Chapter 4:
The outdoor light filtered through the curtains as Lena laced up her shoes by the door.
"I'm heading out," she called.
Her father, Eliot, looked up from the kitchen table, guilt etched into his face. "I'm so sorry, my daughter, that you have to work like this… because of my mistake."
She paused but smiled faintly. "Don't worry too much. I don't mind helping out."
"You were supposed to think about yourself. Maybe get married already."
Lena groaned. "You too? Did Mom put you up to this?"
Eliot scratched his head. "I heard about a charming guy who came by the shop this morning. I could check him out for you, see if he's any good."
She cut him off, her voice firm. "I promised to help until everything's paid off—for Kyle, too. I don't regret it. I couldn't be happy somewhere else, knowing you're all struggling here."
"But what about that man?"
"Don't worry about him," Lena said, grabbing her bag. "I have to go. I'll be late."
The door shut behind her.
Outside, she muttered under her breath, "Everyone wants to get me married. What is wrong with them?" Her jaw tightened. "I need to shut down these rumours and prove my worth by working, not by being some rich man's fiancée."
The order was packed—back-to-back shifts. She bounced between food deliveries and the small convenience store where she worked evenings with her best friend, Aline.
But something felt… off.
Everywhere she went, eyes seemed to follow. A black luxury car with tinted windows sat idling across the street, too clean, too expensive for the neighbourhood. At the store, a customer stood by the drinks fridge for nearly an hour, scrolling on his phone, never buying anything. She was sure she'd seen him earlier at the chicken place.
When Aline arrived for the night shift, Lena pulled her aside.
"Hey, pop star," Aline joked. "Did you wait too long?"
Lena's eyes flicked toward the man still loitering. "I think someone's following me."
"Where?"
"That guy over there. He's not from around here. And that car I saw earlier—it's like something out of a spy movie."
Aline raised an eyebrow. "Girl, you think your life is a K-drama now? If anyone's the stalker, it's you. Watching people like a hawk." She smirked. "You need sleep."
"I'm serious, Line. I swear they're following me."
"Then I guess I'm being followed too." Aline rolled her eyes. "Don't go bothering the people over this."
"Who's bothering who?" a familiar voice asked behind them.
Lena turned—and froze. Rowan. The boy she had a hopeless crush on. He stood at the counter, holding his usual energy drink, flashing his soft, easy smile.
"Oh—hey, Rowan!" she blurted. "We were just talking about some… trivial girl stuff."
"Are you sure?" he said, glancing between them.
"Yes! Totally." She gave an awkward laugh, cheeks warming.
Aline, ever the opportunist, leaned over. "Hey, Rowan, I don't know if you're busy right now, but Lena's off the clock—and it's late. Think you could walk her home for me?"
"Sure, I don't mind," Rowan said. "I've told you girls—if you ever need help, I'm here."
"Perfect!" Aline grinned. "Now, take your bag and scram." She leaned in and whispered in Lena's ear, "Go make me proud, girl."
Lena tried to resist, embarrassed at the thought of walking alone with Rowan. But Aline was stronger—and more determined. She gave her a little shove toward the door where Rowan waited, still wearing that patient smile.
"Ready?" he asked.
"I'm so sorry for the trouble," Lena said quickly. "My house isn't far—I can walk alone."
"I don't mind, I promise." He reached out and gently took her bag. "Let's go."
They walked in silence. Awkward silence. Lena kept her eyes forward, her mind scrambling for something—anything—to say.
"I should repay you," she blurted, "for helping me out tonight."
Rowan turned to her with that same calm, easy voice. "Then let's go eat together sometime."
She blinked, heart skipping. Did he just say that? A shy smile crept across her face. "Sure. Let me know when you're free." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then looked up at him, unsure if this was real.
Just as they reached the intersection near her house, a familiar voice cut through the moment.
"Free for what?"
Lena froze. Her little brother, Kyle, stood on the sidewalk with her hoodie—the hoodie—in his hands. Her mouth dropped.
"Who's this?" Kyle asked, eyeing Rowan suspiciously. "And why is he holding your bag?" He snatched it from Rowan without waiting for an answer.
"Where did you get that?" Lena demanded, pointing to the hoodie.
"From your room. Why? Doesn't it look better on me?" Kyle grinned. "You were dragging it around from bar to bar the other day."
"Shut up!" she hissed, lunging forward to clamp her hand over his mouth. "I'll text you later. Go home!" she growled.
"Who was that guy?" Kyle mumbled through her fingers. "You're walking alone at night with a guy?"
"Shhh!" she kicked at him playfully, dragging him toward the house as he continued to protest under his breath.
At Home
"Give me back my hoodie," Lena said, arms crossed.
"Nope," Kyle replied, flopping onto the couch. "It's not even yours. I'm keeping it."
"If you don't want to die, hand it over. Now."
"Oh yeah? What if I don't?" he teased.
"Stop it! You think you're still four?" She lunged, chasing him around the living room like a maniac.
Their mom, Paige, walked in just in time, smacking both of them with a kitchen towel and putting an end to the chaos.
"Give it back."
"But how do you even know it's hers?" Kyle shot back. "She can't even afford it."
"And you can?" Lena fired back.
"Shut up, both of you!" Paige snapped. "Eat. Then go to bed."
She usually sided with Kyle, but tonight she was suspicious—the hoodie looked expensive, and deep down, Paige wondered if it had something to do with that wealthy visitor who'd shown up not long ago.
Later that night, after dinner and showers, the house quieted down. Kyle walked into his room and found an envelope on his desk. Inside—money. Enough to cover his school fees. He counted it in silence, then walked to Lena's door.
She was brushing her hair in front of the mirror when he entered.
"Take the rest," he said, holding out the envelope. "It'll cover this semester."
She didn't turn. "Don't you need a new hoodie?"
"I'll pay you back. All of it."
"Did I ask you to?" she replied calmly. "Get out before I take the rest and buy myself something."
He hesitated, then placed a few bills gently near her door.
"You're a girl. You have needs too," he mumbled, before disappearing down the hallway.
Lena smiled faintly at the mirror, then went back to brushing her hair.