The Villain Who Fell In Love

At the age of thirteen, Vanessa had to find a way to earn money. She didn't have a single clue how to get a job since she's a child. No one wants to hire her. But if she doesn't repay the money back, she will never see her parents again. 

Vanessa stood in front of a bar as her fingers swirled in circles. Her stomach curled, feeling scared of a new sensation she never felt before. As she was about to open the door to the pub the door swung open and a tall buff man pushes another man out of the pub.

"Don't come here if you can't pay!" yelled the man. When he looks down he saw Vanessa trembling, and he clicked his tongue. "What do you want kid? This is not a place for you to be. Can't you read the sign?" the man pointed at the sign that says, no children allowed. 

Vanessa couldn't speak rather she felt so intimidated by the man that her legs were trembling. She gulped and asked, "I-I-I-I ne-ne-need a j-job." She shut her eyes, not wanting to see anymore of the man. The more she looks at him, the more she became scared. 

"You work in a bar?" asked the man to be followed by a huff. "Keep dreaming kid. You do know your not legal to work here. Now leave."

Vanessa insisted so much that she shook her head and tucks the man's black apron. The man could feel her hands trembling, and he watches her close her eyes. He sighs heavily and scratches the back of his head. 

"Look. You're not fit to work here. Look at your thin arms. They look about to break and we have nasty customers here. I don't think you'll like it here. Go find another place."

Vanessa who knew nothing about this world continues to insist. She shook her head and clenches onto his apron harder than before. He sighs out loud, hesitating but, seeing Vanessa desperate, there must be a reason why. 

The clothes she wore looked like any commoner would wear. It's not ragged and rather neat. The color of her dress looked new. She doesn't look like any harm. But to bring her into the bar is a bad choice. 

"Alright, I'll let you work here. But you're not allowed to serve. At least you know how to wash the dishes, right?" the man sighed out loud for the nth time and brings Vanessa to the back door with a few more people. "Honey, I've brought a new worker. Guide her on what to do. She's in charge of the dishes."

The man was married with a loving wife and two other sons who stared at Vanessa as if she was a small puppy. 

The wife of the man stood up and pulls him by the corner. She asked, "Why did you allow her to work here?" The wife was only worried about Vanessa. She looked young and wondered where her parents are. 

"She looked desperate. We can ask her why she's trying to earn money at this age. If she went to other pubs, I wonder what would have happened to her," the man said and agreed the wife. 

"Young girl, may I ask you a question?" The wife asked and Vanessa nods her head, feeling no harm from telling the wife. She looked gentle and nice. Not to mention easy to talk to, unlike the man she talked to earlier. "Where are your parents?"

"They…They are at the temple. And they haven't been back at home since for how many days. Some old priest came to me and said that my parents are in danger if I don't pay them back an amount of money."

The man and the wife looked at each other with a serious expression on their faces. The wife looks back at Vanessa and gave her a smile. 

"You'll be safe here," said the wife while Vanessa titls her head to the side, confused by what she said. 

"Here?" repeated Vanessa and the wife just gave her a smile. 

"What is your name?" asked the wife. 

"Vanessa Greens."

"It's nice to meet you, Vanessa. You can call me Eve and my husband Tyson. The one on the right is Nico, and the left is Matt." 

Nico and Matt got off the tall chair and walks towards Vanessa, staring at her. Nico said, "Nice to meet you." While the Matt nods his head, frowning. He didn't look the type to be introduced to others. 

Since then, Vanessa worked in the pub for two years not until she started to work as a waitress in the pub. The pub she worked in was very successful. Lots of merchants and nobles came here to take a drink, and it's because Tyson is a reliable man who can keep his word.

"Here is the booze. Make sure to pay by the counter before leaving," Vanessa reminds the two customers who were both drunk. They waved their hands goodbyes to her as she left to the next table. 

The next table sat two men wearing a black hood on. It isn't unusual to see those types of people in the pub because it's normal. Vanessa walks to their table and said, "Today's speciality is fish and chips. It goes well with the booze."

The man by her right looks up to her while she smiles, waiting for their responses. "Yes, we'll get that and two boozes."

"Thank you for ordering. I'll back back in a bit," said Vanessa, rushing to the back of the kitchen and yelled, "One fish and chips." Then moves towards the keg and on the way she grabs two tall glass cup, fills the cup with booze. She then moves back to their table and places the boozes then leaves. 

The man, wearing a hood kept looking at Vanessa. That the other man wearing a hood asked, "You like her?" This made the man choke while drinking his booze. 

He shook his head, answering, "No, she looks familiar. Stop assuming that if I look at a girl, I like her."

The other man gulps the booze down and asked, "Are you still searching for her? You couldn't find her since two years ago. She might have left this empire already.

"And you think traveling is so easy? It takes money and time. I doubt that girl would try and do that."

"People change before you know it."

"She's not the only one who disappeared. So did her parents and her younger sister."

"You did much research on her but not on our own business?" The man chuckles. 

"And that waitress earlier looked like her. But maturer."

"Come on, Air. Just give up on her and find a better woman."

"I'm sorry but I cannot. I made a promise," said Air. 

From afar you could hear Eve's voice calling, "Vanessa! The food is ready to be severed." This made Air stand up and watches Vanessa server their food to their table. 

When Vanessa reached the table she looked confused why the man was standing up. Instead, she places the food onto their table and as she was about to leave, she felt her hand being pulled, making her stop. She turns her head, looking up she sees his face.

"Are you Vanessa Greens?" Air asked while Vanessa slowly nodded her head while he smiled. 

"Yes…Are there any problem?" asked Vanessa. Having her name expose around was normal for her. There are times customers enters the pub just to see Vanessa. 

"Why are you working here?" asked Air while her lips formed a straight line.

"Because I need to earn money?" 

"Do you even recognize me?" When Air pulled his hood down Vanessa's eye grew wide then she gasped. 

"I don't know," answered Vanessa while the other man wearing the hood snorts as he tries to hold in his laughter.

Then what was the point of looking shocked? Is what Air wanted to ask her, but instead he sighed. 

"The little boy from Lake Mela. We met before, remember?" said Air while Vanessa finally remembers.

"You're that small boy who ran away from home because he didn't want to do finish his homework," Vanessa said, making the other man burst into laughter. She looked at him confused, then back at Air. "From what I recall your name is Air."

"Yes, that is my name," said Air, keeping his patience in. He knew that Vanessa had a bold personality but still saying that out loud, especially the Emperor heard it all. "The truth is I've been trying to find you and couldn't."

"Why? Is there something you need from me?" asked Vanessa.

"I just need to fulfill a promise I made with your mother," said Air, making her frown. 

It has been a long time since she had heard someone care about her mother or her parents. Just hearing this made her avert her eyes away from him. 

"I don't think you need to."