"A job interview?" I repeated, watching him carefully.
Liam didn't respond but avoided my gaze as he grabbed a small folder from the table. The movement was quick, almost rushed, as if he didn't want me asking any more questions.
"You didn't tell me you were looking for a job," I said quietly.
Liam shrugged as he slipped the folder under his arm. "I didn't want you to worry."
"Worry?" she frowned. "Since when have I ever complained about worrying about you?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he bent down and tied his shoelace again even though it was already perfectly tied.
But his silence alone was enough and it hurt me.
"You shouldn't be doing this," I said, stepping closer to him.
He paused and glanced over his shoulder. "Doing what?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
"Working," I replied. "Don't try to carry extra weight on your shoulders."
He slowly stood up and turned to face me, his expression suddenly serious. Our eyes locked and then he asked, "And you should?"
The question hit me like a stone.
I just stood there looking up at him, not sure how to reply to that. At this very moment, I hated the fact that he was taller than me. I looked like a child being scolded by my elder, especially with the way his brows pulled together like that.
Liam sighed, he ran a hand through his hair, took a small step back and said, "You work late every night. You come home exhausted. Sometimes you can barely even eat before you fall asleep." He took a breath, then added, "You think I don't notice?"
I looked away, my fist clenching beside me. I didn't know if I was angry, frustrated or everything mixed in one.
"You're still studying," I tried to reason with him. "Your focus should be on school."
"And yours shouldn't be breaking your back to support both of us." He shot back.
Silence fell between us.
I bit my bottom lip, thinking of what to say but right now, my brain was blank. Nothing came up and felt so stupid and useless.
Then he spoke again, his voice softening, "I'm not a kid anymore, Eva. The least I can do is help a little."
Right, Liam will turn eighteen soon. By then he'll be an adult capable of making his own decisions, I thought but my heart still ached.
"Besides, it is a part time job. I still need to at least graduate from high-school," he said, his voice pulling out of my thoughts.
I let out a breath and cleared my thoughts. "Fine," I said at last. "But only as a part time job and make sure it doesn't affect your grades."
I know I sound like a nagging mother but it can't be helped. I still remember when he was younger and I'd hold his hand everywhere but now, the boy was taller than me and in a few days, he'll be a legal adult. I can't keep treating him like a child forever but I also can't not worry about him either.
"Thanks, Eve. I promise this won't affect me," He walked toward the door, grabbing his keys from the small shelf.
"Wish me luck," he said.
I nodded and waved, "Good luck."
He opened the door and stepped outside.
The moment the door shut, the smile on my face disappeared. I stared at the closed door for a while. There was so much on my mind and I wanted to talk about it with someone but didn't know who.
For a moment, Rom crossed my mind.
He didn't talk much but was a good listener. Maybe he is the person I needed to talk to.
I reached for my phone but paused at the last minute.
We had just seen each other last night. He even gave me a ride back home. What if he thinks I'm a burden?
I froze the moment the thought crossed my mind. Maybe I should rest at home today? I thought but the house was too quiet and with Liam gone, I might just drown myself in the past again.
So, I pushed myself up again, entered the kitchen, took a few slices of bread and spread the peanut butter on it. It was simple but still breakfast nonetheless. Once I was done, I walked into the bathroom and took care of my business before heading out.
My goal?
Sweet Savor.
I got there almost an hour later. The place was packed, nothing like how it was last night when we came here.
"No wonder they need extra hands," I muttered under my breath.
I stepped inside and the bell chimed. I could see the eyes of the waiters and waitresses turned towards me and stopped to take a deep breath and then walked up to the counter.
"Customers usually just take a seat and we go to them, you know," a lady with a British accent said, a perfectly carved brow arched.
"Well, that's because I'm not a customer," I replied, taking the flyer out of my bag. "This is why I'm here. I want the job."
The corner of her lips curled into a faint smile. I smiled back without knowing why but I was starting to have a bad feeling about it.
"Can I at least meet the manager?" I asked.
The longer she took to respond, the more uneasy I became. Or maybe that was just the kind of energy she gave off?
"Come with me," she said and I blinked. "I don't think he's still hiring though. So, don't get your hopes high."
"Right... thanks for the heads up," I said. I walked around the counter and followed her behind the door that led to the kitchen and frowned.
"The manager isn't around today. So someone else is in charge," she said as if she could read my mind.
"Hey, chef," she called even before I could respond to what she said to me.
A man turned, looked over his shoulder, his expression that of displeasure at being disturbed.
"You shouldn't bring customers in here, Holly," he said.
"Hi," he stepped forward, "I'm not a customer..."
"She's here for the job," Holly asked before I could even introduce myself.
The chef untied his apron and passed it on to someone else and began walking towards the door we came through. "Follow me."
I glanced at Holly and she shrugged.
"You don't want to have an interview inside a kitchen, do you?"
I sighed and ran after the chef.
He led me to another door directly opposite the kitchen. He entered first and I followed but my steps halted before I could step in.
Turning, my eyes scanned the restaurant, but I found nothing. I could have sworn someone was watching me.