BLACK – POV (Edited)
I went back to my parents, and I was sure they knew what had happened. Thirty minutes had passed—of course they had come looking for me.
"Black, we've been waiting for you for so long."
"Dad, don't play with me. I know you came to find me. So why did you leave me unconscious with a stranger?"
"You weren't unconscious. You were agitated because a girl touched you. And when your prince came to save you, you threw yourself into his arms. We didn't want to disturb your precious moment."
"You didn't have to. I already ruined it."
"What did you do, my baby?" Lisa asked. "We were so happy to see you show affection to someone. You were calm. At peace."
I regretted opening my mouth.
"I threatened him. I told him that if he said anything, I'd make his life hell."
"Oh my God," Lisa said sharply. "And what did he say?"
"He told me I'm a horrible person and that he never wants to see me again. So we should all forget about it like it never happened."
Lisa slammed her hand on the table so hard it made me jump.
"In your dreams, Black Asiaa Claude. You will take your fat ass and go apologize—and I'm coming with you."
She dragged me like I was a child to ask about the beautiful boy.
"Can I speak to the manager, please?" Lisa said.
The girl at reception looked terrified.
"Is there a problem, Mrs. Claude?"
"No, miss. I need to speak with the person in charge tonight."
"Mr. Mike, the owner, is here. This way, ma'am."
We waited at his desk.
"He's waiting for you."
"Hello, Mrs. Lisa and Mr. Black," Mike said nervously. "Is there a problem? It's an honor to have you here."
"I'm looking for a boy," Lisa said calmly. "Five-four, pale skin, white hair, blue eyes. He's a waiter."
"Oh—you don't need to worry about him," Mike said quickly. "He's already out."
I panicked.
"What do you mean, he's out? Where is he?"
"He was playing around instead of working, so I fired him."
"Are you drunk?" I snapped. "I'll shut down this pathetic restaurant and make sure it never succeeds."
It was my fault. He would hate me forever.
"Mr. Black, please calm down," Mike said. "What happened? What did he do to you?"
I couldn't speak.
"I'll tell you," Lisa said coldly. "My son was attacked in your restaurant by two bitches. The boy you fired is the one who helped him and stayed with him for thirty minutes. We won't call the police or the press—because that would end your business. But you will call that boy, apologize, and give him his job back. Otherwise, you won't like what happens next."
"And if I were you," she added, "I'd give him a reward. He saved your restaurant. The woman's name was Jude—your niece. If I see her again, I'll come back to deal with you personally. Let's go, Mom."
I didn't wait. I walked straight to the limousine. I wasn't in the mood for dinner anymore.
"Black, wait for me!" Lisa cried.
"What happened?" I asked when she reached me. "Did he say something mean? I'll kill him."
She hugged me tightly.
"You called me Mom, Black," she whispered. "I'm so happy. That boy has magic in him. I'll make sure his magic never leaves our lives."
"No, Mom," I said quietly. "We should forget about him. He already hates me. This isn't the first time we met. He works at the café I go to every day. Today was his first day. My coffee wasn't ready, so I spoke to him badly."
I swallowed.
"And what did he do? He gave me a cupcake. He said he didn't have money to buy lunch—but he still gave it to me."
She hugged me tighter.
"Everything will be okay," she whispered. "Mama promises."
---
SUNNY – POV (Edited)
I was sitting on a bench in the park, crying. Yes—I was crying over my dream of having a home. He destroyed that dream.
What hurt the most was that I couldn't even hate him. Maybe he didn't mean it. He wasn't the one who fired me—but his father had promised me work.
What was I supposed to do now? Danny would lose his job. Oh my God, I'm a terrible friend. He'll hate me.
My phone vibrated. I tried to ignore it, but it wouldn't stop. When I looked, it was the restaurant number.
"Hello," I said. "Did I forget something?"
"No, Sunny," Gloria said. "You need to come back. Mr. Mike wants to talk to you."
"Why? What did I do now?"
"Nothing. Just come back."
"Okay. I'm on my way."
Did I mess up again? Was he calling the cops because I took a long break? Maybe I shouldn't go—but I did.
I was sitting in his office, waiting.
"Sunny, my boy," Mike said.
"Sir, I'm sorry—it wasn't my fault."
"I know, buddy. Mr. Black came and explained everything. I'm sorry I didn't let you explain. It was a stressful night."
"Oh, thank God," I breathed. "Please, Mr. Mike—I don't want Danny to lose his job."
"No one's losing their job. And I'm giving you three months' bonus for helping an important customer."
"Thank you so much. Do I need to go back to work?"
"You'll come back next week. I'm giving you a week to recover from the stress—and I'm sorry again."
Wow. Did this really happen? Or did I fall asleep in the park, catch the flu, and start hallucinating?
I snapped back to reality when someone hugged me.
"Sunny! You don't know what happened," Gloria said excitedly. "Mr. Black and his mother came to see Mike. When he told them he fired you, Mr. Black turned red and started shouting about how amazing you are and how you saved him. He promised that if you didn't come back, he'd go to the police and the press."
"Wow," I said softly.
"Gloria, you look happier than me," I laughed. "Maybe I should treat you to lunch when I get paid."
"You should. Danny and I really like you. We love hanging out with you."
"Are you sure Danny likes going out with me?"
"Yes. You're cute. You make people want to protect you. I always wanted a gay brother or friend."
"What—how did you—"
She laughed. "I told you, you're obvious. Breakfast tomorrow? And when you get paid, lunch is on you."
"Yes—of course. Are you sure?"
"I'll call you at nine and tell you the place."
"Okay. I'll be waiting."
She smiled, waved, and went back to work. I headed back to the shelter.
I needed my beauty sleep.