Because There's You
Past and Present
Grace had misfortunes since young. When she was still a baby, her father was a gambler and owed tons of money. In order to escape from the debt collectors, her mother chose to leave the home and live on the streets.
However, her father passed away shortly after and the debt collectors went searching for her mother to repay all debts.
Grace's mother managed to raise her until the age of 6 before she was captured while alone and beaten to death by the ruthless men. Grace wandered around the streets for days and was adopted by an old couple who were childless.
Grace was often bullied in school but did not retaliate as the step parents taught her to be forgiving and nice to everyone.
Unfortunately, the old couple died of old age, leaving Grace all alone at the age of 16. She worked hard in studies and goes for part time jobs at night to feed herself. She then met a guy who was 5 years older at work and thought he was her lucky charm.
But after being together for almost 5 years, the guy stole part of her hard-earned money and disappeared with another girl.
She swore never to trust a single man and live her own life without depending on someone else.
At 21, she is finally an adult. This is the beginning of her journey.
Monday night, 8pm.
Grace carried a huge trash bag with two hands and started dragging it to the rubbish chute.
Grace
What a rotten luck! Why the sudden change of manager? And it's a guy too!
Grace
He is such a bossy and unreasonable person. The first thing he said after seeing me was:
Grace started imitating the new manager.
Grace
"Oh Graceee~ you are so pretty that I can't stand looking at you. I know your hands must be so so so precious that's why I need you to pick up all the rubbish right now! Hahahahaha."
Grace
Pfft. What a joke. He doesn't even know how ugly he look, laughing with all the stained and crooked teeth shown.
Grace
Blegh! I feel like puking already 🤢
Grace kicked the trash bag in anger and most of the rubbish fell out. She groaned and picked them up again.
Just then, an old lady was staring at Grace from the corner, holding back her laughter.
The One
Grace turned to the side and looked at the old lady, feeling pissed.
Grace
Look, I'm in a really bad mood. I'm so very tired of everything now. What's so funny to you? 😤
Olivia
Ha. What if I tell you that I can change your future? *wink*
Grace
Oh my. Really?! You are an angel sent from God! Please do. Please help me change my life. I will give you everything I have!
Grace
Do you think I'm going to say such nonsense?
Grace
Do you think I'm going to fall for your tricks? You are just like those fake fortune tellers that disguised as a kind-hearted old lady.
Olivia
Wait wait. Listen. I have sinned my entire life... my punishment is to help anyone in need.
Olivia
As I was staring you, I have already seen everything about you. Believe it or not, your life will change soon.
Grace
My life has always been changing for the past 21 years! And they always end up with the same outcome!
Grace
You are still lying to me. Y-you..!
Grace tried to pull the old lady's hair out as she believed that she was wearing a wig. They both staggered around the small pavement.
Olivia
I'm not lying! I'm telling you, someone will change your life very soon!
Grace
Right! I'm going to expose you here!
A man, with a strong and powerful aura who was wearing a black formal suit walked by.
As Grace was struggling and staggering, she bumped into the man. He turned and looked at Grace.
Grace
W-what?! Excuse me sir. We are not the size of an ant.
Grace
You can clearly see us in front of you. I think you are the one who's blind. 😒
Henry
Oh? Not a single apology and yet still blabbering away.
Henry
Are you not afraid of me?
Grace
Har, what did you say? Afraid? pfft. You are not even the boss of me.
Henry
Very well. You are wearing a work uniform. The store is nearby, why not let us speak to your manager?
Henry
I would want to know why there is such an ill-mannered brat slacking during working hours.
Grace
Y-you.. go ahead. My manager couldn't care less about you anyway!
They walked into the convenience store.
Damien, the manager, was shocked and bowed to Henry.
Damien
M-mr h-henry, what brings you here...?
Henry
As the boss of the company, do I have to report to you?
Grace
(What?! So he's the boss... crap! I'm definitely dead.. )
Damien
N-no sir! At your service anytime!
Henry
So, are you afraid now?
Grace
(I need to get on his good side!)
Grace
Yes yes! I'm very sorry for what happened earlier. I shouldn't have-
Henry
Get her out immediately! I don't want to see anyone like her in my company.
Damien
Understood! Will get her out right now!
Damien held onto Grace hands and dragged her towards the door.
Grace
No, no, no! I know I'm really wrong! Please give me another chance!
Grace
I'm all alone! I don't have a family! I'm trying to earn a living too!
Grace was dragged out of sight before she could say anything else. She crouched on the floor, feeling despaired.
Olivia was still standing at the side and walked to Grace.
Olivia
Miss. I have already told you what I need to. Just follow your heart.
Grace
You.. you are still here.. I don't want to hear anything anymore. You must be laughing at me.
Olivia
Well, anything you say. I will get going now. Bye.
Grace
Wait wait! You must be responsible for me. I'm in this state because of you.. 😩
Olivia
Grace.. I know you are not your true self. You are not as rebellious as you seem to be. You were never like this.
Olivia
Have faith and your life will change for the better. Everything starts from you.
Grace
Again with the nagging.. wait- how did you know my name?
Grace looked around and Olivia was no longer in sight.
Lonely Night
Damien
Ah, Grace. You are still here. I'm here to give you something.
Grace
Really really? Did the boss feel pity for me and want to take me back? Hehehe. 🤭
Damien
Dream on. This envelope consists of your salary up till today.
Damien
Well, I'm not actually sad to see you go. So, best of luck. Bye.
Grace
Tch. Best of luck? I curse you with my rotten luck! Same for that guy earlier... hem... ah whatever his name is!
Grace sulked and punched the air several times and cursing them before walking back home slowly.
She arrived in front of her home, took out the keys and opened the door.
Benson
S-sister.. is that you?
Benson, 10 years old. Grace found him on the street and took care of him since he was 7.
Grace
Oh Benson, did I scare you? You are still awake.
Benson
It's sister! I thought a thief has broke in... 😞
Grace
Don't be scared, Benson. I'm here. Look, I bought your favourite chocolate bar!
Benson
Yay! Thank you sister!
Grace
Do you remember what I told you?
Benson
En. Cannot eat too much chocolate! I won't eat them all!
Grace
Ok good boy. ☺️ Keep it. I'm going to take a shower.
Benson
But sister... didn't you say that you will be working late today?
Grace
O-oh.. haha. U-uhm, the manager said I did well and let me off early today.
Benson
Really? I see. Sister, go and bathe quickly! You smell bad.
Grace
Tch. How can you say that? I smell like flower ok!
Grace took a towel and went into the bathroom.
Benson
*sigh* Sister is still lying about her work. She really think that I would be so stupid..
Benson
She has already been fired 10 times for the past years because she argued with all male managers. *sigh*
Benson
I think I will have to support her instead.. 😱
15 minutes later, Grace has finished with her shower and went to peep at Benson in his room. He was already sleeping soundly.
Grace tiptoed back to her room and sat on the bed with towel wrapped around her hair.
Grace
Mum... why did you have to leave me so soon?
Grace
God... can you see me from above? Can you hear me?
Grace
I'm tired of everything... nothing is going well at all..
Grace
Am I really bound to have misfortunes all my life?
Grace tried to stare at the light to make the tears appear in her eyes.
Grace
Argh! Why can't I cry!
Grace
I have been saying the same thing every single year. I guess God is sick of me now 😒
Grace
Are you looking down on me too huh! I will show you what I'm made of!
Grace unwrapped the towel and throw them in the laundry basket. She turned off the lights and fall asleep.
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