2. A good samaritan

I don't know how to thank this guy with a pure heart for helping us without asking anything in return. While he carried my daughter from her bed, I can see through his eyes the eagerness to help us. I'm so grateful that aside from being poor, God sent a good Samaritan to help bring my daughter to the nearest hospital from our place. 

While he was driving, I saw him snatching glances at me. I sometimes bent my head down my lap checking Taly to escape from his fascinating eyes. 

Call me acting like a teenager but it's a bit awkward for me to have someone staring at me the whole time because I'm now a mom, actually a single mom. It's my first time in my life again to experience this type of chilling moment. 

"Hey, are you afraid that I might hurt both of you?", finally, the good guy asked me. 

I quickly shook my head.

" No, I was just thinking was lucky to meet a kind-hearted guy like you," I said and I saw him smiled a bit. 

"We're here! Thank me later, lady!", he mumbled and helped me carried Taly inside the hospital. 

 

After ten minutes

 

Finally, the doctor came and called my name. I quickly stood up in the hallway and rush towards him.

" You're her mother, right?", he asked me while looking at me from head to toe.

He was like the same age as me I guess and the way he stared was like he kinda hesitant to believe that I was a mom of a seven years old child since I look like a teenager. Yes, everyone thinks I'm still unmarried and available. Who would think I'm not since I got pregnant at age of 16. So if Taly was seen then you know the answer about my age. 

"Yes, doctor. I'm her mom. So how's my daughter?", I asked him when I felt someone in my back. I looked around and saw the guy who helped us. I wonder why he's not leaving. 

The doctor took a sigh first after seeing him. He just shifted his gaze at the stranger but didn't bother to ask anything. 

" Mrs. Lopez, she's feeling better now. You're lucky we offer free consultation and medication today! You have zero bills!", after hearing it feels like luck favors us this time. I'm happy to know that I don't have to pay bills for my daughter's medicine. 

"Really? Thanks, God. Thank you doc! Can we go home now?", I said because the hospital smells make me sick too. 

He smiled and said okay. 

So with the help of a stranger guy, we discharged Taly and decided to go back home. 

While on our way, my embarrassment attacks me because up until now he hasn't told me his name. Maybe I will ask him myself. I will be the one to know his name.

I cleared my throat. While Taly was sleeping, I will do the first move.

" Ahm, hey. You brought us to the hospital and help us but until now you didn't introduce to me your name.", I said hoping that he won't think any bad ideas about it. 

I heard him chuckle while his eyes are focusing on the steering wheel. He turned around and blurted it out without hesitation.

"Just call me Russ. How about you?", he simply replied. Anyway, he has a cool name. 

" I see. Me, just call me Max. Thanks again for helping us. I don't know how to pay you since I'm jobless. What about you eat lunch with us, I will cook!", I told him but he didn't accept it. 

" No, I just pass by. I have some appointments near hear so it's okay." He uttered and I only realize that we were outside my house.

He walked out first and carried Taly inside. I then followed him. After he finishes putting her in her bed, he immediately bid goodbyes and I thank him once again. 

Everything went back to normal again.  I and Taly were back inside this dove-like house again, only both of us, and nothing change. I was sitting in front of the dining table outside our room while thinking about our life in the future. I lost my three part-time jobs right away but thanks to Ace, a new friend of mine, my savings was still intact. But this won't last long, we need to buy food pay the rent and bills this month. I was thinking about how can I find a new job again. While looking at the ceiling, I suddenly remembered the newspapers I bought yesterday before Taly was brought to the hospital. I ambled inside our room and I fell relieved to find it above the cabinet. 

"Thank you, Jesus, I found it!", I mumbled and bring it along with me outside. 

I went directly to the job inquiries section and I take down notes of every job offers I saw with a high school graduate level. I decided to start looking by tomorrow morning. It's a long day today so I went back inside to sleep beside my daughter. 

I checked her body temperature and I'm glad that she's recovering faster. I slide the hair strands covering her face. I stop when I saw her move and began to open her eyes. I quickly smiled at her and greeted her. 

" How's my little angel? Are you feeling fine?", I asked her and she set a wide smile on her face. She looks cute every time her dimples appeared on both sides. 

"Of course, mommy! Look, I can get up on my own!", she muttered and I was surprised to see her lively and naughty as usual. 

I wrapped my arms around her and kiss her forehead. 

" Mom will do anything for you, my angel!", I said and I held her in my arms and I didn't realize I and Taly fell asleep together. 

 

                    ~~~~~

 

Ace Company

 

All of Asher Aragon's employees quickly make a straight line to acknowledge the coming of him. To be able to meet his standards in his workers, each one of them must follow his rules and regulations. Wearing a clean black suit with a black magician hat was the code of Ace Company and most importantly, no girls allowed inside. Meaning to say, to be able to work with him and in this company, only males applicants are qualified to work. They are the best assets of the building. No women, fewer worries and problems. Many think that the owner was gay but Asher only laughed at it. 

He used the elevator because he's in a hurry. Something came up. Mikael, one of his best employees who knew everything about their products died in a car accident. 

As the elevator door pours him out inside his office, all investors are there came early ahead of him. He's late again, like always. 

"Good morning, people. I'm sorry, the traffic you know.", he said with a serious look on his face. All of them just took a deep sigh and waited for him to take one breath first before they started to attack him. 

" What now, Mr. Aragon! Mikael died so how are we going to prepare for the summer fashion week? We need like him in this company." It's a pain in his ears.

He tried to calm down. Someone died in his employees and they mean a lot to him, like a family. How can they attack him with questions without even checking how he felt. Mikael did a great part in making the Ace Company famous in the field business industry. He was also worried about their plans but everything had an answer. 

"Don't worry, I'll post urgent hiring later, and let's pray to find another Mikael. The meeting is adjourned. My head hurts." He ordered and his men took them out even their still not done arguing with him. 

These investors suck. He pressed his back against his soft leather-type office chair. He closes his eyes for a short while to ease the pain in his head. It's too early to be pissed so he ordered his employees to do not to accept visitors this morning because he's not feeling well. He's hoping to find a new fashion designer as soon as possible. 

 

           >>>~~

 

I heard my alarm clock calling for me to get up. I check the time and my eyes widened to realized that it's almost nine in the morning. I check Taly beside me but she's not at my side anymore. I fall my toes out from the mattress and touched the wooden floor. I could feel the pain on my feet. It's been a while since I visit a clinic to have a health check-up. I slowly ambled outside the room and saw my baby preparing our breakfast. She boiled eggs and made an egg sandwich. It's there resting on the table and she quickly ran towards me. 

"Good morning, mommy! Come, let's eat! I'm not sick anymore!", she greeted me happily. 

I came over and sit beside her. 

" Morning too, sweety! Wow, you made this?", I said feeling surprised by her effort. She's getting older now. She knew how to prepared her own meal already. 

She giggled. 

"Yes, let's dig in!", she mumbled and we eat happily together. 

After our breakfast, I told her not to go outside because I will do job hunting. Taly was a good girl and always following my rules. 

 

 

" Take care, mom." She said while looking at the door. 

I wave my hands towards her. I took a deep sigh with a folder in my hands. Wearing a white blouse and black pencil-cut skirt with wedge sandals is my outfit. Before I walked out from the street, I look up at the sky to pray for this day to be lucky for me again. 

"I can do it!", I whispered in myself before calling a cab.