Chapter 3

It was the worst day of her life…

Juvie could swear that whatever higher being that was watching her last night. Found it amusing to set a course of obstacles for her today as she walked her way to work in the rain. She had managed to sleep in and was 30 minutes late.

Almost instantly when she began her walk, it started pouring rain. It didn't matter, at least she would get to see Sin again at her work. She can have a nice warm cup of tea with him as they watch the rain outside the window. She could already in-vision the perfect 'date' for rainy weather and her job was the perfect place to relax and watch enjoy it.

~~

She had always had a crush on Sin since their first meeting. Sin was labeled as the 'Ice Emperor' since he was always so focused on his studies to acknowledge 'dating'. That's why she found herself blessed when they suddenly sat at a table together and began talking. The next thing she knew, she had becoming his friend and Study Buddy…

But that's all she ever was to him and ended at that…

Her mother had suffered a heart attack later on that year which proved to burden her household more with the bills. She chose to drop out of college right after that year as she said goodbye to Sin and began helping her siblings and parents.

Thankfully, her mother recuperated and her little brothers weren't so little anymore so she decided to leave home after 4 years. At 24 and single, she never felt so free and happy in her life working at the cozy coffee shop the last 2 years… she loved her life so far.

With a sudden change of scenery, her trance was broken as she bumped shoulders with a tall guy. She looked up but regretted it as rain fell on her face stinging her eyes. Rubbing fiercely, she felt the rain stop as she looked up again to see the person she bumped shoulders with holding a umbrella for her.

"Oh thank you-"

"Don't thank me and take the dumb umbrella.. you shouldn't be day dreaming on a busy sidewalk unless you want to kill yourself.."

Juvie ticked off at the strangers rude comment. Was shoved a umbrella into her hands as the guy walked away pulling up his hoodie over his cap. Juvie couldn't get a good look at his face since he was wearing a mask. But she was sure, she could bet that he was probably sporting a smug look on his face when he said those words.

She sighed in defeat as she ignored the basterd and kept walking in the direction to her job.

"What a rude but thoughtful person.."

~~

Scolded again. She was sent back to change her clothes to dry ones. Finishing changing in the locker lounge, she put on a apron as she got ready to work. She was reminded of her new update she had to inform Tina about. But missed her chance as Tina brought a list of applications she received early that morning.

"Okay! Jovie, I have gone over all the applications and interviewed some of the new employees that applied today in the morning before you came in.. 'LATE'…"

Jovie scratching her cheek in a sweat drop at being late. Took a peek at some of the files place infront of her.

"Why are you letting me choose this time Tina??" Suspicious, Jovie saw her best friend smile as she hand picked 3 resumes from the files.

"I interviewed these 3 today who are hard working and males. I made sure they aren't jerks or perverts that would hit on their fellow coworker. Now, I need you to choose one that you feel comfortable. So like this, you can't come out telling me that I have a bad eye for employees that are rude, arrogant bastards.."

"Wait… are you saying that.. the new employee.." No, Jovie already hated having to work with new employees. Don't tell her that..

"Yes, i want you to pick one that I will have you train the newbie for 2 weeks and right away after become your official partner, coordinator, SweetHeart<3" Jovie finally snapped as she had to lean against something for her to not fall. She swore she was gonna be Tina's partner right?

"But- I thought the newbie was going to be franks new partner.."

"Oh, no no no. Frank is my morning shift partner."

"Since when??!"

Since a few days back, he wanted to spend time more with his family. And You know he has a newborn now so.. it's hectic right now for him." True, it wasn't always easy to raise a family. Jovie stayed silent as she looked over the resumes but a question popped into her head now.

"Then, if you are working mornings, Why are you here right now?"

"Ahh… well.." Jovie saw Tina leaned against a counter next to her as she took a breath in.

"I'll be honest, your mom called me a few days ago.. and she said she had a bad feeling of you working alone these afternoons. So she asked me to walk you home after work or at least accompany you for these extra few hours.."

Jovie never was angered by her parents or never had ill feelings towards them. But one thing was watching out for your kids and another was watching their every move. That's why she had left home as soon as the bills for the hospital were paid off. It was becoming suffocating having her father ask when she's going back to college and her mother complaining about her never finding someone to marry… it was all too much for her..

"Tina, is this why your so invested in getting another employee?" Already disappointed, she watched Tina nod her head as she noticed Tina's dark circles under her eyes. Since when has Tina been doing overtime to keep her company? How could she never noticed till now…

Angered now, Jovie looked back at the resumes. Jack, Tomas, and.. Winter.. all were the ages of 28, 29, and 27. And, one of them was a college drop out? Intrigued she picked up the college drop out as she read the name of the resume. Winter Elster, 27, dropped out 7 years ago from a good Cal state college and wow, has experience in handyman work, delivery boy, and a math tutor?? As she continued to read more about the resume, the paper vanished as Jovie saw her friend take a look at the resume as she smiled brightly.

"Oh! He's actually a pretty shy guy you know? I met him a few minutes before you came in. He was very tall and respectful guy. So? Are you choosing him?"

Sighing in defeat, Juvie nodded as she watched her friend spin in happiness as she grabbed the phone to contact the person.

"No takesie backsies, okay?" With a last confirmation. Juvie smiled finally as she hugged her best friend from her neck.

"Yes, No takesie Backsies.."

With that Juvie had forgotten about Sin for the rest of the day as she helped Tina to thank the other applicants but they were not hired.. she remembered when she was on that other end which stirred some unwanted memories…

~•~

Feeling terrible, she asked Tina to not walk her home now that she knew her mother was the culprit. Tina assured her it was not a big deal. But respected Juvie's request as she walked her half-ways before getting a cab to go home.

The both waved goodbye as Juvie finally arrived home. At her door of her apartment, she fiddled with the cold keys that stung her warm fingers a bit. She noticed now how cold it's been getting lately as she dropped the umbrella the stranger had given her.

"Ugh!! Why did I even bring this thing home!!"

"Pfft! Bring what home?"

Suddenly surprised, Jovie dropped her keys as she got into a fighting stance. Sin laughed harder now seeing Jovie look like a strange monkey trying to attempt a karate attack.

Jovie blushed madly as she fixed herself as she grabbed the umbrella and keys from the floor as she sighed once again.

"Sorry Sin, I just had a bad day at work today.." Sin intrigued now, decided to repay the hospitality Jovie gave him as he opened his door to his apartment wider.

"Would you like to come in for a bit to talk about it over some warm tea?" Jovie thanking which ever god she prayed to today, nodded her head as she rushed quickly inside of Sin's apartment.

~~

Once inside, she saw how very empty it was. Or maybe that was the type of style he liked but all that there was a dining small table with two chairs, a kitchen, a desk with a rolling chair and finally a room where she guessed is where he slept in.

Feeling warmer already, she decided to peel off the thin sweater she had on today as she sat at the dining table. Sin came soon after with two mugs with some nice warm chamomile tea.

"Mm! Is that chamomile?" Juvie asked as sun nodded and took his seat across her.

"It sure is, a colleague of mine introduced it to me a few years ago."

"Oh, that seems nice."

A awkward silence presented themselves again as Juvie felt a bitter sting in her heart. She shouldn't get jealous over this.. it's none of her business anyways..

"How about you then? Why was today such a bad day for you?" Sin asked as he unconsciously leaned back in his chair like how he would do when interrogating criminals.

"Ah! It was a bad day because I over slept~ I even slept early to get a good start."

"Mm I see, then what else happened?"

"Hm?" Jovie confused whether Sin knew what had happened or if he was asking her for more details. She brushed it off as she continued her rant about her morning of how it started raining hard and how she was late to work.

Sin starting to think about the case he was working on almost failed to stay focused on what Jovie was going on about until he heard something strange about her story.

"Yeah, then I had bumped into a strange guy who was wearing a mask and cap that gave me this umbrella out of nowhere.. ungrateful brat, told me 'don't thank me for the stupid umbrella and take it!'"

"Wait, is this where you got this umbrella from?" Sin asked as he stood up to get the umbrella to inspect it. Juvie nodded as she watched Sin grab it with a napkin as he looked at it in different angles.

"Yeah why? Is their something wrong?.."

"No, it seems not.. it seems to be a regular umbrella.. but, Jovie.. next time don't bring things you get from strangers home.. haven't you been watching the news lately?"

A bit worried now, Jovie shook her head as she saw Sin pinch his nose as he sighed.

"Lately theirs been a alarming rate of missing people in the city.. just be careful okay? Don't come home walking alone and try not to walk in dark isolated places.." Sin with a furrowed worried look, Jovie felt touched that he was actually worried about her. She felt warm inside now as she nodded.

"Okay! I will do! Then, I should go home now. Thank you for the tea.." Jovie made her way to the door taking the umbrella with her. But before she could put her shoes on. Sin came passed her as he took a pair of his dressy shoes from the door.

"Here, let's go to your place and put these at your door. It should at least give the impression that someone is with you when you open the door to people.." Jovie feeling her heart beat faster blushed as she nodded and followed Sin to her apartment now as she unlocked her door. See Sin place the shoes next to hers by the door made her feel so happy.

"There we go, if you need anything Jovie. Feel free to call me, I'll try to help or pick you up if you need it."

"Oh no! How could I ever call you?? It's alright my job is like? 2-6 minute walk down the street??? It's alright, thank you though!!" Jovie inwardly scolding herself for being so hard on the rejection. Watched as Sin smiled at her.

"Alright, if you say so.. but my line is always open to you okay?"

"Okay.."

Juvie watched Sin walk back to his apartment now as she noticed he was barefoot. She felt bad for having him come all the way to her apartment to give her his shoes in this cold weather. But as soon as she closed her door she was faced with the long brown dressy shoes.

She kneeled besides them as she covered her mouth with her palm to think what just happened.

"… your shoes look good next to mine, sin.."

She whispered out as she in vision what life could be if she and him began dating.. the feeling itself was so addicting..

maybe things will change this year..