The moment Amyra arrived home, she checked on Amanda and was relieved to find her well. In fact far better than she had left her. She rushed into Amanda's embrace.
'Oh mom!' Amanda held her tightly and smiled. It wasn't everyday for Amyra to be so touchy.
'I was so worried about you.' Her words sounded light but to her, the weight they carried was great. She had wondered while at that place if she'd ever be free the way she is now.
'You needn't be, that young handsome friend of yours took especially good care of me. If Treu could be half as caring I'd be the happiest mother.' Amanda had a gentle smile on her face.
Amyra looked at her not exactly sure which young handsome man she meant_ no worries she didn't have many of them.
'Which young man?'
'Silly that friend of yours you asked to take care of me. BTW I must ask; where have you been for a full week. You've even grown too thin, you're pale and those eyebags?' Amanda was genuinely concerned about her daughter_ the girl was naturally frail already.
'I guess I was working too hard.' Amyra lied blatantly. There was no point making her mom worry.
'I know you're lying; just tell me the truth already.'
'Fine! I got a new job and decided that we should move.' Amyra had been looking for a way to crack the news to her mother while making it less peculiar.
'Why all of a sudden? Moreover we've just moved here not so long ago.' This didn't sound right.
'Can't you tell. My new job is far away and the cost of travelling everyday is too huge, we may as well just move altogether since we'd both be worried about each other.' Amyra continued to lie. The saying was true afterall; if you lie once you'd have to keep lying all the way.
'You're right I'd be worried.' Amanda agreed while Amyra was wondering why on earth was her mother so gullible. Anyway , it helped her this time otherwise she wouldn't know what to tell her.
...
That night
Cosenza at Star Entertainment
An elegant man with eagle eyes was checking his emails on his laptop. The laptop had obscured the lower part of his face but from the eyes and elegant posture, one could tell at a glance that he had good genes.
The ringing of his personal cell disrupted the quiet_ it irritated him. He hated being disturbed especially during working hours. He figured it must be a family member_ seriously those people had nothing better to do. However, they knew him well enough and he surmised whoever called was because it was important. So he picked up his phone after a long thought_ he silently hoped it wasn't his mom. So he didn't even look at the caller ID as if that would change the caller if it were his mom.
'what is the matter?' he spat sans formalities, his voice was harsh.
'Vin, it's me. Did I disturb you?' her sweet voice sounded apologetic_ His anger melted instantly. Only now did he realize how much he missed her. They had been out of touch for too long. Lately, most of his focus was solely on his business.
'I'm sorry Kitty hope I didn't scare you.'
'For a moment you did but never mind.' A ghost of a smile touched the corners of his lips.
'Why are you calling so late? Any problem?' He was worried about her. It was already coming to midnight_ she must have a serious problem.
'Actually, I didn't want to bother you_' Amyra was still saying when he interjected her.
'Just name it. I told you not to hesitate to ask anything from me in this life but you always act like we're strangers.' He always felt a sense of pride whenever he helped her for some reason. It made him feel efficient.
'Why are you so nice to me?'
"Say it while the offer lasts.' Vin deliberately teased her.
'Ok; I've got a serious problem and really need to leave this place ASAP and find another one...Maybe in Cosenza.'
'I'll pick you up_'
'You don't need to. I can manage. I just need some money to get me by.' Her voice was hesitant. He knew she had her pride and decided not to make it any harder for her.
'I'll lend you and you'll pay me back when you get the money.' Vin knew Amyra's pride would never allow her to take something for free.
'Thank you thank you thank you. Mwah.' She sounded really happy.
'so when should I expect you?'
'Tomorrow.' She didn't want to delay even for a second. She fell back on her bed facing the ceiling and her memory drifted back to when she had met Vin in high school. He was three years her senior and a classmate to her boyfriend at the time.
Her boyfriend at the time came to the café where she was part timing with another girl and they were being so sweet with each other. When she confronted him, the guy just looked at her dismissively before turning to answer with a doting smile to the other girl that he had never met Amyra before. She had always had her pride so after he denied her, she apologized for having mistaken him for someone else and overstepping her boundaries_ he wasn't worth her pleading. But inwardly, her heart was being torn apart from jealousy, anger, pain and humiliation. Her fists were clenched by her sides, fingernails digging into her palms to the point of drawing blood in restraint. She even asked for their order and delivered it for them.
Vin had watched everything. It wasn't his first time there but he still wasn't a regular either. He moved out_ the peace he was seeking from the café had been robbed. Unexpectedly he found her walking in the rain while hugging herself. Her face was tear stricken. He gave her his umbrella. It was all he could do because she always made him feel better without even knowing. Just watching her was enough so it was the least he could do.
She returned the umbrella to him the following day at school and they even had a chance to exchange names. He also frequented the café more often and whenever she was not working, they talked about this and that. Without him she wasn't sure she would have healed from that heartbreak in just two weeks. So their bond was cultivated slowly throughout the years. He was her bestfriend.