Reluctance!
“ Why does he hate us so much? Why is he making our lives miserable like this?” Sarah wondered as she watched the dishes along with Jennifer.
…
( What she said is reasonable. Why is he still making life harder for them? Shouldn’t he be satisfied after taking this family’s joy away?)
Sarah and Jennifer finished washing the dishes and joined Lucas and Mrs. Evangelina for the restaurant’s closure.
An hour later at the Esperanza Residence—-----------
At the dining table, Jennifer and Lucas noticed how unsettled Mrs. Evangelina and Sarah were. They were worried and anxious and were staring into space.
“ Are you thinking about Martin Kyung’s act? Is that the reason why you’re not eating?” Lucas asked the mother and daughter duo.
…
“ Thinking about him all day won’t change a thing. Instead of worrying about what might be going through his mind, you should eat. After all, you can’t think with an empty stomach”. Lucas said in addition.
…
“ Our sales are rising day after day. Business is finally booming again and yet, something is missing to make this moment and happiness complete. We’re eating happily here and on the other hand, who knows whether my beloved son has eaten anything today or not”.
…
“ If you’re that worried, why don’t you go check on him?” I broke the silence as I said to Mrs. Evangelina and her daughter in a straightforward tone.
“ Go check on him? What do you mean?” Mrs. Evangelina asked although she knew the significance of my words.
“ You’re worried about your son and little brother, are you not? Instead of staying here and worrying yourself over his safety, wouldn't it be better to go and see how he’s doing?” I made my point across to both of them.
…
“ How can we just go and see him just like that?” Sarah said with uselessness in her tone.
…
“ Don’t worry about the restaurant! I’ll be in charge of it while you’re away. Go and visit your family without worrying about anything else”.
“ But?”
“There are no buts! You’re worried sick about him and being in that state, you won’t be of any usefulness at the restaurant. It wasn’t an easy job to obtain such high sales after so long. You wouldn’t want it to go to waste, right?”
“ It’s good that you’re thinking of our wellbeing, but how can we let you manage everything on your own?”
Sarah and Mrs. Evangelina were reluctant. They were having second thoughts about going to see Louis. What Lucas said next helped solve their reluctance and uselessness.
“ She’ll be fine! You shouldn’t hesitate as you’re doing now. Think about Louis for a moment! Think about the hardships he must be going through each day while you’re here having second thoughts as to whether to go see him or not?”
…
“ He hasn’t seen his family in like forever. If I were in his shoes, I would be very lonely. Family is everything and you shouldn’t take it for granted”. Lucas expressed himself with assertiveness in his tone.
…
“ You’re right, Lucas! Louis must be missing us terribly. I can’t imagine what it must be like for him. We shouldn’t hesitate anymore and go see him this instant”.
“ We’ll leave the restaurant in your care tomorrow”. Mrs. Evangelina handed me the Esperanza Restaurant’s keys.
“ Leave everything to me!” I said confidently.
The following morning, Mrs. Evangelina, Sarah, and Lucas set to go to Louis while Jennifer got herself ready to go to the restaurant.
“ Good luck with everything today!”
“ Likewise!”
After wishing each other good luck, we went our separate ways. I arrived at the Esperanza Restaurant no later than twenty minutes after my departure.
( I’m all alone today. It won’t be an easy task to care for all the customers but, I’ll give it my one hundred percent today).
At the same time, on the road to go see Louis, Sarah asked Lucas a forwarded question.
“ Do you know where we’re going?”
“ Don’t worry! Jennifer gave me the localization of your brother’s whereabouts, so I know exactly where he is”. Lucas replied with confidence.
“ Thank you, Lucas!” Mrs. Evangelina jumped into the conversation.
“ Why in the world are you thanking me?” Lucas inquired inquisitively.
“ I’m thanking you for everything you’ve done and are doing for us. We didn’t ask for your help but, you’re helping us anyways. Thank you!” She expressed herself gratefully.
“ You know something, Mrs. Evangelina!”
???
“ Nothing is free of charge in this world. Us helping you out isn’t for free”. Lucas said assertively.
…
The atmosphere got tense and awkward. After walking for a while, they got nearer to the abandoned house where Louis was being held captive.
“ We’ve arrived at our destination but before we go any further, I must warn you about something”. Lucas got all serious.
“ What is that?”
“ What you’ll see there might be upsetting. You might even not be able to stand it but—---------”
“ But?”
“ No matter what you see, you must keep your calm at all times and you're not to act recklessly”. He said assertively.
“ We won’t act recklessly nor take unnecessary actions”. Mrs. Evangelina and Sarah gave their words to Lucas, promising to follow his instructions.
“ Let’s go then!”
In less than a minute, they were in front of the abandoned house. Mrs. Evangelina and Sarah’s hearts were palpitating nonstop.
“ Louis is inside that house! My baby is being held captive in such a place!”
“ Why did Martin choose such a place?” Sarah aimlessly wandered.
“ Because it’s isolated from everything. He chose a hideout no one would ever suspect; a deserted place where no one will ever land”. Lucas’s response followed.
…
Mrs. Evangelina and Sarah looked through the window and what they saw left them puzzled.
“ Kid, eat this to fill your empty stomach”. A man bought food for Louis.
“ I’m not hungry”. Louis said reluctantly.
“ How much longer are you going to keep this up? You haven’t had anything for days”.
“ I’m not hungry”.
Outside, Mrs. Evangelina and Sarah let out emotional tears. Lucas watches them silently.
“ I wasn’t expecting this. I thought for sure they were starving him but what we’re witnessing is the complete opposite”.
“ They give him high-class quality food every day, so why isn’t he eating anything”. Sarah wanders aimlessly as she watches her younger brother through the window.
…