Remedy // The Weeknd

Chapter 3

My hands carefully counted the money in my hands. The money I worked hard for, the money I scrapped up with three jobs and sore hands. Diligently, with my bills neatly spread out on my old wooden table, I counted how much I exactly needed for each. Next to the bills was a jar full of coins I picked up on streets, between my couch, under tables, and most embarrassingly, in wishing wells. Those stolen wishes would be used for good. If there is a God up there, I hope he understands.

$135 for electricity. I smiled to myself. That's $10 less than last month, which means me taking cold showers and sleeping without a heater once a week paid off. I pulled out a twenty dollar bill and made up the rest with coins, then I placed both the bill and the money in a neat little envelope. I did the same with the rest. $30 for water, $100 for rent, and $5.50 for my monthly treat of coffee from Blu's Cafe, just a block away from my morning job. Then there was the extra fees for my medicine and sleeping pills.

All I had left was $300 for food throughout the next month, and that would definitely be more than enough. I put the excess money in a safe place and glanced at the clock on the wall. Half past six in the morning, it read. I had about thirty more minutes till my 7 to 12 shift at Lynn's Restaurant started, so I decided to head out, but not before dropping my bills and money into a nearby mailbox.

Living life was hard enough as it is, but the fact that his face was plastered literally everywhere haunted me to no end. I lived in the poorer parts of Toronto, still in the same neighborhood he left me in, but not the same home... I had to give it up a few years ago when his family came to take the house and sell it.

June 5, 2013

"This is our home!" I cried, as one of Abel's distant cousins held me back as multiple men brought out all of my belongings. Boxes upon boxes of memories, baby toys that were never used, a crib, bags of the clothes he didn't bring with him... It hurt me so much.

"Abeliye is not coming back to make a future with you." The man who held me back stated with a stone cold voice. "He is rising to the top and leaving you with the bottom feeders. This was never your home. Your children are gone. Face the music already, Katya."

I shook my head, my curls flying and whipping against my cheeks furiously. "He promised he'd come back!" My voice broke out into a sob. He's going to come back! I know he will!"

Present day

It was still painful to think about. The last time I ever saw the house was four years ago... I don't know what they've done with it. 

The promise ring he gave me is safely tucked away in my closet. I could never find the heart to pawn it off despite all the sad memories that came with it, all the broken promises, all the love that was once there... Not even when I was starving and cold. But, they were right about him never coming back. Though sometimes I don't blame him, I still feel sad. But, at least he is on top of the world now, without a girl to hold him down. 

Perhaps he is warm, eating lobster tails and laughing with his new girlfriend, Selena. One can only hope that he's happier than I am. I want to say I hate him, that I wish he was suffering, but oh, I still adore him so much. I hope he is warm and happy doing what he loves; even if I am stuck working as a waitress and stripper. 

He's never going to come back to me.

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never say never - dani

(edited on 4/10/17, changed bill costs to seem more realistic in a 1st world country)