Chapter 124
“This lottery ticket, I don’t know anything about it. Let’s go with that.”
As I tried to hurry away, Laura grabbed my wrist.
“Are you serious? Do you even know how much the first prize is?”
“Laura. I have a lot of money.”
To make it clear I wasn’t just saying that, I quickly added an explanation.
“My brother made a lot of money through business, so I’ve lived my whole life without worrying about money. It’s the same now, so please take it.”
“Even so, it’s first prize. Then let’s at least split it in half.”
“No! I don’t need it!”
I jumped back, pulling away from Laura.
I know there may never be another time in my life when I come into that kind of money, but getting caught up in something as flashy as a lottery win is dangerous.
‘And it’s way too much pressure!’
Buying snacks for Nelson with money I earned through my own labor, and getting dessert outside with Mandy and Noah, felt good and comfortable.
On the other hand, no matter how much money Raphael gave me, it weighed on my mind.
“I like money I earn through work.”
Once you know the value of labor, unearned income, no matter how it’s obtained, makes you uncomfortable.
“Laura. Please.”
“Then just take exactly one hundred million raphens. If you refuse even that, I think I’ll feel uncomfortable.”
Refusing wasn’t easy. Laura’s expression looked just like mine.
“…Alright. Then just one hundred million raphens.”
I accepted Laura’s proposal and went back to work.
Even while rushing to prepare for opening, I could see customers already lining up outside one by one.
Another busy day had begun.
***
- Please introduce yourself.
- I’m Sergeant Tristan Lindbergh of the Organized Crime Division, Mist Island Police Department.
- We heard you were in danger due to a gunshot wound. How are you now?
- As you can see, I have recovered significantly.
(Photo of Tristan Lindbergh. He looks very healthy, not like a patient at all.)
- You’ve been through a lot. Do you ever feel doubtful about your decision to become a police officer?
- I often feel doubt. Becoming a police officer wasn’t my original goal.
- You’re known as the ace of the Organized Crime Division. A few years ago, you even personally arrested Sunshine. Was being a police officer not your goal?
- That’s right.
- What did you originally want to do?
- I wanted to become a prosecutor. I was actually preparing for law school before I became a police officer.
- We understand you graduated from the prestigious Cerberth College. Why did you become a police officer?
- Because of my younger brother. While preparing for law school, I found out that my brother, whom I’d been separated from at a young age, had become a drug dealer.
- Please tell us more.
- Our biological parents were drug dealers and died during a conflict between suppliers. After that… (omitted)… Tristan Bernadette. That was my name before I was adopted, and I am the older brother of Myers Bernadette, also known as Sunshine.
― <Daily Issue> exclusive interview will continue in Part 2 next week. ―
***
“If you work at our cafe, we’ll pay you one and a half times your current hourly wage.”
I received a scouting offer from a place called Cafe Paradise.
They’re offering an hourly wage that’s one and a half times higher.
To someone like me, who isn’t as skilled as Mandy and not nearly as naturally friendly as Noah!
“If my pay goes up, I need to work just as well to match it, but I don’t think I can meet that expectation. I’m sorry.”
“Then just sit at our cafe for two hours on weekends. We’ll count that as work too.”
“That’s not work.”
“No. It’s work. Customers will come flocking just to see you.”
I’ve lived my whole life with more attention than I needed, but I don’t think my face is worth that much….
“Think it over.”
The customer handed me a business card and left.
I guess things like this happen if you live long enough. I cleared the empty plates, still dazed.
They’re saying they’ll pay me hourly just to hang out at a cafe on weekends. Does that even make sense?
In romance movies, this is the kind of thing that kicks off a full-blown story. Is a new romance about to show up in my life?
Mandy and Noah both worked really hard.
If I talked to them about it, it might stir up unnecessary feelings along with envy, so I decided to think it over and handle it on my own.
“Jean. Is it true?”
“Huh? W-what is?”
While I was cleaning up, one of the cooks asked cautiously.
Did they hear about the cafe part-time offer I got today?
“Your brother, um….”
“Ah.”
I think I get what this is about.
“I just said some nonsense because he kept pestering me.”
“Alex has been spreading weird rumors behind your back.”
“What?”
“Well….”
“Maya. It’s okay, you can just say it.”
“He says you’re trouble, so if he just treats you a little better, you’ll fall for him. I don’t get what’s wrong with him. The guys in the kitchen all avoid him.”
“Wow! Is he insane? He’s twelve years older than me!”
I ended up raising my voice without realizing it.
Alex, who’d been glancing over from afar, casually walked up.
“What are you talking about?”
“We were talking about how dating is difficult because of my brother.”
“Jean. You, um… it’s okay. Even if your brother’s a criminal, there are plenty of broad-minded people who’ll still like you.”
Ahem.
Clearing his throat, Alex glanced at me, straightened his shoulders, and puffed out his chest.
“For the record, I don’t care about anything when it comes to love. As long as the people involved are happy, that’s all that matters.”
“Really? I’m not planning to date for a while.”
“Why not? Are you just going to waste that pretty face? With family issues like that, it’s better to pick a decent man while you’re at your best and get married quickly.”
I felt irritation surge up.
I know I shouldn’t, but suddenly Raphael’s way of solving problems feels beautiful.
At times like this, Raphael would… no.
Let’s think of Tristan’s approach instead.
But he’s not exactly the type to speak nicely either….
“Otherwise, you’ll never get married.”
Should I just close my eyes and throw a punch?
Since I’m not a barbarian like Raphael or someone with a mouth from hell like Tristan, I decided to show a little more patience.
“It’s fine if I don’t get married. My younger brother is getting out of prison soon, and he might kill my husband. He has anger management issues.”
I gave a crooked smile to Alex, who’d turned pale, and quickly got off work.
On the way back, Noah and Mandy talked a lot of trash about Alex with me.
If it were Raphael talking about him, Alex would’ve been eliminated before tomorrow even came.
“Just pretend you’re dating Noah or something.”
“Do you think something like that would even faze Alex? He’s really persistent. Jean. My friend’s older brother is big and looks scary. Should I ask him to come pick you up and pretend to be your boyfriend?”
“Clark does look pretty intimidating.”
Because of a troublesome coworker, I get stressed and become sensitive about relationship issues, but when I chat and hang out with Mandy and Noah about trivial things, I feel like an ordinary twenty-one-year-old.
That’s why all of this becomes enjoyable.
“I’ll give it serious thought.”
“Alright. Give it some thought. Get home safe and see you tomorrow! Hey, Noah. Go ask Clark tomorrow if he doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
At the intersection, I parted ways with Noah and Mandy.
When I got home, silence greeted me.
All of a sudden, I felt incredibly lonely.
It felt like this small house would crush me under the weight of that loneliness.
At that moment, Nelson came running out with the sound of rapid footsteps.
Woof! Woof!
Seeing him jump around excitedly made my chest tighten.
“Nelson.”
I’d always been the one waiting for Raphael. It was rare for someone to be waiting for me.
Something this trivial made my heart swell as much as my first paycheck.
Thinking about Nelson being alone at home, I know I should find him a new owner as soon as possible… but when someone keeps welcoming me after work like today, I start wanting that.
After finishing getting ready for bed, it was close to midnight, so I quickly got under the blanket.
I fell asleep as if I’d passed out, and at some point, I heard Nelson barking.
Woof! Woof! Woof!
I thought I needed to quiet him quickly, so I forced my eyes open.
It was only three in the morning.
Do dogs normally bark at night?
Half asleep, I was thinking something ridiculous like that as I picked Nelson up to calm him down.
Creak. Creak.
Thud. Thud.
A strange sound came from outside.
I immediately took out my gun and quietly opened the bedroom door.
The living room window was slightly open.
Thanks to the security device Laura gave me, the window wouldn’t open past a certain point, so someone was pushing it from outside.
Woof! Woof woof woof! Woof!
Nelson barked nonstop, but the intruder didn’t care.
I quickly picked up the phone.
As I was about to dial the police, my finger paused.
‘It’s a fake ID. They won’t find out even if they check it, right?’
No matter how well it was made, there’s a high chance the police would notice.
Then should I just shoot?
No, if I do that, it’ll get reported.
My mind went completely blank.
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