CHAPTER 3

He hit me with that counterattack. Of course, right? What fool would say that she is satisfied with her life when she is so wrapped up in sadness?

"Whether or not you are satisfied with your life, you can dream because that is one thing that will give you the motivation to live... and the joy when it comes true."

"Dreaming is free, so don't be mean to yourself. Live for yourself, not for others. You were not born to serve them, because you lived in the world to find something that will make you happy before you even die. Human life is short, are you going to waste your life just to serve others?"

"It's not bad to have a goal for yourself... because I believe the real joy is when you achieve your goal."

After saying that, he left. Instead of feeling sorry for myself in my current situation, I feel more sorry for the person inside that gigantic mascot. He will waste a lot of sweat just for his goal of making people happy.

But seriously, I owe that person a gratitude. Somehow I was encouraged to pursue my dream of auditioning and to fulfill my promise to Mom and Dad that they would see me on TV.

The problem is that... I'm lacking money in order to fulfill my dream. If Aunt Gretchen hadn't squandered my money so quickly, I would have added a little more so I could book a flight.

"This is not yet the end, Irene. I can still start again and save. But this time, I will secure it. I won't let them take it from me anymore."

—

Carrying the tray containing two plates of rice and one piece of chicken each, I took it up to the second floor to serve it to the customer. The fast food where I work has a second floor, so it hurts my feet to always go up and down to serve orders.

I can't do it at the same time because customers don't come and order at the same time. Some customers will come and sit for an hour at the table, and afterwards they will make orders after an hour of sitting.

When I got back to the counter, while waiting to accept food and serve it again, I took a small notebook from my pocket. Here are all my notes that should be remembered and recalled before I join the OJT. While I was doing nothing but wiping the table, I took the opportunity to recall the lessons.

"You’re still studying while working, huh? Such a responsible student," my co-worker Mylene joked to me.

"To be sure that I will actually graduate." I chortled.

"You really work hard, sis. Please bless me with hard work!"

"Look for inspiration to push yourself."

"So, who inspires you?"

"My family?" I asked for an answer. "Besides them, should there be others?"

She answered me with a shrug. "Only you know that." Before leaving, she even laughed at me.

I tried to think if there are other people who inspire me to be hardworking. Besides my family, maybe myself?

I shook my head. "I'm lost in what I'm reading," I whispered annoyedly.

I want to finish school, and that's because I want Papa to be proud of me. His dream is for me to graduate, that's why he's working abroad now, and I'll make sure that he doesn't waste his time making himself slave there.

I can also reward the blood and sweat he spent on the job with a diploma and a medal.

"I'm out, Ma'am!" I said goodbye to our manager before I finally left the fast food chain.

It was dark around and it would definitely take me half an hour to get on the bus. On my way to the bus stop, I suddenly felt dizzy and my stomach seemed to be not feeling well. That's when I recall everything, I didn't eat all day.

Driven by extreme hunger, I lost my balance and fell on the road.

—

"Don't get up yet," a woman stopped me as I was about to get up from the bed.

My forehead creased, full of doubts why am I in the... hospital?

"Why am I here?" I asked. "And… who are you two?"

"You're asking too many questions, aren't you?"

"What do you expect? She doesn't know us, love. That's probably going to be a real question." The guy chuckled.

So, these two are a couple by the way. You see, they only make me feel like I'm single.

"Anyway, I'm Magi..." She looked at the guy. "And he's Dylan, my boyfriend-"

“Correction, fiance.”

"You really wanted to be entitled as my fiance, huh?"

Dylan leaned his face towards Magi, and just like that, he kissed his fiance in front of me. Are they really doing that in front of me on purpose so that I can feel how painful and sad it is to be single? Or maybe... is it their nature to flirt with each other?

"How about you? What's your name?"

"Ah, you noticed me in the middle of creating your own world," I whispered. "I'm Irene."

"Nice meeting you, Irene." Magi sat on the edge of the bed, and what surprised me more was when she held my hand. "If you couldn't remember anything, Dylan and I saw you last night on the side of the road. We went to see what your condition is... but you seem to have fainted. We immediately brought you here to the hospital and found out that you passed out from extreme hunger."

"Why are you starving?" Dylan asked. "You seem to have a wealthy family based on how you look and how you speak... so, why do you go hungry?"

"We're not rich, okay? I'm a working student, so I always come home late, because I'm always on night shift. I haven't eaten all day because I forgot as I was doing so much work." I chose not to reveal the truth of what was happening in my life to both of them. I just met the two of them, I'm not sure if I can trust them.

"Even if you are overloaded with work, don't skip meals. It will harm your health if you do that," Magi said.

"I will take note of that." I smiled. "Thank you for helping me. I will be indebted to both of you for your help."

"Don't mention it, Irene. If you can help others, why will you choose to let it slide, right?" Dylan spoke.

"Since when did you become a lecturer, huh?" Magi chortled.

"Just now." Dylan chuckled, his gaze glued to me. "We will take you home. Are you sure you’re fine now?”

I nodded. "I also need to go home. Maybe my family is looking for me at home."

After that quick conversation, which I had fun while listening to them, we left the hospital. They also paid my hospital bill which was not that big, but still I'm grateful for them.

I was in the back of the car, Magi was in the passenger's seat next to Dylan.

"Point to us the direction of your house."

"Saint Ville Village," I answered. "Gonna go out at the entrance of the village, I can walk in."

"Your house is close to ours," Magi said. "I'm from North Ville."

I just nodded in response, forcing myself to look like I was interested in what she said. Honestly, I'm having a hard time adjusting to this. Because I'm not sociable, and it's even more difficult for me to talk to others or make friends.

This is the first time, after Harold, that someone approached me.

"Be careful, Irene!" Dylan bids goodbye at me while Magi waved her hands.

I just smiled at the two of them before finally getting out of the car. I waited for them to disappear from my sight before I walked into the village. Although I know that Aunt Gretchen's search for me is impossible, I'm still nervous to go home in the morning.

I’m afraid she'll use this card against mine, coming home late, to ruin my image of my father. Knowing Aunt Gretchen, I’m sure it’s not impossible she's gonna make such a nasty move just to taunt me.

When I got home, I found them eating. I know they already know I came but they don't even invite me to join the table. I won't even hope to receive an invitation from them because they really only treat me as a helper at home. Until they finish eating, I won't eat. I'm not allowed to accompany them to the dining table.

Unless Papa is at home.

I just made a quick meal to get in right away. I will just go to Miss Fiona's office to find out where I will be doing OJT next week. I'm a little nervous because to be honest, I'm not fully prepared to take part in my OJT 'cause I'm still not confident about the knowledge I have.

What if I make a mistake, right?

I almost stood up from my seat when cold water poured from my head. I looked up to see who it was...

"Oops, there you are." Holding the pitcher and glass, Stacy grinned at me. “I didn't see you. I'm sorry, huh?"

"I don't need a fake apology from you." I stared at her hard. "Aren't you sick from doing these things? You're so childish, Stacy!”

To my surprise, she slapped me. "Don't talk back to me, or else-"

"Are you going to tell your mother about this? Can't you fight without hiding in your mother's skirt?” I stood up from my seat, giving her my alluring smirk. "Compared with me, you are weak. Will you always rely on your mother to protect you-”

She didn't let me finish speaking when she suddenly looked at me and pulled my hair. She wants a fight, so that's what I'll give her. I also tugged her hair hard, enough to make her endure the pain.

"What's this fuss all about?"

And just like that, Stacy let go of my hair. She pretended to sit on the floor just to let out that she was the one who was aggrieved.

Your style, Stacy, is rotten.

"Mommy, that girl is hurting me again!" she pretended to complain. "She even pulled my hair, didn't you know my hair just got rebonded recently?”

I did nothing but accept the slap from Aunt Gretchen. "How dare you place your filthy hands on my daughter's hair?! Don't you know that her rebond costs more than your life?!”

"Don't you ever dare harm my daughter, if not… I’m the one you can fight against! I can kick you out of this house, remember that!" she added.

Before they completely got away from me, I can see Stacy gave me her victory smile. Obviously, to increase my anger towards her  and her mother even more. My patience with them is about to run out... and the day that comes, I will make sure that Stacy will never smile at me like that again.

That will be the last time she'll defeat me.