My Crazy Housemate: What Makes You Happy

Mia remained huddled at the back seat of the car as Leo drove away from the hospital. Her feet were on the chair with her knees raised while she placed her head on her knees and wrapped her hands around her legs. Her eyes were closed and her face still looked pale. Leo could see her though the rearview mirror. He wished there was something he could do to stop whatever pain she was feeling.

Not only had she heard such a harsh truth in a cruel way, she also found out that her real mother died when she gave birth to her. He had actually hoped it was all a lie and Mary was only saying that because she was obviously crazy, but Linda had confirmed it amidst tears while swearing to Mia that she always saw her as her real daughter. 

Linda's confirmation was all Mia needed. To their surprise, Mia nodded and turned around, then she left the room while he followed her quickly. She hadn't said a word, neither did she shed a tear. She was just quiet, still and pale.

Once they stopped at home, she excused herself and walked ahead of him, not turning back until she was inside her room,. It wasn't until her head hit the pillow that she burst into tears. 

********

"Why do you look like you are tired of living?" A part timer asked Jeremy as they looked around for products which had expired or close to their expiry date to separate from the others. 

Jeremy didn't answer. His mind was occupied. He had hope coming to work would clear his mind, but it even made things worse because this was Chloe's territory. He missed going upstairs to her office but now, he had to stop himself. He didn't want to get hurt.

"Come on, you look awful. What is wrong with you? You can't go on like this. When last did you have something to eat?" He pressed. Now, he stood in front of Jeremy and carried the crate he was holding from his hand. 

"What is wrong? Family problems? Love?" 

"I am fine. Just stressed." Jeremy said with a bored look. 

He nodded in understanding before offering, "Want to have beer with me when our shift ends? I was planning to drink a little, I've been stressed a lot lately also."  

Jeremy smiled at him but shook his head, "I don't drink." 

Aside from the fact that he had a low tolerance for alcohol,  Ellie was going to get mad if he went home drunk and he also didn't want to be an irresponsible brother. Besides, he wasn't looking forward to the hangover and the pills he would have to take afterwards. Everything pointed to the fact that he won't be drinking, not now, not later.  

"You don't?" He looked at him up and down as if sizing him up. 

"You have the looks, body and charm yet you don't? What a waste, tsk tsk." He shook his head pitifully. "What about pot? Do you smoke?"

"Never!" He didn't take normal cigarette, talk more of Marijuana. 

"Wow!!!" He said in awe which made Jeremy laugh. "You are a role model to the younger generation."

"You can be that." Jeremy said indifferently as he moved away to the side to let some customers pass through. 

"Hehehe. It's funny how they are attracted to you yet, you do not see it." 

"Who is attracted?" Jeremy asked and followed his gaze to see the two ladies that had just passed them still looking at him and giggling. 

"Thank you for the other day." The young part timer said seriously when Jeremy turned back to look at him. Apparently, he wasn't interested in anyone who was checking him out. 

Jeremy took back his crate from him and began to walk towards the room where the expired products are kept to be disposed of. "That's in the past."

"No, you would have lost your job." He said and hurried after Jeremy with his trolley which was full. 

"If you keep saying that, someone may hear you and finally, you'll get fired." 

"But... did she really agree to pay it up?" He asked curiously, ignoring Jeremy.

"Where did you hear that from?" Jeremy stopped to ask in surprise. 

"It was going around before you came to work. I thought you got fired since I didn't see you at work yesterday but I heard the boss already agreed to pay it up. Be truthful..." He moved closer to whisper. 

"You two really aren't in a relationship?" 

"We are in nothing of that sort." Jeremy said as he tried to get away from him and the conversation. 

"Then.. are you both in a purely s.e.x.u.a.l relationship?"

"Michael!" 

"Sorry, I just can't help but wonder why she is so nice to you. She must like you a lot." He said with a smile that made Jeremy shake his head. 

"I don't want to talk about it." 

"I am cheering for you Jere. A whole lot of people here are cheering for you." He touched Jeremy's shoulder while Jeremy continued to look at him in confusion. 

"The boss has been kinder since you became closer to her. We hope if you started dating for real, she would be even nicer, then you can help us tell her to increase our salaries." He said with a grin which made Jeremy laugh even though he knew that was silly.

"Just get out of here!" Jeremy said and pushed him away. He dropped his crate and fixed his key inside the door's keyhole and was met with a resistance. He frowned before turning the doorknob, the door was opened.

"Who is inside?" Michael asked and went inside first. Tonight, they were the only ones permitted inside the room so they were both curious. 

Michael gasped when he caught sight of a figure inside and quickly grabbed Jeremy's hand before closing the door slowly. 

"What is it? You act like you've seen a thief." Jeremy said with a curious frown. 

"It's.... the boss." Michael said and cleaned the sweat that had suddenly appeared on his forehead. 

"Do you... think she heard what I said just now?" He asked in fear.

"The boss? Miss King is inside?" Jeremy asked, also in a whisper.

Michael nodded and quickly stepped away from the trolley. "Please... take mine inside.  I... need to use the restroom." He said and ran away before Jeremy could stop him. 

Jeremy also didn't want to go in there. Okay, maybe a part of him wanted to see her, but the other part wanted to leave. He looked at the trolley and crate on the floor, he couldn't just leave them there.

After closing his eyes, he took several deep breaths before he opened the door.