Wildcat's parting gift was a cosmetics package, aimed at polishing Becca's already natural beauty.
"Use these for two weeks to enhance your look," she instructed.
Back home, Becca resumed her routine, snacking and reflecting on the day's events. After a lazy awakening, she bathed and packed her favorite black handbag.
As she prepared, Wildcat's image lingered in her mind – 5'7" tall, pretty yet marred by a scar. Fierce and intimidating.
Becca's heart cautioned her, but desperation prevailed. Her mother's tearful phone call three days ago still haunted her. The hospital threatened to discharge her father without the necessary surgery funds.
She remembered her mother's anguish echoing in her mind – "Becca, we can't afford your father's surgery...the hospital is giving up on us."
Determined, Becca pushed aside doubts. She had to make this work.
She couldn't let her family down.
As she readied herself, Wildcat's formidable presence resurfaced – a paradox of beauty and danger.
With renewed energy, Becca tackled her kitchen, scrubbing the tiles until they sparkled. She then moved on to the bathroom and toilet, giving them a thorough cleaning.Becca's cleaning spree was therapeutic, erasing her worries temporarily. Feeling inspired, she even rearranged some furniture as she organized her cosmetics. She felt a surge of gratitude toward Wildcat and proudly displayed her new cosmetics on her dressing table.
"Thanks, Wildcat," Becca whispered, smiling inwardly. Her empty cream and deodorant bottles had been staring at her since last week, but rent payments had taken priority.
Grateful for her simple life, Becca acknowledged God's blessings. However, her family's struggles weighed heavily on her. She felt the burden of being their only hope.
**Somewhere in Chen's Enterprise**
A handsome young man, his face twisted in frustration while listening to someone on the other end of the phone, battled his mother's persistence. "I won't attend, Mum. It's unnecessary."
His words were met with amusement from a nearby cutie, whose giggles only fueled his irritation.
His frustration was amplified by the amused grin of his friend, who seemed to enjoy his misfortune. The phone call ended abruptly, anger evident in his gesture.
With a sudden motion, he slammed his phone onto the surface.
" Geez man careful, many can't afford that, you know" The cute guy said as he made gest of the handsome one again.
" C'mon Raymond it's not funny "
Xavier said as he calmed down.
" Yeah yeah," Raymond said, and kept the phone neatly on the desk.
" So what's up with your mum?" Ray asked keenly.
Xavier paced, frustration etched on his face. "Mum's at it again", nagging me to attend the Mitsubishi grand celebration. I know she's trying to set me up with the girls. It's either Anabel or Valerie."
Raymond listened attentively. "I get it, bro. "Just find someone to pacify your mum." He said, offering calm reassurance to his friend.
Xavier's expression turned bitter. "I'm not interested in superficial relationships. I won't engage in fake love with some random girl. I need substance, not flings. I despise insincere relationships...unless it's a mutually understood arrangement, like with a sex worker."
Raymond nodded in understanding.
Xavier's gaze shifted.
As conversation flowed, Xavier's inquiry turned to Raymond's love life.
" How's your relationship going?"
Raymond's smile was effortless. "We're good." Still getting to know each other, but I must admit, I'm quite fond of her." He finished with a mocking smirk.
Xavier's irritation grew, his smirk twisting with envy simmered beneath the surface.
** Back to Becca ***
" I'm in love with the shape of you, you push and pull...." Becca was singing while arranging her little space.
A cranky old self close to her cabinet shook, and her purse fell to the ground.
She quickly rushed to examine it. " Urgh! Termites", her stuff had really worn out. Almost all her furniture where stuff she'd used ever since she came to New York. She quickly finished up her cleaning and then put off the music box that helped ease her mind while she worked.
She sat down in her little bed drinking in every detail of her room and reminiscing about old memories. "Oh how time flies."
It felt like yesterday when she moved into the house after her first year at the University of New York City. A coursemate of hers, Danielle and Jennie, had convinced her to stay outside campus so she could get the most out of college life. She'd agreed after getting a job Danielle had helped arrange for her. Oh, she missed working at that café, she enjoyed the privilege of meeting some models and celebrities and even got some premium town gossip.
Life was indeed beautiful yet unpredictable.