Luck and You

“Patrice! On table 5 please?” Mrs. Lee ordered.

Patrice Kwon is an orphan. She is a strong girl who works at a café part time as she goes to school during the day.

Yes. Orphan. Her parents died due to an accident when she was still 5 years old. She stayed at the orphanage until she could live on her own, which she is doing right now. She lives in a small apartment at a not – so – cool neighborhood.

All her life, she has been wanting to have a better living, a rich family. It was her wish: to be adopted by a rich family.

She always watched the kids in the orphanage as they were adopted by rich couples who can’t have a child, by people who wants to have a child but doesn’t want to have a husband or wife, by parents who have just had to pass the time of their child’s death.

Yes, how she wanted to be the one to be adopted by those.

But nah, she wasn’t adopted.

Although, that didn’t stop her determination to be rich. Just as when she was freed from the orphanage, she looked for jobs and a place to stay at.

She had 3 jobs to start with and to catch up with the bills. Sure, it was really hard for her. But she made it. Right now, she is studying with a part time job to keep her alive. Sure, it is tiring, but that’s life.

Patrice went back to the counter once she had served the table 5.

Mina smiled at her. “Tired now?” She asked.

Patrice smiled back. “I have no time to be tired right now, do I?” She asked looking at the bunch of people inside the café.

Mina chuckled and shook her head. “No. You don’t.” She said.

Mina is Patrice’s friend who also works on that café. She, also, is a working student. She would study by day and work at night. She has a family who lives in the province that depends on her. Yes, even though she is just a student.

Patrice approached the new costumers who had just entered the shop.

“Good Evening! Welcome to Lee Café!” She greeted politely.

The girls just shrug her off. “Move, Patrice Kwon.” Jillian said as she pushed Patrice out of the way and followed her friends inside.

Patrice glared at Jillian’s back. How she hated that girl.

Jillian Lee is the daughter of Mrs. Lee, who owns the shop. She studies at the prestigious Woollim High where a lot of rich people go to. She always has her way to get all her luxuries she needed because her parents treat her so well, as their only daughter.

“What are you doing there staring at me, Patrice Kwon? Come and take our order!” Jillian shouted at Patrice making her embarrassed inside the café.

Patrice rolled her eyes inwardly and balled her fist on the sides. *This girl. She’s so bossy. Like she’s the one giving me my wage!* She screamed inside her head.

Patrice went to the table with Jillian and friends.

Jillian gawked at Patrice before she turned to her friends. “Girls, order all you want. It’s all on me.” She said.

Then her friends grew excited and threw all their orders at Patrice who grew really confused because they talk all at the same time.

Patrice sighed when she cleared the orders. “I’ll get back to you with your orders. Thank you.” She bowed at them and went to the counter.

She threw her order sheet on the counter in full anger with Jillian. She really doesn’t get why Jillian is so harsh when her parents are really kind and nice.

Mina just chuckled to see her friend getting fed up by the boss’s daughter. “She’s getting into your nerves again?” She asked.

Patrice looked at her and gritted her teeth as she looked at Jillian chitchatting with her girlfriends. “That girl is the spawn of the devil. She is a full – blooded female dog.” She ranted leaving Mina laughing while holding her stomach.

Ever since Patrice came in to this café, Jillian was really bad to her. She would shout at Patrice even though Patrice wasn’t doing something wrong.

She would always blame Patrice even though Patrice was away when an unfortunate incident happened.

She would always point at Patrice whenever there was a mistake done.

Patrice. Patrice. Patrice. Everything is Patrice’s fault. Always.

“Here. Deliver to the table of the female dog.” Mina teased as she gave Patrice the tray of the orders of Jillian’s friends.

Patrice whined but what can she do? She has to bring this to them.

She groggily took the tray and walked to the table of the female dogs.

“Here are your orders.” She said as she gave them each of their orders.

Jillian just looked at her in a mean way as she chatted with her friends.

“Jillian, is L coming here with his friends?” The blonde girl asked.

L, short for Lance Kim. Jillian’s handsome boyfriend.

Jillian just shrugged. “I am not sure but I think so.” She said as she took a sip at her macchiato. Then her face turned sour. “Pwe! What kind of drink is this?! Why is it so sweet?!” She asked making Patrice jump in shock.

Jillian glared at her. “I don’t like this.” She said. “Give me another one.” She ordered.

Patrice gasped. “But that’s what you ordered.” She reasoned.

Jillian glared at her more. “Do I look like I care? Change this or I’ll tell mom about this!” She threatened.

Patrice sighed and took the drink. She turned around and didn’t notice that someone is behind her.

“OMG!” Patrice gasped.

The drink spilled on the guy’s shirt.

“What the fuck!” The guy said. “Aren’t you looking where you are going?!” HE asked.

Patrice looked at the guy with another shock. This guy was just too handsome. Too handsome to be a human.

She bowed repeatedly. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I will help you clean up.” She volunteered as she wiped his shirt with the tissues.

The guy yanked her hands away. “Tch. Why are there a lot of careless people here?!” He asked. “Jillian! Babe, tell your mom to fire this girl!” He said making Patrice widen her eyes.

*Fire? ME? No you can’t!* She thought as she began to tremble.

Jillian stood up and faced Patrice. “Hey. First you got my macchiato so sweet. And now you spilled it on my boyfriend’s shirt?! How dare you!” She shouted at her.

Patrice bit her lip and prevented her tears from falling. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to-“ She was cut because of Jillian.

“I will definitely tell mom about this.” She said as she faced the guy. “L, are you okay?” She asked.

L just glared at Patrice and sighed. “Yeah. I’m fine.” He replied.

Jillian smiled and pecked his lips then she turned to Patrice on the side. “What are you still doing here? Go! Now!” She yelled making Patrice walk to the kitchen.

“What happened there, Patrice?” Mrs. Lee asked Patrice in a good manner.

Yes, Jillian reported the incident to her mom. And right now, Mrs. Lee is asking Patrice to tell her the whole story.

Patrice sighed and looked down. “I was serving Jillian’s table. I gave them the drinks they ordered. But then Jillian wanted to change her macchiato because, according to her, it tasted very sweet.” She looked at Mrs. Lee who was intently listening.

“Then, I took her drink so I could change it. But then when I turned around, I didn’t think that there was a person behind me. I got shocked and I poured some of the macchiato on him.” She looked at Mrs. Lee again. “I swear, I didn’t mean it.” She said with her right hand raised.

Mrs. Lee looked at Jillian who was glaring at Patrice. “It wasn’t her fault, Jillian.” She said making Jillian look at her in disbelief.

“But, Mom! She spilled macchiato on my boyfriend’s shirt! That is unforgivable!” Jillian scowled making Patrice shrink in her seat.

Mrs. Lee massaged her temple. “But still, your boyfriend also has the mistake here. He wasn’t looking as well.” She explained.

Jillian stood up from her seat and crossed her arm. “Fire her, Mom! Or else!” She threatened before walking out.

Mrs. Lee and Patrice were shocked to see Jillian like this.

Does she hate Patrice this much?

Mrs. Lee just shook her head. Even if Jillian is like this, she loves her daughter so much. She looked at Patrice who is on the state of shock still. “I’m sorry, Patrice.” She said.

Patrice widened her eyes at Mrs. Lee. *Is she going to fire me? No. No. Don’t fire me. No, Mrs. Lee!* She thought nonstop.

“I will have to suspend you for a month.” Mrs. Lee said. Patrice sighed in relief.

But then she thought. *No work for one month? That means, no money for a month? How about my bills?!!!!* She thought.

“I’m really sorry at how my daughter acts, Patrice. She just acts like that because she is an only child.” Mrs. Lee said as she stood up.

*Yeah. And a brat too.* Patrice thought. She stood up and smiled. “It’s okay, Mrs. Lee. I’m used to it.” She said as she bowed. “I will be back in a month.” She said before heading out.

As Patrice closed the door of the office, Mina was waiting for her.

“Hey, what happened?” Mina asked her concerned.

Patrice smiled. “I am suspended for a month, Mina.” She said.

Mina sighed in relief. “Thank God, you weren’t fired!” She beamed as she hugged Patrice. “I thought that female dog will explode when she strode out of the room.” She said.

“Well, she did.” Patrice replied as she took her things. “I’ll see you in a month, Mina.” She said.

Mina smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry. I will get back at that female dog when you are away.” She said.

Patrice smiled. “Don’t get near her. She’s rabid.” She joked.

Mina chuckled and nodded. “I know. Very rabid.” She added as she hugged Patrice. “I will miss you for a month.” She said.

Patrice smiled. “Me too.” She said as she turned to leave.

Patrice arrived at her small apartment. The place she has been living since she was freed from the orphanage.

It was a small one. Well, good for one person. Good for her. It still lacks some appliances but it has the most needed ones.

There is a TV, which she seldom uses because she works til night and when she goes home, she is literally knock off from bed.

There is a small refrigerator where she can place her unfinished food.

There is a bed, a very comfortable bed. Well, it should be comfortable. Patrice loves this the most. She feels so relaxed.

She threw her bad at the small couch she has and plopped herself on her bed.

She punched and punched and punched the bed thinking it was Jillian and that darn L guy.

“AAAAAAHHHHHHH! I hate those two!!!” She screamed out loud in the pillow.

Yes, she is going out of her mind.

And yes, it is because of Jillian and L.

“How am I going to pay my bills when I don’t have work for one month?!” She asked herself in astonishment.

She sighed and took her piggy bank under her bed.

She put all of the contents of the piggy bank on the bed.

“I need 4,000 for my apartment fee, 2,000 for my electricity and water and the rest will be my allowance.” She muttered as she started counting the money.

It is good that she has been saving money in case of emergency. And yes, this is an emergency. Whether she likes it or not.

“11 thousand, 11 thousand 500, 12 thousand, 13 thousand, 13 thousand two hundred fifty three.” She counted the money inside.

She sighed in relief when she knew that she still has money for a whole month. And not just that, it is more than what she needs.

“It’s good that you won’t be left without money, Mr. Piggy.” She talked to the piggy bank as she placed the extra money inside it.

She laid on the bed again and slept. For there will be school tomorrow.

“PATRICE!!!!!” Helga, her friend in school called her the next day.

Patrice is studying at Pledis High, a second rate school. This is the only school she could afford with all the works she had before.

And yes, she somehow, enjoyed going here.

“Oh, Helga!” She greeted her friend back.

Helga smiled at her widely.

Patrice looked at her weirdly. “What’s with that smile?” She asked.

Helga shrugged. “I’ll tell you later. Let’s get to class first.” She said as she clung her arm around Patrice’s.

They arrived their room and sat on their seats.

Patrice looked at Helga. “So, what are you smiling widely about?” She asked.

Helga took something from her bag. “Here.” She said as she revealed two tickets.

Patrice looked at the ticket. “What are those?” She asked.

“Tickets. Tickets to wealth.” Helga said.

With that, Patrice’s ears perked up. “What about that?” she asked.

Helga smiled. “Well, you just have to tutor one of the seven hottest guys in the city.” She said.

Patrice shook her head suddenly. “Aish. I don’t want to. Even if I am suspended for a month right now, I am not going to tutor a guy.” She said as she sat back.

Helga widened her eyes in shock. “OMO! You are suspended from work? Why?” She asked.

Patrice sighed. She gets mad when she thinks about the situation again. “Well, Jillian wanted me to be fired because I accidentally spilled a drink on her boyfriend’s shirt.” She said with anger in her voice.

Helga frowned. “Tch. Seriously! She is a female dog!” She said. She loves to call Jillian a female dog too. She hears about Jillian from Patrice’s stories.

Patrice just laughed. “So yeah. I was suspended. For a month.” She said. “It is a good thing that I wasn’t fired though.” She added. “It’s hard to look for a part time job.” She continued.

Helga nodded before an idea came to her mind. “Pat…” She called.

Patrice looked at her. “What?” She asked.

“So, how about your bills? Can you pay them?” Helga asked.

Patrice nodded. “I have my savings. It is more than enough for a month for me.” She replied.

Helga looked at her with eyes telling her something. “You know this ticket, when you get raffled, you will get a chance to earn 750,000 a month.” She said.

Patrice’s eyes widened. “750,000 per month?” She asked again. Now, with blooming interest on the tickets.

Helga nodded enthusiastically. “So, what? You coming with me?” She asked. “I bought two tickets for you and me you know.” She added.

Patrice looked at the ticket. *750,000 per month. What an offer!!!* She screamed in her mind. “What do we need to pass?” She asked.

Helga smiled at her friend. She can see that Patrice is interested already. “Just a photocopy of your grades.” She said.

Patrice nodded. “Oh.” She said thinking.

Helga smiled. “So, are you joining me in this raffle?” She asked.

Patrice looked at her friend. *There is no harm right?* She thought as she smiled at Helga. “Yeah. Count me in.” She said.

“YES!!!!” Helga pumped her fist in pure excitement. “This is our chance to be rich!!!!” She told Patrice.

*Wealth? Here I come!!!!* Patrice thought as she looked at the raffle ticket in her hands.