Soared Heart

Neighbors came out of their house curious about the commotion arising in Aubrey's bakery. Some even watched through their windows. No one dared to come close enough to know who Jake had gotten in trouble with. His voice could be heard from within the bakery as he struggled with the men demolishing everything in the store. He couldn't let all his wife's hard work go down the drain. He combated to ensure the men didn't cause as much havoc as they intended to.

While he fought each one of them, a middle-aged man walked in, and behind him were three police officers.

"You can't do this," Jake said to the newcomer. "Please." His eyes were cloudy and he was almost out of breath from all the struggling between him and the invaders. He was bruised all over but he didn't mind, he was more concerned about his wife's bakery.

The man raised his hand ordering his men to halt. "Tell me, do you have the money?"

Jake shook his head. "Give us more time, please."

"You were given two years past the due date." The man chuckles. Then turned to the policemen with him. "Take him away." The cops went over to him and cuffed him.

"You'll be locked up until you provide the money"

"How is that possible?"

"Your daughter will figure it out."

Jake struggled a bit with cops, but they subdued and towed him out of the bakery. Just then, the man and his men left in a black van.

After some neighbors realized the commotion had piped down, they started coming out to observe how much damage was made.

***

Jem walked off the elevator looking miserable. It's another failed interview, it's her third this week, and no company would take her. It's hard to get a job these days with a bachelor's degree.

She rummaged her bag for her phone. She needed to call Arie to come to pick her up cause she had no money left for a cab fare.

"Where the hell are you?" She said as soon as he picked up.

"Easy. My shift just ended." He chuckled.

"I need a ride home."

"I'm guessing you didn't get the job."

"Are you coming or not?"

"Will you chill? I'm on my way."

Jem ended the call instantly. She was trying not to break down right now. She needed a decent job so she can be able to pay her mom's debt. Though she walks a night shift as a bartender, it just isn't enough to settle her bills. She needs a daytime job to earn more. If only anyone was hiring.

Arie arrived fifteen minutes later, she entered the car wearing a long face. She didn't reply to anything he said, she was unduly upset to say anything to him. He got the impression, so he let her be.

They went to the bakery and found the place wholly wrecked. Jem was stunned to find everything a mess. She started gawking at the place with mixed feelings. Arie held her shoulder to soothe her. He could already guess who was behind it but didn't know why they had to go this far.

Daisy wandered in with an empty waste bag. She was stunned to see Jem standing there. She wanted to clean the place up before Jem comes back from her interview.

"Hey, guys."

"What happened?" Arie asked her.

"I found the place like this but I was told some men wrecked the place and arrested your father."

Jem quickly took out her phone from her purse and dialed Matteo while Arie asked Daisy more questions about the incident. She ranged him twice before he finally took her call.

"My dad was arrested."

"Jemima."

"Matt you know I lost my job, my mom's bakery is all I've got. It's all we've got."

"Jemima I can't help you." He blurted before she could continue talking. Her breathing seized for a moment.

"Please I." She managed to stutter.

"Look, meet me at Heaven tomorrow at 8. Then we'll have a decent conversation."

"I don't have..."

"Can you make it?"

"Yeah, I'll be there."

"Good."

"What about my... Dad." He'd already hunged up. She was devastated by all that has been occurring for the past few weeks. It's much worse cause a man she thought understood her was involved in the demolishing of her mother's bakery.

She turned to stare at her friends who look very concerned about her. She swallowed the urge to tear up and told them to help her clean the place up.

It took them hours to finish cleaning up the place. It was almost time for Jem's night shift by the time they were done. Even if Arie dropped her off, she'd still arrive late for work.

Daisy had to go home, she was really tired from all the cleaning.

"Night guys, Jem take care of yourself alright."

Daisy said as she hugged Jem.

"Thanks for all your help," Jem said with bright eyes.

"Please don't."

"Bye Arie." She hugged him next.

"Have a safe ride home."

"I will." She picked up her jacket and left.

Jem looked at her time and realized she might arrive over ten minutes late for work. She was exhausted but needed to work. She has a huge amount of money on her neck. It's not like her night job is going to be of any help but a girl got to do what a girl got to do to survive. It's better than her last job as a janitor in a school.

Arie dropped her off at her workplace. She was looking a bit dirty from working at the bakery all day, if she had gone home to change she'll be over thirty minutes late.

"Thanks for the ride, Arie." She stepped out of his car. "I can't thank you enough."

"You don't have to. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah,"

He rode off while she went on to take over her shift. She met her new friend covering for her.

"Adam?"

"Hey, beautiful." He said while cleaning the counter.

Adam has had a crush on her since the day he first saw her. To him, she was the most beautiful girl in this club with her wavy long black hair that she always ties in a ponytail, and big round dark grey eyes. She's a natural beauty and it shows cause she doesn't have time to apply makeup, just a lip balm to avoid chapped lips, yet she's breathtaking. Her fragile figure was to die for. Adam will do anything for her including covering her shift when she's not around.

She went around the bar tieing her jacket around her waist before joining Adam who watched her wearing a seductive smile.

"You're not even an employee." She told him.

"I don't mind covering up for you for a few hours."

"Does my boss know?"

"No, which means you owe me."

She grabbed the rag he was holding. "I knew you won't choose to work for free."

"My demands are simple, go out with me."

Jem recalls she has a date with Matteo tomorrow night. She needs someone to cover for her.

"Fine. If you agree to take my shift tomorrow."

"Deal." He poured himself a glass of liquor and strolled out of the bar. She smoothed a slight smile. A customer came pointing at one of the drinks on the shelf asking about the price. She jotted out of her dream state and attended to the customer.

The night was long and stressful. She got home very drowsy, it took a lot of effort for her to take off her shoes. Right after that, she slumped onto her bed and fell asleep. The sleep barely lasted for an hour. It's like her mind refused to relax, her dad was still in jail and she hasn't gone to see him. She assured herself that she would see him tomorrow before going to Heaven to meet Matteo.

***