This is the address Tyler casually gave me last time when I asked about Michael's address.
Looking at these three characters, I felt like a drowning person, clutching a piece of driftwood.
Perhaps, now, the only one who can help me is Michael.
I have my pride and self-esteem.
But now, neither pride nor self-respect can help me survive in this city.
With trembling hands, I dialed the number and the phone rang for a long time; no one answered.
These minutes and seconds, for me, are pure agony.
I'm afraid he won't answer.
But I'm even more afraid that he'll answer.
In the end, Micheal didn't answer the phone.
Yet, I no longer have the courage to call again.
I stood in the cold wind, feeling that tonight, I might really end up sleeping on the street.
Dragging my suitcase, I slowly walked under the dim streetlights.
Two minutes later, my cellphone rang.
I was so nervous right away; even my heartbeat missed half a beat.
But contrary to what I thought, the call wasn't from Micheal.
The one looking for me was Edwin.
"Hello? Ella?" Listening to his voice, it was clear he was drunk, his words slurred.
"What's the matter, President Edwin?" I asked.
"Can you come over to my house? I'll send you the address."
After saying that, Edwin hung up the phone.
I had no idea why he was looking for me, but I went anyway.
Firstly, because he is the boss and I am an employee, and secondly, because I had nowhere else to go.
If it weren't for Edwin's call, I might have really had to resort to finding Michael.
Following the address given by Edwin, I arrived at his place.
It was a very luxurious apartment.
At a glance, it was clear that he lived alone.
He didn't seem to be residing in the Global Money household.
When Edwin came to the door, he was clearly drunk, and his body went limp when he saw me, collapsing onto me.
"What's wrong with you?"
I managed to prop him up while guiding him inside.
Honestly, even though Edwin looked slender, he was the type that looked skinny in clothes but toned without, and the weight of him leaning on me was simply crushing.
When I laid him on the sofa, I felt like I was about to drop from exhaustion.
"Fix me some soup to sober up.
I need to stay awake.
Make some tasty food too, I'm starving."
With that, he sprawled onto the sofa, tossing and turning restlessly.
Under the glow of the living room lights, I noticed signs that he may have been crying; his eyes were somewhat reddened.
I felt it inappropriate to pry into my boss's matters so I silently went to cook some 'sober soup', and whipped up a couple of dishes using what was available in his refrigerator.
"Wake up."
I nudged him, but got no response.
Could it be he's just going to sleep it off?
I've traveled such a long distance to cook for him - if he's sleeping, wouldn't it be a waste of my efforts?
I guess I must've gone mad, or perhaps it's years of pent-up resentment that inexplicably caused me to lash out, angel kicking him.
The kick startled Edwin, who sprung up from the couch, rubbing his buttocks and shooting and said: "You are the first to dare kick my posterior!"
He was initially displeased, but very quickly the aroma of the cooked dishes drew his attention, and he started eating after having a bowl of the 'sober soup'.
"Ella, the food you cook is really good.
From now on, you are cooking for me every day."
His eyes were shining as he said this, looking rather like a child expecting some candy.
I pulled a face and said, "I'm not going to be a maid and cook for free."
"I can pay you," he glanced at my suitcase in the corner before adding on, "Including meals and lodging."
I figured he must be aware of my predicament but chose not to question me about it.
His casual approach to helping me out didn't make me uncomfortable.
My attitude towards Edwin began to change at that moment.
Despite initially viewing him as an idler of the upper-class, I now saw him as a gentleman at the very least.
In my current situation, I had no other options, so I agreed to Edwin's request.
Edwin's apartment was a three-bedder and naturally I took up one.
I tidied up a bit then got to sleep.
As for salary... I didn't discuss it with Edwin.
Right now, being homeless, having a place to dwell in was a blessing itself.
That night, I had a good sleep.
Come morning, Edwin handed me a bundle of cash.