Frank was not very happy when he took my Playstation to the pawn shop, only to have it seized when it was discovered I'd had it engraved with my name and number. According to the girl behind the counter, he'd promised to have me arrested for fraud, claiming the Playstation was a gift from him, and he was rightfully claiming it back. "He was not happy," she confided, as the process to verify my identity took place in the back office. "He's really mean; I'm surprised he's been in business this long."
"By being mean," I told her. She wasn't a supermodel, but she was quite easy on the eyes. I debated asking her out, but I was still raw from my ex's cheating on me, and truth be told, I needed a bit of time to heal before I ventured back into the dating game again. I think she was aware of my interest, though, and if her eyes were anything to go by, the interest was mutual.
The manager returned at that moment, cutting off the rapport. "It's all yours," he told me, handing me my ID and Playstation back. "Don't know where that guy gets off, but I'm glad someone has the guts to stand up to him."
"I just got sick of being pushed around," I said, tucking my ID in my wallet and my Playstation under my arm. "He's going to trip himself up one of these days, and I can't wait to see it."
"That's why I tell all my friends and family to go to the competition," the manager confided. "The prices are a little steeper, but the CEO is the nicest guy you'll ever meet. In fact, he's always looking for more staff. If you want, I can put in a good word for you."
I thought about it before nodding. "Sure, why not?" I said, reaching out with my free hand to shake his. "Thanks."
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhedIrzCH2
The next day, I got the surprise of my life when I walked into the interview. The CEO - whose name was Andrew - turned out to be the pawn shop manager, and he grinned at my thunderstruck expression. "I like to live a modest life," he told me. "So I work at the pawn shop, and I use those earnings to live. The earnings for the supermarket go into a trust fund for my daughter, who's going to be quite a wealthy young woman when she hits twenty one."
I had to smile. "That's a wise way to live," I said.
Andrew nodded. "You met her yesterday," he said with a small grin, and I blinked, before blushing as I realised I'd been making goo-goo eyes with the daughter of the CEO of the second largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom. "Well, now I feel a right plonker," I complained.
"Don't worry about it," Andrew assured me. "Giselle's been hit by hard times, however, and she's a bit rubbed raw. Her ex boyfriend turned out to be cheating on her with her best friend, and she hasn't taken the news well."
I grimaced in sympathy. "I know the feeling," I said sourly, before recounting the break up which had landed me in the predicament I was currently in with my landlord. Andrew frowned when I finished. "His name wouldn't happen to be Mark, would it?" he asked.
I nodded, before my eyes widened. "You have got to be kidding me!" I said, stunned.
As it turned out, my ex girlfriend had been Giselle's best friend, and her ex boyfriend had been mine. "Bloody hell," I muttered. "Talk about coincidence."
"We'll sort them out," Andrew promised me. "Now, about your employment, young man. I've a vacant flat above the shop. I'll deduct rent out of your wages, and the rest is yours to do with as you please. Sound fair?"
I nodded. "That sounds fair," I said.
Andrew nodded. "I have one rule," he said. "You keep that place tidy, and you make sure to come downstairs for dinner every night. Well, that's two rules, but you get the idea."
I did indeed get the idea. And as I walked out, newly employed and ready to start on Monday, I was dancing inside with glee. At one stroke, I'd be freed of my shitty flat and shitty landlord, and I could hardly wait.
But as I made my way down the street for the tube, I suddenly realised; what was going to happen to Gerry? Would he come with me, or would he leave once I moved out, his purpose done?
Suddenly, the afternoon didn't look quite as bright as it had.
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