Challenging a Cold Heart

Chapter 4: Cupid

Eight months later

Vincent's POV

I guess I am getting really old and arthritic. All my bones hurt from just a little labour. The curly haired girl with nose piercings dumped more dirty dishes to the sink that I had cleaned only a few seconds ago. I resisted the urge to scream in frustration. I swear I've washed more than a thousand plates tonight itself. Now in case you are wondering, I am temporarily working as a dish washer and I am back in New York.

The days after I was thrown out of the Holden tower were harsh for both me and my son. I spent a semester's fees from the money I had saved for Max's boarding school before I was able to recover from my surgery and leave Cape Town. All the while, I had to keep moving every week because there were gangsters after us.

As soon as I came to New York, I admitted Max to the boarding school and I assured him everything was going to be alright. The Avery Boarding School in New York is a private boarding school which had always been attended by the rich kids of New York. So the school had excellent security. The school assured me that Max was in safe hands. When I put Max in the school, at first he was very depressed. I told myself that I did the right thing. Max wanted to stay with me because he was worried about me after seeing how sick I was in Cape Town. He was also worried about the people who were chasing us. I told him that leaving Cape Town would solve that problem and he believed me. I couldn't have put him in the school otherwise. I missed Max dearly but it was for the best.

He didn't know that I was still being targeted and that I had to be on the run even in New York. Because of that I was unable to obtain a stable job. Every time I started getting comfortable in a place, I would notice weird looking people, looking for me in the neighbourhood. I've become familiar with the faces of the people chasing me. So whenever I see any of them around the area, I quickly pack up and leave. Sadly, not even a month passes by before I start noticing weird looking people around my home. I don't remember the last time I've slept peacefully. I feel exhausted all the time and I could barely stop myself from regretting getting into Luc's path. But every time my mind takes me down that track, I am reminded of how much I love Lucas and then I start blaming myself for being so pathetic. It's a never ending cycle that ultimately leads me into a path of depression. I wonder when they would stop chasing me, I thought with a sigh.

I turned around when I heard heavy footsteps coming in my direction. Thanks to being chased, I've become very panicky and my heart races at the slightest sound. I was relieved to see it was my boss, Kendra. She was a tall, heavy set Mexican Woman in her late forties.

"Vincent, I need you to work as a waiter for a bit. Carlos had to go to the hospital since his sister got into an accident." Kendra told me.

"How is she doing now?" I asked with concern.

"Fine. Nothing we could do about it unless you or me are surgeons." She said.

"Uh, ye-ah." I said uneasily. Okay, so I've been lying to Kendra. But technically, I didn't completely lie. I just omitted to mention that I was a doctor since that piece of information made employers refrain from giving me a job. I guess it's still a form of deceit but I really needed cash right now. I have spent all the money I had to get Max admitted to boarding school and I didn't have to check my bank account to know that I had no money left. Sighing, I wiped my wet hands on a towel and started to get out of the kitchen.

As soon as I was out of the kitchen, I was given two trays loaded with food. My eyes widened as one tray wobbled.

"Careful, old man." The curly haired girl named Amelia said and I sighed. I wasn't that old. Well, okay twenty six was probably ancient to a teenager. I certainly did feel old right now with how exhausted I was. My bones really ached.