The Perfect Man

3

After 2 weeks, my mom was discharged from the hospital. The burn isn't that deep but the doctors have to monitor her for possible infection and, of course, they considered her age. But here I am, stuck with the bills to pay. Maybe I should look for another job.
Although we went back home and my dad isn't there, I felt more uneasy while flashbacks of my younger years in every corner of our house haunt me.
"Do you want to stay in this house, Pauline?" Mom asked.
"We don't have anywhere else to go." I replied.
I helped my mom unpack her stuff. Mom turns on the tv. The king is being interviewed about updates for the country's current development.
"New investors from France came and they were very happy on our country's economy..."
Beside him seating is Prince Liam. He's quiet but is observing his father closely. His blonde hair is neatly done and short. His face looks so soft as the porcelaine. And his green to gray eyes were fierce and soft.
"How is our prince?" Though the reporter was about to give the mic to Prince Liam, King Vincent interrupted her.
"Same old, same old."
My mom turned the tv off.
"How can they live lavishly while we are like this?" She mumbled.
I looked at her and she turned away.
"I'll look for another job, mom."
"Where did you get the money to pay the hospital bills?"
"I borrowed from someone. I used dad's house as collateral."
"This house?" My mom suddenly turned around towards me.
"Yup. Don't worry I'll get another job."
"Do you really want to dispose this house?"
"There's no way I could do that. But if I do have a choice I would."

The next morning, I've decided to look for a job before going for the late night show. I went downtown. From places to places. Then, it started to snow.
"The first snow of november." I whispered to myself.
I never expected it to be this cold today. I wore the wrong clothes, again. I can see the smoke from my breath.
"Looks like dry snow." Someone whispered beside me.
"Oh." It was Ashton. "You're here?"
"That's the coffee shop across the street. Are you cold?" He took my hand, but I  instinctively moved it away. I put my hand inside my pocket to keep it warm.
"Sorry." I said. And gazed away from him. He laughed. I smiled.
"No need for that. Let's go?" He said.
I crossed the street with him leading the way. He opened the door for me and we both sat on the bar where they serve drinks.
"Ashton." Rufus called while serving one of the customers.
"Boss, I still have 15 minutes." Ashton responded. His dimples show as he smiles.
"I know. What I meant to say is have you heard anything from Ian?" Rufus asked. "Hi, Pauline." He waved his hand to me.
"Hi." I responded.
"I saw him with his girl while coming back here." He laughed while telling the story. "Looks like they're going somewhere nice."
"That guy has been working on something crazy stuff. Tell him not to come back here or I'll call the police on him." Rufus said. "That means we're short staffed."
"No one lasts long as I do here." Ashton teased. "You must be the one who's doing something crazy."
"Can I apply for that job?" I interrupted. "Although I don't know anything about being a barista, I'm a fast learner. "
"Hey," Ashton said. "I just said that this person does crazy things."
"I've been through a lot of crazier things." I said firmly.
"Okay." Rufus said. "You'll start tomorrow afternoon. I'll be the one to train you."