Gold Flower Legend

Chapter 5: Hiding from Him

*WAVINA JAVIER*

"Damn that stoneface man. Damn you! Damn you!" I repeatedly cursed as I stabbed the pasta in my bowl. I was in my small ordinary house eating noodles alone.

"How could that f*****g annoying man do this to me? What does he want for searching me? Was blacklisting me to  other companies not enough? How petty he is for holding a grudge from a small thing. Did my words really offend him?" I complained to myself.

A week ago, as I was about to enter again at the Red-D Tower main door to retrieve my files because it was still useful to apply in another company, I saw the arrogant stoneface Chairman who I knew with a name Murphy Aderson and his buddy that I didn't know the name yet. They were in a rush and even broke one of the employee's phones. 

I assumed that he might have thought after I left, my words were rude for a high person like him so he got angry and wanted to settle it with me.

I wasn't actually that brave. I was just influenced by my annoyance so I acted like a badass girl. But later, my legs trembled in anxiety as I walked out from his office. 

And my speculation confirmed right as he came out, looked around and even described me specifically to the guard. I could see his back. Yes, I was at the right side of the building where the direction guard was pointing, peeking on them. Thankfully, I wasn't discovered. 

As I learnt about it, I hid carefully. I was scared of him. But I was confused. He wasn't like that a night ago before it. 

When I applied to another company, I even made a disguise of my appearance. I curled my hair, I wore eyeglasses, and I dressed out a bit fashionless. But I always got rejected, I didn't know why. I thought I was incapable but luckily during the 7th company I applied for told me frankly that I was blacklisted. 

I flunked the fork on the table. "No way. I can't go on like this. I have to come out. I had to find a job. Waitress or even a dishwasher job is fine. I can't eat noodles everyday." I pretended to sob. 

Well, I couldn't cry for real anymore. I was tired of it. So, I decided to come out with a disguise again. I couldn't let them find me. 

I grabbed the used bowl and fork and put in the sink and prepared to go.

Since I couldn't get a high-paid job, then maybe I could get one in the market.

While on my way to the market, I ran into several men on a black guard uniform holding a portrait of mine. I was so nervous as I walked fast, squeezing in my head inside the blue scarf. I didn't need to guess if to whom they were working with because firstly I only offended one. It was Mr. Stoneface. 

I thought I was discovered when a hoarse voice called me. "Wait!"

I halted right away with feet froze on the ground. 

"Turned your back on me." He asked plainly.

As I didn't move he sighed, "I am not going to eat you. I just want to return your purse. You dropped it by accident in front of me."

'My purse?' I searched my body and indeed my little purse was gone. With head's down, I grabbed the purse. "Thank you." I said nervously and then left. 

"That was close." I uttered as they were already out of my sight, brushing my left chest to feel my heart. 

At the market, after walking around for about 10 minutes, I saw a sign board written, 'Wanted: Female Vegetable Seller'. I smiled. Now I could have a job. 

As I approached the old woman, she smiled at me as she asked, "Miss, what do you want? Eggplant, Squash, Potato, Cabb--" 

"I'm sorry Aunt. But I am not here to buy. I want to ask if that job on the signboard is still vacant. I would like to apply." I smiled back as I scratched the back of my neck.

"Oh I see. Yes. Yes. That was still available. But--I don't think you are suitable for that job."

"Why?" I asked confusedly.

She looked at me from head to toe. "Because you don't look like doing even household chores. Look, it is crowded here and doesn't smell good. I'm afraid you can't withstand it." 

"Aunt, don't worry. I am not that feeble. I can do it."

She sighed. "Alright then. But I need to tell it first to my daughter." She unzipped her sling purse hanging on her belly and took a pen and a piece of paper. "Here, right down your phone number and I will call you after I talk to her about you."

"Phone number? Aunt, sorry. But I don't have one." I rubbed my palm to each other as I thought. "How about this, I will come here again tomorrow morning."

"Morning a day after tomorrow."

"O-Okay!" I nodded hesitantly. "Then, I will be going."

"Go ahead." She smiled. 

As I began to take a step, I sighed. "Waiting again."

I hadn't gone home directly. I decided to stroll more around the market to familiarise the place. 

I walked spiritless with no certain direction when my nose snuffed a savory smell. My stomach suddenly felt hungry again as I traced where the smell came from and I ended up at the small eatery section inside the market.

My mouth watered as I glanced at the food lined in a counter. It all looked good and appetising. I strode but retreated quickly as I realised I didn't have enough money.

I sighed, drooping my shoulders and started to walk again when suddenly a man shouted angrily, "Stop that kid!"

The voice startled me and so I turned back. Right as I turned, a young boy bumped into me, resulting in him being caught by the man when the two of us off guardedly flopped on the dirty ground.

"I got you." The man snarled as he tugged the hand of the young boy in force.

My hands were embracing the boy, so as the man forced to get him, I interfered though the young boy seemed unaffected.

"What are you doing? Hands off!" I reproof as I beat his hand. "You are a big man, but you are bullying a kid."

"Bullying? He stole fried chicken from our stall." The man yelled. His face was twisting in anger. 

I glimpsed down to the boy who was still in my arms. He was also looking at me, holding the said stolen fried chicken.

His hazel eyes met mine and the meekness of it touched my heart. 

He ate again, without letting go of his stares. Weird, my heart ached as I watched him eat like he never had for a long time.

"Little Bro, stop eating that." I snatched the fried chicken leg from his mouth without his awareness.

"Sister, give me that." He cried, wagging from my arms. 

"No. You can't eat this anymore. Look, it's dirty." 

"I don't care. Just give it to me. Please."

His begging voice hit me which made my eyes shed tears.

"s**t! Give me the kid." The man shouted again as he drew in to grab the boy. But I was quick to dodge his hand.

"Are you crazy? He was just a kid. Why act like he stole a precious treasure from you."

"That was our thing. No need for you to interfere." He gritted his teeth in anger. 

We were like in a ring of cockpit where neighboring vendors surrounded us, whispering nonsense things randomly to each other.

-"They must be siblings."

-"She might be his accomplice."

-"Beat them."

They said, and so on. I was shocked when they grabbed a bucket of foul water and splashed it to us. Something that was being used to wash stained dishes. 

I crouched, hugging the boy tightly as I blocked the water to make sure he wouldn't get wet. 

Anger aroused me but I was powerless. My fists clenched as I yelled, "Stop it. It was just a single piece of food. Can't you be generous for this poor boy? Is that piece of chicken worth hurting us?" 

I glared at the man as I opened my purse, took a 100 peso paper bill and threw it towards him. "f**k off your face out my sight."