"I'm glad you understand!" Madelyn happily went up to her and hugged her.She eagerly took the thermos from Rosario and sat down beside a small table."Why'd you come out here all of a sudden? Do you know how worried Mr. Jent and Mr. Jardin are? Go back tomorrow!""There's no need for you to try and persuade me; I won't go back. Besides, it won't make a difference whether I'm there or not. They won't worry about me."Rosario looked at the used pot and Worcestershire sauce on the kitchen counter on the balcony.'This is what she's been eating when I'm not around. How could she go through such a thing? She's Ms. Jent!' she thought.Rosario was a little heartbroken. After all, she had watched Madelyn grow up, so she was like her own child."Madelyn, is this all you're having for lunch?"Madelyn took a big bite of carne frita and nodded, "I don't have ingredients at home, so I just made some noodles. But I think I added too much Worcestershire sauce. It's a little too salty. Also..
Rosario was cooking. Madelyn narrowed her eyes and glanced at the time. It was only six in the morning, and the sun was just starting to rise outside."What are you doing up this early? Go back to sleep for a little longer. The food will be ready in a bit."Madelyn hugged Rosario's waist from behind and placed her chin on Rosario's shoulder. She wore an adorable, sleepy expression, with a strand of hair sticking up on her head."What delicious food are you making?'Rosario said, "It's greasy in here. Quick, go back outside, and don't get yourself dirty. I've already bought you toiletries. My place isn't like your house, so you need to make do and use some generic brands for now. I'll bring you your things tonight.""What's wrong with generic brands? I like anything as long as you're the one buying it.""Stop blabbering and go wash up. After I'm done with this dish, breakfast will be ready.""Alright."The pair of pajamas Madelyn wore used to belong to Rosario. Its design was un
Madelyn had to admit it genuinely was a little disorderly around these parts. Well, not exactly disorderly; it was just the cleanliness here was not as good as in the urban area of Ventropolis.The buildings here seemed run-down. The place was filled with dilapidated residential areas and many street food stalls.Madelyn wandered around and found that the food at these stalls was pretty cheap.After she walked through the alley, there was even a large sea ahead.This was the outskirts of Ventropolis. It was an hour's drive to get to the neighboring city, Marisburg.Madelyn ran to the beach in excitement. She closed her eyes and breathed in the crisp sea air.She took off her flip-flops and stepped onto the sand. The seawater was a little chilly, but the sunlight above her head felt warm and refreshing.Madelyn strolled barefoot along the sandy shoreline, her eyes fixated on the myriad seashells that adorned the beach. Their intricate patterns and vibrant colors enticed her, urgi
"Alex, Ajax, are you lot stirring up trouble again?"Suddenly, a slightly chubby middle-aged man walked over from a distance. He wore flip-flops and had a stick in his hand.He quickly walked to Madelyn's side and gave her a once-over. Then, he asked with concern, "Kid... Did they do anything to you?"Madelyn shook her head, "Nope."Meanwhile, Alex stood at the side with a look of disdain.The man seemed to know Madelyn. He asked again, "Are you the girl Rosario brought back from the city? Mad... Mad something?"Madelyn Jent."The man gasped and said, "Yes, yes, yes, Madelyn. When Rosario left earlier, she told me to look after you, but I was too busy and lost track of time. Don't worry. With me around, these hooligans won't dare to do anything to you."He continued, "I'm telling you, Alex. You're a girl, can you act a bit more reserved? Why are you dressed up like this every day? And you guys! All you guys do is play truant! Hurry up and leave, or I'll whoop your asses."Alex
'But it seems like they're also coming to this restaurant,' Madelyn thought.As expected, the door to her room was opened in less than a minute, and a group of people walked in."Oh?! You're eating good! How come we never get such special treatment? You're so biased, you old fart!""I'm starving. Dustin, get me a set of cutleries and a bowl.""Don't you have hands? Why can't you take them yourself?""Girlie, scooch over, girlie. I can't get inside."Madelyn was speechless. She pulled her chair and made way for him.Alex sat across from her, but her sitting posture was a little unsightly. She propped her foot onto the chair and promptly spun the carne frita on Madelyn's plate toward herself. Then, she started munching on it."The drinks are here," a skinny guy walked in and closed the door with his leg while carrying a carton of beer.The once spacious room had quickly became cramped."That bastard. He never makes this for me when I ask him to, but now he's actually made it fo
"Sorry. Please eat. I still have work to do, so excuse me."Madelyn was used to being alone and did not believe in so-called friends.This time when she left, the group of hooligans did not try to stop her anymore.Madelyn left the room and Mr. Massey walked out wearing an apron as he held a dish in hand. "Lassie, you're done eating already? Did they bully you?"No.""They may act like that, but those kids aren't so bad really. They just want to play with you.""I know, Mr. Massey. I still have something to do, so I'll take my leave first.""Okay. Remember to come and eat tomorrow, on the house. Just eat as much as you want."Madelyn smiled and nodded. "Alright."After she left, Madelyn went and bought some personal clothes and a few spare clothes and a few pairs of shoes as well. She got all of those items at cheap prices.She was planning to stay here long-term.In a blink of an eye, Madelyn had already lived here for almost three months. These days, she was working at Mr.
Rogan immediately called out to her, his voice booming. "Hey, you! Madelyn! Come over here and take our order."Madelyn held the tub of plates and pretended to not hear him as she looked at a person about the same age as her.Her name was Wonda, and she was also working here part-time.Madelyn looked at her gloating face and then turned around to leave."Oi, I'm calling for you! Do you hear me?!"Madelyn put down the tub and washed her hands cleaned before walking over with a menu."What would you like to order?" she asked, as she took out a notebook to jot the order down.Five pairs of eyes all stared at her like hungry wolves staring at their prey. Those ill-intentioned gazes exuded a revolting malevolence.One of them then said, "Babe, are you short on cash? If you are, just let me know. I have money."As he said that, he pulled out three hundred dollars from his wallet and put in on the table. "If you go out and play with me today, this money's yours."A shrill laugh sudd
That man tore Madelyn's clothes off her chest and her buttons came apart, revealing a white bra inside.Everyone's eyes lit up in that instant.Madelyn covered herself up and bit the back of the hand hard.The person immediately recoiled in pain and let her free.Madelyn quickly turned around and fled outside. Under the dim road light, she saw, much to her shock, Forrest, who was clad in a black T-shirt, with silver chains on his neck and his hands in his jacket pocket as he walked over with a cigarette in hand.Jadie and Alex were walking with him.She did not know why Jadie would be here, but she could not let Jadie see her or know that she was here.Forrest was speaking to Jadie with his head down and should not have seen her. So, Madelyn quickly turned around and fled toward her home."Bloody hell, that bitch sure ran away fast."Madelyn did not dare stop at all as she hurried home. Leaning against the door, she felt as if her heart was about to pop out of her chest. She w