Chapter 7: Chapter 7

The words, 'Dinner tonight comes with gun wounds', perfectly described the Bill family at the dining.

The meal felt like sandpaper in my throat. My mother made an extravagant meal of Caprese Lasagna Skillet tonight. Vic continued questioning, confused at the way she kept giving him more chicken saying he would eat more of that soon. I felt I was being sold. Dad didn't eat either but stared on like a deer caught in the headlight of a car.

"That is it!" With a grunt of frustration, Vic slammed his fists on the table and asked, "What's going on?"

I looked from my mother to my father taking in their contrasting expression,"Nothing," I said, letting my fork dance around the plate.

"You never toy with food, Anna," He said again after a while, "What are you guys hiding from me?"

I gave a short nod and pushed back my seat, "Thanks for the meal. Good night." I left the table and went to my room ignoring Vic's calls. I brought out my sketchbook to draw but ended up making a list.

Reasons why I can't marry the crown prince

1. I like *scratch* love Henry.

2. I am too young. I mean I planned to marry at 26.

(I have my private reasons.)

3. I want to be a famous artist like Leo Da Vinci and cruise the world.

(I always imagined my first trip to be in Africa to amass myself in their art works I always find amazing.)

4. I am scared of being pregnant.

(A living being inside of me gives me the shivers.)

5. Whatever happened to Freedom of Choice and 21st century?

(Hell, it's right there in the constitution. I could take it up in court. That's pretty laughable seeing I have no money.)

6. I just don't want to marry.

(Can you blame me? If a guy comes to you and says you have to marry Dwayne Johnson would you say yes?)

I stared out my window to the sky, remembering the song Henry sang. I exhaled heavily, letting my face fall. I regretted not telling him my true feelings.

I climbed into bed and laid on my back. I stared mournfully at the painting of my family. Why did this happen to us? We were good people and did good things. Why were we poor?

I did not think I could stand being away from my family. We stuck together like glue no matter the situation or consequences. Now, we are torn by the deal between two old men.

What were they thinking? Were they trying to be the next Cupid twins or something?

Grandpa better be grateful that he is dead or I would have committed murder.

"I am sorry. We just hired one," the manager of the coffee shop said.

Shoulders slumped, I dragged my feet out of the shop. I tried looking for a new part-time job but it has become harder to find one. I have applied for several online and I have gone to every hiring establishment in the neighborhood. They had either hired or would not accept me.

As I walked down the busy street, I spotted a bakery looking to hire a mascot. With a wide grin, I skipped to the door, took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

"Good afternoon," a boy, not much older than I was, greeted.

"Hi, I am Anna. There was a sign outside that says you are looking to hire a mascot. I would like to apply," I said, all the while smiling widely.

"Uh sure. You could talk to the owner. He is in the kitchen right now. Why don't you sit down and I will call him out?" He said and disappeared past a door that read 'employees only'.

I nodded and said, "Thank you." I sat down and waited.

Not long after, an older man arrived from the kitchen wiping his hands with a towel. The smell of bread clung to him and flour smeared his cheeks. "Anna?"

I rose and greeted him with a hi. He gestured for me to sit and I did. We called about the pay per hour and I negotiated with him for a bit before we came to an agreement.

"When would you like to start?"

"Today," I replied.

"Okay. So, the costume is in the storage. I will go get it for you. Then, you'll change in the bathroom over there," he gestured to a door behind me and at the end of the long room.

"Okay."

He left and brought back a light suit in the shape of a croissant. I changed out of my clothes and into the costume. The temperature dropped low and heat engulfed me.

'For the money,' I thought to myself. I skipped out of the toilet and shook my body.

"Here are some fliers," The owner said, handing me a couple. "Come in for some more if they finished. I will introduce to the rest of the team when we close."

"Okay." I hurried out of the bakery shop and started chanting, "Come get some hot and tasty bread!" I ran after people, waving the Flyers in their faces. Some received it and headed to the shop, some took it and tucked it in their bags or pockets, others took it and threw it away once I was not looking and others just plainly ignored me.

Eight more torturous hours left.

I sighed dejectedly before smiling, dancing and waving the flyers in the air.