Soulmates

Chapter four - I want to help him

Jordan's POV:

Cassie gave us ideas for the coffee shops. I'm glad we are doing something for them, but we also have a wedding to plan. Melanie is avoiding this because of what is going on with her mom. This is what I think. She has called her. The conversation was less than a minute. I want to help them. The thing is that I don't know what I should do. I can try to talk to her mom, but I'm sure she won't listen. I mean, she doesn't want to talk to her daughter. The chances of her doing it with me are not high. For the past few days, I have been thinking about the cake. I will take care of it. I plan it to be black on the outside with green roses for now. All this will be made out of sugar. On the inside, it will be white cream. I have seen cakes with figures at the top. I plan to put two angels. This will be my surprise for her. Well, one of all. I will do a few more things for her. I need to think of them. There will be a speech. Everyone who wants to say something about us will be allowed to do it. This will be at the restaurant. We won't have many guests, but that is better. I'm not a fan of crowded places. We'll pick the menu. There are so many things to do, and so little time. I hope that Melanie and her mom will sort things out.

Melanie and I have five months to plan the wedding. We can do this alone. Well, I know she wants her mom to be with her. I mean, at least for the dress fitting. I offered help, even if I was not supposed to see it. For some reason, people believe that it's bad luck if the groom sees the bride's dress. I don't see anything wrong with that. This doesn't mean I will do it. I want everything to go well when the day comes. We can't afford mistakes. Everything should be the way we planned it.

I woke up and turned around. Melanie was still sleeping. Lately, she started getting tired often. I think she is overworking herself to forget about the problems with her mom. I won't wake her up for now. I went to get ready and later for breakfast. Today, I will include milkshakes in our breakfast. We don't do this often, so it will be good to have this. I mean, once in a while. When I was ready, I prepared the table. I was about to go and call Melanie when I saw her coming. She doesn't look in a good mood.

- Good morning. Are you ok?

- I'm fine.

- Breakfast is ready.

- I will go to open the shop. - she said and walked away

- Not so fast. - I said and grabbed her hand

- I'm not in the mood for a lecture.

- At least appreciate the time I spend on food.

- I'm sorry.

- I know you have problems with your mom, but sometimes I feel like you put your bad mood on me. I have nothing to do with that.

- This wasn't intentional.

- I know. Can we eat now? I won't let you go to work with an empty stomach.

- I'm not hungry.

- At least do it for me.

- Fine. I will take a bite.

- Thank you.

- Is that a milkshake?

- Yes. We don't drink them often, so I made them.

- I will drink that, for sure.

- I'm glad to hear it.

Melanie and I talked during breakfast. I tried not to mention the wedding. Lately, she isn't in the mood about it. I hope she and her mom can fix their relationship. I can't plan everything alone. Also, I don't want to do it. Melanie has to choose some things. After breakfast, we walked to the shops. I saw Josh waiting in front of it. Am I late? I checked the time. Everything was fine.

- Hey, for how long have you been here?

- Like ten minutes.

- Early bird. - I said, chuckling

- Yes, I decided to come a bit early today.

- Did something happen? Lately, everyone around me is in a bad mood.

- I'm fine. I had a terrible night. That's it.

- Mind sharing. - I said and opened the shop

- I couldn't sleep well. I used to have sleeping problems when I was still at university. My doctor gave me some pills. I'm afraid this is coming back.

- Do you know why it's happening?

- No. Maybe it's bad time management, but now I'm fine. I got to bed no later than midnight. At university, things were different. I tried to be the perfect student and studied until 3 am.

- Don't you think this is unhealthy?

- I know. During the day, I didn't have much time.

- I don't know what to tell you. Maybe you should start taking the pills.

- This is a temporary solution. Also, they don't help me a hundred percent.

- Why don't you see your doctor? He knows what is going on with you the best.

- Maybe I have to do it.

Josh helped me order the place. What we do is put the chairs down. We put them on the tables when we close the shop. I think he has a problem. It's not only with the sleepless nights. I don't need to worry about that. I have other things in my head. For lunch, I decided to take him with me. We closed the shop for an hour. The boy needs to go out more.

- How are you today? - I asked

- I have been worse.

- I shouldn't ask, but is there something else?

- My parents want me to move out. According to them, I am old enough to take care of myself. They won't do it for me. I have a month to find a place to stay.

- What? Why?

- I don't know if I can find something affordable.

- You know what. One of my girlfriend's friends is a broker. She can help you. I will give you her phone number. Call her and say that I am sending you. She will do everything for you.

- Thanks. What's her name?

- Chelsea.

- I will do that.

- I can help you with money if you want.

- No, thanks. My salary is enough.

- For now. What about paying bills?

- I will be fine.

- You said it, not me.

- What you are doing is more than enough. I appreciate it.

We dropped it there. I will raise his salary. I can use the excuse that he is a great worker. It's not a lie, but he is the only one I have. I guess it's not only Melanie who has problems with her parents. The question is how much I should raise it. I will wait for Chelsea to see what she can find him. Hopefully, it will be something affordable. The boy doesn't have much money. This is why I want to help him. I liked Josh since the day he showed up in the coffee shop.

After lunch, we went back to work. Josh wanted to go and clean the staff room. There is not much to clean there, but I left him to do it. Maybe he needs a distraction. I was behind the cash register when a customer came.

- Mom? What are you doing here?

- I have an appointment for a hairdresser in a salon nearby. The woman told me to wait fifteen minutes, so I came to check on you.

- Thanks. Do you want a drink? Maybe an angel wing shot?

- I have to go back to work later.

- Only a little bit.

- Fine. You can make me a coffee.

- With milk?

- Yes. Make it double. I had a long day.

- It hasn't finished.

- Don't remind me, please.

- How are you and my dad? I know we talk often.

- We are fine. Any news from Melanie's mom?

- No. They still don't talk.

- It's not my business, but you have five months.

- What am I supposed to do? They have to sit and talk.

- Why don't you leave Melanie at her parent's house for dinner? You can come home or visit your friends.

- I don't think she will want that.

- You have to try.

- Josh, are you ok? - I asked when he came

- Here. Take this.

- Why do you give me this dollar?

- I found it in the staff room. It's probably yours since you spend most of the time there.

- No, keep it.

- But it's not mine.

- Keep it. I can even give you another one.

- Thanks, but I don't need it.

- Are you sure?

- Positive.

- Good.

- I'll go back there.

- I like this boy. - mom said

- Me too. He is doing a great job.

Mom went to her appointment. I told Josh to call Chelsea. I will take care of the customers. She should be at work. I know he is nervous, but I'm sure she will do me this favor. I texted her if Melanie and I could come for dinner. Our friends still live together. The girls are sharing a room. The boys do the same. After work, I went to take Melanie. We went home to get changed. Later, we walked out. We won't take the car today. Our friends were at home. Natalie opened the door.

- Come in.

- Thanks.

- How are you two?

- Good. I'm sorry if we come a bit uninvited.

- No, it's ok. I invited Katy and Jason, too.

- Great.

- Hey, best friend. Why did you leave your good mood at home?

- Please, don't. - Melanie said

- Is Chelsea here?

- Where else should I be?

- Oh, hey. Do you have a minute?

- Yes. Come to the backyard. We have a coffee table there.

- Thanks.

- Is there a problem? - she asked as we sat down

- Did a boy call you today?

- Yes, I had a call from someone named Josh.

- I want to know what he told you.

- He said that he needed to rent a place to live. Something affordable.

- Something else?

- No. He only gave me his budget.

- That was.

- Yes. The conversation was less than five minutes.

- I see.

- From where do you know about this?

- Because I gave him your phone number. I told him to tell you that I am sending him.

- He didn't say that.

- Please, give him something nice.

- Can I know who this guy is?

- My worker.

- I will try my best. The boy doesn't have much money. I can't find something perfect for his price.

- How much he said?

- Five hundred dollars.

- Raise to a thousand. I will take care of the rest.

- Are you sure?

- Positive. How much do you charge?

- Thousand dollars. Every broker in my company does it.

- Don't tell him anything about that.

- What if he asks me?

- Tell him that everything is covered.

- By who?

- Me. You can tell me what you need. I'll cover it.

- When everything is finished, I will send you a document.

- Thanks.

I don't need to help Josh. The thing is that I want to do it. The only thing I have is money. I can use it to make someone's life a bit better. I know I have an upcoming wedding, but we have a budget for everything. I'm not worried about that. The only reason why I don't want him to know anything is because he will give me the money back. It's not like I will accept them. He works for me every day. That is more than enough. Maybe I need to give him a week off to rest. I can take care of the shop by myself. It's not that hard. I hope that Chelsea will do her job.