8 Chapter 8

The words "Kofiyate Cafe" were words Edmund haven't heard of in a long, long time.

He had worked part-time as waiter there during his stint in high school, being a poor student from the countryside after all. He needed to make a living for himself and pay for his future tuition fees somehow. That was before the manager introduced him to the filming crew that just happened to stop by for coffee, about 3 or 4 months before the r*pe accusations. Then, he entered the set, debuted as the supporting male lead in a major blockbuster (which did wonders on his resume) and received the full scholarship. Life was competently overturned... until the incident sent everything spiralling back the wrong way.

Anyhow, Edmund was eternally grateful to the store manager for giving him the opportunity that almost changed his life around. In the very beginning, it was also her who hired him, allowing him to continue schooling in the city. At the time on the set and the shooting of the film began, he was so busy he hadn't even gotten the opportunity to say a word of thanks, or leave a notice that he'd be out of work. It was now nine months later, and he looked like a crude ball of fat that just crawled out of the slums. Would she, or any of his fellow employees, allow him to get back to his post?

The potential, imaginary jeers and sneers he would receive or the complaints from customers didn't bother Edmund as much as he thought it would. However, the thought of Abriel bearing the brunt of things did. Although he had no experience with parenting, Edmund knew he that shouldn't leave a baby unattended for hours on end, but he had no money to hire a babysitter at home or send her to a daycare. Even the thought of that irked him, leaving her alone to a stranger. He would have to look after her at work. Edmund hoped the things the voice in his mind said wouldn't manifest in reality. He wouldn't be able to handle it.

The insecurities were daunting. To Edmund, going out and interacting with real, actual people suddenly seemed so difficult when it never had been.

[Host's hesitation is understandable. Shall the system read out the rewards for this mission?]

Edmund didn't understand the reason why the system wanted to, but he clicked the holographic [Yes] in front of him anyways.

[Issued Mission]

[Return to Kofiyate Cafe and secure a part-time position] (0/1)

[Rewards: Dreamweaver, Beginner-level Singing Skill]

"Singing skills," Edmund stared at the text. "Dreamweaver? What's this, system?"

[In host's early years, you wanted to be an idol. In high school, you wanted to be an actor. But even in the the darkest of times, your dreams never have changed—your dreams of becoming an all-around superstar.]

[The Dreamweaver, as it's names suggest, will weave the knots of fate for your reckoning. Host, the system shall be as blunt as possible. Your past self has failed, considerably, in achieving your dreams. You shall make amends in Kofiyate Cafe, that granted you the opportunity during and for your past self, and see that it shall grant you the same in your rebirth.]

The ensuing silence that hanged in the air was suffocating for Edmund. Memories surfaced of how he tortured himself. Memories of how he suffered from the torment of escapsim and how miserably impossible... it was for him to give up. He came here with his mother's life-savings and best wishes to make it onto the big screen. Edmund clenched the corners of Abriel's cradle. Today. At the same place, at the same time. 2'o clock. Kofiyate Cafe. He'll try again.

Rustling and running water sounded about behind the bathroom door shut closed. Edmund walked out standing a little straighter. His shoulders were pulled back a little further. His strides were a little firmer. As he headed out the apartment door; a hand on Abriel's cradle and the other hand dragging along the garbage bags, he glanced backwards to this eventful day. It's cleansed state was an epiphany; while Abriel's angelic breathing was purgatory the looming silence. Maybe, just maybe, Edmund was feeling a little braver.

. . .

The cafe was situated near the heart of the city, so after Edmund dropped off the garbage bags and earned another 2 experience points he had a hard time commuting through the rush hour foot traffic. Back in the day, his shift at the cafe was right after class ended. The streets were much tamer then. Edmund turned around at an alleyway and made sure no one was looking before he tapped inventory. The white flash of light was nothing out of the ordinary. He gently draped a tower over the cradle and while it did look out of place, Edmund didn't mind. He hoped Abriel would rest easy. There were two main intersections and a giant fountain park to cross, after all.

Edmund kept his head hung low as he navigated through the shoes of the people, stumbling a bit when they bumped into him. As he waited for the go-to red light turn into green. He found himself shrinking the crowd, he pulled the cradle closer to himself.

The cars roared by. There were other babies crying as their mothers pushed them in their strollers and businessmen, he presumed, dressed in suits who yapped into their phones, complaining about the traffic or trying to get a hold of a taxi or something. There were students that chattered with their friends, and housewives that exchanged grocery bags between their hands. However, Edmund saw no father's and their daughters, no teenager with a child. He found himself pushed forwards and backwards and in all directions as cars beeped and honked from aside. The light turned yellow when a long and loud honk sent Edmund staggering forwards from the back of the line.

As Edmund trekked onward and into the fountain park, he pulled over his hoodie. The easing calmness and the lacking of people was strangely uncomfortable. His steps grew stiff and uninterested, pressing down deep into the grass. The cradle rattled in his hands. Edmund found a nearby bench and quietly sat down. He pulled over the covers to find Abriel stirring awake.

Edmund couldn't tell that the glint in his eyes grew placid. However, he knew he was much happier. There was a bubbly feeling in his stomach and chest, and the colours of the world seemed brighter and clearer. He knew that he wasn't alone, watching Abriel giggle and wave her hands excitedly to the breeze. The blue skies and green grass didn't seem like a far-fetched memory from the past anymore. With weird coincidence, Abriel's cooed. She sounded like she was calling for him. When Edmund leaned down, she pulled back his hoodie.

"Ba! Ba!" Abriel giggled, and pointed up to the painting of clouds.

A thin smile formed on Edmund's lips. He covered the warm rays of light with a hand on his head. The thin wisp of hair tickled his hand as he patted her. Edmund stood up, did a couple if stretches before continuing to what he went out for. "Yeah, Abriel. Enjoying the sunlight isn't so bad after all. Let's go out more sometime. But first—"

The two of them stopped and looked up at the wooden signboard.

"—Papa needs to get a job."