The New me

Yesterday after playing the voice recorder again, I finally had an idea of where to start. I found someone on the internet that does odd jobs and paid him the sum he required- I even told him I'd double the amount if he was successful.

Today, he proved himself. I wondered though, how does he snoop around to find the information customers require.

I went to his website and dropped him a message, and he responded after ten minutes. I asked him if he did private investigations on people, and he answered that he does, but that he couldn't do it this week since his schedule was full. If I wanted to, he could refer me to his friend, or so he said.

I honestly first thought that this guy was an unemployed adult that scammed people, so I made a deal with him that if he gives me the result I want, then I'll double his pay. But is it really this person? So I sent him another message again.

I saw that he was online and he was typing his reply.

[That is the guy! If you don't want to believe me then don't! Pay up!!! Now!!!!! You better gimme twice the amount for my job well done or else this uncle will spite you! P.s. I need it for my baby's formula.]

Closing his message, I had the urge not to send him any amount. Forget it, he earned it anyway. I took my phone out and did a banking transfer. The odd job guy responded straightaway.

[Thank you! Who do you want to investigate? Someone canceled his appointment so rejoice! You can take his slot.]

This time, I don't even want to reply, yet who else could I turn to?

◽ The same guy on the file. Find out who he came in contact with the past month, this week and the days ahead.◽

[Ok. Pay the deposit now and I'll be at your service.]

I quickly typed in the amount he's asking before I could change my mind and have him arrested by authorities.

When I came home, I was determined to invest more or else one day the money I'm earning would just fly away and leave me begging on the streets. Nothing much happened over the next four days. Just like before, I dropped by the hospital and payed Aster a visit after work. He was still in a coma.

Luke invited me out once, but I declined. I told him my reasons and was surprised one day when he, too, came to the hospital. He said that they only heard that Aster was sick and needed to be hospitalized. He never expected that he had suffered from an accident. Heather's father confided that he managed to silence the media about it as he doesn't want some random hearsay passing through peoples ears. Though he couldn't completely erase the news, he managed to turn it into a different story. Before he left, he promised that he'll come again once he clears all his remaining work.

Linden also had time to spare. He told me that because the series was pre-produced, they were tight on time as a way to cut their budget. He also told me that they revised a part of the script after seeing him act and said that I need to watch out for it.

At my next day off, I went back to Empire Avenue to relieve my stress. I was busy taking pictures when I snapped a photo of Heather's wannabe sister, Lilac passing by. Then I remembered Aster mentioning that the ex-husband of Ms. Violet was a bouncer in one of the clubs here. That day I was ready to offer my assistance but he was not there to look for the husband. Today if I tail Lilac, then I may have a chance to encounter the guy.

So, I turned around and looked for her shadow. I wandered aimlessly until I saw a familiar dress. I walked slowly- cautiously- and peeked at her side profile. It was her. She was speaking with another young lady. I tried to come closer and eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Lilac, you're not the same as before! Look at you, gosh, is that from the Gleam store?"

"You bet. Look at this." She showed her bracelet, "From Inspirit. And these shoes are from Sole Mafia."

"Wow! Lilac, you're rich!" the young lady exclaimed.

"I am not. Stop exaggerating, Wedelia." She said bashfully, waving her hand to her friend.

"It's not an exaggeration. You weren't like this the last time we met at school. You were wearing something old before but now, d*mn girl, it's a 180-degree transformation. What do you call it? You're like Cinderella. Once a pauper, now a princess."

"Clothes are just fabrics made into a design so, of course, they get old during the course of time."

"Ei~ don't tell me those crappy reasons. Why don't you let me in too?" The young lady nudged Lilac lightly.

"What are you talking about?" Lilac answered as she slightly narrowed her eyes.

"Ei~ it's not like we don't know each other. Who did you scam this time huh?" The young lady asked looking like she found it amusing.

Lilac carefully surveyed her surroundings before answering, "Don't you dare show up in front of me again if you keep saying that nonsense." She then left hurriedly, leaving her friend behind.

The friend was obviously unhappy as I heard her say, "What the? She acts like someone so righteous when she's not. As if she'd have the money to buy herself those things when she doesn't even work and only relies on her parents for money. What a pretentious b****."

When they both left, I immediately stopped playing with the dog going out for a walk with his owner. I thanked the guy then left to search for Lilac. The word 'scam' aroused my curiosity. I only tailed her simply because I wanted to know her father, yet it seemed that I'm getting another side of the story. Did they purposely go after Mr. Wei as Heather had implied?

I attentively looked for her amongst the crowd. Once I confirmed that I saw her, I instantly went in the same direction. She was leisurely walking and making stops at stores nearby. After she was done shopping, she crossed the road and entered a path between two buildings. I followed with much vigilance and saw her turning into another path.

She looked like she'd been there before given with how she was relaxed in turning from one path to another. We were in an alley, and I could see people chatting and drinking on the sides. Their living quarters must be around the area according to how they're dressed.

I was momentarily distracted by a drunkard, so I lost sight of Lilac. The other men around apologized and advised me to go back to the entrance as I looked like I didn't belong at that place. I only smiled and said my thanks.

Turning to my right, I could only pray to my luck… and I ended up meeting another familiar face.