"Wait, sir. I beg you, I am the daughter of the two deceased who were buried in these graves and I want them to remain there," said Elena in a weak voice. Her gaze was not as sharp as before. Elena looked down, feeling guilty for being so rude to the staff.
"If you still want these two graves to remain, you must immediately pay off the arrears. We are only carrying out orders from our manager."
"May I know how much does it cost, sir?"
The man looked doubtful. "You'd better go to the office. If I'm not mistaken, it's around 100 euros a year for two graves. So for five years, it's about 500 euros."
Elena couldn't hide her surprise. Where would she get that kind of money? Especially in such a short time? Elena also wondered why it had not been paid all this time when the flower shop was open every day and made a profit when she was never paid.
Elena shook off all the questions in her heart and returned to face the two people in front of her. "Please give me time, sir. Don't remove the graves now."
The two of them exchanged glances as they were considering the best options.
The older staff then took a deep breath and said, "'We don't really dare go against orders. But, alright. I'll give you a week to pay off the arrears, while I'll talk to the boss."
Elena's breath turned to relief, though it didn't change things too much. Still, she had to pay a lot of money within one week. Where could she get that kind of money?
The two funeral staff returned to tidying up all the equipment. Meanwhile, Elena was still standing in front of her parents' graves. Tears were welling up in her eyes. She quickly rubbed her eyes roughly and got over herself.
It was not the time for her to cry over life. She could do something! She must do something.
"Don't worry. Dad, mom. I'll get the money and we'll stay together." Elena's voice trembled as she held back her emotions.
The atmosphere was so quiet, it was as if Elena was alone in a world full of monsters. The sound of twigs under Elena's feet when she turned around and her choked breath made Elena's heart shatter even more.
When Elena looked up, she saw Elleard was praying in front of his parents' grave with his eyes closed in serene. Elena had no idea if Elleard had been listening to all the conversations she had with the two cemetery staff.
Elena resumed her walk towards the flower shop. Her knees were too weak but she still forced herself to walk. It felt like she wanted to drop her body and gave up but she still tried to stand up. When she reached the shop, she threw herself down and cried.
No one knew how long Elena cried until Elleard passed by with his guards. He could see from outside the glass door of the shop that Elena was still crying.
Elena wiped her tears. As she looked down, the pendant around her neck dangled out. Elena grabbed the locket and then opened both sides. Although bitter, she still smiled when she looked at the photo of herself and her parents on the locket.
"Mom, Dad. Looks like I can't go to college again this year. I don't want to lose you guys." a single tear fell down her cheek. The savings Elena had was her only last hope if she couldn't get the money within a week.
***
Elena immediately came home with the money from the sale of flowers today. "I am home."
There was no answer. She went in and cleaned the apartment. Even though it was already cleaned this morning, she had to clean it again in the evening because her aunt and cousins would mess it up all day.
After she finished all the work, Elena slowly approached her aunt who was sitting in the living room, watching TV. Aunt Ursula didn't seem to like the presence of someone beside her. She glanced at Elena and then asked, "What do you want?"
"Ahh… I… I need your help, Auntie."
Aunt Ursula raised an eyebrow when she heard Elena asking for help. Her daughters went into the bedroom first, not wanting to hear Elena's voice.
The middle-aged woman had stood up from her seat, she also didn't want to hear Elena's request. As she passed Elena and looked like she was about to ignore her pleas, Elena was forced to grab at her aunt's elbow. "Please, just this once, Auntie. I need your help."
"What is it?" Aunt Ursula narrowed her eyes and looked sharply at Elena. The girl knew it would be very difficult to ask her aunt for help, but Elena had to try. She really had no other choice.
"Can I borrow your money to pay for my college registration fees? I've taken the exam and been accepted," said Elena pitifully.
She had to take 500 euros out of her savings to pay the lease for the graves. The money she had right now would not be enough to register for college. She had taken a gap year and really wished she could start studying this year.
She continued, "I'll make sure I work harder and get your money back as soon as possible!"
Aunt Ursula's gaze instantly sharpened. "What do you mean? College? Someone like you wants to go to college? Huh!"
"I'll pay it back," said Elena with great sincerity.
Aunt Ursula shrugged. Her eldest daughter had applied to college twice and was unsuccessful because her test scores were not good. Of course, she didn't want to see Elena succeed in college while her own daughter didn't.
"You're so pathetic and full of yourself! If you can't afford your college, don't push yourself. Who do you think will pay for you? Me? What? Do you think we're a charity? You've been living off of me like leeches for years, now you want more. No, you must know your place, you good-for-nothing wench!" Aunt Ursula scolded Elena mercilessly. "You better get to work and leave this house so you'll understand what the world is like! You have been staying here rent-free for long enough!"
Hearing Aunt Ursula's cruel words, Elena felt her throat choked. She bit back her tears and tried not to fight back.
Aunt Ursula left Elena still rooted to her spot.
Actually, the apartment they lived in now belonged to Elena's mother's family. When her mother was gone, Aunt Ursula, her father's cousin, arrived and was in need of help. With all her sweet words, Ursula and her two daughters entered this house and she promised to raise Elena with love.
Elena's father allowed Aunt Ursula and her family to stay here while her husband worked odd jobs outside the city. At that time, he felt that Elena who was still a child really needed a mother figure. He thought having Ursula and her two daughters would be good to comfort the grieving little girl's heart.
Elena was initially treated very well, but over time, after Elena's father also died, Elena's suffering began. Since the age of 14, she had been forced to work in the flower shop without pay and she had to provide for herself by working part-time after school at the convenience store.
Elena was forced to do it all because she had no one and she was afraid of being kicked out and having to live on the streets.