Chapter 70: Three Years Later
THREE YEARS LATER.
I rush down the street, knocking a few shoulders along the way and stepping into one icy mud pond. The cold winter air is like a blade cutting through my lungs. After making a sharp turn at the corner, I finally see the bus station.
A bus has just arrived.
“Wait…Please wait a second!!” I yell to the driver
But he only gives me a cold and indifferent look before closing the door and driving away from the station.
“…Fuck!”
I bend down taking a time to catch my breath and then clieck the time.
It’s already 16:37
Now I have exactly 23 minutes to make it across the town and arrive at the restaurant I work in, which is impossible, which means I’m so screwed. Today is not the day to be late, because I’ve made a plan to talk to my manager about making an early withdraw of my salary. My rent is due in a few days and the incredibly high living expense in New York is sucking me dry. I have a student loan to cover my tuition, but I still llave to work my ass off to pay for that loan.
I’m now working at a fancy restaurant as a waitress. Not exactly a decent job, but it’s good money. Also, when people get tipsy, they tend to be very generous with the tips. I was a little concerned about the money when I got admitted into NYU three years ago. But Liam talked me into it.
“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “You will get the money thing figured out. Worst scenario if you don’t, I’ll help you with it.”
With a little help from his side, I’ve managed to make ends meet for the past three years. As long as I get that early withdraw today, I’ll be fine. Ten minutes later, I finally push myself into the overly crowded bus and leave for my job.
On the way, I start to work on my speech to the manager, who is a complete and total cheapskate. I better have some good reasons prepared for her to give me the money.
But suddenly my phone buzzes, interrupting my thoughts. I take it out and find it’s my mom.
internally, I answer her call, though I’ve already
sweetheart! Have you put some thoughts
“What?” she cries out. “You are not coming back
reason
Ji’s Eason.
three years ago. My dear stepbrother. It’s been 3 years already. We haven’t seen or spoken to cach other for the past 3 years. Since our last encounter in Miami, he has completely disappeared from my life.
but I’ve said no to them
walked away from him. We’ve stayed away from each
I hold my phone trying to make something
You ran back to Miami without a word, and I haven’t seen you since. Why Nat? Did I-did I
my heart twitch. She didn’t
“Nal?”
off those bitter feelings and say, “mom it’s not you. And if you really want to know wiy…Ine and Eason liad
casual tone, hoping she won’t get suspicious. Mom’s voice suddenly cheers up. “Oh! But you don’t
“What? Where is he?”
and
do
Mom mentioned him a few times over the phone. It
like a total stranger to
…What?
saliva, “He is in NY? Same as
probably stay there a bit longer
“Oh,
blank
Eason has a
course, he has moved on. What else do I expect? It’s been 3 years
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