Chapter 6 : Error For Being Late

Chapter 6 : Error For Being Late
Florence dropped the broken vacuum cleaner in front of the man, whose name she did not know. She took a deep breath, then sighed tiredly, before finally slumping down on the chair.
"What took you so long?"
"I didn't know where it was," Florence replied irritably.
"Jess didn't tell you?"
"You already know the answer."
The man shrugged his shoulders, then pulled the vacuum cleaner towards him. He began to look and check which parts were damaged for immediate repair.
Florence watched the man as he neutralized his unsteady breathing. She asked, "How long do you think it will take you to fix the machine?"
"I don't know yet," he replied without even looking at Florence.
Florence blinked. "You don't know?" Her tone of voice rose.
The man looked up immediately. "I'm still checking, so what?"
"I need a definite answer."
"There is nothing definite."
"Then go by your estimate. How long will this last?" asked Florence anxiously.
"One to two hours, maybe?"
"What's taking so long?" A harsh sigh escaped Florence's lips, then she checked her watch. "I'll be leaving soon, I have an appointment."
"Fixing broken things does take a little time, you need to be patient. I'll do it as soon as I can."
"Yes, you should do it now."
"I'm doing it."
Florence's eyes narrowed when she realized something was missing. "Where are your tools?"
"They're in my car. I haven't picked them up yet. I'll check this first."
"Okay, do you need anything?" Florence offered.
"Hot tea, if you don't mind."
Florence shook her head quickly. "I don't mind, wait here."
After a while of struggling in the kitchen, Florence finally returned with the tea. She placed it on the table.
"By the way, what's your name?"
The man had now started fixing Jess's vacuum cleaner on the floor. He answered Florence's question quickly. "You can call me Jerry. And you?"
"You can call me Tom."
Jerry looked directly at Florence, his expression making her almost burst out laughing.
Florence chuckled softly. "You look very serious."
"Your name can't be Tom."
"Yeah, I'm just kidding. I'm Florence, nice to meet you, Jerry."
"Nice to meet you too."
Florence nodded and sat back on the sofa. She watched Jerry, who had started to disassemble the broken vacuum cleaner.
"It doesn't matter if the floor is dirty, does it?"
"It's not my house, so I don't want to give an answer, but I'm sure Jess won't mind that."
"Okay."
"I was wondering about her." Florence exhaled softly. "She was in a hurry to leave, even though you were coming."
"And you were asked for a favor by her?"
"That's how it happened," Florence said.
"Where did she go?"
"Some business with an old friend. I don't know what it was, but she was in a hurry. You can ask her later."
"That's easy, I have to finish this first."
Florence looked at Jerry, who had successfully dismantled the vacuum cleaner. Not wanting to remain silent, she murmured. "Why does Jess prefer to fix old things like that vacuum cleaner instead of buying a new one?"
"If it can still be repaired, why buy a new one?"
"But that thing looks old and worn out."
"It'll still work if I fix this, the engine is still pretty good. I can handle it," Jerry replied calmly.
"You look calm and confident."
"Because I'm used to doing this, I mean fixing broken things. It's my job, I'm good at it." Jerry's voice sounded as calm as water flowing in a river. Then, for a moment, he looked at Florence. "What about you? What do you do?"
"Do I have to answer your question?"
"No, that's up to you. It's just that, Jess never mentioned you, I didn't know that she had a sister . So, I'm a little curious about you."
"I'll go to work after your assignment is done," Florence said quickly. "I have to meet with my client."
"It sounds like your work is very important and interesting."
"All work is important, including yours."
"You're not too familiar with Jess, are you?"
Florence's brow now furrowed, she stared at Jerry for a long time while sitting up straight. "What makes you say and conclude such things?"
"I don't know, I'm just guessing."
"And your guess was wrong. Jess is the only family I have left. She's my sister. We're very close. I love her very much. You're wrong if you think me and her aren't close. Even though she never mentions me in front of you, it doesn't mean that the relationship between me and Jess is not good."
Jerry nodded very quickly. "Okay, I understand, you don't have to be mad at me."
"Angry?" Florence chuckled. "Who's angry? I'm definitely not angry with you, I'm just explaining. You should just get on with your work, you need to focus."
"I'm used to working while talking like this, it's fine with me. I'm used to it."
"I don't have much time, you know? I should be leaving in about fifteen minutes. You'd better hurry."
"What? Fifteen minutes? What do you mean? That's not enough, I can't finish this in such a short time."
A long breath escaped Florence's lips. "What if I stay here? Jess will be home soon too. I can leave now. Do you mind?"
"Okay, I understand."
"Is there anything you need before I actually leave here?"
"I don't think so, you can go. I can handle this alone."
"Well, okay." Florence then stood up. Before she walked away, she said it again to Jerry. "I'm going to go now. Tell Jess that I have to meet my client as soon as she gets home."
"Yes, I will tell her about this."
Florence then left Jess's house. She left Jerry in the house. She believed in him. Jess also said that Jerry was one of her friends. So, everything will be under control.
Florence drove to the restaurant specified by her client. Unfortunately, she was stuck in traffic for quite a while because there was an accident a few meters ahead. Florence groaned in annoyance. She massaged her forehead. This situation was something Florence hated. She really did.
Being stuck for so long made Florence end up arriving late. Her client had waited too long, so when she finally arrived, she apologized while bowing. She really felt bad and sorry.
"You've taken up too much of my time here, you don't respect time. I don't like tardiness, it's something I hate. You're not professional at work."
Florence was somewhat taken aback by her new client's judgmental tone of voice. The seated man looked at Florence flatly.
"I'm sorry, I was at fault, the traffic jam was something that was out of my control. I didn't know this. Again, I apologize, I know that I am guilty."
"If that's the case, you should have known, you should have anticipated it, I mean, you should have left earlier to avoid these kinds of things." The man let out a long sigh. Florence didn't know why she suddenly became frightened like this.
Her new client looked so cruel and creepy. For the first time, Florence felt afraid of the client she had to deal with.
"Next time I will remember about this. I'm sorry once again, I'm really very sorry."
"Alright."
"May I sit down now?"
"Why are you even asking? Do you really want to stand around while talking to me? Surely not, right?"
Florence suddenly felt very stupid. She nodded quickly. "Yes, I'm sitting now, thank you very much."
"I don't have much more​ time, I think I have to tell you right now. And it's very important. Your presence is my hope. Do you understand?"