Success Mess

"Mr. Michael"

"That's the only personal property I have and cherish"

"I can't afford to sell it off" Mr. Park explains sadly to Michael.

"Since you can't sell it, how about leasing it out?" Michael suggests anxiously.

"Do you want to rent it?" Mr. Park asks skeptically.

"My friend, she will be here soon"

"Don't say no to her" Michael commands vividly.

"Renting this building will cost you a fortune" Mr. Park informs boastfully.

"How much will it cost me?" Michael asks impatiently.

"The rent is three thousand dollars"

"For a year" Mr. Park informs apathetically.

"I will pay two thousand dollars while she pays the remaining"

+                                     +                              +

"One thousand dollars!" July and Rachael exclaims surprisingly in unison.

"That's too much sir" July complains sadly.

They start off negotiating on the price and a notification binge on July's phone screen.

"Three thousand dollars from mother" July mutters softly to herself in a low tone and smile.

"I accept the deal Mr. Park" July said courageously as she crossed her leg on the seat while Rachael stared at her in astonishment.

"My lawyer will be here soon" Mr. Park informs politely and leaves the small basement giving them some privacy.

"What was that?" Rachael asks anxiously.

"Mum sent me a huge amount of money" July explains briefly with a wide smile and Rachael nods her head happily.

Hours later, a man on white sleeve and black suit walks into the empty basement. July starts reading and signing on essential pages that require signature, Rachael being the witness joins on signing.

"Congratulations Miss. July Thompson" Mr. Park shakes July's hand tightly with a smile and later hands the title deed for mortgage to July.

Mr. Park leaves the building with his lawyer while July and Rachael walk out of the building confidently.

"July" Michael calls impulsively from a distance and they face his direction gradually in astonishment.

"Michael!" July calls as she approaches him smiling.

"What are you doing here?" July asks curiously.

"I work at the hospital four blocks away" Michael informs with a bright smile facing Rachael.

"Rachael, how is work?" Michael asks politely.

"Fine" Rachael said bluntly, turning over July.

"I left the café all day, my boss may get mad" Rachael explains pitifully to July, July touches her shoulder softly with a small smile.

"Thank you so much Rach"

"I will visit you soon," July said impulsively and Rachael nodded her head with a small smile, she left.

"Mind if we grab a bite?'"

"I am so hungry" July asks sarcastically squeezing her face anxiously as her stomach growl, Michael laughs under his nose.

Mr. Thompson sits on the dining table chair, eating rice and spiced stew as Sarah rushes into the house happily.

"Honey" Sarah calls anxiously.

"I'm in the dining room," Thompson responds politely at the top of his voice.

"Our daughter sent us a parcel" Sarah gives the envelope to Thompson curiously and he opens it quickly.

~~**~~

Dad, Mum

I want to freely express myself on pages

Words can't express how grateful I'm

Your support came to me at the right time

This, I thank you and dad plentifully

I'm fine and living happily with new friends here

Please, don't send me any money for our family needs it more than I do right now

I will be fine mum, don't worry

Take care of my dad and yourself.

Yours lovely,

Daughter, July

~~**~~

Thompson reads the letter slowly to himself and Sarah as she falls roughly on the cushion with a sad facial expression.

"Will she be alright?" Sarah whimpers anxiously.

"Trust July, she will be" Thompson convinces his wife with a warm smile while folding the letter sadly.

Michael sits on an empty seat in the café as he drinks the coffee slowly while glancing through a document, Rachael approaches him awkwardly.

"Michael"

"What's going on between you and July?" Rachael stutters nervously, Michael smirks softly as she closes the document and places it on the table.

"The last time I checked, you and I are no longer in a relationship" Michael reminds vividly with a tough smile.

"At least I deserve an answer as your ...." Rachael stammers sadly and falls silent.

"I am about to court July and it's none of your business" Michael informs angrily as he stands up from the seat making a noisy sound.

"Mich" Rachael calls sadly looking pitiful.

"Play your role as a best friend and don't give her any hard time," Michael said vividly, collecting the document on the table and storming out of the café.

"July"

"Why July ....?" Rachael laments sadly to herself in a low tone.

"Move the chairs and table closer to the window"

"Yes, good!"

"Straighten the counter"

"Move the box to the left"

"Where should that be?" July directs the company privies while they set up her pet clinic to her taste, she looks stressed out as sweats gather round her forehead and lower lip.

"Calm your nerves down, superwoman" Michael teases jokingly while giving July a bottle of water, she laughs while receiving it graciously.

"Thank you Mich"

"Why are you here?" July asks absentmindedly while concentrating on the workers.

"I'm here for you" Michael replies lovingly.

Michael walks closer to July standing in front of her, they face each other closely.

"What?" July asks nervously as her neck vein all chin up.

Michael ignores bringing out a clean white napkin from his left suit pocket, he cleans the sweats gradually off her face as she stares in surprise.

"Thank you" July mutters awkwardly with blushes all over her cheeks.

"Madam"

"Where should the cabinet stay?" a servant calls her attention politely.

"Oh" July leaves Michael shyly, Michael tuck his hands into his pocket watching hardworking July in admiration.

_                            _                                          _

During the preparation July spent money on buying animal inventories and other essential equipment, she paid bills and also took care of maintenance in the clinic. Finally within a month her pet clinic is ready for business.

July, Rachael and Michael sent out fliers on the street inviting people to visit the clinic soon but none turned up.

In two months, July had just five customers and yet she was as happy as someone who has a troop of customers. Rachael suggests a celebration since July's plan is in progress/success and they ride to a nearby club to celebrate.

*Cling* *Cling* "Cheers!" their glasses collide together making a sharp sound as they gulp the alcohol immediately.

"Congratulations July, you are new in Rollan city but already ruling" Rachael said happily as she turned the drink into their empty glasses.

"Yeas"

"I am proud of you, July" Michael said lovingly, placing his hand on July's soft hair as he caressed it tenderly, July smiled and pulled his hand holding it strongly.

"Thank you Michael for always being by my side" July stares at Michael's eyes passionately.

"Drink! Drink!" Rachael chants loudly, intentionally breaking the moment between them as she gulps the drink.

"Thank you Rachael and Michael" July stands up holding the glass of alcohol, she drinks it swiftly in seconds.

"Good!" Michael and Rachael clap their hands happily while July staggers trying to sit down.

"As much as success looks futile, I shall not give up," July said confidently with a loud voice.

"I'm with you"

"Me too" Michael and Rachael stare at each other for some minutes gulping their drink.

"Careful"

"Careful" Michael holds July strongly as she staggers in the hallway muttering meaningless words.

Michael impatiently opens July's door and she stumbles on the floor pulling him along with her, he scoffs mockingly.

"Why did you drink alcohol when you know ..." Michael tries to speak but July put a finger on his lips, he falls silent impulsively.

"Shiii ..." July whispers drunkenly as Michael faces her anxiously.