Restart
1457 Words
Gavin, for the first time in his life is being a coward, running away from confrontation. He lived a gangster way of life and now because of Aya; he chose to keep silent. Complete silence about the battle he faced and will be facing for her.
“Aya is worth it.” Gavin thought as he wandered around the town center looking for a job opening and a place to stay in. It was his first time to go around this town on his own. Everywhere he looks, he sees Aya. Her sweet smile, her naughty gaze… everything about her. Gavin exhaled heavily as he walked with equally heavy feet.
“Achoo…” A man behind him sneezed. “Gavin?” Is that you? Steven asked Gavin who looked lost. He instantly knew that Gavin was into something deep.
Gavin nodded at Steven. “Hey Steve, bro.” He said to him, with a serious face.
“Come with me, let’s get lunch. I’m starving.” He said to him. Gavin readily agreed he hadn’t had a meal since yesterday. He was oblivious of the time as he was scouring the town for job vacancies.
Steven led him to a small food stall nearby. “This is my favorite ramen house in the area. You want to know why?” He asked Gavin who was clueless.
“Ahm, why?” Gavin was curious.
“Because, one, I'm Asian and second, the server here is cute, and third the, soup refill is free and last but not the least; the price is cheap.” He gave him all the answers at once and laughed.
Gavin showed a faint smile. “Thanks, for this.” He understands that Steven is trying to cheer him up. He suddenly thought of his best bud, Max, someone who got his back in whatever sh*tty situation he got himself in. He is thankful to have someone who is trying to look after him here in Hudson as well.
“Did Aya throw you out?” Steven asked him directly. Gavin did not answer immediately as the server placed their food on the table. Gavin shook his head when he saw Steven flirted with the woman.
“So, where were we?” Steven focused on Gavin again. “Oh yeah, about Aya throwing you out.” He chuckled as he remembered.
“On the contrary, I was the one who left.” Gavin said as his eyes could not hide his sorrow.
“Dummy, you left her? Then why do you look like a wreck?” Steven commented. Gavin’s answer did not convince him. “So you need a place to stay in?” Steven knows Gavin would never ask for his help.
He nodded softly, “But I can’t go to your dorm.” Gavin added.
“Well, if that's the case. I'm pretty sure your break up was because of Don.” Steven said it straight away, not afraid of offending Don. Steven realized Gavin’s reaction. “Don’t worry I got your back. He will does not interfere with our affairs. He is just like that sometimes, overprotective of Aya, you know after what had happened to her, you can't blame Don.” He said to the clueless Gavin.
"What happened to her?" Gavin wanted to know, but he kept it to himself. If there is something that he needs to know, it should be coming from Aya alone and no one else.
Steven looked at him with pity. “I can help you.” He said in a sincere tone. Gavin stopped eating, encouraging Steven to speak.
“I have not told you this to anyone but, I am not a real prey of the Mafia.” Steven revealed his truth.
“What? Then why are you here?” It puzzled Gavin why Steven chose to be here and perform as a drag queen and live away from his family when he does not need the protection of the city.
“Hmm, an escape? And what the heck, I am enjoying my life here.” His answer was vague, but Gavin knew it was true. He developed this skill to know a lie versus the truth instantly.
“Your family?” Gavin asked again.
“Do you know Chu Electronics?” Steven asked Gavin and pulled out a phone from his pocket.
“This one?” Gavin clarified.
“Yes.” Steven smiled at him. “It is my family’s business. My dad is forcing me to run the business for him. That’s why I ran away from home.” Steven bared the details.
“I see. At least you are learning on your own.” He appreciated Steven’s hustle.
“That’s why I can help you. I bought out this business.” Steven pointed out the window to the auto shop in front of the store.
“Oh, thank you. I can work for you bro.” Gavin volunteered to work for Steven.
“That’s nonsense. I want you to be my partner. You manage the shop and we get an equal fifty-fifty share.” Steven laid his offer on Gavin. “Also, there is a staff house there too, so you get your own house and office for now.
Gavin’s mouth floored. “What? I don’t even know how to run my life. What more a business like this?” He was thankful for the opportunity, but it deemed too much for him.
“You don’t have to worry about it. I originally hired a business coach for me but, the service is yours for now.” Gavin underestimated Steven’s ability to plan.
****
“Here.” Steven handed Gavin the key to the shop. Gavin accepted it with a smile. The two of them explored the shop. Gavin did not think his day with turn out well after the incident with Aya.
“Thanks for this, bro. I think I will be able to prove my worth for Aya soon enough.” Gavin was hopeful and Steven saw his pure intention.
“No prob. Rest for now your sessions will start tomorrow. One more thing, here is your advance payment. Go get yourself some stuff.” Steven left Gavin with an envelope with cash.
“I will work hard for this.” Gavin accepted Steven’s offer. They walked on separate ways as Steven went home and Gavin went to shop for his personal needs.
“Hey there handsome. I did not expect to find you here.” Gavin looked up to see who was talking to him.
“Oh, hi Jen. I was just buying some stuff.” Gavin answered as he was browsing for thrift shirts.
“I don’t think you need that. I bet you would look better without one.” Jen flirtatiously teased Gavin as she whispered into his ears.
“Haha, okay. Excuse me.” Gavin left Jen without responding to her unwanted flirting. Gavin went to the devices section to get rid of Jen.
***
“Bzzzt.”
Aya saw her phone uncontrollably vibrating because of a phone call, she isn’t feeling well today that she closed her store and locked up in her room. But her friend would not stop calling. She took a deep sigh before answering.
“Hey Aya. Look at the picture I sent you, quick.” It stirred Aya’s curiosity, so she checked on it as her friend suggested.
Her blood rushed to her head when she saw Gavin and Jen flirting out in the open. “Damn, he moved on quite fast.” Aya thought after seeing the photo.
“Aya, are you there? That is your new boyfriend, right? Why is he with Jen?” her friend interrogated her.
“Nah, he was just a boy toy. I got rid of him just this morning.” Aya tried to save herself some face.
“Ahh, really? Too bad. I thought you looked great together and what he did for you last night was really sweet.” Her friend added.
“Hmm, that’s just how it is. Next please.” Aya chuckled. Trying her best not to breakdown on the phone.
“Okay, then bye.” Aya ended the call and buried her face in her pillow. She screamed her heart out. And then she sat up and with furious eyes;
“I'm going to make sure he will feel sorry for doing this to me.” Aya was determined to punish Gavin.
- Writer
