The Beginning

" Here's your change, Miss"

"Thank you" Aimee said as she took the change and exited the cab.

It was her first day at work and all she could think about was getting into her office and requesting for a cup of coffee. The air was warm and Monday's morning sun always made her glow. Aimee had always dreamt of being a banker. She had never thought it would be a reality till today. She never believed that despite all the traumatic events from her past, she would be in front of the bank as a new employee>>>>>>>>

Aimee had a rough time growing up, though she believes that there are other people whose childhood was worse than hers.

Years back she had lost her parents when she was sixteen years on their way to her Dad's hometown-New Orleans to visit her granny. A truck had collided with their car and she was the only one who survived the incident. She had barely survived the accident as she was left with a broken limb and severe injuries . She was hospitalized for months and her bills paid by her Dad's lawyer as he was the one who had access to her Dad's remaining properties and assets.

The hospital bills were so high that all her Dad's savings was not enough, so they had to sell all her Dad's properties to be able to complete the bill. Being an orphan at sixteen was never one of Aimee's imaginations. She got discharged from the hospital weeks later and had to stay with her grandma in New Orleans as she was the only relation she had left.

Mrs Martha, Aimee's grandmother had taken it upon herself to cater for Aimee's education and needs but unfortunately, Mrs Martha fell ill and was diagnosed with type two diabetes because she was going through a lot of stress at seventy trying to take care of little Aimee.

So it was upon Aimee to take care of her education, needs and her grandma's needs and drugs. She had ventured into so many legal jobs to be able to raise enough money for her to go to college and get her grandmother's medicine.

After working so hard for months, she finally realized enough money to pay her college fees but couldn't go to college as she couldn't leave her ill granny behind.

Aimee continued her numerous jobs instead of going to college in order to take care of Mrs Martha as she was the only family she had left. Mrs Martha was so worried about Aimee's education, so she had lie that she was getting better and pleaded with Aimee to go to college as she was already getting better. Aimee disagreed at first but after some pressure from her granny, she paid her college fees and started schooling.

She was yet to turn eighteen when she got into college. Adapting was not easy on Aimee as she had not been in school for such a long time. She was still three weeks into college when she received a call from the hospital about her granny's health. Aimee knew her grandma wouldn't want her to do anything stupid for her sake but she did as she had to quit college to be able to take care of her grandma again.

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" Aimee my dear... Don't worry about me" her grandma would always say.

But Aimee never listens, her grandma was her all. She couldn't bear the thought of loosing her or anything at all happening to her. Aimee knew she had to work more to earn much money for the hospital bills. She had stopped some of her jobs when she got into college in order to focus but now she needed them and more.

Fortunately for her, she was hired in a bar as a bartender where she also cleaned as well for extra pay.

"Ma, I made two hundred dollars yesterday"

“ Aimee my dear, go back to school. Everyone dies someday, so maybe my someday is near" Mrs Martha said coughing slowly.

" I'll pay your bills and you will get treated and discharged from the hospital before I go to college. You know they've been patient enough as I've been paying in installments but I guess they'll soon run out of patience and kick you out of the hospital"

" How...much is the bill?"

"Over a hundred thousand dollars and rising daily. Ma, don't worry I'll pay it up even if it's a million...I will, I promise and you'd be able to come back home." Aimee said as she pecked her grandma who had already closed her eyes to sleep. She carefully stood up to leave the ward quietly in order not to wake her and headed for the reception hall.

Aimee couldn't leave the hospital, she couldn't head home because it was so lonely. She didn't have anywhere else to go to,no friends. Ever since the accident, she had lost in touch with most of her friends, if not all. She needed somewhere to pour her heart out in tears. She was just 17, where would she get over a hundred thousand dollars from before time runs out?

She spotted an empty seat in the reception and sat down. She kept on thinking as she cried silently as well. She couldn't control her tears again. As it flowed down her face and she wiped it off with her palms consistently.

" God, My Grandma believed in you, she did nothing wrong. Why this? " She whispered to herself as she kept on crying.

" Miss are you okay?" A thick masculine voice called out to her. " Here, if you wanna cry out at least have a clean handkerchief to clean up your tears"

" Thank you" Aimee said collecting the clothing to wipe her tears and swollen eyes as the man who gave it to her, sat beside her,

" I'm Joe"

" Aimee"she said adjusting away from the man.

" Nice to meet you, Aimee. How's your Grandma holding up?" “I'm not a stalker though" he said smiling to her as she tried to return his smile.

" You work here?? Please you guys should give me more time. I'll pay back I promise. I'm just seventeen but I'll find a way... I'll pay the bills before you know it...please don't kick my Grandma out of the hospital" Aimee pleaded as hot tears welled in her eyes all over again.

"Hey, stop. It's okay, it's fine" Joe said as he tried to console her,

"Shhh" he said as he gave her a warm hug to console her,

" She won't be kicked out, I promise. So stop crying okay?"

" Thank you so much" Aimee said as she let go from the hug,

" I promise, within weeks I'll pay up our debt" Aimee added

" Don't worry about that too...you are just seventeen. I'll handle it all, okay? "

"Why? Why are you kind to me? Why are you helping my Ma"

" I don't know. Probably because crying doesn't suit you. You are supposed to be doing something else than crying"

" Thank you so much...I don't know how to thank you enough. I promise to pay you back for your kindness" Aimee responded as she cleaned her eyes again.

She didn't really want his help but she had no choice. She made up her mind to pay him back. Aimee just wanted her Grandmother's health to be stable.

" Its fine, so I'll drop you off or you can walk home yourself, which I doubt. Or probably you would like to eat something cause I'm starving as well"

" So many options, I think I might go for all. But, it's past my dinner time and I need to head home to sleep so I'd wake up early tomorrow." Aimee said as she looked at Joe suspiciously.

" Oh true. What college are you in? I guess you don't want to be late for classes."

" Well I mean, wake up early for work "

" You don't have classes tommorow or what. Are you not in college? Or Maybe you don't want to go to college...other ambitions?"

" Too many questions... it's a long story. But don't bother I'm good. You've helped me enough and I'm already indebted to you."Aimee said as she was really getting uncomfortable with the questions.

"For what?"

"Making me happy and helping with the bills. I never thought I'd be this happy today or ever"

" Well, the pleasure is all mine and also thank you too"

"Why?"

" Well...for accepting my offer to help with the bills and uhmm making me see such a beautiful smile from a sore face" Joe teased,

" And also for accepting my offer to drop you off" Joe said and immediately stood up from the bench taking Aimee's bag with him and walking towards the hospital exit.

" I didn't even accept your offer yet" Aimee said as she stood up to get her bag back.

" it's late so it seems you accepted my offer" Joe said aloud as he was already in the garage and Aimee was way behind.

"Hey..wait!!"