Chapter 5

Jack and I got together on the day he graduated.

He had drunk a lot that night.

He was stumbling as he walked out.

I gathered my courage and chased after him.

He couldn’t seem to focus on anything, and before I knew it, he had grabbed my wrist and pressed me against the wall.

"Do you want to date?"

His eyes were hazy, his gaze seductive, a lazy charm radiating from him.

And for some reason, I agreed.

Who would have thought that Jack wouldn’t regret it?

So, I worked even harder.

Even though my earnings were meager, at least I could have some pride.

But Jack was so extravagant.

One of his shirts cost me a year’s salary.

Yet, he would only pat my head and say, "Nina, you’re amazing."

Just that one sentence would keep me going for a long time.

But that didn’t last long.

His family went bankrupt.

His parents ran away to escape their debts.

When I found out, I rushed to find him.

He was sitting at the entrance of their mansion, surrounded by nothing.

He looked up at me, the streetlight casting a long shadow behind him.

He looked so cold, so alone.

"Leave. I have nothing left to give you."

I cried and laughed at the same time.

For the first time, I sat down beside him, looping my arm through his.

"It’s okay. From now on, I’ll take care of you."

He shifted slightly, and then came the flood of kisses.

Our breaths mingled.

It was one of the few intimate moments we ever shared.