Jason slowly ate his breakfast, quieter than usual. Every glance he cast at his phone, every innocent question about Mom's "friend" or her "trip," felt like a fresh cut to my soul. I watched him, a knot of guilt tightening with each bite. How could I lie to him like this? How could I crush his world the way mine had been crushed?
After he finished, I sent him off to get ready for school, promising to walk him. The moment he was out of sight, my forced composure shattered. I leaned against the counter, closing my eyes, the immense weight of everything pressing down on me. My head still throbbed, a dull echo of last night's desperate escape.
Last night. The Golf House. The shame of it all burned, a hot flush across my cheeks. But it wasn't just shame; it was a nagging mystery I couldn't ignore. The note, the name "Ken," the bartender calling me an "important guest." And the biggest question: Who carried me into that room?
I had no idea who these people were. Just a name, a fuzzy memory of a presence. They were powerful enough to casually put me up in a place like that. If someone like that had helped me, perhaps... perhaps they could help Mom? The thought felt like grasping at smoke, but it ignited a tiny spark of hope.
My pride screamed against chasing down strangers who had seen me at my absolute lowest. The humiliation was a raw wound.
But Mom's pale face, the IV drip in her arm, the doctor's chilling words"heavy financial burden"flashed in my mind. Pride was a luxury I couldn't afford.
Phase One: The Aether Gambit
First things first: the job. AetherCorporation. That enormous, futuristic skyscraper was my immediate target. It wasn't just a building; it was my only hope.
I pulled out my laptop, my fingers flying over the keys. The application for the Entry-Level Administrative Assistant position. I focused on every single word, every skill, every qualification.
This wasn't about my dream of photography anymore. That dream was on hold, maybe forever. This was about survival. About Jason. About Mom.
Hours later, after I'd walked Jason to school and returned, the application was finally perfect. Sent. A small, hollow feeling settled in my chest.
Aether was a long shot, a ridiculously impossible long shot, but it was a shot.
Phase Two: The Golf House Haunt
Now, for the other problem. The Golf House. I looked at the clock. Still too early for the night shift staff to be back, the ones who would have been there last night. I needed to talk to them.
I remembered the taxi driver's kind words: "don't worry too much, or else you'll get drained." He was right. I couldn't afford to be drained. I needed answers, but I also needed to be sharp.
I spent the afternoon researching Aether Corporation, familiarizing myself with their structure, their mission, anything that might give me an edge if I ever got an interview. My mind, usually buzzing with creative ideas for photos, was now a sponge for corporate facts.
As evening approached, a fresh wave of anxiety hit. Going back to the Golf House. Alone. To ask questions about my own drunken collapse. It felt humiliating. Terrifying. But the image of my mother, hooked to machines, fueled a burning fire in my belly. I had to be strong. I would be strong.
I grabbed my bag, checked my appearance one last time. Professional. Determined. No hint of the shattered girl from last night. I would face whoever I needed to, ask whatever questions necessary, and maybe, just maybe, find out who my mysterious helper was.
My family depended on it. This wasn't just about finding the truth; it was about laying the groundwork for our salvation.