a's

pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. My hands trembled as I unfolded the paper the hospital had ha

eeling the knot in my stomach tighten. The only money in my account right now was a th

enough. My father... asking him was out of the question. He wouldn't even blink an eye. If I tried, I knew wha

rom the few customers around me. My chest tightened, and I closed my eyes, wishing

ed up, realizing I had caused a bit of a stir. The customers were watching m

quickly got up from the table. I didn't want to cause a scene, esp

d myself to calm down. I coul

y... but then again, I didn't want to feel like a burden. I had been working here for

aused, unsure of what I should say. My mind raced as I thought about the possibil

my thoughts. I checked the screen, relieved to see it was a message

ce as soon as you're done. We need t

him blindly. He had reached out first. I could explain

here Mr. Levin was waiting. He looked up from his d

he asked, his voice cal

help," I said, feeling the pressure building in my chest. "My mom's health... It's getting worse. I need $2000

w furrowing slightly. I could tell he was weighing his options, and the sile

almost apologetic. "But I can give you $500 right now. You'

smile, grateful for anything. "I'll t

"I'll expect you to put in extra hours this week," he add

oney gratefully. "I'll

as a start, but I still needed the full $2000. I couldn't depend o

h-end restaurant downtown. I'd heard rumors about how generous he was with his

ll in $1500 working late nights, that would cover t

Levin's business partner, praying he would answer. The ringi

on'

d, and satisfying in a way that only a well-prepared dish could be. The food was exceptional, and part of me couldn't help but wonder

Emma, I think her name was. I hadn't even bothered to ask for her name, and yet I couldn't shake the memory of how she looked - all business, confident in her own way, with tha

by my desk, seemingly organizing files for the past few minutes, but I had

sharp, "I couldn't help but notice the way y

at her? Was that how it seemed? I shifted uncomfortably in my se

ng about?" I asked, my voice a litt

with you long enough to know when you're interested in someone. You were staring at her the

muttered, a slight grin tugging at the corners of my lips. "It'

you don't have to lie to me. If you like her, you know I'm all for it. It's b

g to let this go, was he? The truth was, I wasn't interes

ound more convincing, "I don't know what you think you saw, but

, clearly unconvinced. "Uh-hu

ift his attention elsewhere. "Anyway, enough about that. You were reminding me about drinks tonight, right? I

ped his hands in excitement. "Per

I couldn't deny that something about the girl had caught my attention. What was it about her

focus. I wasn't interested in her.

ngements, I couldn't help but wonde