CHAPTER 4: Mindy

I was walking today, and I stop when I saw a familiar restaurant.

“Wait, from what I remember, Mindy is working here as a waitress,” I murmur.

“Get out! Leave and don’t ever come back here, you thief!!” I was surprised to see Mindy being pushed by a woman out of that restaurant.

“Ma’am Fiona, I’m not stealing anything, I didn’t steal anything from her, I’m telling the truth!” Mindy even knelt at that woman, begging.

I saw another woman behind Fiona, she’s smiling and staring at Mindy. It looks like she’s happy seeing Mindy like that!

What’s going on, by the way?!

I quickly walk toward them and pulled Mindy’s hand to help her stand up.

“Why are you kneeling to that woman Mindy?! She’s not a god, so why are you kneeling in front of her!” I glared at them. That woman in the white dress looked at me sharply.

“She’s my boss, Elyse, and I can’t lose this job just because of this misunderstanding. Just let me do this, please.” I saw her eyes, it’s like she’s begging me. 

Seeing her like this breaks my heart!

“Just shut up and let me handle this! She’s just a boss, not a god, Mindy! Your Mom didn’t give birth to you to kneel to anyone!”

I have never treated my employees like this. Not even one of them has ever knelt before me. I have never made an employee cry and accused something that they never did.

“Who are you to interfere huh?!” she asked, raising her eyebrows at me.

“I’m her cousin!”

“Oh, you’re just a cousin, but then you act like her Mom.” Her boss fakes a laugh.

“Did you know that your cousin stole my money?!” 

“She stole your money?” I asked.

“Elyse, what she’s saying isn’t true. I didn’t steal anything. I don’t even know why her money is inside my bag!” she says by way of explanation.

“You don’t have to explain to me Mindy, I know you very well. I know you can’t do that.” I hold her hand and put her behind me.

“Do you have any evidence that she stole your money?”

“Evidence? It was already seen in her bag! Isn’t that evidence for you?!!” Irritation filled her face.

“Well, I guess this restaurant has CCTV’s. Why don’t you look at it first, before accusing someone? I’ll only believe it when I see it on CCTV.” 

“N-No! Why would we need to look at CCTV! It’s already in her bag, it’s my money, so I know she stole it!” I smirked.

“Why? Are you scared? Oh, maybe you put your own money in Mindy’s bag... you’re not that crazy to do that right?”

“W-Why would I do that?! I’m not s-stupid to do that thing!” I can see the guilt in her eyes.

“Oh, you just called yourself stupid by now.” 

“What the f**k are you saying! You know what Mindy, you didn’t tell me that you have a crazy cousin! Did she just came out from the mental hospital?!”

“Are you done talking now?” I raise my eyebrow.

“Let’s just go Mindy, leave on this restaurant. You still can find a better job and have a good boss who will not treat you like this!”

I took Mindy’s bag, and I saw some money. This is probably the money she was saying.

“Oh, is this the money?!” I took it out of the bag and threw it at the woman’s face. “Go on, get your money now! By the way, stop wearing that bag. I know it’s fake, just like your nose.”

I pulled Mindy away from that place. We stop walking and we sit when we saw a bench. 

“E-Elyse... I don’t know if I should be angry at you or I should thank you. I know you’re just concern that’s why you did that but... I don’t have a j-job anymore, what should I do now.” I heard her sob. 

People are looking at us, but I just didn’t mind them.

“Do you know the woman next to your boss? It looks like she’s mad at you.”

“S-She’s my ex-boyfriend’s girlfriend.” 

My mouth turned into O. “What?! You broke up with your boyfriend?” 

“Y-Yeah, we broke up and I just recently knew that he’s been cheating. I mean when he courted me, that time he already has a girlfriend. And now his girlfriend found out, she’s thinking now that I am the one who flirts with her BF first!”

“His face is thick, just like Daren! And that woman is very dumb. You didn’t know anything, you’re not stupid to date with that bastard if you knew that he has a girlfriend!” I just clenched my fist. 

“Stop crying! Just forget that bastard. You don’t need a guy like him!” I hugged and tap her shoulder.

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you find a new job, we’ll figure this out. I still have money left so, let’s spend it buying food to eat for the main time. Shhh, stop crying now...”

After a minute she stops crying and now, we’re just talking some funny, it makes me happy seeing her laughing at my jokes.

“Elyse, I think you have to pick up your daughter now.”

“Oh, right! It’s already 4:01 pm, damn!” Mindy comes with me to pick up Elizabeth at school.

The three of us ate ice cream first before going home.

“Is your new school, okay, sweetie?”

“Yes! I love my new school than the old one. My new classmates are kind, they are so friendly, Mom.” I can see it in her eyes, she’s happy. I know my daughter. I know when she lies or when she’s telling the truth.

“Oh, really? That’s good to hear sweetie.” I smiled and gently pinch her cheek.

“You know what Mommy, they even give me foods made by their moms.” I suddenly lost my smile. 

I feel sad now, this life is not what Elizabeth used to. I should be cooking and giving what my daughter wants... I want to give her everything. I want the best for her.

“Don’t be sad Mommy, I’m not jealous of them, anyway. I’m just happy because they're nice and kind to me. Still, you're the best Mom for me!”

“Thanks for understanding sweetie, don’t worry Mommy will do everything to make our lives the same again and so, that I can give you what you want.” She hugged me.

“You don’t have to, what’s important to me is that you’re with me. We’re living together, you’re by my side.” She mumbled.

Before my teardrops, I immediately just change the topic. “Do you have any assignments? Do you want me to help you, sweetie?”

“Yeah, we have an assignment but I can do it, Mommy.”

“Elyse, baby Elizabeth, come here now, let's eat dinner!” Mindy said. 

The food is already served at the table.

“Is it okay that our dish is vegetables?” Mindy asked.

“Sweetie, I’m very sorry if it’s just vegeta--“

“Mommy, eating vegetables is good for the body, that’s what Teacher said.” I stared at my daughter, who sat in the chair and started eating the vegetables that Mindy cooked. 

Of course, we eat vegetables before but Elizabeth is not used that the only food at the table is vegetables and rice.

I raised my head to stop the tears from dripping into my eyes. This is not the life I dreamed of for my daughter, she’s the reason why I worked hard before. I want to give her everything but now I can’t do that, I can’t even buy her delicious food.

Mindy’s house isn’t big and the air conditioners are broken, but it’s okay because there’s an electric fan. Her TV is still okay and there are only two rooms here.

I sat on the chair already and started eating.

_

“Go to sleep now Elizabeth, you still have classes tomorrow.” 

“Sang me a song, Mommy, please?” she blinked her eyes twice. 

I laid her on the bed and made her lay down. I combed her hair while singing a twinkle, twinkle, little star.

That’s what I always sang to her. When I was still pregnant I always looked at the sky while staring at the stars. I caressed my stomach while singing.

I can’t help but cry as I remember the happy memories we had with Daren.

A few minutes later she fell asleep. I slowly got up and left the room. I saw Mindy sitting near the window. She is now staring at the sky.

“What are you doing?”

“You surprised me, Elyse! I was just watching those stars.” She mumbled. I sat next to her and also looked at the star.

“Do you remember before, when we’re still a kid? We always climbed on the roof of our neighbor’s house just to look at the stars.” I chuckled.

“Yeah, we’re even excited every time we saw a shooting star.” 

“Then we’ll wish and hoping that it will come true.” I just smile as I remember that.

“Oh my god, let’s go to sleep now Elyse, we still have to find a job tomorrow.”

Right! I have to wake up early and I need to take my daughter to school.

The two of us got up and go to our rooms.