3 Chapter 3

CRYSTAL

"Why are you searching for that man?"

I took a deep breath, my heart was pounding in my throat. "All I want is to know what it's like to have a father."

She didn't say anything and just stared at me. Her face was filled with disappointment.

My shoulders sagged as I returned my attention to racking the plates. Oh, dear, we were just talking about how we were going to celebrate my birthday a few minutes later. But the air became heavy when I brought up the issue about my father. It made me wonder what he did to make Mama hate him so strongly.

Regardless, the lonely pain in her eyes whenever I mentioned my father gave me the impression that she still loves him.

If there's a way to relieve her pain, I would do anything to find it.

"Sorry, Mama," I whispered, hugging her from behind. "Please don't get mad at me even just for now. It's not my intention to remember him, but I promise, I will never bring him up again."

"I'm the one who has to apologize, Crystal," she said as spun around to face me. "It's your birthday, so I should make you happy and show you how grateful I am to God for giving you to me. I'm sorry."

She hugged me and I smiled as I enjoyed her warmth. It was as if she was lulling me to sleep.

We were in that moment when the doorbell buzzed. I looked at Mama, my brow raised upward. "Don't tell me you invited someone for my birthday breakfast?"

"No!" She chuckled. "The cake isn't enough for you, so why would I invite another hungry stomach? Okay, just check who it is while I finish cleaning up the kitchen."

I laughed. "Fine." I smiled at her before leaving.

When I opened the door, I was welcomed by a guy in a baseball cap and polo shirt. A small box was in his hand. "Is Crystal Bretz here?"

"That's me."

"Great!" He handed me the box and a small booklet with an attached pen. "This is actually for you. Wait, can you sign here to prove that you received it?"

"Um, sure?" As I signed, confusion was clouding my mind while I stared down at the box wrapped in a shiny wrapper. "W-wait, are you sure this item is for me? I don't remember ordering online."

"That is definitely for you, Miss Crystal. It's for your 18th birthday according to the one that asked me to deliver it to this address. Well, I might as well greet you with a happy birthday!"

"T-thanks. But may I know where this gift came from?" I asked. Since I was so intrigued by what was inside it, I unwrapped it in front of the lanky delivery man.

"Oh, the sender? His name was Erik Jimenez."

"Who?" I frowned. "But, I have no…" I paused when the box fell from my hands. A silver necklace that shone like the stars popped out when it hit the ground.

I picked it up, my eyes just wouldn't stop gazing at the necklace, especially at the heart pendant—it looked so expensive and sentimental that I felt it didn't deserve to be touched by poor hands like mine.

"I gotta go, since my task is done here. Happy birthday again."

He managed to ride on his bike and disappeared before I uttered a word. Great.

I was tempted to wear it. But I chose to put the necklace into my pocket. And when I returned to the kitchen, I spotted Mama sitting at the empty dining table.

"Hold on a second, sweetie. It's my customer who messaged me, asking for the delivery date. Who was that, by the way?" she asked, texting on her cellphone.

I sat beside her. "It's a delivery man asking for directions."

My heart clenched as I lied to her. Well, it wasn't my intention not to tell her that some random guy had sent me a present. Who was Erik Jimenez? I'd find it out by myself. But for now, I wanted to focus on going to work so Mom and I could celebrate later.

***

I went to work an hour later. I was relieved that Mama and I got along fine. My entire day would be ruined otherwise. I just hope I can get out of here before five o'clock in the afternoon so I can spend my birthday with her.

I breathed in and out, and wore my best smile before proceeding to my workplace.

"Hello, Sir," I said to the man who stood in front of my counter. "May I have your orders?" He nodded and handed me the small piece of paper he was holding. I registered it right away and gave him the receipt. "Here's for spaghetti, large fries, and a cheeseburger."

One of the waiters arrived at my counter a few minutes later with the set of food I requested. When the customer took it, he turned away without a word. I knew he was satisfied even though he didn't respond when I thanked him.

A man in a gray button-down shirt took over after the first customer left. He seemed to be wealthy at first glance. I was able to inhale his clean scent even if I was on the other side of the counter. I looked up to him because of his impressive tallness. "Hello, Sir. What is your order?"

When he smiled, I noticed how pretty his eyes were. 'Wait, I should be focusing on his orders and not his eyes!'

I gasped when he grabbed my hands and put a piece of paper in them. 'What could this be? Of course, it's the list of his orders! Wake up, Crystal. It's like you've never seen a good-looking guy before!' I yelled in my mind.

"Read it," he whispered. "It's extremely important."

"A-all right." I stooped down and opened the little paper in my hand. I frowned as I read its contents:

'Crystal, resign from your job this instance.'