Chapter 3
Like this time Adrian got mad, for instance.
I was out working a part-time gig when Adrian suddenly called me, furious for no reason.
He snapped, "Claire, if you need money, just say so. Why are you taking on those shady jobs? You're embarrassing me!"
Shady jobs? I had no idea why Adrian would say that about my work.
I'd done so many part-time gigs that I honestly couldn't figure out which one had set him off this time, so I carefully asked, "What's wrong?"
All I could hear was his heavy breathing on the other end.
My heart was all over the place, unsure what was coming next.
Then Joanna's soft voice sounded, "Alright, she's just doing what she has to. We all know her family is poor, and her grandma's stuck in the hospital. Why don't you lend her some money?
"Forget it. I'll lend her some money. She's your girlfriend, after all. It's no big deal to help her out."
Adrian coldly refused. "Don't bother. Is she some kind of beggar, going around asking for handouts?
"Is she only with me for the money? If that's true, why not just say it? Is she waiting for me to give her cash first?"
Joanna whined. "Come on, Adrian, why are you being so mean?
"Calm down. Even the toughest guys can get stuck when they're broke. It's just how it is.
"I've sent you the money, Claire. Go ahead and use it. If you need more, just let me know.
"Oh, and don't worry about paying it back. Adrian will cover it."
Adrian didn't even pay attention to me. He just kept talking to Joanna like I wasn't even there.
He snorted, "The money I transfer to you and the gifts are all for you. They have nothing to do with her.
"If she owes money, she should pay it back herself."
I pressed my lips together.
My heart felt like a knife was twisting in my chest, and my face went pale.
Seriously, how could they just talk about me like I wasn't even there?
"Adrian, what exactly do you mean by 'shady jobs'?" I couldn't hold back and blurted out.
Adrian scoffed coldly. "Don't play dumb. You know what you did."
Did I? A wave of disgust surged in my chest, rising up my throat and making me sick to my stomach.
I almost threw up right then and there.
Just then, my coworker called me back to work.
I quickly hung up, shoved my phone in my pocket, and got back to work.
By the time I checked my phone again, it was already five in the afternoon.
Adrian had sent me several voice messages.
He said, "You actually hung up on me? Got guts now, huh? I wasn't even finished talking!"
"Oh, so you think I'm too harsh? Then quit it. Don't take Joanna's money if you can't handle it. Stop trying to play both sides. It's honestly disgusting."
"Claire, if you're so desperate for cash, come butter me up. Make me happy and you can ask for as much as you want. I'll give it to you. How's that sound?"
"Still not replying? Stop acting like you're above it. Aren't you always short on cash?"
"So, how much do you want?"
"Here, take it. Consider it your breakup bonus."
At 4:20 p.m., Adrian transferred me $15,000. Then he blocked me.
Staring at the screen, I rubbed my temples, feeling completely drained.
*****
Finally, I got a rare day to myself.
I simmered some soup at home and brought it to the hospital for Grandma.
I had no parents. Just me and Grandma, relying on each other. She raised me on her own and did everything she could to make sure I got an education.
After I finished my SATs, Grandma was so happy that she wanted to make me a special dinner. But while she was out buying groceries, she slipped and took a nasty fall.
She hit her lower back hard. That accident left her paralyzed from the waist down, with no feeling in her legs at all.
It was a devastating shock for me.
That was when I had no other option. I had to turn to Adrian for help and ask him for money. Then I took Grandma to the hospital for treatment.
Grandma, with her head full of white hair, looked energetic as she greeted me with a big smile from her hospital bed.
As we chatted, she brought up Adrian. "How are things going with Adrian?"
My hands paused as I was massaging her leg, and I managed a smile. "We're doing well, Grandma. Don't worry."
She nodded with a smile, and then gently reminded me. "Adrian's a good boy. He treats you well, and his family is well-off. When you marry him, try to be patient with him.
"All I hope for now is that you graduate and get married. That way, when I'm gone, you'll have your own family."
The elders' hopes were always so humble and heartfelt.
They always thought that having a family meant happiness.
But what Grandma didn't realize was that feelings could break so easily.
With the gap between my family and Adrian's, our relationship was even shakier.
I didn't answer Grandma. I just quietly stayed with her all day, from morning till night.
When I was having dinner with Grandma, Joanna dropped me a pin. It was the Starlight Club.
She texted me: [Come over and I'll give you $3,000.]
I arched a brow.
Starlight Club was a Pierce family business, which meant Adrian was bound to be there.
Joanna must have come up with another way to put me down.
After a quick thought, I tapped out my reply: [30 grand, and I'll break up with Adrian. I'll stay out of his life forever.]
I turned off my phone and gave Grandma a reassuring smile.
I said, "Grandma, I've made some money lately. How about I hire a caregiver for you? That way, you'll have someone to chat with."
Grandma's health was steady now.
With the 30 grand, plus my own savings, we'd have enough to make it through college.
Once I finished school, I'd have more time to earn money and stay with Grandma.
Grandma suddenly lowered her head, her eyes welling up with tears.
She said, sounding relieved and proud, "Alright. Claire's all grown up. I'm getting old. Just a burden to you now."
I gently shook my head. "How could you ever be a burden to me?"
I grabbed her hand and pressed my cheek into her palm, snuggling against it like a little kid who wanted to be close.
How could Grandma ever be a burden to me?
Grandma was the most important person in my life.
Joanna agreed to my deal like I expected.
She asked for my bank info and wired the money instantly.
She even tossed in an extra 6 grand on top.
Just like that, I had 36 grand in my account.
With all that money in my account, I couldn't help but let out a happy smile.
A soft delight warmed my heart.
I started daydreaming about a happier future for me and Grandma.
I glanced back and saw Grandma propped up on her hospital bed.
She gave me a warm smile.