EPISODE 14: A different kind of home
1344 Words
BAR – NIGHT
The bar is alive.
Music pulses through the room.
Glasses clink.
Laughter rises and falls in waves.
Customers fill the space—some relaxed, some loud, some already tipsy.
Behind the counter—
Herlie moves with practiced ease.
Checking bottles.
Counting stock.
Giving quick instructions to staff.
Everything looks normal.
But her focus isn’t fully there.
Her phone vibrates.
She glances down.
A message.
From Chanel.
Her posture straightens immediately.
Professional mode.
She opens it.
CHANEL (TEXT):
How’s Carol?
Herlie exhales quietly before typing.
Careful.
Respectful.
Measured.
HERLIE (TEXT):
"Good evening, Ms. Chanel.
Ms. C is doing well. She’s currently helping a friend of mine."
"The bar operations are smooth tonight. We have a lot of customers.
Aside from that, everything is under control."
She rereads it once.
Then sends.
A few minutes pass.
She puts her phone down and resumes work.
A customer calls her.
CUSTOMER
“Miss, another round!”
HERLIE
“Coming right up.”
She pours drinks smoothly, but her mind drifts—
Jenny.
The bruises.
The fear in her voice.
Her phone vibrates again.
She wipes her hands quickly and checks.
CHANEL (TEXT):
"I’ll be super busy this month."
"Don’t forget your job. Keep an eye on the girls lingering around her."
Herlie pauses.
Just for a second.
Then types.
HERLIE (TEXT):
"Understood, Ms. Chanel."
"I will continue to monitor and update you if necessary."
Seen.
No reply.
Herlie lowers her phone slowly.
She exhales.
For now—
No pressure.
No detailed reports.
Just one instruction.
Still—
her chest feels slightly tight.
Because now—
she’s standing between two things:
Chanel’s expectations.
And Jenny’s safety.
Across the bar—
a woman laughs loudly, leaning a little too close to Carol’s usual seat.
Herlie notices.
Her eyes sharpen slightly.
Watching.
Always watching.
CAROL’S HOUSE – EVENING
The door opens.
Carol steps inside.
And pauses.
The house is…
different.
Clean.
Organized.
Peaceful.
But more than that—
it feels lived in.
Warm.
She takes a few steps inside.
Then—
she smells it.
Crispy. Warm. Comforting.
Something familiar.
Something… home-like.
Carol inhales softly.
A small smile forms on her lips.
She follows the scent—
toward the kitchen.
And there—
Jenny stands by the stove.
Focused.
Gentle movements.
Hair slightly tied back.
On the counter—
Golden crispy fried chicken.
Tomato soup simmering quietly.
Steam rising slowly.
Carol leans against the doorway.
Watching.
For a moment—
she doesn’t speak.
CAROL
Wow… this looks and smells so good.
Jenny turns.
Slightly surprised.
CAROL (CONT’D)
You’re really good at cooking, Jenny.
Jenny smiles shyly.
JENNY
Thank you… my mom taught me.
Carol steps closer, curiosity lighting her eyes.
CAROL
Then I’m really lucky tonight.
Jenny blushes faintly.
CAROL (CONT’D)
I’m sure your mom would be proud. You learned well.
Jenny looks down slightly.
A small, quiet smile.
JENNY
I hope she would say that too.
Carol pauses.
Just for a second.
Her expression softens.
She reaches out and takes a piece of chicken.
Bites.
Her eyes widen immediately.
CAROL
Okay… this is dangerous. (๑˃̵ ᴗ ˂̵)ᕤ
Jenny laughs.
Light.
JENNY
Dangerous?
CAROL
If you keep cooking like this… I might not let you leave this house.
Jenny freezes.
Just for a moment.
Then laughs again—
but softer this time.
Something flutters inside her chest.
Unexpected.
JENNY
Then I’ll have to cook less.
CAROL (teasing)
Don’t even think about it.
They both smile.
And just like that—
the house feels warmer.
CAROL’S HOUSE – DINING AREA – NIGHT
The table is set.
Simple.
Neat.
Comfortable.
They sit across from each other.
Eating.
Quietly.
The sound of cutlery.
Soft breathing.
Nothing else.
But it’s not awkward.
It’s…easy.
Carol glances up.
Jenny is focused on her food.
Careful.
Gentle.
Carol watches.
Not intense.
Not heavy.
Just… observing.
Something warm spreads in her chest.
She doesn’t question it.
Doesn’t analyze it.
It just…
feels good.
Jenny senses it.
Slowly looks up.
Their eyes meet.
A pause.
Jenny immediately looks down again.
Her ears turning slightly red.
She clears her throat.
JENNY
Is everything okay with the food?
Carol blinks, snapping out of her thoughts.
She lets out a small laugh.
CAROL
It’s more than okay. It’s just…
She leans forward slightly.
Jenny stiffens.
Carol lifts her hand gently—
and wipes the corner of Jenny’s lip with her thumb.
CAROL (CONT’D)
You had sauce… right here.
Jenny freezes.
Her heart skips.
JENNY
Oh—haha… I’m sorry. Thank you. ( ⸝⸝´ ᵕ `⸝⸝)
She looks down immediately.
Her heart racing.
Too fast.
Carol slowly pulls her hand back.
But the moment—
lingers.
The air shifts.
Quieter.
Heavier.
Not uncomfortable.
Just…
aware.
Then—
Carol’s phone lights up.
A message.
From her younger sister.
Her expression softens instantly.
They finish eating.
Carol stands.
CAROL
Excuse me for a moment.
JENNY
Okay.
Carol walks to the living room, typing as she goes.
Jenny remains seated.
Still.
Her hand slowly lifts—
touching the spot on her cheek.
The same place Carol touched.
Warm.
Still warm.
Her lips curve slightly.
Without realizing.
LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Carol types quickly.
CAROL (TEXT):
How are you and mom?
"We’re fine, really.
Don’t worry, we’re completely fine unnie"
She pauses.
Looks at the screen.
Then adds—
"Okay, please don’t cause any trouble for Mom."
She sends it. Then,
"Unnie… who’s that pretty girl, hmm? I saw her on the video call yesterday. Are you hiding something from me?"
She smiled softly, but didn’t respond.
And even as she lowers her phone—
her mind drifts.
Back to the kitchen.
Jenny.
Her smile.
Her eyes.
The way she looked at her.
Carol exhales softly.
CAROL (murmurs)
“…What is that?”
She doesn’t mean the food.
She leans back slightly.
Thinking.
DINING AREA – SAME TIME
Jenny starts clearing the table.
Slowly.
Carefully.
She hums quietly to herself.
A soft tune.
Barely audible.
For the first time—
she looks… at ease.
- Writer
