bonheur

Chapter 3

A/N: I'm sorry guys, but this chapter is a little shorter than the others ><

---

"I want it back as soon as possible," Aria said, handing Bryan the stacks of money.

With his face all beaten up and knees on the ground, he took the money.

"S-sure. I get it," he said, his voice shaky. "Don't worry. You'll get it back in no time."

Aria didn't say a word and only gritted her teeth as she walked out the door. She thought about many things while pacing the street. What if he doesn't return the money? What would Granny do when she found out her money is gone? Would she have done the same thing if she had had another chance? She sighed, knowing that she would have done the exact same thing if she was to be in that place again. And then, again. And again...

"Charlie's condition has gotten a lot better," Aria said, watching him eat his food. "Isn't it about time to take him for a walk?"

"Yes, sure," Granny replied.

Charlie finished his food and walked slowly towards Aria. He got up on her lap then barked softly at her.

"He's grown fond of you, Aria."

"Y-yeah," Aria said. To be frank, she didn't know what to say. She couldn't help but felt uneasy around Granny. She was afraid of her reaction when she found out the person she had cared so much for has betrayed her. But from the looks of it, Granny seems to not notice anything strange.

"It's time to make a meal, too," Granny said, walking to the kitchen.

I'm sorry, Granny. Aria said in her head.

After school, Rena had invited Aria to try out this new taco place close to their school. She promised it was her treat.

"What's up with you, Aria?" Rena asked, munching on her food.

"Huh?"

"You seem down. Is something bothering you?"

"No. not really."

"Cool, glad to hear that."

Aria had her face on her palm with her elbow supporting it on the table.

"No, that was a lie," Aria said, taking her arm off from the table.

Rena stopped eating and looked at her. At this moment, Aria realizes that it would be hard to explain it to Rena so she just drops it.

"Never mind," Aria said, smiling. "You wouldn't understand something like this."

Rena was a little surprised actually. She had never seen Aria smile at her but to finally see it makes her so happy that a tear managed to escape from her eye.

"What's wrong?" Aria asked, very confused. "Why're you crying?"

"Because it's the first time you smiled at me," Rena said, laughing. Aria joined her too. Then, Rena's phone started ringing. She glanced at the number.

"Oops! I'm sorry," she said, standing up. "I gotta meet up with a guy now."

"Let's talk some other time!" Rena said and ran out the place.

---

One week has passed since Aria gave Bryan the money, but she still hasn't heard anything from him. She was at Granny's house the whole time, making sure Granny doesn't find out about her money missing.

"Urgh," Aria covered her nose as she got into the apartment room. "What is this stench? Bryan!"

She came into the bedroom and what stood before her was a dead man hanging from the ceiling. It was Bryan.

She shook her head vigorously, trying to shake away the reality. She even pinched herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

"No! You can't be dead! You're supposed to pay me back!" She dropped to the floor and started crying. "Now that you're gone, how am I supposed to return the money back to Granny? I promised myself I'd give it back no matter what!" She cried for what seems like hours...

She stopped later and tried to clear her head. Maybe there's still some money left, she thought. But how wrong was she.

She had checked everywhere in the apartment, but unfortunately, there was nothing. All she found was an empty envelope with not a cent inside. Then, she heard a phone rang. It was Bryan's.

"Bryan? You there?" She heard.

"Bryan's dead," she replied. "He returned the money to you guys, didn't he?"

"No, that fucker was buying drugs again."

"Was he killed by someone?"

"How the hell am I supposed to know?"

The person on the other line then hung up. Aria threw the phone away and it hit the wall. She gave one last look at Bryan and walked away.

"At eight o'clock? Okay," Aria was in a telephone box calling her usual clients.

She needs to earn back the money Bryan spent quickly and she is doing the best she can.

"There you are, Aria!" a man said as he came up to her. There was another man with him as well. "Would you do us both?"

"If you could pay for two," Aria replied.

"Of course we can!" The man then grabbed Aria's shoulder and started walking.

He stopped to look when he heard people arguing at the corner of the street. They seem to be a couple fighting over trivial matters. It shouldn't concern anyone, Aria thought.

"Hey, mister. Let's hurry up and do it," she said.

Hurry. Hurry. She needs to return the money as quickly as possible.