After graduating high school, Urgo, Jini, Feraa, and Rakhi left for college at Greenstone City, while Jack stayed behind in their small town to work at the local garage. For Jack, staying meant saving up enough money to leave his father’s house—a decision he’d made the moment Mirnda walked out of their lives.
Jack knew what had driven Mirnda away: his father. He didn’t want to stay under the same roof with the man who had neglected her, or worse, brought someone else into their home so soon after the divorce.
That someone else was the secretary. She was young—barely 23—nearly 30 years younger than Jack’s father. She was undeniably attractive, with a slim figure, long legs, and a bold attitude that grated on Jack’s nerves. She wasn’t as stunning as Mirnda, but her youth and confidence were hard to ignore.
The secretary acted as though she owned the house. She often wore panties and bra at house that left little to the imagination, lounging around as though daring anyone to say something. Her teasing was relentless.
“Hey, Jack,” she purred one evening, leaning against the kitchen counter as he grabbed a beer from the fridge. One of bra strap fell down her shoulder, and bra was just enough to cover her nipples, leaving upper breast bare, with her voice was sweetly mocking. “You’ve been working out, haven’t you? I can tell.”
Jack didn’t answer. He kept his eyes firmly on the fridge door, but she laughed and stepped closer.
“No need to be shy,” she said, her tone teasing as she brushed past him. “You know, if you ever need advice on women…”
Jack slammed the fridge shut and walked out of the kitchen without a word. He didn’t have the patience for this—not now, not ever.
After nights like these, he’d retreat to his room, sit on his bed, and think about Mirnda. The memories were bittersweet—her cooking dinner while humming softly, the way she laughed at his jokes, and the warmth she brought to the house when his father was away. She had her moments of boldness, too, but it was never like this secretary’s calculated flirtations. Moreover Mirnda become bolder after she gave up on his father but this secratary.
Jack knew he couldn’t stay here. “I’m done,” he muttered to himself one night after another awkward encounter in the hallway. He had to leave.
—
So Jack decided to work tirelessly at the garage, picking up extra shifts wherever he could. He avoided his father and the secretary as much as possible, coming home only to eat, shower, and sleep. Every dollar he earned went toward his savings.
One day, while he was under the hood of a car, Rakhi called him. Her voice was cheerful, but there was an undertone of worry.
“So, my dad and I were talking about Greenstone City again,” she said. “Are you sure you’re okay with me going to college there? I mean, I can stay here if—”
“Rakhi,” Jack interrupted, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. “I told you, go. Greenstone City’s where your future is, and I’ll be there soon enough. I’m not staying here.”
“But how soon is soon?” she asked.
Jack grinned. “Soon enough to surprise you.”
—
Two years of saving and planning paid off. Jack didn’t have enough to buy a house outright, but he had scraped together enough for a down payment. When he mentioned his plans to Rakhi’s father, the man surprised him by offering to help with the loan.
“You’re serious about this, aren’t you?” Rakhi’s father asked, sitting across from Jack at the kitchen table.
Jack nodded. “Dead serious. Greenstone City has better job opportunities, and it’s where Rakhi will be working after college. It just makes sense.”
The older man leaned back in his chair, studying Jack with a thoughtful expression. “Alright. I’ll help you out with the loan. You’ve been good to Rakhi, and if this is where the two of you see your future, then I want to support that.”
Jack was taken aback by the generosity but managed to stammer out his thanks.
—
The day finally came for Jack to leave his hometown. As he packed up his belongings, Urgo pulled into the driveway in his beat-up SUV.
“Need a hand?” Urgo called out, leaning out the window with a grin.
Jack laughed. “Yeah, man. Got some heavy boxes in the garage.”
The two friends spent the next hour loading up the SUV with Jack’s essentials—tools from the garage, boxes of clothes, and a few pieces of furniture. As they worked, Urgo couldn’t help but tease him.
“So, moving to Greenstone City, huh?” Urgo said, wiping his hands on his jeans. “What’s the real reason? Better jobs, or is it Rakhi?”
Jack smirked. “Both. But mostly, I just need to get out of here.”
Urgo glanced at the house and let out a low whistle. “Yeah, I can see why. Heard about your dad’s new… situation.”
Jack’s jaw tightened. “Let’s not talk about it.”
Urgo held up his hands. “Fair enough. Anyways, go ahead, I will leave in morning.”
“Okay,” Jack nodded.
