Her Scapegrace (Unique Reverizta)

Chapter 7

It was a cloudy and windy saturday. Ernie got up from her bed. Even though she was so tired from her job, she needed to wake up early because she was going to tutor her landlady' son. It was her other part time job to earn more money for her expenses.

"Okay, rise and shine. It is a brand new day. I hope that something good will happen," she said.

She did her morning rituals. She grabbed her toiletries and headed down to the bathroom. There was no one in the bathroom. She felt lucky and was in a good mood. Ernie took a bath and brushed her teeth after she showered. After she took a bath, Ernie went back to her room.

While she was putting on her simple pants and an oversized shirt, Ernie was thinking about her breakfast.

Maybe, I should just buy some bread at the bakery. And have a cup of coffee. Anyway, I am a little bit short in money this month, so I need to save money as much as I can.

With that thought, she left the apartment and walked to the bakery near where she lives.

"Hey, ahmm, can I have some cheese bread please?" Ernie asked the one at the counter.

"Yeah, sure. How many?" The bakery staff asked her.

"How much is per piece?" Ernie asked.

"It is five pesos per piece," replied the staff.

Five pesos per piece huh? Should I get 3 or 5? Maybe I should get five pieces. So that I can eat some when I feel hungry later.

"I will take five pieces," she said.

"Okay, please wait a moment," the staff said.

While she was waiting for her bread to be packed, she was thinking about the lesson that she will be teaching to Bert. The staff called her attention.

"Miss, this is your five pieces of cheese bread. The total amount is twenty-five pesos," said the staff.

Ernie took out a twenty peso bill and a five peso coin in her pocket and gave it to the staff.

"Here is my payment. Thank you," Ernie said while smiling then walked away.

While she was on her way to the apartment, she saw her landlady. She walked to her and greeted her.

"Good morning, Mrs. Stella," Ernie said to the landlady while smiling.

"Good morning to you too, Ernie. How are you?" Stella asked.

"A little bit tired but I am still okay," she replied.

"Oh, really? Are you going to be able to tutor my son today? Because if you are too tired, I will understand and postpone the session today," Stella said with a worried look on her face.

Mrs. Stella is so kind and caring. I can't believe she has this worried look just for one of her tenants. I am really thankful to this person for the things that she has done to me. So tutoring her son was one of the ways to give back to her, even though I am getting paid for every tutoring session.

Ernie just smiled and shook her head. She looked at her landlady, still with a worried expression on her face.

"I am really fine, Mrs. Stella. I am just a little bit tired. But I can still tutor Bert today. Don't worry about me over working," Ernie said assuring her landlady.

"Okay, fine, if you say so. I will entrust the tutoring of my son to you. I know the you are smart but don't overdo your jobs," Mr. Stella reminded her.

"Of course, trust me," replied to Mrs. Stella.

After their conversation, they walked inside the apartment. Mrs. Stella walked to her home and Ernie went to her room. Once she was in the room, she prepared her breakfast, coffee and some cheese bread. After she had her breakfast, she got her things needed to teach Bert, then headed out to the home of Mrs. Stella.

This was her routine every week. From Monday to Friday, she will go to school in the morning. Then after class each day, she will work at the coffee shop. Although Detti, the owner of the coffee shop gave her a fair amount of salary, it was not enough for her expenses per month. So when Mrs. Stella, the landlady, was looking for a tutor to help her son in his studies, she grabbed the opportunity to be hired as a tutor.

Ernie showed her certification to Mrs. Stella and got the job immediately. Mrs. Stella hired her because Ernie earned her trust because she has been her tenant for a long time now. And Mrs. Stella also saw the dedication and passion in Ernie.

So, in conclusion, Ernie tutored Bert, the 8 year old son of Mrs. Stella, in his studies. And so far, the sessions were going smoothly.

Ernie knocked on the door and called Mrs. Stella. Mrs. Stella opened the door and led Ernie inside of the house

"Ernie, come in and sit down wherever you want, " Mrs. Stella said.

"Thank you," Ernie replied.

"It is nothing. Just feel at home. I will just call Bert. One moment please," the landlady said.

"Please, it is okay. Just take your time," she replied.

Mrs. Stella walked to the other side of the house. A little while later, Ernie heard a knock on the door and the voice of her landlady calling her son.

Ernie didn't for too long. She heard the footsteps of Bert and Mrs. Stella walked from the other side of the wall. Then from the corner of the wall emerge the mother and son. She greeted Bert.

"Good morning, Bert. How are you today?" Ernie asked while flashing him a smile.

"I am fine, sister Ernie," Bert replied.

Mrs. Stella turned to her.

"Ernie, I am going to entrust you the studies of Bert," Mrs. Stella said.

"Okay, Mrs. Stella. You have nothing to worry about. Trust me and I will teach Bert very well," Ernie replied.

Ernie turned to Bert and gave him another smile. Then she turned to her landlady and gave a look of assurance that she will teach her son very well. Mrs. Stella smiled at her for giving her trust. Then Mrs. Stella turned to her son, Bert.

"Bert, you have to listen to everything that your sister Ernie will be teaching you," her landlady reminded her son.

"Yes, mama. I will listen very carefully to sister Ernie, " Bert replied.

The mother and son smiled at each other. While the two are smiling at each other, Ernie was looking at them with envy. She felt a little envious of Bert because he still has his mother.

All of a sudden, she missed her mother who passed away a year and half ago. She felt a little pang in her heart. She was jealous of what was happening in front of her.

What a beautiful sight, I miss my mother so much. I wish she would be here with me right now too but I know that I can't. I can't see her anymore but her memory of raising and loving me is inside of my heart. I just have to believe that everything will be okay, even though it is hard sometimes.

She smiled again at mother and son. Mrs. Stella turned to her, still smiling.

"Ernie, I will go now. I have something to do. I will Bert in your care," Mrs. Stella said.

"Yes, of course. Bert is in good hands. Right, Bert?" Ernie asked.

"Yes, sister Ernie, " Bert replied then smiled.

"Okay, I will go now. Good bye, have fun learning, Bert, " Mrs. Stella said while walking through the door.

Now, Bert and Ernie were the only ones left at the house. She turned to Bert.

"Bert, shall we get started?" Ernie asked.

"Yes, sister Ernie," Bert replied.

"Where should we start?" Ernie said.

So Ernie started the tutoring session. She was excited not just because she had another job but also because she loves to teach, that was why she took an Education course in college. Now, she was thinking about her luck.

I am so glad that I got this opportunity. It is exhausting to work every night and tutor on weekends but it will help me in my financial situation. I just hope that this will last long.

Then she remembered her mother saying that everything will be okay, you just have to work hard and have perseverance. And with that, she flashed a bright smile.