I expected Amir to find me a place to live, but I never expected him to take me to his condo unit and Quillion Real Estate. Aside from the hotel, they are proud of their condo residence, which is largely owned by artists and wealthy businessmen.
"Amir, this is too much," I said hesitantly. Who am I to live in this place? I don't even have anything to pay for it.
"I've told you already you don't have to worry about this."
We're on the sixth floor. When we entered his unit, he opened the door using his fingerprint and passcode. It's very high-tech.
The beauty of the outside is double the beauty of the inside of his unit. It's very comfortable and it's really rich to look at. I think it has a modern style with a black and white theme. A typical type of man. He's not boring to look at, but the black color is not my trip. My life is too dark for me to like that color. Chaos.
I looked around. It's just a matter of thinking because even though he's my best friend and we almost grew up together, I'm still shy.
I removed my shoes and only socks were left, even though my sock holes were still shy of the clean floor.
"Come, I'll show you your room," He said while carrying my suitcase.
"This will be your room while staying here," he said as he placed the suitcase next to the bed.
I was again amazed by the room and the size of the bed. I think it's a queen-size bed.
"It's embarrassing here Amir, I can even live in a simple apartment and I'm fine. I don't have anything to pay here either," I admitted.
He looked at me. "We grew up together and still your still shy, Aia." There's a faint smile on his lips. Of course, he knows how to smile at least a little.
Annoyed, I hit him on the arm. "Because it's so expensive here and my face is too thick to live here, you're not even staying here."
"Because it's too far from school."
"Oh, yes, it's far from the school. How is that? There don't seem to be any jeeps passing through this area. I don't have enough money too to pay for a taxi either."
"I'll fetch you."
My forehead furrowed. "What to pick up? That will make you late."
"I won't be late."
"Huh? How?"
"I'll be staying here too," he answered simply, making my eyes widen.
"Why are you going to live here? I mean, yes, this is your condo, but why?" I asked confused.
"This may be the safest place for you, but I can't assure it. I have to be with you, so I can keep you safe." That's what he said in his serious tone.
I shook my head. "It's just your OA, Amir. I'm fine here. I don't want to bother you anymore and I won't be here for long and when the house is fixed I can go back."
"Exactly, we're just staying here for a short time so while waiting for your house to be renovated then we'll be staying here."
"But--" I wanted to object but his eyes again. I can't resist him when he looks at him with those eyes.
"Hey.."
"Fine! You win," I answered resignedly.
He smirked and just helped me with my luggage. When we finished arranging, I prepared the food. Fortunately, there is still frozen food here, so that's all I cooked.
"We need to buy groceries," he said while eating.
I nodded. "Yes, but first I don't have enough money, I haven't been paid yet."
I'm a working student in a fast food chain near the university. The salary is not much, but it is enough to support myself.
Fortunately, I got a scholarship at the university and I also applied as a student assistant so I don't have to pay anything for my tuition. This is all I promised my mother.
When I was still a child she always told me that she'll work hard so she can give me everything and all I just need to do is to grow healthy and study hard so I kept my promise. I might lose them, but I won't let myself lose too.
"I'll buy everything. Just save it for yourself, I don't plan on making you pay anyway," he refused.
I sneered at him. "Yeah. My prince best friend is rich," I teased.
He seemed stunned by what I said and looked at me. I wiped the smile from my lips and looked at him in surprise.
"What happened to you?"
He just shook his head and continued eating. Sometimes I really can't read this guy.
"Wait, do your parents know about this? We might be together." I suddenly remembered his parents.
His parents are kind but they are strict so it can be intimidating at times.
"They don't know that you're here, but they know I'll be staying here."
I nodded and finished eating.
After that, we both left to buy the necessities. We went grocery shopping and also bought some equipment for me. I refused several times but as usual, Amir followed.
In the following days, as discussed, Amir also stayed in the condo unit. We always went in together and went home together, even at my work he waited for me just so we could go home together. I couldn't do anything about his stubbornness, so I gave in to reprimands and objections.
Sometimes she also accompanies me when we have a meeting about the research project, so Tricia is the one who always looks at me, but feels too much when it comes to Amir.
I stretched tiredly and walked out of the fast food chain I was working at. I worked overtime because of the number of customers and to have extra income. I walked closer to Amir's car which was just waiting opposite it.
I opened the door to the passenger seat and got in there.
"I'm tired," I said weakly and I was closing my eyes due to exhaustion.
"You shouldn't tire yourself so much." I heard him say more.
"I have to," I answered briefly. I feel that sleepiness is slowly eating me up so I just let myself drift away.
"If I can just take all the burden for you."
I heard him say something but it wasn't clear anymore because the darkness had completely consumed me.
My spirit woke up when I suddenly felt like I was being pulled. I opened my eyes a little and saw Amir carrying me while walking into my room.
"Amir.." I called him softly.
"Sleep, my Aia." It was like music to my ears and I closed my eyes again.
After a while, I just felt myself being lowered by Amir on the soft bed.
"Goodnight, Amir," I managed to speak even though I was consumed by a trance again.
"Sleep tight," he whispered and at the same time I felt something soft land on my forehead, I couldn't think about what it was until I fell asleep completely.
I woke up early in the morning. Fortunately, there is no school today, so I have a long break. I left the room with no order and I did nothing but mumble. Amir is the only one here so it's fine no matter what I look like.
Working just one job isn't enough anymore because I need to pay for my house repair. I can't make Amir pay for it. Even if he says he'll take care of it, I don't want to. I already feel like I'm a huge burden to him.
I'll just get another job to increase my income. Maybe I won't just tell him because I know he'll refuse and force me to quit my work.
While walking and looking for a nearby job, I luckily saw a sign where they were looking for a waitress. I didn't hesitate any longer and immediately went to it. I looked at the establishment and saw how big and beautiful it was. I was embarrassed to go in because of my appearance. I'm only wearing jeans and a simple shirt. Even my shoes are very old and about to fall apart.
I looked at the people entering there. The sociality of what they wear and the elegance of their posture. I have only worked in a fast food chain and have never tried this kind of social or high-end restaurant. What would I expect from the establishments that surrounded the Quillon Hotel? But I need a job so it's now or never.
I walked into the restaurant. As soon as I entered, the judgment of some looking at me was immediately visible, as if you thought that if you looked, I was a rag that got lost in this place.
I just ignored it and went straight to the reception to ask. She is a woman and even she is judgmental in her eyes.
Really? Is this place so rich that I no longer have the right to enter it? Do I need to wear a gown just to look good? I felt annoyed because of this.
"Hi! I'm Aalia and I'm looking for a job. I saw the sign saying you're looking for a waitress?" I said politely with a smile on my face.
Before smiling, the female receptionist looked at me from head to toe, and she smiled sarcastically. I didn't pay attention to that and kept my respect while waiting.
"There is no vacant position," she said.
I frowned. "But the sign says you are still looking."
She answered flatly. "There's none, just forgot to remove it."
"But maybe I can still catch up? I just really need a job. Can I speak to your manager, please?" She pleads.
The woman looked at me badly. "Why are you insisting? There's no vacancy, so you can leave now? You're making a nuisance of yourself here."
"But..."
"If you don't leave I will call the guard," she threatened.
"Please, don't. Just let me talk to the manager."
The receptionist ignored me and just called someone on the phone. She was talking to the guard and asking them to come here but that didn't make me give up.
"Please..."
"What's going on here?"
We stopped when someone suddenly spoke behind me. I came across it and saw a handsome man. Yes, he is handsome, he is also taller than me so I have to look up. My height is 5'7 but I still have to look up, maybe the height of the man is over 6'0. He's also looked like in the adult age
I stared at the receptionist, who suddenly softened. "Sir, she said she wanted to apply for the open position, but I told her there wasn't one and just forgot to remove our hiring poster."
The man looked at me, I thought that like everyone else he would also look at me with judgment in his eyes but when he smiled at me, I felt relieved somehow.
"Are you the manager?" I asked even though he didn't look like a manager, I don't know why I asked that first.
The receptionist gasped. "Manager? He's the -"
The man stopped him from speaking so he couldn't finish what he was going to say. I looked at them in wonder while waiting for an answer.
"Yes, I'm the manager here, I'm Elijah, Eli for short." He introduced himself and shook my hand which I gladly accepted.
"I'm Aalia." I introduced myself too.
"If you're looking for a vacant position, I can help you with that. Come, let's talk about it in the office." I smiled widely at what he said.
I followed him but before I walked, I looked at the receptionist and rolled my eyes on her.
After entering the office, he invited me to sit in a chair in front of the table. He also sat across from me.
"So, what position are you looking for?" Eli asked.
"Any vacancy. Waitress, janitor, dishwasher, anything you want me to do, I'll do it, as long as it's not a bad thing?"
Eli laughed at him. "You're funny, of course, I won't let you do anything bad. I'm not that kind of person. Can I see your resume first?"
I was ashamed of what I said. I handed him my resume. He read it and looked at me in surprise.
"A student?" I hesitate to nod.
"Are you only looking for a part time job?"
"Yes," I answered.
"We're not really looking for part timers, especially you're still a student." He initially said that made my hopes fall.
"But, since I saw what happened earlier. I'll let you slip in. You're desperately looking for a job so I'll give it to you."
"Really? Thank you so much!" Oh my! I am very happy today. You'd think that my scandal would have consequences.
"I'll just contact you when to start."
After the talk I was happy to go home.