Of Fire and Sketchy Outlines

Chapter 8

This chapter is dedicated to my baby brother who turned 17 today. Cheers bro. 🥂 Ate loves you. 💖💖💖 7/20/2020

Sacrifice

Gulf moved mechanically as he wiped off the crumbs and remnants of the food that was left on the table.He placed the plates and glasses on his tray and proceeded to disinfect the table. He wiped the table again with a dry rag. His hand did not stop until the table looked shiny.

When he was satisfied, he picked up his tray and went to other tables that needed cleaning.

Unknown to him, Song, the resto's owner, was staring weirdly at him as he observed his employee spacing out today. If there is one thing that he knows about Gulf, it is that the boy was a hard worker.

Too hard actually.

The boy is strong willed, polite and always has a smile plastered on his face. Regardless of his issues outside work, his attitude towards his job has always been the same.

Even though Gulf is only a part timer, he does not dare neglect his job here in the resto.

Once he wears that black uniform of his, he will give his 100% attention to the task at hand.

So when he saw his employee slipping into the backdoor with a frown and a far away look on his face he just knew that something was very wrong.

Does he need money? He thought. Maybe his money is not enough since he goes to that rich company daily.

He still remembers the time when the boy was so shy of asking for a vale. Apparently, their faculty has an art exhibit at that time for their 50th founding anniversary and Gulf was one of the chosen students to present a piece for an auction.

Unfortunately, the boy lacked materials needed for the event so he was thinking of declining. Once he heard the story from one of his employees, he practically shoved the money on his hands and told him to buy the materials right away and present his masterpiece.

He never regrets that decision till this day especially when Gulf's work got the highest bid in that auction.

But now, seeing as the boy continued to look distracted as he moved to another table, he approached him

"Gulf. Are you okay? You seem to space out. " he said

"oh. Im okay P Song. Im sorry for spacing out." he apologized softly and bowed to him

"No. Silly. Im just worried about you Nong. Are you sure your okay? You can go home early if your not feeling well. There are only few customers left anyway." Song asked worriedly

"Im really fine Phi. Thanks for asking" he smiled reassuringly

"okay fine. Ill just go back to my office. Change the store sign to closed okay? We will close once the last customer is place his order." he said

"Yes phi."

Gulf went back to cleaning the tables. He went to the door and flipped the store sign to close. His eyes passed through the glass window to his right and into the streets.

His thoughts taking him to the talk he had with Sir Leo earlier this evening.

"A r-research project sir??" he exclaimed