Chapter 2
“Mamaaaa” the sound of Brylle’s cries made me stop cooking. From the kitchen, I peeked to check where he’s currently sitting. Nothing seems to be wrong.
I furrowed my eyebrows as I went near him.
“What is it, baby?” I knelt im front of him so we were the same level.
“Nothing.” He muttered, smiling. I was amused at first but in the end I returned his smile. I kissed his nose before standing back up.
I pinched his cheek playfully before going back to the kitchen.
The cute little boy wants attention.
I laughed at the thought.
If you think he’s my son, well, I treat him as my own like how he treats me as his mama. But the truth is we just found each other in the streets.
He’s just sitting on a cloth when I first saw him. At that moment, I knew to myself that I couldn’t just leave him alone. He’s just two years old and has no clue at what’s happening around him.
I’m glad that I decided to adopt and take care of him. Now that we’re always together, I don’t feel so lonely anymore.
Now everything I do is for him. I want to give him the best life, even though I don’t have any subtle income at the moment.
Speaking of…
I stared at the food I was cooking until I realized I still haven’t found myself a job.NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
“Huhuhu! Where am I suppose to get a job?!” I questioned to the void.
I’ve been finding myself an applicable job for a long time now. But up’till now I still work part-time and that wouldn’t be enough to support me and Brylle.
I covered the food I was cooking and started to scroll through social media sites. My newsfeed is full of job hiring. Everything that can be found on my phone is all about getting a job. I don’t need to search anymore because it lands through my very eyes themselves.
Most of the jobs I like requires college graduates. Those are the ones I really long for. But the only occupations that match my resume are:
Janitor
Driver
Waitress
Maid
And a lot more like those stuffs. It’s not like I’m against those work, I’m not being picky or anything. I just wanted to earn enough money that will support us and all of our needs.
I check the food I was cooking and noticed it’s completely cooked. So I turned the fire off.
“Oh, Nassandra, is the food ready?” This made me look at the middle-aged woman who entered the kitchen. She’s the owner of the house we’re currently staying in. She’s name is Anne but we call her Tiya, she’s strict but kind at the same time. The minute she saw Brylle and I, she couldn’t resist seeing us in the middle of the streets.
She gave us food at first. And when we started talking to each other, it wasn’t long beforw she offered us to stay in her home with Brylle. Since she’s alone, she doesn’t have any companion with her. Of course, I didn’t hesitate to accept her offer. Brylle and I had been on the streets far long enough that we’d immediately accept a comfortable place without a doubt.
In exchange for giving us a home, I was the one who volunteered to do her chores such as cleaning and cooking. Tiya never had the time to do them since she’s busy working as a social worker.
It was alright for me to do her chores. The house isn’t that big and there aren’t any necessary messes around to clean up.
Of course, I always thought of Brylle’s welfare.
“You’re just in time, Tiya. I had just turned the fire off. Let’s eat it while it’s still hot.” I stated as I started arranging the plates.
“Is it delicious?” I smiled at her comment.
“Of course, I made it myself!” The woman smiles in return.
“Alright, hurry up. I needed to get back to work.” I immediately followed her command. After arranging the plates, I carried Brylle to his high chair by the table.
I pinched his cheek playfully which made him giggle. This made Tiya smile, as well. We all started to eat together.
“Have you found any job yet?” I shook my head and fell to silence.
“Why can’t you just accept the other jobs?” Slight irritance was evident in her tone. We’ve talked about this matter a few times since a lot of job opportunities are also waiting in the office that she works in, which I didn’t want to apply to.
If I work in places like those, a lot of people will see me. I don’t really want a lot of people seeing me…
“Don’t bother answering.” I lowered my head and continued to be quiet as we ate. A small hand touched my arm which made me look at Brylle. He just smiled at me to which I gladly returned. He also held Tiya’s hand which made the woman look at him. Her face lightened up a bit as he she saw the innocent face of my…err, son.
“We’re not fighting, Brylle.” I said and he just nodded and went back to eating.
I’m proud at the fact that at the age of three, he already knows how to eat by himself and speak properly. He can only speak a few words though but it’s alright, I still love him even though we don’t share the same blood.
*Knock knock*
We shifted our eyes to the door where someone had just knocked. I looked at Tiya, who’s as confused as me, before standing up from my seat to go and open the door.
I came face to face with a slightly old man who seemed pretty shocked to see me at the door. He looked back at the house’s address. He looks confused.
“My apologies, I think I got the wrong house.” I flashed a smile at the old man.
“Are you looking for Tiya Anne?” I asked asr to which he nodded to.
“Yeah, but I guess she doesn’t live here anymore.”
“Oh no, she’s inside.”
“Nassandra, who’s there?” I heard Tiya asked as she peeked through the door.
As their eyes met, they beamed at each other.
“William?” The old man smiled.
“Anne.”
“Do you two know each other? Please, come in.” I said and invited him inside. The old man was dressed so formally in a black suit. He puts down his suitcase by the door.
“By the way, I’m Nassandra.” I wiped my hands before reaching them. He accepted my hand as he shook it.
“William.” He smiled at me as I offered him a seat at the table.
“C’mon, William, you should eat.” Tiya Anne invites cheerfully. What is going on with the two of them??
I carried Brylle down from his high chair. He ran directly towards William and held the visitor’s hand. He was stunned when the little boy puts the man’s hand on his forehead in respect before walking back towards me. I smiled at him before putting him back to his high chair. William looks at Aunt Anne with shock.
“Y-You have a grandson?” He asked, hesitatingly. Aunt Anne chuckled.
“They’re not my family. I just let them stay in my home since I pity the child.” The old man smiled once again.
“You really are a kind lady, Anne.” I saw Tiya Anne’s face blush. Wait, what?
“I couldn’t stand seeing them outside my door with the child shivering in the cold. So I let them in. I’m not that kind. Anyways, why did you came here?” I continued to eat while still listening to their conversation.
“I just wanted to visit you, to see how you’re doing.” William held Aunt Anne’s hand while I pretended not to see what just happened.
“I’m fine, William.”
“That’s good.” Tiya Anne shot a glance at me as if she realized something important.
“Ah, William. She’s Nassandra. She’s currently looking for a job but never got hired. She never got to finish college.” I placed down the spoon I was holding and faced the old man.
“She’s right.” I nodded at him.
“There are a lot of jobs available for people like you who never got to finish their studies.”
“Oh, William, she doesn’t want those jobs. Too picky.” I looked at Aunt Anne before speaking to William.
“It’s not like that. I just wanted to save a lot of money. Once I do, we’ll leave Tiya’s house immediately.” I stated then resumed eating my meal.
“I’m telling you, Nassandra. It’s definitely alright for you two to stay here.” I just stayed quiet to avoid any argument with Aunt Anne. I just flashed a smile at Brylle when he looked at me.
“I know where you can earn a lot.” We all looked at William.
“Really?” Tiya asked.
“They’re hiring maids at my work. The salary is far from beyond.” I furrowed my eyebrows.
“How much?”
“They pay me 30, 000 pesos every month.” We were all flabbergasted at what he said.
“What do you do in work, William?” Tiya
Anne asked.
“I’m the driver of the real company owner’s friend.”
“You’re just a driver yet they pay you that much?” Aunt Anne questioned, still stunned. Even I was shocked. She sighed.
“Their company is one of the richest in the whole world. The boss is strict, they’re all scary as they always look serious. Especially their leader.”
“There it is, Nassandra. Why don’t you try applying there?” This made me be in deep thought, I didn’t want to work where a lot of people would see me, let alone work in other people’s house.
“I’ll think about it.” I looked at Brylle who just beamed at me. I wiped his mouth that had sauce from the food.
“Why, Nassandra? This is your opportunity to work, the salary seems well enough.” I sighed. William holds Tiya Anne’s hand.
“That’s alright, Anne. Just let her decide on her own. Nassandra, in case you change your mind on applying, just approach me. I’ll find a way to let you in there.” I smiled at William.
“Thank you so much, I’ll tell you once I have decided.” I saw Tiya Anne shake her head as a sign of disapproval.
I noticed Brylle was done eating so I carried him out the kitchen to let him play.
“Mama, play with me.” He says adoringly.
“Okay, baby, just let me finish cleaning.” He nods.
“Yes.” I went back to the table where William and Aunt Anne were talking. They’re already done with their meals so I proceeded to clean up.
“Nassandra, I’ll be needing to go back to the office. I’ll leave the house to you. Be sure to handle things properly. I won’t be eating here tonight, William and I are going somewhere.” They looked at each other as they stood up.
“I will.” I bid my farewells to William as they both left the house together.