5

“Okay, All done!” I arranged the vegetables at the vegetable stall, placed the processed food in the chiller, and put the meat in the freezer. I left only the dishes I will cook, two viands: beef steak and adobo. They taste even better when they’ve been stored for a long time, the flavor really seeps in.

I remembered the man earlier; people like that should be taken to a mental hospital. Why was he on the street? I thought only the provinces had that kind of thing, but it seems even in the city? And he expects me to wait for his explanation? With the hardships of life today, even if he doesn’t speak, it’s just a waste of effort, because what I need now is money.

I chopped the garlic and onions. Luckily, there was some leftover beef from yesterday, so I decided to marinate it. I marinated it in soy sauce, calamansi, and pepper. I took it out of the fridge and fried it first before adding the sauce.

“Ouch! Ouch! Damn! Wait! Damn oil splatters!” I was avoiding the oil splatters like crazy. Frying pork is painful, you know. “Oh damn! Ouch! I don’t want to do this anymore!” I was almost shouting, and I accidentally let go of the pan lid, which was irritating.

I applied toothpaste to the areas splattered with oil before continuing to cook. I didn’t know when my boss would be coming home, but it’s good to have food in the fridge. It was one of the assistant’s instructions, so I needed to do it.

I cooked for about an hour. The stove had four burners, so it wasn’t difficult. I was just a bit unused to it since it was my first time using it, but a stove is still a stove for cooking.

I cleaned the area where I cooked and washed the dishes I used. I also threw the trash to catch the garbage truck. I was quick because Aunt Maritess might see me again, and she might start gossiping. I don’t know how I can leave.

I looked at the wall clock in the living room. Wow, it’s already eight o’clock? That’s why I feel so tired. I decided to take a bath first. I have my own room, so it’s okay. There’s also a bathroom there, it looks like a guest room.

“Bathing resets everything.” There’s even a shower here, it’s really fancy. In our province, we only use a dipper and a pail, and we bathe at five in the morning. It’s like pouring water over yourself. But here, there’s even a heater, this condo is really fancy.

I put on my pajamas while drying my hair. I locked the door and the glass windows. I lingered for a while before deciding to sleep. I didn’t leave any lights on, to save electricity, and I went to my room.

I checked my phone, I saw that Brad messaged and had two missed calls, which made me smile. Maybe my boyfriend misses me? Well, in the two years we’ve been together, we’ve always been together. He resigned from his job because he had a fight with his boss, and now, before I leave, he’s looking for a job, he said. For now, I’m the one covering his expenses, which is okay. That’s how relationships are supposed to be, helping each other in everything.

I called him, tapping his number, and it took him until my third call to answer. I expected to find him in bed, preparing for a job interview the next day, but I was surprised to see him at the bar.

“Babe? Why are you at the bar? Don’t you have an interview tomorrow morning? You might get drunk and not be able to wake up early.”

He just laughed and continued drinking, holding his drink. “Oh, that? I’m not going to continue. Cedrick said the pay there isn’t good,” he said.

I frowned. “Why don’t you give it a try first? Who knows, maybe their pay is good. You always believe Cedrick right away, you know he’s lazy—”

He suddenly glared at me, causing me to stop. “Are you calling my friend a liar? Samantha, I met them before I met you, so watch what you say. Fine, I’ll hang up now. Why did you even call? You should be sleeping and waking up early, right? You’re always up late, that’s why you’re getting ugly. Also, send me money this week, the wedding coordinator is asking for an additional payment.”

“Huh, but I just paid him last week, and he hasn’t sent me any progress on the wedding—” I didn’t finish because he hung up. I just stared at my phone screen before letting out a deep sigh and forcing myself to sleep.

I woke up to the sound of metal tapping. Someone’s here? I looked at the clock on the stand beside me, it was only four in the morning, my heart pounded with nervousness, someone entered the house, my boss wouldn’t come home like this.

I grabbed the broom near the door and slowly opened it, there was no light, but I knew there was movement, I felt the cold sweat on my forehead, it’s only my second day, but there’s already a thief, damn, what if he has a knife and stabs me?

Whatever.

I walked towards where the sound was coming from, in the kitchen.

1, 2, 3, “Ahhhh!! Thief!!” I screamed and hit the person in front of me.

“Ouch! Ouch! Shit!” a man?! A man is the thief?! Shit! Shit!

“It’s only my second day here, you’re the one who’ll get me fired from my job!!” I shouted while hitting him with the broom! Bastard!! “Steal from others! Not here! Shame on you!!”

“Wait! Aww! What the fuck! Aww! Stop! God damn it! Light’s on!” he shouted, and in just a second, the whole place lit up, I was left mid-swing.

A tall man stood in front of me, he was still wearing a three-piece suit, but his nose was bleeding, and there was rice in his mouth.

“W-who a-are y-you? Who are you, huh?! Why are you here?! Why are you eating here?! That’s for my boss! Not for you! Ha!” I said with confidence.

“What the fuck? Of course, I’m eating because I’m hungry, and what the fuck? Of course I’ll be here, this is my house!”

Huh?

He said he’s the owner of the—my eyes widened as I realized what he just said. Shit. Is he my boss?! Damn!