Chapter One

Estella's POV 

Rain thundered heavily on the roofs as I walked quickly away from the convenience store that I just finished shopping from. There was no point in running anyway since I was already beaten by it. 

I hate this time of the year and even though I don't like it, I have to deal with it. I turned into the alley that was barricaded in greasy walls and the rain made it look like it was shining. When I got to the back door of the restaurant, I quickly jammed my key into it and turned it, grateful that it opened once this time. I quickly walked in and immediately, I felt the warmth of the place. 

Ignoring the gnawing pain in my abdomen, I pulled off the coat I had on and hung it on one empty rack there, allowing the water to drain away from it. I can't take the coat with me inside, only if I want to drop water all over the place. And I was not interested in taking an ear-full speech from Astrid, the owner. 

“Aren't you so sweet?” Speak of the devil. I rolled my eyes internally as I faced her, with a fake smile plastered on my face. 

“Hello, boss.” Shit. I greeted in a small voice. I hated how I sounded weak sometimes and took whatever it was that was being dished out at me. I mean, I knew she was going to bully me right now. And if I was in my right mind, I should speak up against her. 

“Do you have to drag your ass in this late to work?” She snorted, her eyebrows thicker than the hair on her head. I wonder if she was ever told how ridiculous she looked with them. With the heinous makeup on her face. 

“I'm only five minutes late,” I argued, but it did not sound convincing at all. 

“Oh, five minutes isn't any minute at all? Do you want me to cut your pay?” I snipped back at me in that disgusting voice of hers. 

My eyes widened then. 

“No, please no. I…I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I promise.” I stammered out. I can't afford a pay cut now. I needed every penny that I would be able to scrape together. And it is almost the end of the week when we get our paychecks. “I'm sorry Astrid,” I mumbled out then, with the argument I had about the rain dying instantly. 

After giving me a once over a few times, she huffed and strutted out like a horse that had side pain. Anytime she looked at me like that, I felt like a lab rat under her gaze ready for dissection. 

I walked into the locker room and changed into my uniform as a waitress and put my hair in a high bun. Sometimes, I consider having this kind of hair a curse. I mean, being a brunette and having this kind of long hair was very tasking. Especially for me, with the kind of texture it had and the fact that I didn't have the resources to take care of it. 

After a look in the mirror and a sigh, I walked out of the locker room. I was slipping my phone into my front pocket when I bumped into someone. The perfume reached my nose and I knew the person it was before I looked up at him. 

“Josh!” I exclaimed in a small voice. “You're back. Nice to see you again.” I said as he drew me in for a hug. I hugged him back without hesitation. 

“Nice to see you again pumpkin.” He said and I hit his back, letting him release me. “Ouch.” 

“Don't call me pumpkin again.” I feigned annoyance and he bursted out laughing. I joined him too. 

“You should have seen the look on your face. You looked like a real one.” He joked as we walked together to our station. I saw Astrid at the end of the restaurant. She was busy talking with someone. God knows what they were talking about. 

“How was your journey back home? How's your mother?” I asked him, taking our surroundings in. It will soon be our turn to wait at the tables. 

“She's better now. According to what the doctor said, it was a minor pneumonia. My mother just wanted me to come home, that was why she elaborated on the whole matter.” He grumbled. 

I felt a stab in my chest at the thought of my mother. The times we had together before she fell ill. She was such a sweet soul and I loved and missed her. I feel lonely and empty with her around. It's been three years since she died and I feel like I should have gotten used to the feeling by now, but I still can't get used to it. She was everything I had. 

Now, I'm alone with nothing but debts upon debts and a sickness that needs medication every time. I consider my life to suck and Josh was the only good thing that's happened in that life. He's been a friend of mine for the past three years. After my mother died, it was when he started working here and we kicked it off. It was like my mother sent someone to look after me because that was what he did. 

Josh shook me a bit and I came back to reality. 

“It's time.” I nodded and started work immediately. This was one of the best things that happened to me every week. I get to wait tables with Josh. It is more fun and easy to work with someone you have a close rapport with. 

“Can I get your order?” I asked the first table I stopped with a bright smile on my face. 

The night went on and on and it was time for me to get off work. I sagged against the locker in the ladies changing room and clutched my stomach in pain. I hated this sickness. It made me feel weaker than I was meant to feel. 

When I was diagnosed with an ulcer, I thought it was no big deal and that I just had to eat and I'd get over it. Until I started seeing it in full swing. I don't even have an appetite to eat most of the time, and the foods I have to eat are kind of expensive, so I have to stick with the little ones and drugs. I've been nursing it for the past two years and it's not getting better. 

I changed into my clothes and pulled out my tumbler, which already looked old, opened it, and poured the remaining chamomile tea into my mouth. I was saving it for this moment to have the energy to go home. 

Immediately, it reached my stomach; I felt an instant relief. But I knew it wouldn't last long since it was just small. So, I packed my stuff quickly and dashed out through the back door. I didn't want to miss the last bus home, or else I'd have to trek. And I don't think I have that kind of energy. 

When I got there, I felt relieved that people were still there. I stood with them expecting the bus. 

“Estella.” I heard my name being called. My head swung in the direction, and I saw that it was Josh. I smiled at him weakly. I should have at least said bye to him since we worked together. 

“Hey. What's up?” I asked. 

“You left without saying bye. You should have waited for me.” A pang of guilt jabbed me in the chest. As he said so. 

“I'm sorry. I didn't want to miss the bus. Besides, we live on the opposite side of town.” I said. 

His blue eyes flashed and then calmed. He was a very handsome man. Well built and all of that. But I never found myself attracted to him. Not that I was ever attracted to me in general but I knew when a man was fine. And with the way we were close, I thought, okay, there should be sparks. But there was nothing and I liked it like that. He is my best friend. And nothing should change that. He was a year older than me though, but you won't know because he mainly had boyish features. He could pass for twenty instead of his actual twenty-six. 

“It's okay. I understand. Wouldn't want you to walk to your house.” He joked and I smiled wearily at him. 

“I wanted to give you this. Got it when I was coming from home.” He stretched out his hand to me with something in it. 

“What is it?” 

“Check it yourself.” I nodded and accepted it. I opened the nylon and reached inside to pull the content out. It was a box of tea. Chamomile tea to be precise. The actual one with a label. 

“Josh.” I breathed out with emotions in my throat. 

“My mum picked it out. Saying it's the best one.” He added. 

“This must be expensive,” I said and he just shook his head. 

“Nope. Well, not exactly. I could afford it. And I know I don't do much for you. So, manage that.”

“Thank you for this. I appreciate it.” I said trying to push down the emotion in my chest. He didn't know how much he just did for me right now. 

“How is your health?” 

I nodded. “I'm fine. At least, right now.” I joked, and his lips pressed into a grim line, and he said sternly. 

“You need to take care of yourself, Est.” I nodded. I didn't tell him that my cafe job, the pay goes to debt and I use the waitress job to make a living myself. 

“I am, Josh. And I will. Thank you for this once again.” The bus honked from afar and I was thankful for it at that moment. 

“Bye. See you tomorrow.” He waved at me and made sure I got on the bus before he went on his way. 

I rested my head on the window and sighed as the bus took off.