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Mending Lucas Heart|Azelea Avery

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Chapter 3

Aria

I am already at the cafe. Refilling the flavors while making the foam for the frappe.

"A, did you eat yet?" Brent asked me, with the foods in his hands.

"Kinda, I drink café Americano," I said not looking into his eyes; I could feel he was looking at me.

"No, Come on. I'll share it with you." He said while dragging me to the table.

He is not satisfied with my answer.

I thanked him while we are eating. The staffs are allowed to make one drink for free but cakes and other solid are not allowed.

I didn't eat breakfast cause I didn't have extra money to buy food. The last grocery I have in my house is only for dinner.

Getting me out of my thoughts, I heard Brent is calling me.

"A! I am asking you. Are you even here?" He asked shouting playfully.

I narrowed my eyes on him.

"Hey! Don't shout! I am right here." I whispered yell. There are two customers near our tables.

"How much debt you need to pay left?" He asked me.

He knew the debts I am paying because many people are always looking for me to get the payment.

"Mm…thats… $500,000. Left." I said sadly.

"You can do it… If only I am rich, I can help you with that." Brent said sadly.

"No need to. Being you here at my side is enough, Brent. "

"Good to hear. Anything you need I am right here.” I laughed at him. He is so sincere while saying those words.

"Thank you for all and this food."

He nodded.

Just in time, I stood up and heard the door chimes - means someone is coming in.

"Aria Bright?" I heard a middle-age familiar voice.

I knew who it is and I didn't bother to look up. I headed straight to my bag and get the money.

"I'll go back to work," Brent said, heading to the counter.

I walked over to him.

"This is the only money I have sir. I have to pay you next month again." I said politely, handing him the money with my head down.

He got it and I expected him to leave but not. He cleared his throat and I looked up to him.

"I am giving you a chance to pay all the remaining balance next month. I don't need excuses." He said firmly.

“But sir, I…” He cut me off.

"As I said, I don't need any excuses, if you didn't pay for it. I’ll tell you. I will. ruin. you." He threatened.

I nodded and slumped back to the chair. I didn't know what to do or what jobs do I need to do just to earn that big money.

Tears started to pool. What did I do to deserve this?

I heard the door chimes - means another is coming in.

I looked up Leticia and her daughter with smiles on their faces.

I hurriedly wiped the tears before they fall and I smiled forcefully.

Changing my mood.

"Good morning to my beautiful customers " I winked at them causing Leticia to laughed.

"Good Morning, Auntie Aria." Lily greeted politely, hugging me.

"Good Morning Aria" Leticia greeted.

"What do you want to order guys?" I asked, I walked to the counter giving the dishes to Brent.

"Mom, I want Luke's favorite cake. Pretty please." Lily pleaded, giving those puppy eyes.

"Of course Hun."

Leticia looked at me.

"Oreo Cheesecake and water for Lily and café Americano for me please."

So Luke's favorite cake is Oreo cheesecake. Mmm…

I nodded

"Right away Madam," I said, but Leticia give me the -don't-call-me-that-look-.

I chuckled. She is really low key even though she is that rich.

I prepared and served them their orders.

"Anything else you need?" I asked.

"You," Leticia said looking at me.

"Me? I have worked maybe later Leticia." I laughed nervously, why do I feel something?

"Later then. Can we meet at your place? I need to talk about you something." She said suddenly, giving me her puppy eyes.

My house?

"You can but my house isn't that big. If that's ok with you?" I said softly.

"No need to use puppy eyes." I laughed.

"Silly me." She said to herself. "I don't care Aria. If that house is big or small." She said seriously.

"Later then, Gotta work," I said to her and she nodded.

I walk directly to the counter and prepare everything again.

Working in the cafe is 80% washing and cleaning.

I wonder what she is going to talk about. Maybe she is planning a surprise? Maybe she wanted to buy something? or maybe she will ask me to tutor Lily for a month?.

That would be great thou.

I remembered, what would I give to them. I don't have any food in my house or anything to offer.

That's the only dinner I have.

I shake my head getting out of my thoughts. She said just to talk. I don't need to be nervous right?

I laughed inside my head. What's going on with me?

_______________

I just got home. I am hesitant if I should cancel Leticia coming here, but she texted me asking what is my address. I didn't notice myself that I replied texting my address.

I didn't need to clean and I just tidy up because I don't like messy and dirty things.

I didn't have anything or money to buy food. I am feeling embarrassed about it. I only have coffee to offer.

I took a shower and waited for Leticia to come. I was sitting at bed waiting for her. I don't know if she and Lily would come.

I own this house. The time I didn't know the debt before I have saved and buy this house but after some time finding out that my foster dad has debts. They run after me leaving me no choice but to pay for it. Things I dreamed goes down.

There's a knock interrupting my thoughts. I hurriedly walked to the door to open it.

"Aria," Leticia said with food in her hands.

"Leticia. Come on get in."

I helped her with the foods she was holding and put it in the table.

She told her driver to get back here when she text.

I prepared the food. She brought some fries and fried chicken with rice.

"Your house is so cozy. I feel at home when I entered. Seriously." She complements.

"Thank you for that. It is really home for me "

"Let's eat first so we can talk straight after." She said.

"Sure. Thank you for bringing food. You didn't have too." I said softly.

"Nah. Don't need to. Just eat Aria." She dismissed.

Meanwhile, we are eating.