The Code of Aries ?

(10) Brains & Pockets

"Well, of course we can. I'm not forcing you to stay here for hours if you don't want to," Aries says, which is a relief because I no longer have to explain my reason.

I look down at my phone and check the clock. If I leave now, I still have time to help clean at the club. I'll just tell Aries that I need to go home early, so he doesn't suspect anything.

"I think I need to-"

"Go?" Aries finishes for me, catching me off guard. "If you have urgent matters to attend to, you can go. Just take the test papers home and answer them when you have the time."

"Really?"

"I told you, I'm not forcing you to stay. You can go if you like," Aries insisted, so I nodded my head and cleaned the table before shoving them all inside my bag.

"I'll see you next week," I say, running out of the library before Aries can even say anything.

I won't be able to follow the study plan tomorrow because I wasn't honest about my part-time job with Aries. I'll have to try to read some notes as much as I can after my shift. But the biggest problem isn't really the studying, but the uniform. I can't believe I might not be able to take the exam just because of some stupid clothes. I don't want to waste Aries's efforts just because of that reason.

I don't have enough money to buy a uniform because I bought a scientific calculator yesterday, which I was not expecting would be that expensive.

Earlier, Arthur offered to give me his extra uniform, but once again, my pride got the best of me, and I ended up declining the kind gesture. The worst part is I had to lie to Vicki and the others and tell them that I didn't have my uniform yet because it was still being tailored.

Why is it so difficult to admit that I'm broke? I'm pretty sure my friends aren't going to judge me for it. I guess my confidence can only reach a certain extent.

"I have no choice. I have to ask for money from mama," I say as I pull my phone out from my pocket so I can dial his number.

Mom's phone rings several times, but she doesn't answer it. I tried to call her again, but then she sent me a message saying: I'll be home late today. I was given a few loads that I have to finish soon. There are leftovers in the fridge. Just heat it up when you get home.

Okay, I can't ask mom for more money. My conscience won't allow me. She already had to work for extra classes so she could pay for my first semester. If I ask more, she'd definitely do everything she can to look for more money. I can't allow her to do that.

Why did I have to attend a private university anyway?!

Oh yeah, I was way too stupid to enroll in a state university!

I'm so useless!

"Hey, Dom! Did something happen to you on your way here? Did you get mugged?" Big Joe-the club's bouncer-suddenly tells me, making me realize I was already standing in front of the club.

Should I ask Joe for money instead? No, I'm not close enough to him to just causally ask him for money.

"Is madam Scarlet in her dressing room?" I ask instead.

"The madam? Yeah, she arrived not so long ago."

"Thanks."

I went inside the club, greeted the other employees, and went straight to madam Scarlet's room.

I can't ask mom for more money, and I can't ask Gelo either because that asshole is as broke as I am. And I can't ask my other friends because I'm too much of a coward to admit that I have no money to buy something like a stupid uniform.

"Madam Scarlet. It's me, Dom," I announce from outside her room.

I waited for her to answer, but then the door opened, revealing Gin-the head bartender, who also happens to be the co-owner of the club.

"Oh, sorry, did I disturb you?" I immediately say, and Gin just chuckles.

"No, you're fine. You can go on ahead," Gin replies, patting my back and walking away.

I awkwardly scratched the back of my head as I walked inside the room. Like last time, madam Scarlet was wearing this sexy lingerie. She was sitting in front of her vanity, putting on makeup and looking beautiful as ever.

"Dom darling! Gin and I were just talking about you," Scarlet cheerfully says while putting eyeshadow on. "So, how may I help you? Are you having trouble with your job?"

"N-No, not at all, madam Scarlet. I came here to ask if I can...if I can ask for an advance payment? I need to buy a school uniform," I explain, and Scarlet puts her brush down to look at me through the reflection in the mirror.

For a second, I thought she would say no, but then she took a deep breath and gave me a sweet and soft smile. "Oh, Dom, of course. And please, stop with the advance payment thing. How much is the uniform? I'll pay for it."

"W-Wait, what? Are you serious?"

Scarlet smiles and pulls out a wallet from her bag. She then pulls out a couple of bills and hands them to me. "Here. You should buy a new pair of shoes too."

I'm going to seriously start sobbing. Madam Scarlet is way too kind for this world.

"T-Thank you..." I say, taking the money with trembling hands, trying to ensure my emotion doesn't explode in front of my boss.

"You know Dom, you remind me a lot of myself. When I was young, my family was poor. I had to work at a very young age, picking trash and working at a junk shop. It took a while for me to get a chance to work at a club, thanks to a friend who was kind enough to teach me how to perform on stage. Eventually, I got the opportunity to work in Japan. It was hard, but I swallowed it all, and I was able to earn enough to open my own club here," madam Scarlet suddenly shares, surprising me because I didn't expect her to open up like this.

"I'm doing well now, but my only regret is that I wasn't able to go to school. That's why I admire you, Dom. Gin and I really do," madam Scarlet continues to say.

"Please don't patronize me," I shyly reply, making Scarlet chuckle.

"My point is life doesn't always hand us everything on a platter, but others might be able to give us a spoon. As I mentioned earlier, Gin and I were talking about you. We believe that we can give you an opportunity to earn more in this club, but you have to be willing," madam Scarlet then reveals, surprising me.

"An opportunity...to earn more?" I ask, and Scarlet nods her head to confirm it.

"That's right. Dom, what do you think about working as a table employee?"

end.