Tʜᴇ Mᴀғɪᴀ Aɴᴅ Hᴇʀ Bᴏᴅʏɢᴜᴀʀᴅ (ɢxɢ) ᴀɴɢɪᴇ_ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

Chapter 1 - The Beginning

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THE BEGINNING

It didn't took long for Paris to arrive home. She took out a small mirror from her purse, making sure that she didn't look like she fought a whole group of gangsters just now, and got off the motorcycle.

When she entered her house, another surprise was waiting for her inside. It was definitely not a good one.

"What happened?!" She asked as she approached her brother and uncle that were in the living room. She noticed how her uncle was beaten up severely on the face, while her younger brother, Parker, was treating his injuries.

"It's fine. Just sit down, Paris." The uncle responded. Paris did as she was told and sat down on in the couch next to them. Seeing the concern on her face, the uncle explained, "The rent people came to collect the money. I happened to be here, so I was able to protect Parker from getting hurt by them."

"Fucking bastards." Paris ruffled her own hair in frustration. If someone ever lay a finger on her younger brother, she would definitely kill them. "Thanks a lot, Uncle."

"It's alright." The Uncle sighed.

"Are you okay though?" Paris asked.

"I'm alright, don't worry. But...Why did you stop paying them?" Uncle asked this time.

Paris stared at Parker and then at her uncle, "Parker just started a new semester at school. So I haven't been able to pay them because he is more important right now."

The Uncle understood the situation, but still explained, "They asked for six thousand dollars by this week, or else they will take the house away-"

"Six thousand dollars?! What the hell is wrong with them?!" Paris knocked her fist on the small table in front of the couch. She couldn't believe that they raised the money this much because they haven't been able to pay the rent on time.

"Paris, I'm sorry. This is all my fault." Parker mumbled, as if he wanted to cry.

Hearing her brother say that broke Paris' heart into pieces. "No, no, it's not. Don't say that. None of this is your fault." She reached out with her hand to caress Parker's head gently. How could she not feel pain after hearing her brother apologize about something that has nothing to do with him. He is such an angel. "Don't worry, Parker. I can still handle this. Don't think too much about it." Her hand slides from his head, down to his cheek. She strokes it with her thumb and nods at him.

Parker was at the edge of crying, but he pursed his lips, restraining his tears, and nodded back at her. Paris has always been so gentle and caring with him, yet he doesn't even know what to do to help her in a situation like this.

"Have you guys eaten?" Paris asked.

Uncle and Parker shook their heads at the same time.

"Good, because I bought some instant noodles. We can all eat together." Paris said with a soft smile. This was a genuine smile. And only people that she loved were able to see such a soft expression of hers.

After they finished eating together, Parker head to bed early, while Paris and her uncle stayed in the living room to keep chatting.

Uncle laid his head back on the couch as he spoke, "If I could help you guys, I would. But, unfortunately, I invested my money on Crypto because of a suggestion of a friend of mine, and I'm also at the edge of a cliff right now."

"Don't worry, Uncle. Just forget about it. This has nothing to do with you either. I should be working harder to maintain this house." Paris responded as she gaze down at the floor. "You're the only person that has been helping us until now, you've done enough."

"I haven't helped you guys with anything. Trust me, If I could do more for you guys, I would. I'm just..." Uncle stared at the floor as well, sniffing his nose. "I'm sorry."

"Don't say sorry." Paris shook her head, not knowing what to say next before she realized something.

She quickly stood up to grab her purse and took out the watch that she got from that tall woman from earlier. "Uncle, how much money do you think this costs?" She handed the watch to her uncle for him to have a closer look.

Surprised that Paris had such an expensive thing with her, the uncle asked, "Where did you get that?"

"A costumer gave it to me." Was the first thing that came out of her mouth. She couldn't just say that she took it away from someone after saving their life, right? This was the only thing that made sense.

"Well, I don't know much about these things, but..." The uncle examined the watch for a while before turning his gaze back at Paris. "I'm guessing this is about three thousands or so."

Hearing this, some hope lighted up in Paris' eyes. A soft smile slowly showing on her face.

"But that's still not enough though..." The uncle added.

Paris, "Woah! That's enough money for now. Don't worry, I'll be able to find the rest we need soon."

Uncle, "How is that even possible? We only have three days left to pay."

Paris placed her hand on her uncle's shoulder, "Trust me. We will be fine." That warm smile on her face made every worry dissappear in an instant.

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Hours swiftly passed by, and the next evening arrived. Paris came back home from work as usual, and this time she noticed that her uncle and younger brother were eating pizza outside. It was strange because they never ate outside at night.

"Paris! Come sit with us." Parker said cheerfully.

"What happened now? Did someone won the lottery?" Paris asked as she got off her motorcycle and walked towards them.

The Uncle couldn't help but laugh at her reaction, and responded. "You did."

"I?" She aimed at herself, puzzled.

"Yes, you did. The watch was worth twenty thousands at the end." The Uncle explained.

Hearing this, Paris' jaw almost reached the ground. "No way. Uncle, stop joking around."

Uncle, "Hahaha, I'm not. I'm serious. We got twenty thousand dollars."

Paris felt the joy go up her throat that she didn't even know what she should say first. She sat down at the table from outside with them, and asked, "This means that we are able to keep the house, right?"

"The house and the rest could cover Parker's tuition fee as well." The Uncle added.

Paris was so content that she couldn't help but to grab her brother's cheeks and squish them. "You see Parker? We did it!" Her smile was as wide as ever.

Parker smiled back at her as his face was being squished. He looked hilarious but adorable at the same time.

"Let's grab the beer! We need to celebrate!" Paris said joyfully with a giggle escaping from her lips. She came back outside with the drinks in her hands, jumping like a child.

"Be careful, you're going to fall." The Uncle warned her as they all laughed together.

"Paris, can I also have a beer?" Parker asked with curiosity.

Paris stared at him with a smile, and smacked his nape.

"Hey! What was that for?" Parker held his nape, perking a brow.

"You can't drink yet. You're only seventeen. This is your drink." She said as she handed him a milk bottle. Parker accepted it with a pout.

"Cheers!" They all said at the same time as they continued to converse and laugh with each other that evening.

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