Chapter 6 :-
After finishing her talk with Mr. Reynolds. he told her that she is going to start working tomorrow. She will work from 9 am to 5 pm because he didn't want her working any night shifts and she also will be working with Chloe. She will have her paycheck weekly. She has free lunches. When she refused telling him that she will pay, he told her that he would take the money from her paycheck. He told her to let him know when she was leaving so he could go with her and check that her home is safe.
After leaving the office it was time for another interrogation. Chloe has been silent during the whole exchange between her and Mr. Reynolds. She listened and paid attention to every word Hermione said. But she didn't say a word herself.
"So." Started Chloe then stopped.
She cleared her throat then began talking again.
"When you didn't come the last time. I put many case scenarios. I knew that you had a secret that you didn't wish to share. But to hear your story. My god, my mind couldn't have come up with that ever. " Chloe looked at her hesitantly. " I have so many questions to ask you but I am afraid to hurt your feelings."
Hermione looked at her smiling slightly. She was so afraid of her reaction. She was afraid to lose her only friend. It seemed like she won't lose her. Everything is soing to be fine.
"How about you bring me breakfast? I only had an apple this morning. Then if you can take a small break we can sit together and I will answer all your questions. That ok?"
chloe smiled at her slightly and said
"sure, what do you want for breakfast? I'll bring it right up."
"what is the best breakfast food served here?"
"what do you think about some English breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, beans and a cup of coffee or tea. Whatever you prefer."
"that sounds awesome Chloe." Hermione answered her stomach already growling at the mention of all this delicious food.
"English breakfast for one coming right up madam." Chloe told her trying to mimic a really posh accent making Hermione giggle in return.
…
there was a couple of customers in the diner. So Hermione busied herself with her breakfast till Chloe finished serving them. Chloe sat in front of her while she was finishing the last of her food.
"full?"
"ah, more full than you can imagine Chloe. I ate like a whale."
"good, you need some nutrition and I am going to make sure that you have it."
"Chloe you are talking like a grandma should talk." Hermione told her giggling at her silliness.
They started talking Chloe asking Hermione question after question and Hermione giving her answer after answer. Whenever a customer enters. Chloe takes his order giving it to the cook. Then returning to Hermione continuing their conversation.
Hermione tried to answer Chloe's questions with as much truth as she could. She didn't want to lie to her. But she had to tell small lies sometimes.
After talking for over an hour Chloe ended their conversation with a sentence that made Hermione's tears fall for the thousands time in that day.
"Don't ever say again that you have no family. Don't forget you have me. I will stay by your side forever."
But those weren't tears of agony. They were tears of happiness.
…
Hermione knocked on Mr. Reynolds office door. He opened the door and smiled at her gently.
"are you done love? Ready to leave now? " he asked her gently.
"yes Mr. Reynolds. if you are ready, I am."
"ok then. Just give a couple of minutes."
She left the office and waited for him. Five minutes later he followed her out of his office.
"come on, let's go."
At the door of the diner Hermione heard Chloe calling for her.
"Hey wait up. I didn't get your number."
"Chloe, I don't have a phone actually." Hermione answered her embarrassed. Of course from everything that would embarrass her.
"oh, I am sorry. I didn't think." She waited for a second the continued. "well, this have to be redeemed. Tomorrow after work we will go out together to get you a mobile and whatever else you might need."
"sure. That sounds awesome."
"great. Mr. Reynolds help her make a list of what is not in her apartment, so we can buy it tomorrow."
"sure honey. Now go finish your work young lady." Mr. Reynolds told her acting or tough but his smile gave hi away. He was happy that Chloe with helping her. He was proud of her.
…
mr. Reynolds and Hermione walked the distance between the diner and her apartment building. They passed by the park on the way.
"I love that park." Hermione told him smiling. Then she continued brightly. "I came her the first time I got out." she told him hesitantly.
"the feeling of fresh air, of walking down the streets. I played on this swings. It felt amazing."
Mr. Reynolds smiled at her slightly.
"I can't imagine how your life have been. I wish I could have know a way to help you."
"you are helping me enough as it is Mr. Reynolds. I cant thank you enough. I really can't."
"no need for thanks honey. I am not doing anything."
They soon found themselves in front of Hermione's apartment building.
"well, everything seems good from outside here. This is a good neighbourhood. Though it's quite expensive."
"it is?" asked him Hermione worriedly. If it's expensive will her paycheck be enough to bring food and pay the rent when the six months is over. How will she be able to live.
The money that the woman gave her will vanish sooner or later. It will only last her six months. What will she do after. She wouldn't be able to handke life.
She started thinking that maybe she needed to search for another job in the night shift. Maybe then she will be able to afford life as it is.
"Hermione, may I ask you something?"
"of course sir."
"how much money have that woman put in your account?"
when Hermione told him the number, he gaped it her. He opened his mouth to say something then closed it again.
Hermione became more nervous. The money won't last her even six months. She knew it. she is going to be homeless soon. Oh god, what will she do.
Mr. Reynolds noticed her fidgeting. So he stopped her with a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"what's wrong?"
"what will I do Mr. Reynolds. the money won't be enough, will it? What will I do. In six months I won't afford to pay for this apartment's rent whatever it's price is. I will be homeless."
She felt so exhausted. She was beginning to cry again for only the millionth time in that day.
"no Hermione calm down, you get it wrong actually. I wasn't silent because your money won't be enough. I was actually silent because your money will last you and pay your rent and bills and everything for 10 years not six months."
It was Hermione's turn to gap at him. She couldn't believe herself. She was rich. She was more than rich. My god and here she was so nervous because she is going to be homeless.
Mr. Reynolds noticed Hermione being uncomfortable so he decided to change the subject.
"come let's go upstairs and show me your apartment from inside. I am sure it's going to be amazing as the neighborhood it is in."
together Hermione went upstairs with mr. Reynolds to show him the apartment feeling relieved and happy that she is going to be ok.
…
the next morning Hermione woke up feeling refreshed. Yesterday was a full day. She got a job. She told mr. Reynolds and Chloe the semi truth. She showed mr. Reynolds her apartment and got his approval and well and she found out she was rich.
Mr. Reynolds told her that she could open her own diner with the money she have. She could make her own project whatever it is she wants.
she told him that she made him a promise that she intend to keep. She will work for him till she turns eighteen and maybe even after that. Who knows, right.
So, after a quick shower, she had breakfast and then went to the diner to start her first day of work.
…
if you asked Hermione to describe her first day of work, she will it was busy, exhausting, eventful, a lot more than she thought. She thought the day would never end.
The diner was so busy since it was the beiggining of the week. The minute she entered the diner Chloe gave her uniform and told her to hurry up and wear it since there is lots of customers and they need to hurry.
So, Hermione did just that and started her first day. A little while later the diner got less busy but it was filled again by mid noon. Chloe and Hermione couldn't have their lunch break together like they always did. Each one of them had her own ten minutes to have lunch quickly in the kitchen area.
By the end of the day Hermione got quiet the tips. She went to give them to Chloe to put them in the diner tips so everyone can share them by the end of the week. But, Chloe told her it's tradition that every new employer will have his own tips for the first week. Hermione refused and put them in the jar when Chloe wasn't looking.
After finishing their shift, both Hermione and Chloe decided to go shopping and fishing for a phone for Hermione. they linked arms and went to the mall to continue their day.