Chapter 01
1775 Words
Oliver's PoV
"Gosh, a foot spa is a really nice item Oliver. It clears away your fatigue, you know."
Ms. Carmelita commented as soon as Faye left for our room.
"That's exactly my point."
I agreed, feeling slightly vindicated.
"What a waste..."
She murmured, her tone tinged with disappointment. I was about to respond when I suddenly realized I had already finished my second sandwich.
"I should have left some for Nancy, but I ate it all."
I confessed to Ms. Carmelita, a bit embarrassed.
She chuckled softly. "I can give you some more. Come with me, let's go."
"Do you have more?"
I asked, genuinely curious. She simply smiled and nodded, leading the way as we stepped outside to head to her place.
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Faye's PoV
I had been listening to their conversation since I went to our room. When I heard the front door close, I quietly made my way back toward the dining area. Just as I was about to step out, my phone buzzed with a notification.
I take it from my pocket and saw a message:
'I'd like to buy your foot spa. Is the price negotiable?'
A grin spread across my face as I quickly typed back:
'Of course, the price is negotiable.'
Satisfied, I sent the reply, already picturing the extra space we’d gain by letting it go.
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MARQUEZ TOTAL INTERIOR
Before entering the shop, I took a deep breath, trying to calm the nervous flutter in my chest. After a moment, I quietly opened the door and stepped inside.
"Hey, you sc*mp. Where did you go? Why did you spend so much on gas? You've been working another job using my car, right?"
Dad—well, Oliver’s dad, not mine—was angrily grilling one of his workers as I walked in.
"No, I haven't Mr. Marquez."
The young man stammered, fear evident in his voice. But Dad wasn’t having any of it.
"Also, why is our electricity bill so high? 92 dollars and 82 cents? The cold weather ended a long time ago. You turned on the heater, didn't you?!"
The shouted, waving the bill in the boy’s face. But when he noticed me standing there, his tirade abruptly halted.
"What... what brings you here?"
Before I could respond, he turned back to his worker. "I paid 91 dollars and 73 cents last month. It better not be higher than that or you'll be fired. Go!"
The boy quickly bowed and hurried out of the shop. Once he was gone, Dad sank into his desk chair, looking at me with an expectant expression.
"What do you want me to do this time?"
The asked, sounding more resigned than curious.
"It's not like that. I just wanted to say hello to you on my way to work. Did you have breakfast?"
I asked, forcing a smile despite his annoyed demeanor.
"It must be hard for you to cook every day. I will bring you some side dishes on a weekend..."
I offered, trying to shift the conversation to something pleasant.
"You guys only ask for me when you need me to do something for you. Stop beating around the bush. What is it?"
he cut in, getting straight to the point. His bluntness left me feeling a bit embarrassed.
"The thing is... the mold keeps growing back in Nancy's room--"
I began, but he cut me off before I could finish.
"Hire someone to remove it."
"That's not it, the outlets in Astrid's room are not working either. I'd like you to check everything in our house."
I explained, my awkward smile returning. His response was almost immediate.
"50 dollars" he said flatly.
"Pardon me?"
"The call-out fee."
The clarified. I quickly reached into my bag for my wallet.
"Do you take credit cards?"
"In that case, It's 55 dollars."
He replied without missing a beat.
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Oliver's PoV
"That's hilarious. You and I hit it off well. I always lose track of time."
I said to Ms. Carmelita, standing outside her house, holding a plate of deli sandwiches.
She smiled warmly. "I like you so much too. You're so friendly and kind and you're such a good listener. It's hard to find a man like you."
"I guess you've learned that from your father. Am I right?"
Her next words caught me off guard.
"What? Oh no... You have seen my dad. He runs the home repair shop next to your hair salon. He's the complete opposite of me, he yells at others without trying to hear them out."
"Is that so?"
She said, a hint of curiosity in her tone.
"I understand. You moved to this neighborhood only a few months ago, and dad wouldn't talk to others unless he has to. You must not know."
"He's a grumpy and cranky man. You're such a kind person, I'm worried he might say or do something to hurt your feelings."
I hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"If he ever throws a tantrum or yells at you unreasonably, please let it slide just for once for my sake. And never tell him that you know me, okay?"
I chuckled lightly, trying to ease the tension.
"Then I see you again soon, Ms. Carmelita."
"Okay."
She said while smiling But as I turned to leave, I noticed my father’s stern figure standing in front of our house. My heart sank as I made my way over to him.
"Dad, what brings you here?"
I ask him calmly.
"You know why I'm here. Just open this door."
Because of what he said I immediately open the door for him.
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"This is the problem."
Dad said as he examined the outlet in Astrid's room.
"What cause this? The outlets in my room work sometimes and don't at other times." I asked, hoping for some clarity.
"Dad, are you listening to me?"
I called out, noticing he was already packing up his tools. I reached out to touch his shoulder, but he suddenly yelled, startling me.
"Stop asking!"
"You wouldn't even understand."
He snapped before standing up and leaving the bedroom. I followed him into the living room, where Astrid and Nancy had joined us.
"So we can use them for now, but we'll eventually have to replace the whole thing. That's a big deal, It's understandable since this is an old house but it's not necessary since we're leasing the place."
"It would be comfortable if we do it though. But it will cost a lot..."
I replied, though I wasn’t sure he was really listening. He was already moving towards the living room.
"Stop talking."
He commanded, making me fall silent.
"Well... Dad, what about the mold in Nancy's room. Should we change the wallpaper?"
I asked him.
"That won't work, the insulation itself is the problem."
"Are you uncomfortable?"
Dad turned his face to Nancy and asked.
"Not really, I'm fine."
"You're not fine at all. You're mom is worried that you have been coughing a lot because of the mold."
I told to my daughter.
"Open the window to air out your room regularly. I will fix it soon."
Dad said more calmly and then left without saying goodbye.
"Bye dad." -- "Bye Granpa..."
"Astrid."
"Hmm?"
"Come, help me walk."
I said, feeling a bit dizzy from the stress. Even though it's just my father, I always get nervous around him.
Astrid quickly placed my arm over his shoulder and helped me to the sofa.
"Dad, are you still that afraid of Granpa?"
"Granpa didn't yell so much today. Dad just got intimidated."
Astrid and Nancy commented.
"You guys have no idea. Your granpa is so scary. At least, I still keep in touch with him. You uncle never visits him, you know."
I explained to them, and then suddenly my phone rings so I get from my pocket and answer it.
"Hey, Noah."
"Of course, I'll be there."
"Hahaha, I'm really going to be there this time."
"I do have money. I'm telling you the truth..."
I told him and stand up to go to our veranda to get the foot spa.
"What? Where... where is it?"
"Where did it go?!"
I yelled, searching frantically for the missing foot spa.
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Faye's PoV
"Let me know if it is too hot."
I said to my patient at the clinic, adjusting the temperature of the equipment.
"I know I'm in good hands. I trust you."
The lady said making me smile.
"Oh, right. I heard that your daughter got admitted to OHU. My goodness, how did she do so well?"
She mentioned making me surprised and happy at the same time.
"Well... How did you know that? It's nothing great to talk about."
I said with a chuckle.
"I heard you treated everyone to celebrate it. Caleb's mom said she received the cheese cake you gave out."
"Can you tell me her secret... so I can help my grandson?"
"Well, she just..."
I began to explain, but my phone rang, interrupting me.
"Excuse me for a minute, I'm sorry."
I told her and she just nod so I turned my back at her and pick up my phone, and It's Oliver who's calling.
"Hello."
"Honey, I heard you took the foot spa with you. Did you sell it?"
Oliver’s voice came through urgently.
"Yes, I told you I would sell it. I'm busy right now, I'm hanging up."
I replied, ending the call and turning my attention back to my patient.
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Nancy's PoV
"The 1st step of the 5 stages of grief is denial."
"You get the hang of it right? Next."
I ask Astrid, we are currently studying now or should I say teaching him.
"Wait."
"Why would a person be in denial when he's greatly shocked?"
He's sudden question.
"Why else? It must be hard to believe it's true. Stop saying irrelevant things. Let's move on."
I told him and continue reading the book.
"Is that so? Why is that?"
I sigh and rolled my eyes because of his another question.
"Hey, what's the most important thing to you? Your laptop, right? You playing games."
He nodded.
"Imagine that it disappears one day. What would you do?"
I told him trying to answer his answer in more understandable way for him.
"No way, Nancy. Why would it disappear? It must be somewhere."
"Exactly, that's what 'denial' means."
I explained, watching as his jaw slowly dropped in realization.
"No, it must not be true."
he said. Just then, we heard someone speak, and we turned around to see Dad standing there, looking anxious. What happened to him?
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END OF CHAPTER 01
- Writer
