young woman, Michaela around Rooftop’s age approaches him as Vee goes to the car, one that Michaela emerged from.

“How are you holding up?” she asks.

“Just hanging in there.”

“You should move in with us, Ron is dangerous, l mean look at yourself,” she says with pity in her eyes.

“I can't leave mom with him, he will destroy her. l just have to convince her that he is not good for both of us and he never will. It's just taking longer than expected.” He says

“Always looking out for family.”

“I will drop by next week to check up on Valerie l still haven't found a job.” He says.

“l will check with Melchior to see if he has found the barista replacement he was looking for at his café,” she says

“I don't know; you know how much l hate coffee.”

“If it wasn't worth it. l wouldn't have mentioned it,” she says

“Thank you Mick l owe you,” he says.

“It's the least l could do for what you did for me,” she says.

ELICIA

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I parked my car, got out and struggled to get close to them to eavesdrop on their conversation without giving myself away or creeping them out but I fail miserably.

There was traffic and trying to manoeuvre my way close to them was more difficult but I eventually managed to but as soon as l start making my way to them one action that was taken by the young pretty lady made me halt in my tracks.

She kisses his cheek and she saunters her way back to her car and gets in.

He stared at the sliver Vanguard as it took off.

l am only left with questions, one that l never thought l would be worrying about my entire life.

Who was that woman?

Was she his wife?

Was that adorable little girl his child?

Does he have a family?

But he looks young, how is that even possible?

After his encounter with the pretty lady she leaves him with something but I do not see what it is.

He continues walking to this other restaurant, I follow him with my car and park somewhere close to the restaurant.

He sits in one of the chairs and waited. A man in his late forties walks in and sits with him.

They both order something to eat and after the meal the man starts harassing Rooftop.

The waitress comes to their table to kick them out, I guess.

When they are both out, the man continues to quarrel with Rooftop and this time I had already parked near the restaurant so I just rolled down my window to listen to what they were talking about.

Unfortunately, they continue walking into an alley instead of talking in plain sight. I end up cautiously following them until I could hear them.

The alley was dimly lit and no one was there but l could see clearly.

“I thought you said you are bringing one thousand, kid.” The man says with distaste.

“I will bring the remaining two hundred tomorrow, dad.” He says in a pleading tone.

“Don’t call me that, you idiot. Incompetent son of a b****.” The man curses and starts walking away.

“Please don’t do anything to mom.” He moves in front of his dad and kneels down in front of him.

“You have to be out of your mind; if l don’t, then how will you know that I am serious.” The man, his dad, says with a smirking evilly.

“If you dare hurt her l will----.” He says as he stood up and he is caught half way by his dad kneeing him in his abdomen.

“You will what? You little wimp. You are just as weak as your father.” His dad says and he fuels with anger.

How come his dad is talking about his father,

Unless,

He is your step-dad; no wonder he is beating him up.

No father would beat his own biological child.

In the back of my mind I thought your stepdad was going to die but no, you suppressed your anger and brought out the same thing you were given by that pretty lady.

Turns out it was money because I see you giving the man more money.

“You wanted to act smart with me huh?” he says taking the money and walking away.

As Rooftop stood up, I could see blood stains on his blue sweater around his abdominal region.

His step dad must have busted the stitches he did the other day, pain is written all over his face and it hurts me seeing him like this.

Without a second thought I run to my car and get my first aid box in my trunk and charge towards him.

We almost bumped into each other as he was walking out of the alley. He lifted his head to look me as I stood in front of him and I froze looking at him. His face was now covered up with a mask and a black beanie so I could not see his face clearly.

I knelt down on the cold rough surface, lifted his sweater to dress his wound but he stopped me by slapping my hands away and slightly pushing me away from him and l land on the cold floor on my bottom.

“Don’t touch me.” He hisses with rage as he walked away.

“You are bleeding, let me help.” I say as stood up to follow him.

“I don’t need your help, I am fine.” He continued walking away.

I felt so small but I did not let his doom and gloom dim my light, instead l wore my serious face and pulled him to the nearest bench and l pushed him down. He protested a bit but I was not having it.

He gave up eventually because I treated him without any trouble, patched him up and was ready to go.

As soon as I finished l started walking back to my car.

He muttered a thank you and walked away as well.

My cheeks were flaming, my body was raging with dopamine from being so close to him and conversing with him for the first time.

How come I was feeling like this, if l remember correctly this was how I felt when I started going out with Jace in high school.

Am I going insane, how could l have room to feel these emotions?