Chapter Text
the golden sunrays pierced my eyes as i slid open my silk blue curtains. from my window, the city was full of food stalls, selling various delicacies, pastries, snacks. the buttery aroma of freshly baked croissants engulfed my senses. "i definitely need to buy that later," i thought to myself.
the children were hopping and playing around while adults supervised. i could hear the laughter and the inaudible small talk from across the street.
i got ready for work, i couldn't be late this time. before making my way to the antique store, i pass by a food stall. my stomach longs for food, i approach a worker.
"i would like a chocolate croissant please," said i. i smiled brightly, hoping to get a discount.
"$2.50."
still the same price.
i hand her five dollars as she gives me change. things in this city have always been peaceful and i like that. i prefer predictability over sudden casualties.
i take a bite out of the shattering golden brown crust exterior, the premium taste hits my taste buds fast. the cacao flavor is strong, it's warm and rich. i finish it swiftly and bump into someone.
"my apologies, sir." i express as he turns his back, it's the young man from yesterday.
"aren't you an employee at the antique store?" he questions as i force a smile awkwardly, trying to avoid his menacing eyes.
"yes, i am. i'm heading there right now." i respond as i try to act friendly but in reality, i'm intimated by his tall figure.
"oh, that's good to hear. i sharpened the knife and it's useful. i'll visit again soon in case i'm in need of anything." he beams as he reaches out to shake hands.
"i'm zachary, i work as a lawyer."
"i'm hudson, i work at the antique store, oh uhm, you already know that." i laugh in embarrassment but inside, something about him fuels my jealousy.
we part ways and i hurry to the store, if i walk faster, i should be able to make it before 9:00 AM. at last, i enter the antique shop. victoria is cleaning the dusty shelves while tyson is organizing several items.
"you're not late this time." victoria chuckles lightly as we make eye contact.
"i don't want to be fired, i need cash."
"funny how someone from imperial university can end up working in an antique st—"
"quiet. don't talk about that." i request her to stop but she refuses to listen.
"imperial university, a well-known site for making the best doctors, lawyers and engineers. i find it hilarious how you aspired to become a lawyer and worked here."
"cut it out!" tyson shoots her a serious look and victoria stops. i'm sure he isn't saying that because i'm very clearly offended, he's just doing that to not hear any more malice about his 'lowly antique store.' he wants to be the only one speaking and joking about that.
we get back to cleaning, the room is silent. no one dares to speak even a word after that heated argument. customers come in and out, no one bought anything, yet.
"$40 for this? outrageous pricing, it doesn't even look presentable!" an old lady yelled with rage before storming out.
"i'm not spending a quarter of my weekly salary for something so worn out like this. i demand a discount!" a businessman tried to reason with us unsuccessfully.
as i said yesterday, business hasn't been good. it's only thanks to our regulars that we are still running. after our lunch break, the shop has been dead. dead as in silent, no bell was chiming, no one wanted to start a conversation.
"i'll close early, you can go home, explore the city or do whatever you want." tyson announces as victoria stares in disbelief.
"seriously? thank you!" she beams and packs her bag. she leaves as tyson bids her goodbye. before departing, i turn to him. his face shows an unreadable expression as if hiding deep, shadowing secrets that could ruin his life in a millisecond. tyson stares oddly at me before a short word finally leaves my lips.
"hey."
"yes? you can go now, it's not like a plethora of customers will come in later." he speaks as he continues organizing antiques.
"why did you want to open an antique store in the first place?" i inquire, he chuckles loudly before laughing like an absurd lunatic.
"don't get sentimental with me all of a sudden. you won't get a raise, leave, now."
i leave before i get scolded. i wander the streets, not desiring to head back to my lonely apartment where thick shadows hide in the corners. no matter the time of day, only a scarce amount of sunlight would slip past my window. my apartment, i wouldn't describe it as 'unclean' nor 'filthy', i clean it regularly, maybe a bit too often. i have no exciting activities to do, unlike the boys my age who court with younger women. then they drink their hearts out until they reach a state where they're unable to walk till the sun rises. their drunken state slowly transforms them into a boisterous reveler, little by little, without them realizing it.
i recall the short but heated argument between me and victoria earlier today. since my youth, it has always been a dream of mine to study law. i took a risk by taking up law in one of the best universities in the city, imperial university. my time, it was wasted. we are taught that time is gold, i had wasted value on my silly dream i wanted to achieve.