章 1: I won't die like this
"Oh, shit! I am late again. What do I tell Katie?" Emily thought as she checked her wristwatch.
"If only I have a car... It would be easier getting through this busy city where everybody is struggling to get to work at the same time!" She thought through gritted teeth as she sat uncomfortably on the bus.
"I wish the bus would fly and I will just reach my destination in no time..." She grumbled unintelligibly and the man seated beside her scoffed in amusement.
Emily turned to look at him and gave him a tight smile.
After what felt like forever, the bus finally stopped at Emily's destination and she practically ran out.
"I am so late for my shift." She thought and ran faster, earning glances from passersby.
"Hi... Afternoon!" She flashed her sweetest smile at her employer, Katie, as she rushed into the coffee shop.
Katie fixed her with a stern look immediately she turned to look at her.
"Emily, this is the fifth time this week you have been late. I mean, you have been coming late for your shift since the beginning of this week..." Katie pointed out, angrily. Emily's smile faltered.
"I thought we had an understanding about that, Emily." The woman added.
"I'm so sorry, Katie. It won't happen again, I promise." Emily pleaded.
"Same apologies, Emily. All you could give me last week was apologies, same thing this week. What is going on with you?" Katie asked, narrowing her eyes on her.
Emily exhaled slowly, looking remorsely.
"I have a part time job that I work in the morning and my boss there has been holding me over time, these days. Of course, I know that isn't an excuse and I promise you, Katie... I will find means to balance it out." Emily explained apologetically.
"I need these jobs..." She added more to herself but Katie heard that and the woman let out a sigh.
"You know, I had half a mind to let you go after the last time. But I know you are a hard worker, and I appreciate that." Katie admitted then paused.
"Just... try to be on time from now on, okay?" She added.
Emily heaved a sigh of relief and a smile broke out on her face.
"Yes, yes, of course. Thank you so much, Katie. You are the best employer I have ever known, and trust me, I have many!" Emily said, adding the last part lightly.
Katie smiled despite herself.
"I know. Now get to work!" Katie stated and the younger woman nodded in understanding.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Later in the evening, Emily was closing up when her phone rang. It was her father.
"Hey, Dad!" She said cheerfully as she accepted the call.
"My dear, I saw the money you transferred to me, earlier." Her father said.
"That is a huge amount. Where did you get that from?" The man asked, his voice laced with concern mixed with gratitude.
"Don't worry about that, Dad. It is from the part-time jobs I have been juggling. The rent was due, so I wanted to make sure we had it covered." Emily explained.
There was a pause on the other end for a second then the man heaved a heavy sigh.
"That should be my responsibility, Emily. And I am apologetic that I can't even sort..." The man said.
"C'mon, Dad. We are way past that. That is why I am working... To help out when you don't have the means. It is fine, Dad." Emily responded.
"Oh, Emily, you are such a good daughter. I don't know what I would do without you." Her father said, gratefully.
"It is no trouble, Dad. I'm just happy I could help. And yes, I know we have run out of groceries at home, I will get some when I am coming back so don't worry about it." Emily replied.
"Emily..." Her father said in a low voice. Emily got it that he was becoming emotionally as usual.
"Dad, I need to get back to work. See you later, alright. And yes, I am very fine. The work is not stressful at all, I am actually having a good time at work. Bye!" Emily rushed out cheerfully, answering all the questions her caring father would ask before he actually did, then hung up.
"Uhn..." She heaved a sigh and got back to what she was doing.
When she finally finished up her work and wanted to head to the bus station, the weather had turned stormy.
"Oh, no... Not now!" She grumbled as she stood outside the coffee shop.
"Should I just go home? But the payment from the bar is way higher... I need it." Emily contemplated about going for her evening shift despite the weather.
"I should go." She quickly decided and grabbed one of the umbrellas outside the shop and started walking towards the station.
As she walked, the rain started to drop and she saw how street sellers started parking their goods while some passersby ran from the street.
That was when she noticed a well-dressed man standing by the pedestrian bridge, without an umbrella, his arms were stretched out like he was waiting for someone to run into his embrace.
"What on earth is he doing?" Emily murmured, looking at the man.
She looked carefully at the man and realized he had a distant look in his face and his mouth was agape.
Suddenly, a car sped towards the oblivious man. Emily's eyes widened in horror.
"Look out!" She cried out but the man didn't budge.
"Fuck!" Emily grunted, then without thinking of the consequences of her action, she was running to the man's aid.
"Get a grip, will you?" She yelled as she reached out for the man, aiming to push him away.
But she couldn't succeed at that, as she tripped and immediately fell on top of the man, just as the car hurtled towards them, putting both of them in the harm's way.
Time seemed to slow down.
"Is this how I will die?" Emily whispered fearfully.
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