Her Redemption

Chapter 10 – Her little crush

Nia wasn’t aware that Troy visits her mother often. They usually talk a lot, the caregiver noted. They even shared stories to her.

Apparently, Troy’s own mother passed away recently and he’d been missing her. Linda, Nia’s mom, is very motherly. She exudes a warm personality and most people instantly like her.

Nia’s occupied by her job at night, so her schedule doesn’t allow her to meet Troy whenever he comes. When she’s there, Troy would be on the job working. When he’s there, she would be gone to work already.

Mark met him a few times. Lara? Not so much.

Linda did notice the way he would ask about her eldest daughter, Nia. He tried to be subtle about it, but over time, it has gotten obvious.

Linda feels bad for him. Nia’s current schedule hasn’t allowed the two of them to meet. Her current client has his own set of rules, which demand that she comes to him early. With the additional condition which she accepted, she’s getting a higher rate.

Also, he seems like a nice guy. Would he be able to accept Nia’s current situation?

When that arrangement was over and her next client’s conditions were normal, they finally met.

He tried to be chill about it in the beginning. Troy could assume that Linda already knew his intentions and she hasn’t dissuaded him. He took it to mean that she approves.

He coughed, trying to calm himself. Nia seems aloof. Well, they weren’t close to begin with. He only stared at her often when there’s an opportunity, during the time they were still in school and when they were still neighbors.

Nia didn’t seem to notice him. Maybe he was just a simple neighbor and school mate to her. Right now, she doesn’t look interested. She’s treating him like an acquaintance, not quite a friend. Definitely not a potential boyfriend.

She’s still young. She should be going to school this year. But given their family’s situation, he understands that she’s working. He doesn’t know what she does, though. It’s curious that she’s working at night, but he thought it’s because she usually takes care of her mother during the day.

He hasn’t gotten the night shift yet. Maybe then, their schedules would allow them to meet and spend time together.

Truthfully, he doesn’t know that much about her but he’d been interested. For a long time now.

A few months later, their schedules finally worked out.

Linda hasn’t mentioned anything to Nia except Troy’s a good young man. She also related some of the things he told her, about his mother, his family, his job, and the work he does.

Nia knew her mother is worried about her, but this isn’t the time to match-make her with a law enforcement officer. Technically, what she’s doing is illegal and punishable by law.

Her lip twitched at the thought of Troy sending her to prison.

A few times, she was sent outside to buy food and Troy accompanied her. It was just a ploy for them to be together, just the two of them, they both knew it.

Troy started with small talk, just random stuff, superficial things… Nia was prepared to ignore any attempt at flirting or hinting at it.

“Do you also work on weekends? Don’t you get a day off?” Troy is already puzzled by her changing work schedule and couldn’t comprehend not having a fixed one. Also, how is he supposed to ask her out? Well, not directly. He planned to invite her to dinner first or something, then maybe if she likes him, he could ask her out to date.

Well, Nia once had a very organized client who stuck to a schedule they agreed to. That only happened once. The rest always had changing schedules. They’re mostly busy meeting clients, partners, or potential investors or something.

Nia pondered his question. “Currently? I get a day off whenever my boss is out of town. When he’s in and he needs me, I need to show up and do my work.”

Sounds normal, but a little dubious.

“How about a few months ago?”

“I got a new boss.” She simply explained as they walk back to the hospital.

“You got a new job?” Troy frowned.

Nia chuckled, “Oh, no. Same job, different boss. We call our clients boss because we work directly with them. The company acts like a manpower agency or something.”

“I see.” Troy slowly absorbed it.

When he went quiet, Nia had the time to closely look at him. She can’t decide if he looks better with the uniform or with casual clothes like tonight.

He looks very dignified and respectable when he’s in uniform, but he looks younger and approachable with the casual ones.

He grinned when she told him that.

“Good to know, but which one do you like better?”

“Why? You’d wear it when we meet?” She teased, but he actually looked like he’s considering it. He took on a serious look before nodding.

“Oh, no. You look better in casual clothes.” She decided as she lightly laughed. His uniform does make her feel a little unsettled.

Deep inside, she’s afraid of being thrown into prison.

Mostly, they talk about her mother and life in general. Their dreams and their aspirations.

“Are you going to return to school?”

“College? Yes. I’m enrolling this coming semester.”

“What are you going to study?”

Nia already decided on this. “Business management. Hopefully, it’s as easy as they say.”

“What do you plan to do after graduating? Work for conglomerates?”

“Maybe. That’s the last option, though. If I can find a good business to start, which I’ll be good to manage, that would be the best.”

Troy noticed her words. “Aren’t there a lot? You can choose from so many.”

“Oh, no. I’m not good with everything. I wouldn’t be able to deal with many people, employees or customers.” She’s reminded of Camilla. Their current jobs only require them to deal with single clients, and then someone from the management. Nia feels she’s not equipped to deal with many people at once.

Someone took her to a party previously. She acted as an escort then and she didn’t actually like it. So many people, too much noise, she’d seen so many unpleasant expressions… people talking pleasantly in front of others and then mocking them when they leave. She found it both amusing and scary.

She knew she wouldn’t like running a restaurant, or an inn. That’s already something she’s sure about. Anything large scale is also out of the question. She wants something she can personally manage. A little or medium-sized grocery store is what she currently has in mind. In which case, is a degree still needed?

Well, as she told Troy, working for companies is her last resort. If she fails with businesses, she can take her diploma and apply for a 9-5 job. It would offer a sense of security. Hopefully, that won’t happen, though. She’d rather not lose her savings on failed businesses.

“You’re right. Though I say it must be easy since there are so many of them, I haven’t actually tried nor do I plan to.”

“Then, do you plan to keep working until retirement? Don’t you have other plans?”

Troy gave her a curious look. Why does this feel like a question that would measure his worth? Is she looking for a particular kind of guy? Would he lose his chance if he answers differently from her own opinion?

“I’m still thinking about it. Right now, I’m happy with my job. It’s what I wanted since I was a child.”

“You look like you’re going to be a very good policeman. I hope you will keep protecting people from harm and uphold justice.”

“That’s what I plan to do. What I swore to do.”

They reached the hospital by then and they quietly walked through the corridors.

Over the next few weeks, Troy has been unable to invite her out for a movie or a dinner. It seemed hopeless. And then, the time came when she’s free on weekends.

Nia realized how fast time flies. It’s been over two years already since she had the chance to change her future. This is definitely better. Though she sometimes sustains a few bruises from having rough s*x, they were not intentional and a part of the process.

She hasn’t experienced any abuse from the club clients. That’s more than she can ask for. She unconsciously rubbed her arm as some unpleasant memories came to mind. The slaps she received, the way her hair has been gripped… there were a couple of times she’d been pushed around and thrown across the room.

“You alright?” Troy asked when he saw her starting to look pale.

Nia blinked and her mind came back to the present. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You don’t look good. Should we cancel?” He’d been looking forward to this day, but he’s not selfish.

Nia smiled at how considerate he is. She likes him as a person, but she doesn’t think she’s in a position to date anyone. She planned to send him running by telling him what she does for a living. The poor guy seemed very sweet but she can’t lead him on like this. Maybe she should’ve done this much sooner. Would he think she’s playing him?

“No, I’m alright. Let’s go.”

Both of them don’t have a car so they only commuted. Troy does plan to buy a car soon. He doesn’t want it to be on credit, he wants to buy one with cash, fully paid.

The thing about tonight, he can tell she’s not excited and she’s aloof. Damn. She might have only agreed out of pity, didn’t she?

“You didn’t need to force yourself to come with me, if you don’t like it.”

With those words, she finally looked at him. She just stared at him for a minute, no expression on her lovely face.

“No. We haven’t been out like this before, so I agreed. And there’s something I need to tell you as well. I mean, I don’t want to assume anything and I’m not looking for a relationship, but… are you perhaps planning to ask me out on dates?” She has learned to be frank these last two years.

Troy felt nervous. She suddenly became very direct.

“Well, yes. I like you.” And so, his confession ended up like this.

“I’ve been trying to get your attention, but I knew you were very busy and focused on your family. I’m not going to rush you if you’re not ready. We can be friends and I can wait.”

“You plan to wait? A guy like you, you’re a nice person. I believe you deserve someone better than me.”

“How can you say that? You shouldn’t say that. Why do you put yourself down? How do you know someone’s better? You have a lot of good qualities I like.” He continued to speak with her in his usual tone, a little cheery and positive. She actually likes that about him. His voice is calming.

“I actually want to enjoy the meal first. How about we eat and then, I’ll tell you my secret later?” No matter what, she should get something out of this friendly date. The guy’s treating her to some food. She’s not exactly stingy, but she’s frugal.

“Alright. I didn’t realize you could sound this serious.”

She smiled at him, then. That would be her first smile since they arrived at the restaurant.

“You’re a good guy. I’m thankful that you keep visiting my mom and that you’re treating her like your own mother. It’s hard losing a parent.” From what she can remember, their difficult times started when her father died. Her mother became a solo parent to three young kids and it took a toll on her.

“You have a very kind mother. She reminds me of my mom as well.”

“Yeah. It’s good to be a kind person. You get a lot of friends who could help you during difficult times. That’s what I like about her knowing so many people. But then, I only have a handful of friends. It’s difficult to find good friends now. People only come to you when they need something from you. They don’t stay long. And then, when you need them, they disappear. They make excuses. It’s a sad reality.” She hasn’t experienced it in this life, but she had plenty of it in her previous one. A lot of people had taken advantage of her kindness and vulnerability. Well, she’s at fault there, too. She shouldn’t have let them. It’s always a two-way street, but still… can’t they just mind their own business and not use others?