Nathaniel and his brothers ran a car repair shop along the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway.
Everyone was surprised to see me. "Felicity, what brings you here? To see me?"
A fat man chimed in. Over the two months I'd been here, he was always among those playing cards at home.
"Get lost, Boss is taking his young lady out for air, what's it to you?"
"Yeah, Watch out, he might kiss your ass."
Nathaniel shot them a glare.
"Don't want your paychecks? Were you hired to gossip?" The group fell silent.
"Back to work." Fat man reminded everyone, then turned to me, "Felicity, you sit here."
"You too, Paulo!" Nathaniel glared at him irritably.
Fat man scurried off in fear.
"Why are you staring at me?" Nathaniel turned to me, noticing my gaze.
"Has anyone told you, you're scary?" I stood there, feeling he was overly harsh, even towards his own man.
"I was giving them work instructions, how was I scary? Who do you think isn't scary?" He bent down to look at me amusedly.
"He doesn't look scary." I pointed at the fat man and dared not say more; I was afraid of him too.
"Then follow him." He kicked a stool and walked away.
I stood awkwardly, unsure what I had done to upset him.
Eventually, Fat man led me aside, asking what I wanted to do. I said I wanted to learn how to wash cars, so he taught me.
Compared to Nathaniel, he was infinitely gentler. "Most of the workers here used to work construction sites with him. When we didn't get paid, he brought us back home and supported us all by repairing cars. He's really a good man."
Fat Uncle shared the story while teaching me.
I froze for a second. "The payment you mentioned, is that the one million my dad owes?"
Fat man realized his slip-up, turning nervous. "Your dad is your dad, you're you. We were desperate back then, many needed the money for medical bills. I swear, Boss never intended to harm you." He raised his hands in a nervous oath.
"It's my dad's fault." My spirits plummeted.
"You shouldn't blame yourself. Boss covered most of the payment in the end. It wasn't fully covered, but not far off. That's why we're all loyal to him for life." Fat man offered me a smile.
I was stunned. My impression of Nathaniel was the shabby rental and his disheveled self. I always thought he was poor, someone who made me account for every cent, even a 3 dollars instant noodle pack. Never did I imagine he'd use all his money to cover the construction payment.
I felt even guiltier. All morning, Fat man taught me carefully and attentively, mindful of my safety.
Other man, upon finishing their tasks, came over to teach me and took on the more physically demanding parts themselves.
"Felicity, just treat it as summer exercise, no need to be so serious."
"Yeah, girls shouldn't do such dirty and heavy work."
Soon, Fat man brought out a large watermelon and handed me the center piece, wiping his hands thoroughly on his clothes before grinning, "I washed it many times. It's not dirty."
"Thanks." I took a bite gently, "So sweet."
The group burst into laughter again. But my nose tingled with sadness. They were all good people.
I glanced at Nathaniel, who was under a car fixing it, not having spoken to me all morning.
I took him a slice of watermelon. "My hands are dirty, eat it yourself."
He was too busy to bother with me. "I can feed you…"
"No—-" Before he could finish, I stuffed a piece into his mouth.
Watching his dark expression and the watermelon seeds stuck to his face, I asked cautiously, "Is it sweet? Sir."
He stared at me, silent for a few seconds, then looked away, swallowing hard, about to scold me— "One more bite, okay?"
Without waiting for an answer, I fed him another piece.
This time, his face was smeared with watermelon flesh again. I was clearly not a skilled feeder.
His face darkened. "Felicity! Clean it up!"
He lowered his voice, on the verge of losing his temper. "Oh, I almost forgot, Fat man asked me to help clean the windows. I'll go now."
I took the watermelon and walked off. Thinking I was safe after escaping to Fat man, within five minutes, I was dragged into the back room from the crowd.
"Sir." I was a bit scared.
"You are getting bold, are you? I asked you to clean my face, did you hear me?" His shadow loomed over me, "Clean it."
"I don't have tissues." I whispered. "I don't care."
He barked. "You!"
I gritted my teeth, "Then lower your face to me."
I reached out, using my index finger, gently wiping the watermelon from his face.
He bent down, our gazes meeting, his breath hot against my neck, my heart suddenly racing.
"You... Don't breathe on me." I was flustered.
"What? Not allowing me to breathe now? Did my breathing offend you?"
"No, it's just...my heart is beating so fast." I held my breath, my heart pounding so hard I thought I might die.
