HEART FOR HIRE ✓

Thirty Nine

"Guess what!" Jeanette runs into the break room, all smiles and giggling. Alex and I look at her with raised eyebrows. Why does she ask us to guess when she's aware that both of us are too bad at this game? Upon noticing that we aren't going to guess, she frowns and sits down in front of us. "Fine, if you won't guess, I'll just tell you. As always."

"Is it good news?" Alex perks up

Jeanette nods her head.

"Are we getting our salaries increased?"

Jeanette shakes her head. "Not that. But we are getting our pay for April earlier. And the most interesting part? Madam Shamirah said that we can close the theater for the whole week to celebrate Easter holidays!"

Both of our eyes widen.
"For real?" Alex and I ask at the same time.

"How comes this year she's giving us a break?" I wonder out loud. Last year, she didn't even acknowledge the holiday - not that it hurt or anything, but I'm still curious.

"I don't know," Jeanette shrugs. "I think it's fair that she's out to visit Mecca and she wants us to celebrate our holiday too. Whatever. I'm happy, aren't you guys happy too?"

"Of course I am," I can't help but smile. "Can you imagine getting my pay early and a whole week off? This is a dream!"

"Yeah yeah," Alex waves us off. "I'm just glad I'll have a whole week to sleep through. It's not like I have anything else to do."

He tries to act nonchalant but he must be hurting. If it were me, I'd be breaking down. I can't imagine how hurt it must feel to upload your content and then get framed for stealing it. What in the world do trolls get for making people cry and lose faith in themselves?

"What are you gonna do?" I ask Jeanette

"My brother has a baptism party for his child, so, I'm definitely going to be there."

"Aww," I pat her shoulder. "That's cool. Maybe I should go to my hometown too. My parents are also hosting a party and I actually miss them."

Jeanette smiles at me and nods in approval. I turn to Alex. "What about you? Any plans?"

"Nah. I haven't decided yet," he shakes his head. "My parents asked me to go back home and attend my brother's graduation but I won't go. I don't feel like dealing with them."

"Do you wanna come with me to my hometown instead?" I offer

"Yeah," Jeanette seconds it. "So much has happened recently and I think we all need a break away from everything. You can come with me or go with Natalia. Either way, I think you need to rest."

Alex smiles and holds both of our hands.
"I'd like to come with both of you but my roommate got us tickets to Vidcon. I really wanna go."

"What's Vidcon?" I ask

Alex shakes his head at me.
"Sometimes, I forget how far from reality you two are. Vidcon is like an annual concert or gathering for video content creators. I really wanna go and besides, I'll get to meet the creators I need help from. And I'll be meeting other creators too!"

He looks so excited by just talking about it but I can't help but wonder if it's a good idea. What if the trolls follow him there? What if the trolls are fellow content creators that are jealous of him?

"I'll be fine," he reassures us. "Besides, my roommate is so protective of me. He won't let anything happen to me, I promise."

"Okay," I sigh. "Just don't forget to take photos and enjoy, okay?"

"Yes ma'am," he bows his head like a servant bowing down to his queen. "So, before we all go separate ways, I wanna treat you guys to a meal."

"You?" I point at him and laugh, and so does Jeanette. Alex never buys food, especially on his bill. He shares but he doesn't buy. For the two years he's been here, Jeanette has been paying for his meals. "Have you been replaced with some kind of alien? A very good alien that buys food and doesn't worry about spending money?"

Alex glares at us and huffs.
"Just this once I decide to be nice, you guys decide to make fun of me? I'm human too, y'know!"

"Get to the point," Jeanette says in between laughter.

"You all have been treating me to something since I met you. Natalia, you buy me chicken every Friday, get me drinks from mystery man for free and stuff," he wipes a fake tear and we chuckle again. "Jeanette, you make me cupcakes and buy me food everyday. Let me treat y'all to something nice. Besides, you all now have responsibilities and I don't want you to spend your money on me like that again. I make my own money now and I'll be the one treating you."

"Aww," Jeanette coos dramatically. "What happened to I need to save all my money so that by the time I'm thirty, I am a billionaire?"

"I was seventeen when I said that. I'm poor at maths too," Alex rolls his eyes and looks away.

"Right," I poke his shoulder and he glares at me. "You don't have to feel like you owe us something. We treated you to food because we wanted to, not because we expected you to get rich one day and pay us back."

"Natalia is right," Jeanette nods her head. "When I'm counting my children, I count you as my first child. When I'm planning, I plan for you too. Because I love you and I want you to remember that even if your family never welcomes you back, Natalia and I will be your family. We are always here any time, any day for anything. Okay?"

Alex puts his hands around us for a group hug.
"You guys are so sweet and nice to me. But will you stop the sweet talk and we go for a meal? I'm starving!"