Chapter Two

"We'll give you a call." The man sitting in front of her said. Ruby has gone through different places just to find a job. Every time she sees a hiring sign, she immediately goes in to ask for details. She thinks there's nothing she can't handle. Mopping the floors, cleaning corners, wiping tables, arranging items, and maybe even being a cashier. She had spent her life being a cashier at the shop, there's nothing different.

But everywhere she goes, she's being rejected.

Some rejected her because she's a girl.

Ruby sat on the swing of the park, rocking herself back and forth. She didn't have any hopes left. As she tries to take deep breaths, she caresses the necklace that Bob gave her yesterday.

[ "Oh, by the way, I have this. Your guardian, Blake Collins, gave me these before he left you with me. He even gave me the key to your apartment and told me that he's prepared you for adult life." Bob said before revealing a box containing a necklace.

It has a heart-shaped pendant but it looks like it can be connected to another pendant to form the full shape.

"I thought you gave me the apartment keys...?"

"No... but he told me to not tell you until you're old enough to understand." Bob said before letting out a short sigh.

"Bob! Let's go. My wife already wants me back home."

"Alright. Goodbye Ruby. Take care of yourself, alright?" ]

The girl continued fondling the pendant while a tear rolled down her cheek. Immediately wiping them off, she lets out a shaky breath.

"I can't give up now. I promised Mr. Webb that I'll take care of myself."

***

It's been 3 days since she started looking for places to apply to. No one wanted to accept her even though she showed them that she's qualified for it.

It's already 7:50 PM and she just got back from roaming the area for a job. A lot of her money has been consumed by transportation fees but she gained nothing from it. She stands in front of the house, placing her head against the door.

"Tomorrow will be different... tomorrow will be different... tomorrow will be- fuck..." Ruby cursed as she slammed her head against the wooden door.

She twists the knob open to enter the place but she feels a presence right behind her.

"Hey, Ms. Collins?"

"O-oh, Mrs. Snee... what brings you here?"

"I'm not really sure how to bring this up to you, I came here 2 days ago but I saw you leaving for a job hunt?" Elise Snee asks as she tilts her head at the girl. Ruby sighed and nodded her head.

"The donut shop closed... so I'm in a really tight spot now."

"Oh... poor thing... w-well... I'm here to ask for this month's payment...? Is it ready?" Elise asks as she purses her lips. Ruby felt tears welling up at the corner of her eyes again.

"N-no, Mrs. Snee... it isn't... I don't even have a job yet."

"W-well... uhm... you know... can we get that settled within this week? My nephew wants to occupy the place. They want to renovate it. He just got married, ya know." Elise said while giggling at the announcement. Ruby could feel her stomach crawl up her throat.

"H-how about m-me...? M-mrs Snee... I'm in a really heavy situation right now... I-i can't pay within this week...! W-where am I going to stay??"

"Well, I'm giving you until Saturday."

"That's tomorrow!"

"Ruby, there are other places. You know... cheaper options? You can get those." Elise says before sighing. She then walks back to her car to leave.

Ruby follows her with her eyes.

She couldn't believe it. Why is everything going downhill? She just lost her job... she can't get another one within this week... and now she's losing a place to stay.

Rushing inside she crouches down, not bothering to stop her tears from rolling down her cheeks.

"Tomorrow will be different... t-tomorrow... ugh! Tomorrow is nothing different!"

***

"We're here, sir." The driver announced before the man sitting in the backseat sighed.

"I've reserved a parking spot, Mr. Ruiz will be showing you the way." The man said before stepping out of the car. The cold evening breeze gently caresses his face as he walks towards the entrance of the place.

As the waiter saw him, he immediately offered to show him where the reserved spot was. Before he could even see the person he was supposed to meet, there was a commotion inside the restaurant.

"I spent 5,000yuk in this place! Why can't I indulge myself?!"

"Ma'am... you're really drunk..." The waitress said as she tried to grab the bottle from the girl's hands.

"What's going on here?"

"I apologize for the disturbance, sir. She's not leaving... she's already really drunk... she's had 3 bottles and she asked for another..." The girl explained while clutching the tray in her hands. The man sighed before sitting on the chair in front of her.

"Hey...! I never requested company! I requested another bottle!"

"What is your name?"

"H-huh? What's it to you?" The girl questioned before trying to stand up. Just as she was about to fall, the man tried to grab her hand only to miss the timing. The drunk woman fell on the floor, hitting her head against the chair behind her.

"I-i... c-can't walk! W-world... spin..." The girl mumbles as she crawls towards the exit of the restaurant.

"Mr. Moores, where are you going? You still have a meeting to attend to..."

"Cancel it." He says before following the crawling girl outside. Just as she was about to crawl to the street, he grabs her by the collar and drags her to the side of the road.

As the man was about to lecture the female, he heard sobbing. She rolls onto her back, tears in her eyes, she didn't even try to conceal her sobs anymore. He could tell that she was hurting.

"W-why... why are the heavens against me...!" The girl yells out. People were stopping to look at them, but she didn't know. All she could see was a swirling universe and her problems bugging her at the back of her head.

She continues to rumble about everything. About her guardian who vanished, about her most treasured donut shop getting destroyed, about her landlord being inconsiderate, and about her life falling apart. She kept going on and on and she spoke through a cracked voice.

"What's your name?"

"R-ruby... R-ruby Collins..." She softly said, losing breath from all the talking.

"Take her inside the car for me."

"Y-yes, sir."