SECOND CHANCE TO LOVE

Serena’s POV I sat on the worn-out couch located in my living room, my hands trembling as I held the piles of bills that needed to be paid. Each envelope I opened was like a new added weight on my shoulders. Final notice, bills overdue, new payments, and the recent one—the hospital bills for my mum. Bill was slowly mouthing. I looked at it and tears gathered in my eyes. “Serena…baby..” My mum called weakly, “You are overworking yourself.” Her voice could be heard from the corner of the room, “I'm fine…..you don't have to worry about me.” But that's one thing I couldn't do. I would always worry. I tucked my long black hair to the back of my ears as I swallowed hard. “Don’t worry mum….I will figure it out….I always do. So please get some rest, okay?” But the reality of it was that I did not know what to do or who to run to. After my father’s death, it has been from one battle to another. My job as a baker at one of the biggest restaurants was what was keeping us afloat but even that has been sketchy lately, with Mr Ryan breathing down my neck. I was startled by the knock that came through the door. I quickly got up, wiped my eyes, and straightened my dress, I went to get the door. Fuss was at the door and his face could tell that he was draining with exhaustion. “Hey…..” he said as she stepped inside the house, pulling me into a tight hug. “Fuss….” I murmured into his chest, holding tighter than usual, “I'm tired…Everything is so hard. I don't know what to do anymore.” He pulled out of the hug, cupping my face. His eyes softened, “You will get through this….okay. We both will. That's why I am going to the city, to find something better to do. Once I am settled, I will come back and take you and mum with me, okay.” I nodded slowly, my heart aching badly, the thought of him moving—her only support system, “I will wait for you….I trust you, Fuss.” But I knew that we needed more than trust to make the problem in her life disappear. Fuss was leaving, my job was hanging by the thread, and life in general sucked. ……………… The next morning I walked into the bakery, already tired of the day's work before it even began. The bakery was filled with scents of different pastries and freshly made bread but that did little to bring my spirit up, unlike the usual days. “Serena….” I heard my name being called and I knew who it was immediately. I turned to see the balding old man who was standing by the oven with a look that made my skin crawl. “Mr Ryan.” I hesitated for a while, taking in long breaths, before I walked towards him. My hands clutched tight to my apron. “You are late.” his voice filled with mockery, “again!” I dropped my head down, “I'm sorry….Mr Ryan……My mother’s condition…..” He waved his hands to stop me from completing the statement, “Enough with the excuses, Serena. I have been more than patient with you but even that has a limit.” My jaw tightened but I said nothing about it. Ryan looked at me with lust in his eyes as he leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “I can help, Serena, you know that right? Do a little favor for me and I can make sure you keep your job.” she gave a sly smile. “I’m sorry Mr Ryan, I'm not interested,” I said with a poker face as I tried to keep my little breakfast down. The smirk on his face faded, and he straightened, “If you say so, but don’t expect me to be lenient with you, Serena.” He walked away and I exhaled, my fist curled up with anger. I couldn’t lose this job—not right now. I need it. ……………….. That evening after working in the most toxic environment, I walked back home sluggish. I pushed the door open as I shouted. “Mum! I’m home!” But I was greeted by the violent coughing coming from the living room. Fear gripped me as I ran as I could to her side, “Mom….are you okay?” Mum waved weakly, “Don’t worry about me…I’m fine, dear! I’m just tired!” “No..mum! You are not fine.” I said as I reached out for my phone but I paused, knowing that the bills would pile up Mum's cough made me brush the thought aside as I dialed the number of the ambulance. The ambulance arrived and we drove straight to the hospital and in the next minute, a doctor was attending to her. After a few minutes, the bills and prescriptions were handed to me by the nurse. FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS! I sat by the hospital hallway, my eyes filled with tears as I kept staring at the bills. How did life come to this? “Are you okay?” I heard a deep voice in my head but I brushed it off. “Hey…” the voice called again and it made me realize the voice was real. I looked up to see a tall, handsome god. He was well dressed and his suit and features screamed wealth. I cleared my throat, “Hmm…I’m fine.” He gave a look to tell me he wasn’t convinced, “You don’t look….fine. Is there something I can do to make it better?” I shook my head slowly, “thanks but I got it.” The handsome man nodded his head, he looked at me for a while before he turned to walk away. “Who was that?” I asked myself but I shrugged as I tried to focus on the pending problems at hand. As I watched the handsome stranger walk away, I felt a pang of regret. Maybe I should have accepted his offer of help. But I pushed the thought aside and focused on the bills in my hand. Five thousand dollars. It might as well have been five million. I had no idea how I was going to pay for my mom's treatment.