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Chapter 4 - Chapter 3: A new home and job.

Ryan's home was pretty decent when I took a closer look. And it was huge. It was a three-bedroom flat with a library, kitchen, and living room. It was obvious his family was rich.  

I didn't want to ask about his family background because I felt that I'd be prying if I did. He led me to one of the rooms. It was tastefully furnished. The curtains were exquisite and the floor tiles shone brightly. The closet was huge with a set of three drawers. It even had a mirror attached to it. The bed was a student kind with fresh bed sheets that smelt like lavender. 

His phone rang and he answered, and he left me behind. I felt soggy so I decided to have a quick shower. I entered the bathroom and it had a jacuzzi. A supposed ten-minute shower turned into a half an hour bath. I got out feeling extremely refreshed. 

I decided to put on a midi gown. I'd be free enough to unpack because I still had to. I stood before the mirror attached to the closet and danced around. I felt like a princess living with her prince charming. 

The drawers were easy to open. I opened my box and poured out the contents on the bed. I placed my underwear in one. My shirts in the other. And my skirts and stockings in the remaining ones.  

Into my closet went my gowns, jackets, sweater, hoodies, bags, and shoes. All were arranged according to their colors and design pattern. I felt like a fulfilled young lady when I finally finished. 

"Yuki" Ryan called "Do you have a second to spare," he asked. "I'll be there right away," I replied. I did some finishing touches to the room. Placed my plushies at the head of the bed. 

When I was done I rushed to the living room "You called" I said as I stood behind the chair Ryan sat in. 

He turned around and gave me a flirtatious smile. It was obvious he was admiring me in my midi gown. I couldn't blame him. I sure did look nice and smelt nice too. 

"I was on a call with a friend, she said she would like to meet you," he said. "Why?"  I asked curiously. 

He took a deep breath. "Her mom runs a convenience store down the street so I asked if there was a vacant spot so you could start working there as soon as possible," he replied. 

I was speechless. Why was he going this far for me? For a girl, he had just met the night before. This was too generous. "I have nothing to offer," I said to be on the safe side of his benevolence. 

He laughed softly "I know, take this as a friend helping out a friend," he said and got up "I have classes now. Do you mind coming with me so I can drop you off at the convenience store?" he asked. 

I shook my head. "I certainly do not mind" came my reply, "Let me just put on a jacket," I said as I walked to my room and opened my closet carefully. I didn't want to ruin the expensive wood. I took out a jean jacket and black purse. It would complement my outfit. I admired myself in the mirror. My short blonde hair was giving me chic vibes. The only teenage thing my parents had allowed me to do was dye my hair blonde. My high school allowed students to dye their hair only blonde. 

I smiled at the mirror and quickly rushed back to the living room. "I'm ready," I said. We walked together to the garage and got into the car. 

He was right. The convenience store was very close to his residence. He dropped me off and apologized "I'd have loved to go in with you but I have a class in twenty minutes and I don't want to be late. Tell Mrs. Enley I said hi," he said and drove away. 

I entered the shop and the sight was splendid. The items were neatly arranged on the shelf. I walked up to the cashier's desk and there stood a middle-aged lady. She looked very nice and approachable. "Good day ma" I greeted. 

She flashed a welcoming smile at me. "Oh good morning dear, how may I help you?" she asked. 

I shuffled my feet on the floor. Clutching my gown lightly. "I'm from Ryan. I was told I could get a job here" I finally said. She walked away from the desk and towards me. She held my hands gently. "Dear me, dear me you must be Yuki. I'm so happy to meet you," she said. 

I felt I could be free and open with her "Same ma" I replied. 

She led me to the Workers' room and offered me a chair to sit on. "Recently my back's been aching a great deal and I'm worried. I haven't had time to go to the doctor," she complained. "So I'm really happy you offered to work here. I can't just employ anybody because of security reasons so it's only my daughter and me who work here"

I felt bad for the lady. "I can start working here from next week if that's alright with you," I said. 

Her eyes widened in excitement. "Are you serious?" she asked. I nodded. "I guess the next thing we need to discuss is your pay," she said. 

A customer walked in and she greeted the young man calmly "Welcome" she said. The man gave her a warm smile. He went to the furthest shelf and picked up a packet of instant coffee. He walked up to her and the both of them went to the cashier's desk. "Having yet another workload" she said, striking up a conversation with the man. 

He nodded, "It's been quite busy these days," he replied. 

She sighed "In all do try to get some rest a little now and then" she suggested "Your bill is five thousand yen," she said. 

He handed her a five thousand yen note. "Thank you for talking to me," he said as he carried his packet of coffee and left. 

She gave a deep breath "That man looked stressed. That's without a doubt. You could see the huge eye bags he had there. Probably haven't slept for three days or more" she ranted. 

She sure cared about her customers. "I'll try to be as nice as you when I start working" I assured her. 

She shook her head in disapproval. "Just do you my dear," she said "We were talking about your pay. How about three thousand yen per hour" she proposed. 

I nodded my head in agreement. "That's a fair bargain," I replied. She showed me around. She explained the dos and don'ts and also gave me a uniform. I enjoyed the time I spent with her. It was educational. She closed up the store by half past 5 and sat together waiting for Ryan's arrival.

He arrived at twenty minutes to seven with the lady's daughter. She looked so young. She was putting on a yellow top over black jeans three quarters. Her hair was in a messy bun. She looked like the younger version of the middle-aged lady. In short, it was obvious they were mother and daughter.

"Good evening, my name is Cathy," she said politely. She even sounded like her mother "It's a pleasure to meet you".

"I'm Yuki," I said and smiled. "You must be. a good of Ryan's" I added.

She chuckled "You needed to have heard the way he was pleading with me to convince my mom to employ you. It was amusing," she said "You must be very important to him"

I did not know how to respond. "Cathy," Ryan said coming to my rescue. He offered his greetings to Mrs. Enley and she pulled him into a huge hug.

"Did you enjoy your stay here, " he asked me. I nodded shyly. He smiled "I'm happy you did. Mrs. Enley here is like my mother. She's always treating me like her son," he said.

"That's because you are my son," she said frowning. She began to walk around putting different items in a bag. She then handed the bag to me. In it were some rice balls, cans of tinned soup, and packaged sausages "I'm so grateful" I said as I hugged her.

We were going to have a convenience store dinner that night. We said our goodbyes and I took the things I had been given along with me. The dinner and uniform.

I was so tired I slept throughout the ride. By the time we had gotten home. Ryan tapped me awake. Drowsily I walked to my room and retired to bed.

It was later in the middle of the night I had dinner. I'm pretty sure Ryan had his earlier because there were only enough for one remaining. After dinner, I decided to pack my books for school. Guess I would be going back to Minato High. Only the thought of it made me shiver.

Then I remembered I'd also get to meet Mia again. We hadn't gotten the opportunity to talk after that awful experience. The thought of getting to meet her calmed me down.

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