Jason could tell that her eyes held an apology within them that words could not match. Even more amazingly, her gaze flickered towards her father who was passing by before she quickly shut the door. Jason nodded at her, mouthing, "Thank you" to her. She smiled back, sad and grateful, before finally disappearing behind the door.
Out on the sidewalk, Jason stood beside the scattered things on the ground. His neighbours were still staring at him either from the windows or the ledges where they stood.
He was always such a quiet guy, one who kept to himself, making sure to pay his rent and do his things in silence. He was kind too, helping out others when he saw them in need. Now they looked at him with pity and surprise. Why was he being kicked out like this?
They didn't have an answer other than the fact that he had no money to pay with. Jason didn't have an answer either since he was quiet on the ground floor. And even if any of them had an answer, it would not matter.
Jason was exhausted, ironically not physically, but mentally. And the weight of the world was pressing down on him heavily, in a way that he had never experienced before.
He was homeless now. He had been homeless before, but with the bit of money he had, he was able to do something about it. This time, with all his savings gone, he was utterly homeless. Homeless.
If his family saw his state now, what would they say? That was an interesting question that he did not want to find the answer to.
A thought struck him in the next moment… could he perhaps call someone to help him out? Did he have anyone to help him out? Taking out the old phone that he had traded in for some dollars a long time ago, Jason scrolled through his contacts.
He passed over a few familiar names… but he already knew just how much trust he should have in those people. When he passed over his ex's name, he lingered there, realising that that felt like that moment he was in at that moment.
It was night and she had just told him that she was dumping him to be with someone else, someone as rich and handsome as he was. She had told him that because he was poor now, he did not deserve to be with her.
Jason had been forced to accept back then that he was going to suffer a bit more. He was going to have to bear some really difficult things. Now here it was. It seemed this day of his was getting worse after getting better.
He kept scrolling, then he stopped at one name that made him feel a bit interesting inside. Veronica Hall… His boss, the woman who had saved him once when his world was crashing in. Now she had just saved him once again, covering his hospital bills after he fell off some shelves like an idiot.
How could he even dare to call her? How was it possible for her to do something like that? He considered it for a moment, hating the idea even more as time passed. He was just going to be burdening her with his problems even more.
And then just as Jason was about to put his phone away, it began ringing. And when he looked at it, it was her name on the screen. When he answered, he was surprised.
"Jason?" Her voice was soft and it was a mix of worry and relief when she spoke. "Where are you right now? Are you worried? I called the hospital and they told me you signed your own release forms. Where are you? Are you alright?"
Jason swallowed hard, feeling something that felt like guilt and relief settling into his stomach. Although the tension in his heart was still there, he still felt good about the fact that there was someone who still cared in his life.
After a bit of time, he managed, "Thank you for taking care of the fees for me. I owe you… Again."
"What? Did they tell you? Damn, after I told them to keep it quiet… Anyway, where are you? It's so dark outside, you better not be walking out there in the cold. You're injured, remember?"
Jason heard those words and smiled, blinking to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill out of his eyes. "I don't know who else to turn to right now. I need a place to keep my things for a while… Could you… give me access to the warehouse. It's just for my stuff. I'll find someplace to spend the night. "
Jason did not want to tell her the full story of how his place was invaded and his money was stolen. Instead, he just asked her for a favour. He also did not want to burden her… But he had no choice.
There was a moment of quiet before finally she spoke again, her voice firm as she said, "Nonsense, I'm coming to pick you up. You're staying with me. No need to be proud. I'll be there soon." And then with that, the line went dead.
Eh?
Jason stood there, holding his phone, stunned. She was coming here? She was going to help… But the words replayed in his head, and the more they did, the more his breath started speeding up. He'd be staying with her.
He felt a twinge of something more than gratitude come to him as he remembered his boss' beautiful face and incredible body. What was he even thinking? However, the more he tried to wipe the image of her in a business suit, along with her gentle smile, the more it seemed to stick...
Damn… it was that doctor's fault. Ever since he had told Jason of that one story where he had his face buried in someone's—Damn it…
As the car approached Jason's location, Jason let a small smile slip. He did not have the intentions… and that was only because he did not see any signs from her side. But if she ever showed him interest, not as an employee, but as a man… then…
Life was going to get much more interesting.