Chapter 48 – A new friend

***Harper***

It's obvious that Mr. Alex Montreal wants to play the hero, pretending to be concerned and regretful for leaving me on a strange road, in the rain, at nightfall. Let him deceive his cousins and his grandmother. He'll never fool me.

I had to spend the night in the convenience store because the rain only got worse, the drops drumming on the roof like a relentless symphony of anxiety. No taxi dared to venture out into the tempest, leaving me stranded during a storm.

Fortunately, I found refuge in the comforting glow of the convenience store's lights, its neon sign flickering amidst the darkness. The warm hues spilled onto the wet pavement outside, casting a surreal glow on the rain-soaked surroundings. The windows fogged up with the warmth inside, offering a stark contrast to the raging storm outside.

Inside, the store was a haven from the chaos outside. The aisles were lined with an array of products, their vibrant packaging providing a stark contrast to the dreary weather outside. The shelves were neatly stocked with canned goods, fast foods, basic hygiene products, and bottles of drinks. The air was filled with the scent of coffee and freshly baked goods, adding to the cozy atmosphere.

As I sat on the chair, seeking solace from the storm, I couldn't help but recall the night my cousin had a car accident in similar weather. The memory sent shivers down my spine, a reminder of the dangers lurking in the darkness of the night.

At one point, when I was feeling calmer and warmer, I looked for William, the helpful young man who had provided me with a sweatshirt and hot chocolate. I found him restocking some items on the shelf, his movements swift and efficient despite the chaos outside.

"Can I help?" I ask him as soon as I see him sitting on a small stool.

"No need, really! Besides, if the owner of the station checks the security cameras, I'd be in trouble," he replied, glancing at me briefly before returning to his task.

"And won't he cause you trouble when he sees that you gave me a sweatshirt and hot chocolate without me paying?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood with a touch of sarcasm.

"Oh, that... Well, he'd just deduct it from my salary at the end of the month. I'd prefer that to him nagging in my ear," he grumbled.

"Oh, but don't worry. Tomorrow, as soon as I get home, I'll come back here to pay!" I reassured him.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you're someone who keeps their promises. And you're someone who needed help, and I'm glad to have helped. It's worth more than a few missing dollars," he replied with a warm smile.

"On that, we agree!" I exclaimed. "We're alike in that sense, then, because for me, the most important thing is to help someone..." I hesitated, my thoughts trailing off into the stormy night outside.

He smiled without looking at me, though. To not disturb him, I let him be with his work, grabbed a pack of salted peanuts, and returned to the chair where I had been sitting. My mind was swirling with very bad thoughts. I agreed to this marriage because my uncle believes that Mr. Montreal would help his company to recover. My intuition told me it wasn't quite that; I already suspected that Mr. Montreal wanted revenge for not getting custody of Sarah, or wanted to take over my uncle's company. But I never imagined he wanted to harm me, physically or leave me emotionally shattered.

I could get sick if I took so much rain; I could have been stabbed if the thief wanted, as I never took self-defense classes; I could even die, like the thief did, struck by lightning. Why does Alex want to get back at me? Using me to hit my uncle, even if I disagree, has a purpose. But what does he gain by hurting me? Does he hate me? Why?

"Daydreaming?" William, my new friend, asked.

"I can say I'm having a waking nightmare, but I'm fine. Finished your shift?" I inquired.

"Yeah, I should just close the convenience store at midnight, but with this rain, no one will show up."

For a second, I questioned his intentions and said, "Isn't it better to leave it open? What if someone else lost in the rain shows up, like me?" I didn't want to be alone with him.

"Yeah, you're right! But can you help me bring an old sofa from the other room? We'll be more comfortable than sitting at these tables," he asked me.

I nodded, albeit somewhat fearful. I would stay alert. There was a hallway, a bathroom, and a tiny kitchen, plus a small bedroom.

"We have this sofa bed to rest a little between shifts."

"Great," I exclaimed, "that your boss had at least this idea!" I exclaimed.

"Him?" William bursts into laughter. "It wasn't him, Jasmine, Patrick, and Lucca bought it together."

"Are those the people who work here, along with you?" I ask as I bend down to lift the sofa.

"Yes," he replied, exerting a lot of force, I think he wanted to carry all the weight and just leave me balancing, since the furniture was large. "By the way, can we talk a little about Jasmine?"

I only answered when we returned to the store area: "I'm curious, what do you want to talk about this girl, Jasmine?"

He blushed. We settled on the sofa, as if we had been friends for years.

"Sorry, I don't want to be indiscreet, but you're about 25 years old, right?"

"I'm 24 years old, why?" I said my age, showing that he was almost right.

"It's just that I'm 19," he said, sighing, "Jasmine is 25 years old..." He hesitated.

"Oh..." I didn't finish the sentence, hoping he would tell me more, although I suspect he's in love with this woman.

"I'm in love with her, but I don't know if she'll reciprocate. She treats me like a younger brother!" He complains.

"I understand," I said gently, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Sometimes, it's best to get to know someone really well before confessing your feelings. Maybe spend more time with her, show her your qualities, and see how she responds. You never know, she might feel the same way, but she needs time to realize it."

"Besides," I continued, "confidence is attractive. Show her that you're confident in yourself, and she might start seeing you differently. But remember, don't rush things. Let it happen naturally."

William nodded, his expression a mix of hope and uncertainty. "Thank you, I'll keep that in mind," he said appreciatively.

"Anytime," I replied with a reassuring smile.

As we settled into the makeshift seating arrangement, I couldn't shake off the idea of helping William win Jasmine's heart. Maybe I could subtly orchestrate situations where they could spend more time together, or offer advice from my own experiences. Despite my own complicated situation, the thought of facilitating someone else's happiness brought a glimmer of hope into the turmoil of my own life. With determination brewing within me, I made a silent promise to myself to do whatever it takes to help William win over Jasmine's affection.