Chapter 6

As fragile as a glass, her heart broke when she heard his words. This was the first time... he ever said something like that. Did she hear it right? Her emotionless father, crying... telling her how proud he was of her.

Her father?... The man she loved to death and loathe at the same time? The man who was like sunshine to her life when she was a child and a mountain of ice when she grew older.

Those nights when he would come home smelling horrid because of the alcohol. Thinking she was asleep, the man would weep and mutter his regrets. The man who did not want to show any hint or vulnerability while wallowing in his sorrows.

The man who failed her.

A lone tear fell down her delicate face. As a reaction, her hands reached to wipe it off. To her surprise another fell... She tried to dry the tears but they just wont cease to flow down her cheek.

Panic was written all over his face as she weeps unexpectedly.

Did she hate it?

Their relationship just got better lately but he messed up again.

He was a failure as a father.

And now, he made her cry?

" I'm sorry, I..."

the Eyes of the man slightly widened. The sensation of her warm embrace enveloped his frail body. His body turned rigid from the sudden action of his daughter.

When was the last time, she hugged him like this.?

Ahh, right...

It was back when she was still a child.

"Hey! You're making me cry as well, Papa!"

A hint of tremor was heard from her teasing voice. Nonetheless, it lightened the heavy atmosphere. Clare's father commended her in his mind. She was as bright as always.

" I think we should save the crying for later, Papa. I'm sure we'll be crying from all the work we have to do because of the many customers we'll serve later."

A smile appeared on the middle aged man's face. His cheeks, which were a little bit hollow due to his illness, were once again wet because he couldn't help the joy from pouring out his eyes.

Both the father and daughter separated from their hug and decided to head towards the entrance of the resto where the celebration will take place.

*************

Seven people, followed closely behind Claire. They were her father, her two siblings, Stella and her two other friends.Although they were few in numbers, all of the people present were enthusiastic for the celebration that was about to partake in a few minutes.

"It's almost eight o'clock ."

Everyone's attention was caught by the girl who spoke. Her chinky eyes were full of excitement as she pointed at the wall clock.

"I can't wait to eat a lot of chicken after the opening starts."she added.

" But you already ate a lot last night, Erica."

Claire looked at her younger sister with a raised brow.

" I know but I haven't tried all the flavors yet."

The fourteen year old had a pleading expression. Her older sister just sighed and nodded. There was visible elation on her face when she saw her older sister's approval.

Shaking her head, Claire just regretted how easy it was for her to give in to her younger sister's demands. Although they suffered from poverty, it was evident that her sisters did not suffer much from it.

It was exactly five minutes later that all of them went to the entrance of the restaurant where the ribbon cutting will be held.

Snip!

And just like that Clare cut the red long ribbon in front of her store.

The small crowd which consisted of only the seven of them cheered and applauded the success of the simple ceremony. All of them took turns taking pictures in front of the store.

June, the man holding the camera, couldn't help but smile as he took pictures of Clare's smiling face. He was happy for the achievement of his friend.

All in all, he was happy to have met such an amazing and hardworking individual. She changed his life in so many ways that it changed how he viewed himself.

The first time he met her was about a year and a half ago. They had a common workplace. A fast food chain located near the suburbs.

June was suffering from a huge insecurity which crippled him in all aspects of his life.

He was built rather big...

To put it bluntly, he was very fat.

The main reason why he was always a target for discrimination in their workplace. Furthermore, he was struggling financially. He was not able to finish college which left him no choice but to try to make ends with a job that barely covered his monthly expenses.

His timid attitude became a catalyst for a worse treatment from everyone around him. He was a timid guy, not saying anything though he was often humiliated, insulted, and body-shamed.

But it only took a day for everything to change. He always wondered how a single person ended the bullying he experienced every single day.

Clare, the very first person who defended hm and took his side.

Her actions were subtle at the beginning. Clare was the only person who greeted him during their shifts. Genuinely scolded those who dared to insult him and beat them up when they tried to assert dominance by scaring her. It was mind-blowing when he witnessed the scene.

A small figure beating men who were significantly bigger than her. A fierce glint in her amber eyes would appear whenever she kicked them. Most people would surely suspect her of being an action star. Her moves could only be seen in movies so he was bewildered and though he was hallucinating at that time.

June had the constant thought to tell her to stop. Howevrer, he did not know if it was his black heart which stopped him from doing so. Seeing his bullies getting owned, gave him a sense of satisfaction even if it was made by his own hands.

Still, he was afraid of the implications it might cause to her job. nonetheless, Clare was a brilliant employee. She was polite and efficient with her job and no one owuld ever think with that thin body she was capable of butting heads with people larger than her.