STAHD 2

When I got to work I started right away. I am a waiter here and I am grateful to be accepted here. The owner was a former high school classmate of mine so I was hired and my shift was in the afternoon.

After getting dressed in uniform, I went out and started serving.

Walking back and forth is tiring and I can hardly sit even for a moment with the amount of customers. This restaurant is famous here in our town and was really taken. Because apart from not being expensive, the food is really affordable and delicious.

"A large burger and fries!" I said at the kitchen counter. In this restaurant, not only breakfast, lunch or dinner, but also snacks are complete.

"Oh, Nerissa are you are here now?" Echo asked. He is my old classmate and the owner and he is also a chef here.

"Echo, I've been here for a while now." I answered and could only roll my eyes.

He just laughed and continued what he did. He used to be my suitor, especially since I was a transferee at their school, but I didn't give him a chance. There are many women chasing him and Fely is one of them. When we met again, he offered to marry me so that I wouldn't have to work hard. But I refused, so he offered me to work here, which I immediately accepted because I really needed a job then.

When the order was finished, I served it to the customer. The night is still far away and more customers are arriving. If someone leaves, later someone comes too. Until the night came and my shift ended, there were still many people eating. I said goodbye to my colleagues and Echo.

"Here, bring this! " He handed me a paper bag. I reached for it and peeked inside. My eyes widened when I saw its contents. Fried chicken, fries and burgers. I almost forgot, this is the promise I made to my brothers before leaving. I looked up at Echo who was now smiling.

"Thank you, I almost forgot. Just deduct it from my salary." I said as I'm scratching my head. It's really a good thing he handed me this.

"No, just take it to your brothers. Besides, be careful on the way. I know you don't want me to take you home , so you'll have to give it to your brothers for me ." He said, nodding .

I nodded. I really don't want him to drive me home . Not only because of the gossip that will reach us, but because he is also tired even though he heva a helper cooking in the kitchen.

"Alright, thank you. I'll go first."

I said goodbye and started to go to the tricycle parking lot. I was walking when I noticed someone following me so I looked at it . There were two men and suddenly they faced each other and talked.

I frowned and continued walking. Maybe they are not bad people. I remembered what tiyang had said earlier before I left the house. They say there are men in black looking for dad. I turned around again and they were gone. I looked at the tricycle parking lot, I was still quite far away so I ran to it. I hugged the paper bag I was carrying and sped up.

I reached the parking lot out of breath. I looked back where I came from and there were two men standing there. My eyes widened and thank God I was surrounded by people. And now I got on a tricycle and took me home.

Before arriving home, I went to the convenience store we passed by and bought Yakult, which is a favorite of the three of us.

Because it was already near midnight, the surroundings were quiet when I arrived at the compound. I went straight to the house and caught up with my aunt having coffee.

" Good evening?! " I greeted and she immediately turned around to see me.

"Oh, you're here. Have you eaten yet, come and I'll serve you something to eat." she said and took me to the kitchen. I'm not that hungry yet and Echo gave me a burger earlier and I'm still full.

"I'm still full aunt, just rest. Thank you for watching over my brothers." she stopped walking and faced me.

"It's nothing, they're my nephews. And you care about them even though they aren't your own blood. . And I am still their aunt, that's the least I can do. I'm worried about you, you should take care of yourself. Not just working every time , take care of yourself. " she said and held my hand.

"I'm fine, I'm happy of what I'm doing and it's for my brothers." I replied with a smile. She nodded and smiled.

"Oh, okay, I'm going to rest. Your brothers are already asleep, so you should also rest," she said and patted my shoulder and walked to the door.

"Are you sure you've eaten?" she asked before reaching the door.

" Yes aunt, don't worry." I replied with a smile. She nodded and went out.

I went to the kitchen and put what I brought in our small fridge and drank some water. After that, I peeked into the room of my two brothers and went straight to my room. After getting dressed and tying my hair up, I fixed the bag I put down earlier before I left.

I counted the money and my profit and for what I will invest again tomorrow. Pay for our house rent and food on a daily basis. After that, I put the rest in a small box. That's where I put my savings for my studies. Maybe next year, I'll get in. A little bit more.

After everything was arranged, I peeked at my brothers again before going to bed. I have to wake up early again for the vegetables to drop tomorrow at the market that I will be selling.

I woke up early. After preparing breakfast for my siblings and sipping coffee, I left the house. And left a note on the table.

On the way to the parking 9f tricycles , I kept my eyes on the road. Looking left and right, to see if someone was following me. I don't know what happened to my father, but I have a feeling. Especially when someone is suddenly looking for him when he suddenly disappears.

He was kind and he never failed to be a father to me, especially when mom was gone. But recently I catch him talking on his cell phone and he secretly talks to someone and always whispers when he speaks.

He must have gotten into trouble so now those men in black are looking for him. Just don't empathize with my brothers and that's a different story.

I safely reached the parking lot and I breathed a sigh of relief. I got in and drove to the market. Just then they were cutting vegetables and Fely was there.

"Hey Nerissa, good that you're here! " She said smiling.

"Yes, why are you smiling like that?"

I asked with a frown. It snorted something and I followed it. I sighed when I saw Jordan. They are the owners of the farm where the vegetables that are brought to the market come from.

And that's why Fely is smiling, because this man is also a suitor of mine. And speaking of lovers, he is now closer to where I am. I turned to Fely and looked at her as she hit me on my arm.

"Hi Nerissa, good morning! " he greeted with a smile.

"Good morning Jordan. " Fely replied excitedly. I just shook my head, really this girl. She has a crush on Jordan but he ignores her.

"Good morning to you too." I greeted back and went to my place. He followed and Fely also followed behind. I took the money in the envelope and handed it to him.

"Here's the payment, thank you. Until next time ." I said smiling. He took the envelope and handed it to his fellow lister. "

That's nothing , anytime." he's smiling response.

" How about ours, Jordan, did mom gave it to you, didn't she?" asked Fely who was next to me and was still smiling at Jordan like a fool. I felt that Jordan was uncomfortable , so I pinched Fely on the side. And she was glaring at me.

" Okay fine, I'm going back to our place." She snorted. "Bye Jordan, my loves, please come back okay ?" She waved with a smile and when it got to her place, Jordan and I laughed when her mother beat her with a broom.

"It's early in the morning and you're flirting" her mother scolded.

" Please don't mind Fely, that's just her being her." I said to Jordan with a laugh.

"So, when are you going to answer me?" I stopped in the process of arranging the vegetables and looked at him.

"Jordan..—"

"I know, I know. Your priorities are your brothers and you don't have time for love." he sighed.

"Why don't you give me a chance. I won't be an obstacle to whatever you want to do." he said sadly.

"Jordan, that's not all. We're far away from each other. Look at yourself and me." I said and continued what I was doing.

He came closer to me so I looked up at him again.

"Nerissa, if that's what you're worried about. You don't have to worry about anything! It's nothing to do with me, and I don't care . I love you, and I also feel that you have some feelings for me too." he said and held my hand.

I shook my head, that wasn't the only problem here. Me,I'm the problem. I don't like him, I just consider him as a friend. I've told him before that I can't return whatever affection he gives me. He's just this pushy.

Maybe this is the right time for me to tell him directly. The longer it goes on, the more he will become dependent. Come what may!

"Jordan" I swallowed. "I want you as a friend, but nothing more than that."as gently as I could tell him.

He stepped back and nodded.

"I'm sorry." He added. He looked up at me and smiled sadly. "I know that, but I still hoped. I hope, at least a little, that I can get into your heart. But it seems that I didn't succeed." he looked at his colleague when he called him.

"It's okay, this might be the last time I come here. But don't worry. The vegetables keep coming here. Goodbye Nerissa." He left with a slumped shoulder. I just sighed and continued what I was doing.

"Thank you and goodbye." I froze and couldn't move when Jordan suddenly hugged me from behind . Still shocked , I looked at the bulk of them getting into their car.

"Hey witch what is that? Why is there a hug, and why only you?" Fely shook me and pretended to pull my hair.

"He said goodbye and he's not coming back." I just answered and continued what I was doing.

"Oh no, why what happened? Why is he not coming back?" she came close to me and peek at my face as I was looking down.

"I told him that I don't like him and I can only give him friendship." I answered and Fely sat on the floor and held her face.

"Oh. my. god, what did you do ? I can't look at my love anymore. Why didn't you just answer him!" he said dramatically.

" Hey Felicia, come back here and later there will be more people!" her mother shouted so she immediately stood up and shook his clothes and said goodbye.

I just shook my head, even if I answered Jordan. If I don't feel anything for him. The relationship won't last long if you don't feel the same way.