Remi's POV
Bugh.. "Ouch.." I groaned. "Sorry, are you okay?" the man said to me, while helping me stand up. "Em, ah, oh, yeah, I'm okay. Thanks!" I replied, grabbing his hand and leaving after saying thank you. I rushed back to my room after filling my stomach with some snacks in the canteen.
"Gosh, I'm so unlucky, because of that damn manager gave me a sudden assignment, I crashed into someone. Well, I was also the one who was at fault for running around the office." I grumbled. My manager was a fat woman who was very fierce when it came to financial reports. "Gosh... There's a lot of work to do. I have to be at the shop by half past five." I said.
I went back to my room while grumbling. "Well, who would be happy if given extra work when they was about to go home. Although I still did it half-heartedly. What else could I do? I'm not the boss. Whether I like it or not, I have to do it. Hahh, it's fate."
That's my situation. I work in 2 places. Raxells Company in the morning, and at night I work as an employee at a minimarket. Actually, I'm not someone who has a hard time in economics. Well, I just don't want to be at home. It's annoying. That's why I work in 2 places.
I quickly did my job and then went to the minimarket where I work. Luckily, the minimarket provided lockers for employees, so I didn't have to bother going home to change clothes.
Ting! The bell of the minimarket where I work rang. A child who looked like he was 7 years old came in, held by the hand of a middle-aged woman, then they went around looking for something to buy. I was interested in watching the movements of the 7-year-old child. His behavior was so cute, that I wanted to pinch his cheeks.
They went around picking up the items they wanted and then headed to the cashier. "The total is 187,000, ma'am." I said after counting their purchases. "Here you go, miss." said the middle-aged woman giving me the money. They went home after I gave them the change.
This is my daily job. Working in the office, then being a cashier. Working like this isn't bad either. At least it can distract me. Even if it's only for a short time, it's not bad either. Time flies. Before I know it, it's time for me to go home. After getting ready, I immediately went home by taxi.
When I got home, I heard my parents' screams again, arguing about something. I immediately went up to the 2nd floor where my room was. I went into my room, got on the bed, and covered my ears with a pillow. "Arghh, can they stop? Why do they keep arguing? I'm tired of hearing it. Why don't we just separate, instead of arguing every day?" I said.
Sometimes I'm confused in facing the fact that my family is broken and will never be able to come back. Honestly, I'm tired. I want to go back. I want to express my feelings to them. But I don't have the courage to do it. I'm afraid, afraid of hearing an answer I don't want. Until I finally giving up someday. Let's see how this family story ends.
***
"Hey Remi, did you see our CEO yesterday?
It was unusual for him to be in the canteen yesterday. Usually, someone brings lunch to his office. It seems like he is having lunch with a client. He's so handsome! You've never seen him, right? Seriously, you should have been there yesterday. If you had seen him, I guarantee you would have fallen head over heels for him! You have been single for too long, you know that, Remi!" said Mira, my colleague.
"What the heck, don't bring up my status. I'm single, not bachelorette. Besides, I'm still 19 years old. Still young. Not like you. Old hag." I mocked. "Damn girl, you're bringing up your age. Besides, being single and no one wanna dating you are the same. Both alone." Mira said while nudging me. "Shut up Mir, I'm going to the toilet. Wait here a minute." I said and immediately turned away.
10 meters before reaching the toilet, I saw a familiar child crying alone. After I approached him, it turned out that he was the child who was at the shop last night.
"What's wrong, kid? Where are your mom and dad? Why are you alone?" I asked the child. "Sob.. sob.. I don't know, sis, I saw a toy there. Then suddenly dad disappeared." the child said sobbing. "What's your name? My name is Remi. You can call me Sis Emi." I asked again while introducing myself. "Mi-michael.. sis..." he said while sobbing. "Come on, stop crying, here's some candy, just for you." I coaxed.
I took him to the mall lobby to report a missing child. A moment later, his father came with a worried expression and went straight to his son.
'Hey, I think I know that guy. Hmm, where did I see him? Eh, isn't he the one I bump into at the office? Or is it just my feeling?' I muttered in confusion.
"Thank you. Hm? You.. the one who bump into me at the office yesterday right?" he asked when he looked up to see my face. "Eh, ah, yes." I said in surprise. 'See, it's true, he's the one I hit. Oh my god, I'm so embarrassed.' I thought. "Relax, I'm Ren, and you? How about I treat you to lunch as a reward for helping me find my son?" Ren offered. "Okay.. By the way, I'm Remi Raquella." I answered while agreeing and taking out my phone to inform Mira that I had urgent business.
We talked during lunch. Most of the conversation was about work. Well, from the start we were just strangers. So there was nothing else to talk about either.
But, I had been thinking about something.
Because I was too curious, I asked her. "Umm.. Excuse me Ren, where is Michael's mother?" I asked because I was so curious even though it was actually rude, but my curiosity was higher. Ren's expression changed. "My wife has passed away." Ren answered with his cold face. "Sorry Ren, I didn't know. My condolences, Ren." I said feeling guilty, scratching my neck that didn't feel itchy.
"It's okay, that happened a long time ago. How do you go home?"
"I'll take a taxi, Ren."
"I'll take you then."
"Eh, eh, no need. It's so troublesome."
"I don't accept refusal Remi."
'Ughh, coercive' I thought.
"Sis! Do you want to come to Mike's house? Mike's house has a swimming pool, sis!" Michael asked cheerfully, diverting our conversation. Coercing Ren to be more precise. I looked at Ren to see his reaction. Because I couldn't refuse Michael's request when he asked with his puppy eyes.
I saw Ren nodding in agreement, then I said yes to Michael's invitation. I ended up at Ren's house now.
"Come here, sis, come in! Let's go to the swimming pool sis!" Michael invited. I followed him while smiling and jogging. Mike was a cheerful kid. I liked seeing him.
But since earlier I haven't stopped thinking
'This person is so rich, his house is so big. But poor kid is still small and has no mom to pamper him.'
Well, that's the wheel of life. Okay, enough talking about life. Time to enjoy time with this cute little one.
"Sis, why don't you join us for swimming? It's more fun if there's a lot of people swimming."
"I didn't bring a change of clothes, honey."
"Well.. Then let's just watch us for swimming. Come here, dad!"
Ren massaged his temples, dizzy seeing his son's behavior. Even so, Ren still took off his shirt to comply with his son's request.
'Oh my God, my eyes, my stomach is so bloated. How would it feel if it was touched.' My dirty thoughts drifted too far. I immediately turned my face away until Ren entered the pool. 'This widower is bad for my heart.'
We enjoyed this quiet time, without realizing it, time passed and it was time for me to go home. "Bye, sis! Come again, kay!" Michael said cheerfully while waving his hand at me.