Chapter 20: The West Coast

The West Coast is just five minutes away from my apartment by bus. I arrived there at three o’clock in the afternoon and the bar was still closed. I pushed the door open and the creaking soind echoed in the first floor.

The first time I came here to apply was at night. The place was packed with people so I couldn't see the spaciousness of the place. Now that it's empty, and the surroundings is well-lit by the sunlight coming from the windows, the clean and aesthetic mood of the surroundings was visible in every corner. It's cozy atmosphere enveloped my sight as I lingered near the counter.

“Ms. Ramirez?” A soft, calm voice echoed in the walls. I turned and saw Sarah, the female owner of the bar whom I applied to.

She greeted me with a cheerful smile which I immediately returned. She gestured her hand at one of the empty tables. We headed there and she pulled out a chair for herself which I did the same.

“I believe I already told you everything that a manager needs to do when you apply here, sweetheart.” She beamed and interlocked her fingers and placed her hands above the table.

I nodded and smiled shyly. *The manager will only overlook how things are going during business hours. I won't be required to go and meet the customers, unless I choose to or a customer has some concern that needs my presence. There's also a small cubicle for the store manager where I’ll be checking the daily revenue.

I was already signing the employment contract before I knew it. Then, Sarah toured me inside and oriented me on the things I needed to learn before officially starting working here.

“Take this, honey.” She extended a white envelope to me.

“What’s this?” I trailed off. I opened it after she just smiled at me as a reply.

My eyes widened when I saw a bunch of cash lying inside. “Take it as your advance payment.” She looked at the envelope I’m holding. “Student life is hard, I know you need that so just take it.” She nodded.

My grip tightened at the paper envelope. My eyes glistened with tears as I bid her my goodbye.

**You:** *Jam, am I still welcome at the booked suite by the girls for tomorrow?

*Jam added you to the group chat.

**Iris:** *My goodness girl, I was afraid you weren't coming!

**Grace:** *Exactly!

**You:** *I’m sorry, guys. I was just able to decide now. So, am I still welcome?

**Sophia:** *Why are you still even asking that? Duh!

I chuckled reading our conversations as I rolled in my bed. Finally, I could breathe and put my mind to rest about my upcoming tour. It has been bugging my mind since it was announced to us by our professor. I acted as if it doesn't affect me in front of the four girls but it actually occupies a big portion of my mind.

An unforeseen amount of money came my way, making me able to join the tour which plays a very big important role in defining my final grades as a college graduating student.

“I thought you weren't coming.” Shan followed me as I made a turn to the snacks section.

I agreed to go shopping with him as I was going to the supermarket as well.

“Something made me change my mind.” I shrugged.

“Well, I guess the travel fee that I paid at the registrar's office won't be wasted.” He grinned.

I looked at him. “You paid for a travel fee?”

“Yes.” He looked down at me and nodded. “It was your travel fee for the tour.”

My brow raised and I felt my forehead skin creasing. “W—why would you even do that?”

He shrugged, “Because I knew you wanted to come,” he said as if the amount he paid for me was just some loose change in his wallet, “but you seemed hesitant to go so I made things easier for you to decide.”

I looked at him in disbelief. He just smiled and shrugged. “I can't pay you now.” I flatly said before putting my attention on the displayed snacks on the shelves.

“I don't need you to pay me this instant. Just enjoying this tour will be enough of a payment. At least I know my money was worth someone else's happiness.” I looked at him but he seemed immersed in picking a flavor of a bag of chips he's looking at from the opposite shelf.

“Thanks.” I looked down and sighed. “I’ll be sure to repay you for everything.”

“Suit yourself.” A bag of chips crunched as he picked them out of the shelf.

He went near me, “Haven't you picked out yet?”

I grabbed the first thing I saw, dropped it on the shopping cart hanging on my left hand. I nodded and headed straight to the counter where Shan followed me. He dropped me home and I immediately packed the things I’ll be bringing tomorrow.

As I zipped closed my trolley bag, I couldn't help but to think of Fire. It's been weeks ever since I last saw him. A bit of my curiosity makes me wonder how he is right now. *Did he also feel bad about our argument? During these weeks that we haven't seen each other, did he even feel a bit guilty? Was he also unable to sleep and eat well everytime he remembered what happened between us?* I wonder if he has forgotten about me already. Forgotten about our stupid contract. **Has he already found a new girl to replace my role in his life already?