JARED
The loud sound of the alarm clock on my bedside table startled me to a state of consciousness. I wanted to close my eyes and go back to sleep, but I got job to do.
7:23 am.
I dragged myself to the bathroom and took a bath, preparing for my part-time work. I slept for seven hours and wanted to sleep longer, but I couldn't. I wore a white shirt and black jeans, along with white sneakers. It may not be branded, but it looks good. I don't have any branded or fancy clothing to wear and flaunt. Who cares whether my clothing are branded or thrifted. I shall continue to wear them as long as I am able.
7:35 am.
I grabbed my bag and placed my phone inside before leaving my apartment. I ran all the way to the bus station. Fortunately, it was about to take off, so I hurried over before the door closed. I sat in an empty seat and leaned my head on the window. My body is exhausted, and I want to sleep more, but I have to work. I work part-time in both the store and a restaurant.
.
.
.
Yellow St.
The name Yellow St. was inspired by the hue of the road that runs from the entrance to the end of the street, where I work at Dandelion Dining Restaurant. Due to the fact that this is a popular neighborhood and the buildings in line are businesses. Commercial buildings and various different kinds of businesses were bustling along this street.
When I saw my destination from a distance, I pressed the button beside me to stop the bus. I got down and ran towards the restaurant's back entrance. I opened the door and walked straight to the locker, only to see a bottle of coffee from the vending machine and a slice of toasted bread still warm from the inside of the brown paper. This is not the first time someone has left stuff in my locker, and I have a vague idea of who left it, but I don't care. I grabbed the bread and ate it while I changed, then finished the bottle of coffee and headed outside to do my work.
"What a handsome man"
"I like his skin. I wonder what skincare he's using"
"His thin lips looks so tempting. Look at them, there's a hint of pink"
I ignored the admiring words from several women since I was used to them and served the food to the table. I smiled at the two women seated on the table who were staring at me and said "enjoy your breakfast," then turned my back and went directly to the kitchen, uninterested with the gaze of numerous female customers from behind.
Hours passed before lunch break. I served numerous foods to several tables running back-and-forth.
12:05
It was at that moment that I caught up with those who were having a break and getting their own lunch plates. Since lunch is provided free of charge here, I grabbed a plate and waited in line. After grabbing some lunch, I sat at a counter when someone walked up to me out of the blue and placed down a chilled bottle of water. She turned her back on me after giving me a blank expression.
'what is wrong with her?' i thought to myself.
She often puts food in my locker, so why does she act differently in front of me? I don't understand her. I know she's kind, but I don't understand why she never smiles while I'm in front of her, instead giving me a blank expression and occasionally ignoring me. I couldn't care less since all I actually care about is doing my job.
I simply shook my head and kept eating but I was interrupted by the strange facial expressions of my coworkers here. I chose to look away and keep eating, then I returned to work due to the large number of customers.
It was almost 1 p.m., and it was almost time for me to leave work. Since my shift at the store changed from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., i have no other plans but to rest and lay around my apartment until 6.
"Jared, the manager called for you" My coworker called, so I nodded and headed directly to the office. I opened the door to see Kevin, one of my colleagues, glaring at me fiercely. He pointed his finger at me and shouted. "it's him. He is the one who stole it"
My brows furrowed into a straight line as I heard his furious voice full of accusations, his fingers pointing at me as if I had done something awful.
I pointed myself and asked "me?" with curiosity, not knowing what was happening. I faced the manager and asked him "did i do something?".
His expression was serious as he sat back in his chair.. "Did you enter the storage room after break?" He asked with seriousness. I nodded and said "yes".
"See? I told you it's him. Who would do something if not him" Kevin reacted with contempt. The manager shook his head and looked at me with disappointment. He let out a heavy breath and said "you are fired" which caught me off guard and left me perplexed about what he just said.
I looked at them and said "what?" With my tone filled with disbelief and confusion since I was unaware of what was happening here.
"Few of my ingredients for tomorrow consumption are missing from the storage, and you are the only one who went there earlier. Some of your colleagues saw you there" said the manager. Kevin smirked at me like he won or something.
Ah.
I know what was happening.
"Yes, i went there like i always do, to arrange the next batch of ingredients, but i didn't steal anything" I firmly responded and shot a scowl at Kevin, but he still had his devious smirk.
"Oh yeah? Why can't we investigate your locker and see if you're telling the truth or not" Kevin said and turned to the manager and spoke "manager, please let's investigate if he's telling the truth. If i am wrong, then you can fire me, but if i'm right..." he pointed his finger at me "fire him right away"
Kevin never liked me. He always gave me a glare like i did something to him. I know he harbor resentment, maybe because of the girl he likes who often leave things in my locker. He sees me as a rival for everything.
Tss!
"Fine. Investigate my locker all you want. I didn't steal anything"
The manager got up and walked out. We followed hum until we got to the locker. Some coworkers are getting ready to head home. They even turned to me when we walked in and headed right to my locker. I opened the locker, then faced the manager, and said, "Here, investigate all you want" then i stayed beside the locker with my arms folding against my chest glaring at Kevin who was grinning from ear to ear.
"I told you i don't---"
"What is this?" The manager asked while holding the plastic of fresh meat. The manager turned and looked at me intently. He was obviously angry while looking at me. "You're stealing from me? I am so dissapointed" he said
"See? I told you" Kevin added as he smirked at me and turn to the manager and said "that means he is fired, isn't it?".
"But i never---"
"Enough! I don't need to hear another single word from you, Jared. You are fired! Pack your things and get out" the manager blurted out and took out his wallet. He handed me a paper money with estranged expression written all over his face.
"Don't ever come back here again" he then turned his back and slammed the door closed. I held the money given by the manager and stared at it for a moment.
The f*ck! I am really unlucky.
After i packed all my things, i left the restaurant unbothered by estranged look from my coworkers. They never liked me, but i don't care. What i care about is my job. I only have one job and i need another one more to sustain myself.
As i was walking out of the Yellow St. I saw an old man on the corner of the street, with his hand leaning against the wall like, catching his breath. Many people pass by, but they don't appear to notice the old man's situation, so I approached him and asked "are you okay? Do you need help?"
He looked up and shook his head "no. I need to go to the hospital" he responded. He has beads of sweat forming on his forehead and is gasping for air.
"I'll take you there"
I hailed a cab all the way to the nearest hospital and led the old man inside. I saw a nurse and held her up since i think this old man needs immediate medical attention.
"Excuse me, can you take a look at him? I think something's wrong with him" she was stunned for a moment then she looked at the old man beside me who are still having trouble breathing.
"This way please" she led us to an empty bed and examine the old man. While the nurse is examining the old man, my phone rang from the inside of my bag. I grabbed the phone but the old man grabbed my arm.
"I don't have money to pay for the check-up" said the old man. Feeling dejected with a sense of loss is written on his face. The nurse calm face turned into pity and said "if you don't have any money, then why getting a check-up? You are wasting my time and energy" with contempt on her tone.
"Shut the f*ck up!" I blurted out. The old man and the nurse stared at me with surprised. I took out the money from my pocket which the system provided me and the payment that the manager gave and handed it to old man.
"Here. I don't know if you can get a check-up with this. But if you can, do it faster and get out of here. Discrimination is everywhere. People will look down on you if you don't have money" i placed the money in his hand. The old man gave me a look of surprise and smiled at me. He held my hand and said "you are a good man. Thank you"
I just smiled at him and nod. "You are very much welcome".
[Ding!
Mission Complete: Congratulations, host. You have spent 1,000 Global Credits for a good and reasonable way. 10x rebates have been implemented.
Retrieving reward/rewards...]
My brows furrowed into straight line when i heard an ai voice inside my head.
Mission Complete? Did the system gave me a mission? When?
[Ding!
Congratulations! You have received: 10,000 Global Credits. Additional reward/rewards will be given]
[Ding!
Congratulations! You have received: Starry Moon Lake Villa located in Central City, Imperial Country]
"D*mn"