Aria

I am already at the cafe. Refilling the flavors and making the foam for the frappe.

"A, did you eat yet?." Brent asked me with the foods in his hands.

"Kinda, I drink Americano." I said. He looked at me. He is not satisfied with my answer.

"No, Come on. I'll share with you." He said and dragging me to the table.

I thanked him while we are eating. The workers are allowed to make 1 drink for free but caked and other solid are not allowed. I didn't eat breakfast cause I didn't have spare money to buy food. The last grocery I have in my house is only for dinner.

Getting me out of my thoughts Brent called me.

"A! I am asking you. Are you even here?" He asked shouting playfully.

I narrow my eyes on him.

"Hey! Don't shout I am right here." I whispered yell. There are two customer near our tables.

"How much debt you need to pay left?" He asked me.

He know the debt I am paying because many people always look for me getting the payment.

"Mm..that. $500,000. Left." I said sadly.

"You can do it. If I am rich. I wish I could help you with that." Brent said sadly.

"No need to. Being you here at my side is enough Brent. "

"Good to hear. Anything you need I am right here."

I laughed at him. He is so sincere in saying those words.

"Thank you for all and this food."

He nodded. Just in time, I stood up the door chimes means someone is coming in.

"Aria Bright?" I heard a middle age familiar voice.

I knew who it is and I didn't bothered to look up. I headed straight to my bag and get the money.

"I'll go back to work." Brent said and headed to the counter.

I walked over to him.

"This is the only money I have sir. I have to you pay next month again." I said handing him the money with my head down.

He got it and I expected him to leave but not. He cleared his throat and I looked up to him.

"I am giving you a chance to pay all the remaining balance next month. I don't need excuses."

'but sir. I..'

"As I said, I don't need excuses if you didn't pay for it. I'll tell you. I will ruin you." He threatened.

I nodded and slumped back to the chair. I didn't know what to do or what jobs do I need to do just to earn that big money.

Tears started to pool. What did I do to deserve this?

I heard the door chimes means there another coming in.

I looked up Leticia and her daughter with smiles on their faces.

I hurriedly wipe the tears before they fall and I smiled forcefully.

Changing my mood.

"Good morning to my beautiful customers " I winked at them causing Leticia to laughed.

"Good Morning, Auntie Aria." Lily greeted politely giving me a hug.

"Good Morning Aria" Leticia greeted.

"What do you want to order guys?" I asked walking to the counter giving the dishes to Brent.

"Mom, I want Luke's cake. Pretty please." Lily pleaded giving those puppy eyes.

"Of course hun,."

Leticia looked at me.

"Oreo Cheesecake and water for Lily and Americano for me.please "

So Luke's favorite cake is oreo cheesecake. I can't forgot those beautiful baby eyes--that is so cute.

I nodded

"Right away Madam." I said but Leticia give me the -don't-call-me-that-look-.

I chuckled. She is really low key even though she is that rich.

I prepared and served them there orders.

"Anything else you need?" I asked.

"You." Leticia said looking at me.

"Me? I have work maybe later Leticia." I laughed nervously why do I feel something?.

"Later then. Can we meet at your place? I need to talk about you something. " she pleaded giving me her puppy eyes.

"You can but my house isn't that big. If that's ok with you?" I said softly."

"No need to use puppy eyes." I laughed.

"Silly me." She said to herself. "I don't care Aria. If that house is big or small." She said seriously.

"Later then, Gotta work." I said to her and she nodded.

I walk directly to the counter and prepare everything again.

Working in the cafe is 80% is washing and cleaning.

I wonder what is she going to talk about. Maybe she is planning a surprise?, Maybe she wanted to buy something?, or maybe she will ask me to tutor Lily for month?.

That would be great thou.

I remember, What will I give to them. I don't have any food in my house or anything. That's the only dinner I have.

I shake my head getting out of my thoughts. She said just to talk. I don't need to be nervous right?.

I laughed inside my head. What's going on with me?.

_______________

I just got home. I am debating if I should cancel Leticia coming here but she texted me what address. I didn't notice myslef that I replied back texting my address. I didn't need to clean and I just tidy up because I don't like messy and dirty things.

I didn't have anything or money to buy food. I am feeling embarrassed about it. I only have coffee to offer.

I took a shower and waited for Leticia to come. I was sitting at bed waiting for her. I don't know if she and Lily would come.

I own this house. The time I didn't know the debt before I have saved and buy this house but after sometime founding out that my foster dad have debts. They run after me leaving me no choice to pay for it. Things I dreamed goes down.

There's a knocked interrupting my thoughts. I hurriedly walked to the door to opened it.

"Aria." Leticia said with food in her hands.

"Leticia. Come on get in."

I helped her with the foods she was holding and put it in the table.

She told her driver to get back here when she text.

I prepared the food. She brought some fries and fried chicken with rice.

"Your house is so cozy. I feel at home when I entered. Seriously." She complement.

"Thank you for that. It is really home for me "

"Let's eat first so we can talk straight after." She said.

"Sure. Thank you for bringing food. You didn't have too." I said softly.

"Nah. Don't need to. Just eat Aria." She dismissed.

While we are eating.

"Where is Lily?" I asked her. I rarely saw her without Lily.

"Mark is there at home and want to spend time with our daughter.

I nodded and smiled. They are really perfect couple and perfect parents for me. They know how to balance time.

I wish, I will have that kind of family.