Alejandra woke up early and was making breakfast for her family. She was humming to the sizzling tune of the snags when Judy walked in.
"Good morning,Ale! You're up early." Just said, stretching her arms in the air.
"Yes. I've a lot to do at the office today. Plus,Mr Anderson has been complaining about my tardiness and I don't want to get fired." Alejandra replied as she turned off the heat of the cooker.
"The only reason you've been late to work is because of us." Just said frankly.
Alejandra heaved calmly and looked at her sister.
"The reason I work is to provide for you and Mum. You both are my priority and I've to make sure you both are well taken care of. I'm not complaining and you shouldn't worry either. Just focus on your studies and become the software engineer you've always dreamt of." Alejandra said with a smile on her face.
"Ever since Dad passed away, you've sacrificed a lot for us. You had to drop out of the university and started working to provide for us. You even had to give up on your dreams to become the Managing Director of the biggest graphics company in Auckland." Judy said ruefully,
"When I graduate and get a job,I promise to repay you for all your kindness."
Judy hugged her. Alejandra hugged her back and stroked her hair.
"I know you will. But right now,I've to go and get ready for work." Alejandra said and broke the hug.
"Okay." Judy replied.
Alejandra smiled at her and left the kitchen. She went to the bathroom and had a quick bath. She came out with a towel wrapped around her body and another on her hair. She went to her room. She took the towel off from her hair and dried it with her hair dryer. She unplugged the hairdryer from the socket and kept it on her dressing table.
She opened the wardrobe and took a green top with a nature-themed design on it and a pair of blue flare trousers from the rail. She removed the hangers and put them on. She styled her hair to a ponytail with two strands of her in front. She used a curling tong to make the strands curly. She wore light make-up and stud earrings. She wore her handbag over her shoulder and left the bedroom.
"Bye Judy! I'm off to work." Alejandra said as she walked to the living room, putting her phone in her bag.
"Okay. Have a nice day!" Judy said, setting the table.
Alejandra walked to the front door. She got hold of the handle and remembered something.
"Judy?" She called.
"Yes,Ale!" Judy said, putting a plate on the table.
"Has Mum-?" Alejandra said but was interrupted.
"Alejandra,you worry yourself too much. Mum is fine. She doesn't need you to be checking up on her every minute. She is fine. Trust me! Besides,you need to learn to be a little selfish and think about yourself sometimes." Judy said, walking towards her.
"But-." Alejandra said.
"No buts! You've to go to work or else you will be scolded again." Judy said, opening the door and pushing her out of the flat.
"Wait!"
Judy slammed the door in her face and locked it from inside. Alejandra said and went to the lift. She got to the lobby and caught a glimpse of her neighbour,Mr Austin.
"Ah,Alejandra! It's nice to see you!" He said, rolling the newspaper in his hand.
"Oh,no!" She groaned inwardly.
"Mr Austin!"
She put on a fake smile.
"How are you?" He asked.
"I'm good,sir!" She replied.
"Looks like you're going to work." He said and she replied in a nod.
"You remind me of my youth. Back in the 80s,I used to work as a waiter in a fast food restaurant in Houston. I was hard-working and handsome too. I'd flip burgers with my bare hands and make deliveries on foot. I'd spend days on the road, delivering burgers to customers who lived very far away. I overcame all the obstacles that came my way." Mr Austin said, exaggerating a little.
"But now,all these gadgets came in and ruin the essence of life. All that children do these days is to stay indoors,watch television or play video games. They hardly care about nature and the eco-system."
Alejandra checked the time on her wristwatch and saw she was running late.
"Sorry Mr Austin,but I've to go now. Maybe some other time." Alejandra said, leaving the lobby.
"Okay! You take care,now!" Mr Austin said.
She was close to the door when she heard her name.
"Alejandra!" Oscar,the doorman, called.
She turned to the side and looked at him.
"Your mail has arrived." He said, showing her the envelopes in his hand.
"Okay, Oscar! Give them to Judy. She is still in the flat." Alejandra said and he nodded.
She opened the door and left the building. She walked along the pavement and stood beside the traffic light. She waited for the lights to turn red and looked both sides. She used the pedestrian crossing and walked to the other side. She was almost at the other end when a car drove towards her.
The driver didn't see her and almost knocked her down. The car came to a halt and the bumper almost touched her.
Alejandra was frightened when she saw the car. She froze like a statue, her heart raced and she swallowed hard. She closed her eyes in fear and stood still. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the car parked in front of her. She looked at herself and saw she was still in one piece.
"Phew! For a minute there,I thought I was gone." Alejandra said inwardly with her hand on her chest.
She let out a sigh of relief. She went to the driver's side of the car.
"Hey Mister! Hey Mister!!" Alejandra said as tapped on the window.
The driver didn't respond and remained in the car.
"Hey, I know you are in there! Have you gone nuts? You almost knocked me down with your reckless driving. Are you even a certified driver? Do you even have a driver licence? You could have killed me, you know." Alejandra said angrily.
The driver didn't come out and remained in the car.
"You think you're some kind of big shot,huh? Well, get ready to talk to my lawyer when I sue you for reckless driving and attempted murder." She threatened.
She saw the door opening and took two steps backwards. She folded her hands and wore a serious look. Nicolas turned off the ignition and came out of the car. He closed the door and stood in front of Alejandra while wearing a straight face.
"You look perfectly fine to me. You're still alive and can talk." Nicolas said flatly.
"But you almost hit me with your car and I could've die. Even with your four eyes,you can't drive properly." Alejandra said boldly.
"Be grateful I didn't!" Nicolas replied coolly.
Camilo,who was seated at the passenger seat, came out of the car when he saw the argument was becoming intense.
"I'm sorry, Miss! I apologize on his behalf." Camilo pleaded.
"You don't need to apologize to this fraud." Nicolas said coldly, hiding his hand in his pocket.
"Fraud? Who are you calling a fraud?" Alejandra said, offended by his description.
"Come on,Nick! You almost hit her with your car. The least you could say is sorry." Camilo said coaxingly.
Nicolas stared at Alejandra coldly for a while and heaved. He checked the time on his wristwatch and noticed he was running late. He adjusted his glasses and went back to the car.
Alejandra's eyes widened when he ignored her and went to his car. She clenched her fist angrily. She stood in front of the car and folded her arms.
"I'm really sorry. I don't know why he is like this morning. Please accept my apology on his behalf." Camilo pleaded.
Nicolas started hooting his car horn and Camilo looked at him through the windscreen. He glanced at Alejandra and went back to the car. He put on his seatbelt and looked at her. Nicolas kept hooting his horn but Alejandra didn't move. He waited for two minutes but she still didn't move. He put it in reverse and then to drive.
"Um, Nicolas?" Camilo asked confusingly,
"What are you doing?"
Nicolas did say anything and drove towards her.
"Nicolas!" Camilo said, holding the grab handle.
Nicolas stepped on the accelerator pedal and made screeching noises with his car. Alejandra stood fearfully and wished she had moved away earlier. She closed her eyes again and her heart beat faster than earlier. Nicolas swerved the car around her and drove off. She opened her eyes and saw the car was gone.
"He is so rude! He almost tried to kill me, again! Thank God he didn't." She said, placing her hand on her chest.
Her watch started bleeping and caught her attention.
"Oh no! That jerk made me late!" Alejandra said.
She left the road and walked to the pavement. She walked further and stopped at the bus stop.
Nicolas was still driving to work and Camilo wasn't happy with his behaviour.
"You've just apologized and put this behind you." Camilo said, not in support of his behaviour.
"I didn't have to. She was only going to threaten me with a lawsuit and get me to pay." Nicolas said, taking a right turn.
"You almost hit her!" Camilo said, raising his voice a bit.
"But I didn't! She's still alive and walking on both legs." Nicolas replied airily.
"You're unbelievable?" Camilo said.
Nicolas stepped on the brake and the car came to a halt.
"Why are we stopping?" Camilo asked curiously, looking at the dashboard.
"Get out of the car."Nicolas said .
"Why?" Camilo puzzled and unfastened his seatbelt.
"Camilo,just get out of the car,will you?" Nicolas said with his hands on the steering wheel.
Camilo got down from the car and closed the door.
"Do you want to get you something from there?" Camilo asked, pointing at the pharmacy beside him.
"No! I wanted you to get out of the car. See you at work." Nicolas said and put it in drive.
"What? Wait!"
Nicolas stepped on the accelerator pedal and drove off. He left Camilo behind. Camilo reached for his phone in his pocket and realized he had left in Nicolas' car.
"F**k! I left my phone in his car!" Camilo cursed,
"What am I going to do now?"
He looked around and didn't see any bus stop around. He couldn't call for a taxi either. He sighed and trekked to work.