The man chuckled at my serious declaration. He shook his head, "That seems like a twisted reason to like a character."

I just shrugged, "I'm just telling the truth." I looked back to the book in my hands and frowned, "It's a shame you don't know what happens to him in the end though."

We sat in silence for a while and the man calmly smoked his cigarette while staring at me with a small smirk. He finished his cigarette and tossed it onto the ground, grinding it with his foot.

"Well, you seem to really enjoy reading."

I stared at the book in my hand with a tender gaze. "I suppose I do."

I had almost forgot how much I looked forward to receiving a book from my neighbor. I never really cared what it was, or even if it was cringe worthy or cheesy.

Those stories were my escape. And at one point, they were the only thing that brought me joy.

He spoke, "Well... If you'd like... I could really use a part timer to work here."

I looked up at him with startled eyes, "What?"

He scratched his chin awkwardly, "I own the bookstore here and I've been looking for a worker who genuinely enjoys books. It seems like kids today just don't care about reading when they can play on the internet." He let out a sigh in disappointment.

My startled expression disappeared as I looked at him with distrustful eyes. I spoke callously, "Old man."

"Old man? I'm thirty..." He whispered to himself with hurt pride.

I continued ignoring him, "If you can't tell, I'm homeless. I only own this ragged hoody, these busted up jeans, and these worn out shoes I stole- I mean- These shoes I've borrowed. I don't have any legal papers. Not to mention I'm considered legally dead."

Since they assumed I died in that fire all those years ago, I'm pretty sure I no longer existed to the government.

He just gave a carefree smile, "Oh, that's no problem. If you haven't noticed, there's tons of ways for you to get a new identity in this city. Hell. I'm pretty sure every street corner offers passport services."

I looked away from his cheerful face. Just an hour ago, I no longer had any desire to live. But his offer is making me feel conflicted.

I was determined to die tonight. Is it really alright for me to just change my mind?

"Just think about it." He said taking me out of my despairing thoughts. He pulled something out of his uniform and handed it to me, "Here. Have my dinner. It looks like I won't have time to eat it anyway."

I stared at that bun filled with chocolate custard. Some dinner.

I ignored him and made no effort to grab it. I still hadn't decided what I wanted to do.

He only gave a sad smile and put it on the ground next to me. Before he walked into the building he paused.

He spoke softly, "Sometimes in life, we are faced with the decision on whether we would be better off alive or dead. I won't tell you that it's better to be alive. Hell, I have no idea if things will get better for you. But I do know one thing."

He gazed at me with soft eyes. I met his eyes out of curiosity.

"You don't have to be go through life alone. You can find people who will be there for you. You just need to reach out and accept them."

I scoffed, "Old man.... I don't have anybody in my life like that."

"Well." He said with a grin, "Come work for me and I can guarantee you'll have at least one friend." He went inside the store and closed the door.

...Friend?

I've never had a friend.

After my brother died, I closed myself off completely. I didn't want anyone else. Just my little brother.

But... I think.... Deep down....

I've always wanted a friend...

I glanced at the custard bun with conflicting emotions.

Do I really deserve to have friends? Do I even deserve to live?

I glanced down at the book in my hands and curled my fingers around it tightly.

Oh f*ck that! There's no way in hell I'm going to act like that loser Seri!

I won't run! I won't hide!

I will live and fight until I no longer have breath in my body!

I shoved that bun into my mouth and ignored my exhaustion. My eyes were ignited with passion. I shoved the book into my bag and headed off to see an old acquaintance.

I strolled down the seedy part of town with a walk full of confidence. I noticed a man loitering in an alley handing something to another man.

I nodded at him, "Oi Raphie."

He looked at me with a scowl before changing it to a smile when he recognized me, "Oiii~ If it isn't the beautiful Leia. I haven't seen you for a few days. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I need to buy some drugs."

His eyes lit up, "Do my ears deceive me?! Is the hugs-not-drugs Leia actually going to partake in some illegal substances tonight?!"

I rolled my eyes, "I already told you Raphie. Those things will rot your brain. No, I need them for someone else."

He clicked his tongue but still smiled, "Uhoh. Looks like someone's getting into trouble tonight."

I gave him a wink, "Why would I be getting into trouble? I'm the most law abiding citizen you'll ever meet."

"That's funny Lei. Now what you looking for?"

"I need something that will make a grown man fall asleep and not remember a thing."

"Some Zonkers. I gotchu."

After making my trade, I headed into down and bought the cheapest short tight dress I could find. I made my way to the bathroom and cleaned myself up. I put on the dress and scowled at myself.

How disgusting.

Although I cleaned up nicely, the tight dress certainly doesn't leave much to the imagination. Oh well.

I went into the upscale district after stashing my bag. I stood in line and walked to the bouncer. He spoke indifferently, "ID."

I reached over and touched his arm suggestively. I pouted, "Do I look like I have an ID on me?"

He looked at me and I took advantage of it to make myself appeal to him more. I gave him a slow twirl to emphasize my curves. He cleared his throat, "Well... I can't let you in-"

I coyly smiled at him and lightly traced my finger along his chest. His eyes wavered in desire. Although I may not look the prettiest, seduction is more about confidence than it is about the looks.

I bent over and whispered into his ear, "Can't you make an exception? I won't forget it~"

He gulped, "I guess you can go in."

I blew him a kiss, "Thanks Darling." After I went inside, my face turned from being flirtatious to being disgusted.

I can't believe that worked. I guess after all those years of observing my mother trick men, I must have learned seduction from her.

I scanned the club that was blaring music while people were basically procreating on the dancefloor. Gross gross gross.

I ignored that and scanned the crowd. Like a lioness, I scoured the scene for my prey. And my eyes locked prey with the perfect sucker.

A rich man joyfully laughed with a drink in his hand. He was middle-aged and a little overweight, but that didn't stop him from being surrounded by women.

How did I know he was rich? Well the shoes of course. Usually if a poor man wants to feel rich, he goes for an expensive watch or even a suit. But they never think about the shoes.

Now sure, a rich man can wear crappy shoes. But that's not one I want to be snagging tonight. If he has cheap shoes, that means he's cheap. He won't spend anything on you.

I walked over to the man and smiled at him alluringly. "Hey handsome."

The girls by his side tossed me a dirty look. He looked at me and gave a lecherous smile.

Sure the girl in front of him looked a bit thin and not as gorgeous as the girls around him, but he was enthralled. Those scars on her face and her confident smirk made him crazy. She looked mysterious, dangerous... Exciting!

He shooed away the other girls who glared at me before walking away. He motioned to the seat next to him, "Here! Sit. Sit! What do you want to drink?"

"A cosmo." I responded with the first thing I knew of.

He smiled, "A cosmo for the lady then. Heh." As he turned to grab my drink I swiftly dropped the powder into his drink and stirred it with the straw. He turned back without even realizing what happened. I sipped on my drink and watched him carefully as he guzzled it down.

Raphie. You better not have sold me bad sh*t.

To my relief, he started acting drunker than he should be. I knew I had to act fast. I grabbed his arm, pushing my chest against him. I whispered in his ear, "Hey Daddy. Wouldn't you like to go back to your place and have some fun?"

He nodded and slurred, "Fun! Fun!"

I helped him up and we went outside. He smiled at me while stumbling, "Don't worry. I got a chauffeur."

I smiled as he called them. Then, a bright red sports car pulled up. My eyes lit up with excitement. What a nice car!!! I want one!

"Hehe. Nice right?"

I hugged onto him, "Oh Daddy! You're so cool!"

He chuckled arrogantly and I helped him inside. We arrived to his penthouse and I felt my eyes almost fall out of my head.

It's so... Huge!

I knew he was rich, but I didn't think he was this rich!

As he stumbled inside he chuckled, "Don't worry! My wife won't be home for another week."

How disgusting.

I gave him a charming smile and helped him sit down. I whispered in his ear, "You just wait here Daddy. I'm going to put on something more comfortable."

His eyes lit up as he tried to imagine something better than what I was already wearing. I gave him a wink and went into the bathroom. As I shut the door behind me, my smile disappeared. I stood by the door looking at my fingernails in boredom.

Any minute now...

*Thud*

Yup. There we go.

I opened the door and saw him passed out on the couch. Finally. I decided to take a shower, using his wife's expensive soap and shampoo. I put on her robe as I stepped out.

Ahhh. Now this is the life.

I went into her closet and changed into her outfit.

Oh yeah. Sleek.

Then, I went to the cupboard and pulled out a bag of chips. While I munched, I grabbed his wallet and took out his money.

This little b*tch is so rich he even has a money clip. I grabbed out his cell phone and turned on the screen. It had a password on it. I frowned.

Let's see... Your wife's birthday?

*Ding*

You gotta be sh*tting me. You go out to cheat, but still have her birthday as your phone's password?! I will never understand rich people.

I used his phone to wire transfer me some money that I could pick up the next day. I double checked to make sure it was untraceable.

I stretched out enjoying the house. After I ate my fill and relaxed, I noticed the sky starting to light up.

Looks like it's time for me to go. I wrote on a note: Thanks for the night, Daddy! You were so crazy. I hope we can do this again.

I kissed the note and left lipstick marks. I put it on the table in front of him and left. I walked out of the building still wearing his wife's clothes.

I appeared in front of the bookstore and took a deep breath.

Here's to a new life.