Nerrisa's Past Struggle

"Even though the place was small and the burden of the loan heavy, I still felt excited knowing we wouldn't have to see that animal's face again ever.

The next day, I went out looking for a job to lessen Mom's burden. 

We knew we needed to pay the loan quickly, or the interest alone would kill us. 

But I was too young at that time; no one dared to give a job to me. 

Some even gave me weird looks, asking where my parents were. 

A few days passed like that..."

Nerissa sighed, then continued, "Compared to me, Mom got two jobs.

She worked as a store clerk, then at night as a waiter in a cafe. 

Every day, I saw her return with a tired face, and she still forced herself to smile, saying everything was alright and I should go to school. 

She had already applied for me. 

I'm not stupid, you know. I can count."

Malacai could see Nerissa's burden in her eyes. Unknowingly, he started combing through her golden hair.