My alarm pierced the darkness, shattering my fragile sleep. I groggily reached over to silence it,
the clock reading 6:00 AM in bold red letters.
"Morning already?" I muttered, throwing off the
covers.
In the kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Mom prepared breakfast.
My stomach churned; I wasn't a morning eater.
"Eat your breakfast, dear," Mom said, placing a plate in front of me.
I reluctantly picked at my food, my mind still foggy.
"Mom, I'm not hungry," I protested.
Mom's expression turned stern.
"You need fuel for your long day, Jessica. You can't keep
running on empty."
I sighed, forcing down a few bites.
I grabbed my wallet and rushed out, only to realize I'd left my phone behind.
Backtracking into
the living room, I spotted it on the coffee table.
As I picked up my phone, I accidentally knocked over some documents.
Papers scattered everywhere.
My heart sank as I saw the words "Cancer treatment... urgent surgery... life-threatening
condition" staring back at me.
Arin's name was on the papers - my little brother.
The papers revealed Arin's dire need for a costly surgery, estimated at a staggering amount,
with no clear option for payment.
I felt overwhelmed, like the weight of our financial struggles was crushing me.
Mom had kept this secret hidden, and I had no idea how we'd afford it.
My vision blurred as I stumbled backward, papers trembling in my hands.
How could this be? Even with two jobs, I couldn't afford it.
Panicked, I shoved the papers into the drawer, trying to push the worry away
But it lingered, haunting me as I headed out the door.
.
.
.
.
At the café, I mechanically brewed coffee and arranged pastries, my mind lingering on Arin's
surgery.
"Why didn't Mom tell me?" I wondered, wiping down tables with a trembling hand.
As coworkers arrived, I forced a smile, hiding my worries. "Morning, Alex. Emily."
Throughout the lunch rush, my thoughts drifted to Arin's surgery.
How could I afford it?
During a brief lull, I grabbed a snack, my appetite nonexistent.
Rachel my boss praised my work, but my
heart wasn't in it.
As the afternoon waned, I started closing procedures, still reeling.
Later, I trudged into the dimly lit club, Bartending wasn't my passion; it was survival.
"Jess, we're slammed tonight!" Mike shouted.
I nodded, ready to face another night. Pour drinks, collect tips, and pretend to enjoy it.
For
Arin's sake, for Mom's sake, I'll keep going.
Mike noticed my distraction. "Tough day?"
"Just family stuff," I replied hesitantly.
As the night wore on, my thoughts returned to Arin's surgery.
How could I raise that money?
What if...
A rowdy group ordered shots, and I reluctantly obliged. The noise overwhelmed me.
As the night dragged on, I counted down the minutes until closing time.
Finally, the club's lights flickered on, signaling last call. I breathed a sigh of relief.
As I counted my tips and changed, Mike said, "Hang in there, Jess. Better days ahead."
I managed a weak smile, still consumed by Arin's surgery.
With my second paycheck secured, I left the club, the cool night air a welcome respite.
"I'll figure this out," I vowed, determination burning within.
HI GUYS! 🙋♀️
DO YOU LIKE THE CHAPTER?
IT WAS A SHORT CHAPTER BUT THE NEXT ONES ARE LONG....
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF JEONGHAN AND JESSIACA'S ENCOUNTER ???
PLEASE FREE TO COMMENT I LOVE THAT!!!!!
BYE FOR NOW! LOVE YOU.
Vid!
YOU ARE READING
Guarded Hearts || Yoon Jeonghan ||
FanfictionYoon Jeonghan, heir to a powerful empire, harbors deep-seated resentment toward his father, fueled by a dark family secret. His rebellious nature earns him a reputation as untamable. When his father appoints Jessica Young, an inexperienced security...
