Part Time: Rose's Thorns

Chapter 9: Debt

Arriving back on the condo with two plastic bags on your hand, the room was entirely quiet. You placed the bags over the elevated table and peeked over the living room, Jessica wasn't here.

"Where did that woman even go," you muttered to yourself. You bought five instant ramen from the convenience store as you passed by it. Prices had gone way up compared two years ago, enough to make you cry on your brokie days. You pulled out one from the plastic, but decided to take two and cook something for her when she gets home.

"Ooo~" A woman voice said behind you, making you turn around immediately as you saw a woman leaning over the wall with her arms crossed. "Mr. Stranger knows how to cook, that's the first time I see someone like you that knows how to do something worthy." She said in full English accent.

"Who are you?" You asked, pressing your hands against the edges of the table.

Her lips formed an 'o' as her head tilts slightly. "That's a stupid question you don't wanna ask on a fiance's sister."

You tried your best to familiarize this woman in your mind, and finally it came into a success. "The stubborn sister she told me, I assume. Sadly, I don't remember your name so it would be better if you remind me with that one." You turned back to face the boiling water on the stove.

You hear her footsteps closing in on your right. She grabbed one of the empty wrappers and her eyes narrowed as she gazed on it "Never expected for a guy like you would eat these cheap foods around."

"I ain't luxurious like you were expecting," you answered, carrying the pan as you poured the cooked ramen over the bowl. You noticed her staring as you pour. "Your eyes tells me everything, you can get one right there on that plastic" - You pointed your finger on the plastic bag- "since I bought six of them."

She chuckled softly, and turned to look back on the stove. "I'm full, pretty rare for me to see a guy cooking actually."

Your attentions were diverted when both of you heard the door creak. Jessica appeared from the door empty handed, as if she just strolled around somewhere. She smiled on both of you,  "You two are getting along already."

"Not really." The sister smiled. "Good to know that you picked some guy who knows how to cook for someone too." She gave a quick glance at you before walking towards Jessica. "I'm sleeping, practice was shit."

After she entered her room, you continued Jessica's ramen. That woman had such mystery, changing from being sassy down to complimenting you on some basic thing you do on your Part Time days. These sisters are something you wouldn't want to mess with.

"I apologize, but this is what I can only afford right now." You lightly bowed as you placed her bowl on the table. You expected her to be disappointed with it, but rather she looked up at you with surprised eyes. Her mouth was shut throughout the time, until she took a sip together you.

"This is what I need actually." She stuttered. "What has came into your mind to cook something for me too."

"You don't want it?" You kept your eyes on your soup.

"I'm just asking, why the arrogant side again." She rolled her eyes and continued to consume her ramen. "The debt has been paid already, you can tell your dad now."

You paused. "You can tell him directly instead, plus you two had that sort of deal so why me?" 

"It would be better if you'd be the one. Who wouldn't want to hear a good news come directly from his own son?" Jessica answered. "I assume they won't touch you anymore."

You looked up at her. "You can assume as much as you want, but sometimes it doesn't go that way."

"It's all about money Y/N, you can even pull out the entire police office if you just have this." She raised her fingers and smirked, rubbing her thumb and index finger together "They know what I can do, so better if they behave."

You sighed and dragged strands of your hair upwards, showing the old scar you got way back years ago. "See this? The police did nothing after I almost died from them. Nothing happened, It felt like I just slipped and everyone just watched me."

Reminiscing that memorable evening, the moment the pipe met your forehead, freefalling into the ground as the demons laughed at you, it was a sleep paralysis. Lying down the cold floor as your vision gets blurry, voices that you couldn't comprehend was the only thing you remember before you passed out. You tried to place your fingers over your old scar again, but Jessica grabbed your wrist.

"Don't." She muttered, keeping her grip around your wrist. You shook your hand off, and it finally freed you from her lock.

"It's just a scar, chill."

"Still," she added and looked down to finish her ramen. "You don't have to touch it again." 

You still see her as a complete stranger, but it changes everytime you see her being too caring to you. Even for the small things like her bandaging your thumb, it was a big thing already. It was unsure if she's just acting, playing with you just because you had that agreement.

She called your name as you were wiping the edges of the sink, making you turn at her.

"I know we're still not in good terms or whatever, but can you do something for me in return." 

"Don't worry, I'll pay you back someday." You answered nonchalantly.

She cleared her throat and locked her eyes on you. "I want you to stay by my side. I don't really mean that you'll be with me the whole time wherever I go."

"I mean you can't just act as if I don't care about you." She stuttered. "Of course, I'm worried even we act like assholes on each other. So, update me, you know that?"

You leaned against the edge of the sink with your fingers grasped on it, looking down and nodding lightly. 

"And, I'm sorry for awhile ago." She bowed lightly, forcing a smile and walking away. She never looked back, and kept walking until she disappears on your sight.