[Day-1 (19:00)]
Aurora stood in the dimly lit room, the scent of antiseptic and medicine filled the room. She adjusted the blanket over her mother's frail body, trying to ignore the gnawing hunger in her own stomach. The constant beep of the machinery keeping her mother alive was the only sound, followed by an occasional sigh from Aurora. Her mother stirred, a faint smile breaking through the pain as she looked at her only daughter.
"Aurora, my beloved child, life has denied me the riches to take care of you, but God gave me you instead. Even on my deathbed, I am grateful to have you as my daughter. No matter what happens to me, never forget that you have the strength to overcome anything that life throws at you. You have a brilliant mind, and I know you will succeed where I have failed. If you can't believe in yourself, then believe in me... your mother."
Aurora held her mother's arm as she watched her drift back to sleep. Her eyes welled with tears, but she suppressed them, determined to remain strong for her mother's sake. With a trembling exhale, she rose from her seat and quietly left the room. Leaning against the door, she sank to the floor, her tears flowing freely now.
Her mind swirled with conflicting thoughts as she sat there, wrestling with the hand that life had dealt her. "Play the cards you were dealt... If my life were a poker game, I'd be bleeding millions," she spoke bitterly. "I'd love to scream about life's unfairness, but acknowledging that feels like surrendering to the fate glaring at me. I can't afford weakness, not for my mother's sake."
Aurora stood up, brushing off the invisible dust from her clothes. "By some stroke of luck, I had secured funding for my tertiary education. For a moment, I dared to believe it was my big break, a chance at a decent life," she reflected, a brief laugh escaping her lips. "But fate had other plans. My mother fell ill suddenly, and there was no one else to care for her. No family, no friends - just me. I sacrificed my only shot at a better life to nurse her back to health... Or so I thought."
Her heart was heavy with the weight of responsibility, Aurora pushed open the door and reentered the room.
"I'm human, just like anyone else," Aurora reflected, her emotions swirling like a tornado within her. "For a time, I was understanding. It's not her fault she got sick. It's not her fault we're poor ... But like I said, I'm human, so understanding quickly turned into anger."
As she moved past the bed to retrieve her backpack, Aurora's thoughts continued to race. "I blamed her for bringing me into this world to suffer. I blamed her for my misfortune. But worse, I blamed her for being fatherless. I thought maybe if I had a father like everyone else, I'd have the nice things that others do."
Aurora paused, the weight of her words hung heavy in the air. "But I also had to understand something, that blaming her won't change anything, nor will it make my life less miserable. And so, I endured," she concluded, her voice filled with sadness as she slung her backpack over her shoulder.
"Enough brooding, or I'll be late for work. Wouldn't wanna get fired and add to my problems," Aurora thought, shaking off the heavy thoughts as she cast one last glance at her mother before heading out the door. She exited the hospital after taking the elevator to the ground floor.
As Aurora crouched down to unlock her bicycle, she couldn't help but notice the news billboard nearby. The announcement of Kenneth Grayson's passing, echoed through the busy street.
"Founder of the global conglomerate 'Mirage Corp,' Kenneth Grayson has just been reported to have passed away," the news lady's voice filled the air. "Cause of death has not been disclosed by the family or health care services. Although we mourn with the family for their unfortunate loss, one can only wonder who his successor will be from his 7 heirs."
Aurora shook her head as she saw the billboard. "The guy just died, and they're already talking about who'll succeed him. This has to be the true definition of rich people problems," she muttered to herself. "Well, I'm not rich, so I gotta get going to work."
With a determined sigh, she packed her things and swung herself onto her bike, ready to pedal her way to work.
[19:55]
After a few minutes of pedaling, Aurora finally arrived at work, greeted by the bright, colorful LED sign of Larry's Diner. She swiftly locked her bike with a chain at the designated area before hurrying towards the entrance.
As she approached, she noticed Larry, the owner of the diner, a bald and chubby man with a mustache, checking his watch with a disapproving shake of his head. He wore an apron with the restaurant's name written on it.
Stopping in front of him, Aurora began, "Larry, I... " but she was quickly interrupted.
"You know, for someone as poor as you, you really ought to put more value on this job. This is definitely your only source of income, and I promise you, a minute later you would have been out of a job," Larry explained.
Aurora nodded, understanding his frustration. "I know, Larry. But I had to visit..." she started to explain, but Larry cut her off sharply.
"Your personal problems are your own, not mine. Get back to work unless you want to find employment elsewhere," he stated firmly.
With a resigned sigh, Aurora replied, "Yes, sir... Right away," before heading to the changing room and starting her waitressing duties.
The restaurant buzzed with life as families, friends, and coworkers gathered to enjoy a meal together. Tables were filled with laughter and conversation, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Waiters and waitresses darted between tables, jotting down orders and delivering steaming plates of food with practiced efficiency. In the busy kitchen, chefs worked tirelessly to prepare the customer's orders.
As the clock struck 10:00 PM, signaling the end of another busy day, the restaurant staff sprang into action, closing blinds and tidying up the dining area. After that they packed their belongings and bid farewell to one another, ready to head home after a long day's work.
"See you guys tomorrow," Aurora called out to her coworkers as she made her way to where her bike was parked. With a sense of exhaustion mixed with satisfaction, she unlocked her bike and prepared to ride home. Then suddenly her phone started ringing.
As Aurora reached for her phone, she couldn't shake the worry that it might be the loan sharks calling again, demanding money she didn't have.
"Unknown? Who could be calling at this hour? I don't like answering late calls, especially from numbers I don't recognize," she muttered, ignoring the vibrating device. With a determined exhale, she mounted her bike and pedaled off towards home.
But the persistent buzzing of her phone refused to be ignored. With a resigned sigh, Aurora pulled over to the side of the road and checked her phone once more.
"It's the same number... Okay, fine. Let's hear what they have to say," she conceded, sliding her finger across the screen to answer. "Hello?"
"Good day, am I speaking to Aurora Grayson?" a voice inquired on the other end.
"I am Aurora, but my surname is Bernett, not Grayson," she clarified, with confusion in her tone.
"Oh, I see. That's not a problem. I was informed you might be using your mother's last name," the man explained.
"I'm a bit confused. What's this about, and where did you get my number, sir? Is this some kind of scam call? Because I'm really not in the mood right now," Aurora questioned, her patience wearing thin.
"No, no, I apologize for not introducing myself properly. My name is Alexander McCain. I am Kenneth Grayson's lawyer," the man revealed.
"I saw the news. You mean the rich guy who just died?" Aurora interjected, her disbelief evident.
"That's correct," Alexander confirmed.
"Sad stuff, but what does that have to do with me?" Aurora inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"It seems you weren't told the truth. It pains me to tell you this, but Kenneth Grayson was your father," Alexander disclosed.
"What...".