Chapter 2

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After getting his fill, Gino went home to his grandmother, the only remaining person in his family and the only family he knew.

For as long as he could remember, Gino had always been with his grandmother, never knowing what his parents were like or what tragedy had befallen them that had made him parentless.

Since he was young, Gino had always brought up the topic of his parents with his grandma to no avail. Gino was not a fool; he knew how painful it was for his grandma to talk about the only child she had, and to lose them at such a young age was not what any parent wanted.

The older Gino got, the more he stopped asking questions and thinking about his parents; at some point, he accepted the answer his grandma had given him.

"Your parents are at an extraordinary place, where they will keep watch over you".

When he turned twelve, his grandmother gave him a rare gemstone attached to a long piece of copper metal chain.


"Sweety, this is what your mother had left for you before she died. She wanted me to give it to you on your twelve birthday," said his grandma.

This was one of the rare days his grandmother would talk about his parents, explaining to him everything they had achieved together at a young age.

However, the moment his grandmother put the necklace on him, he felt the stone coming alive, bringing a sense of peace and serenity, making him never want to take off the only thing his parents left him.



Reaching the front door, Gino shook his head lightly, trying to get rid of the memories of when he was growing up and the few stories his grandmother would tell him about his young parents.

"Grandma, I'm home", shouted Gino, waiting for a few seconds for a response.

When he didn't get a response, he closed the door behind him and made his way toward the back of the house. Sure enough, his grandma was asleep on the old rocking chair with a cup of what was once hot tea and a plate of freshly baked cookies.

Smiling, Gino walked back into the house and got a blanket that his grandma usually put on the recliner chair for the occasions that she would fall asleep while watching t.v or reading her many collections of romance novels.

With the blanket in his hand, he made his way back outside to the patio and put the blanket around his grandma; with a startle, she opened her eyes.

"Ohh, Gino, it's just you; I had thought it was someone else."

"Who do you think it was, grandma? Could it be you're waiting for a certain someone that lives across the street from us?" teased Gino, playfully raising his left eyebrow up and down at her.

"Don't be silly, child; by the way, how did the meeting go?"

"Hopefully, they are impressed with what I have to offer. If they are, I can finally have a good-paying job and help out around here, grandma."

"Oh sweety, I'm sure they will like it, you are the best at what you do, and I don't mind raising you for another ten or twenty years."

"I know you can, grandma, but it is about time I look after you and give you the things you deserve."

"What nonsense are you saying? You are already looking after me. That is already enough; as for other things, I don't care about it; as long as you are with me, that is enough."

"But my night job right at the moment doesn't pay well; it barely covers the cost of the bills, let alone the student loan that I have to pay back."

"One step at a time, sweety, one step at a time, everything will be alright."Gino looked at his grandma and smiled; she always knew the right words to say to him to make him feel better. Leaning forward from where he was sitting, he hugged her before continuing to speak.

"Thank you, grandma."

Gino made his way out of his room and descended downstairs. Once there, he walked to the full-length mirror near the front door and looked at himself; once satisfied with how he looked, he said goodbye to his grandma before heading out to his night job.

After graduation, Gino applied for a few positions.

He had just graduated from a university his grandma had insisted he attend. Knowing that her grandson would become a great artist or a designer, something like designing homes, offices, and other things after she had seen him draw his first picture that she had framed and hung up in the small living room at home.

But when Gino graduated, it was hard for him to find work in his field of expertise. He had applied at a few places, but no one wanted to hire a newbie like himself, who didn't even have experience yet. After trying at so many places, he gave up hope and wandered until he came to a bar with a "Workers Needed" sign on display.

Gino entered the bar without much thought and inquired about the job offer.Half an hour, Gino came out smiling; he was offered the job on the spot. They needed him to play a musical instrument as part of their daily entertainment for their customers; luckily for Gino, he played the violin when he was younger as a hobby but gave it up as he got older as his interest also widened.

Gino arrived at work, entering through the back door. He first saw a man in his mid-forties to early fifty moving boxes around.


"Evening Rob," said Gino

"Ahh, Gino, my boy, you are early; how is grandma today?"

"Great, she's doing great."

"Good to hear; come around and give me a hand, will ya."With a nod of his head, Gino went around the bar towards his boss, who was opening boxes of their new batch of deliveries.

After helping Rob move all the alcohol and placing them in the right place, Gino went to the backroom to get ready for his performance; since today was a Friday night, the bar was packed with customers from old to young, From couples who like to bring their spouse out for a nice dinner or to enjoy their night.

The younger couples like to dance to music that is not harsh to the ears, light and straightforward acoustic or jazz music that the live band performs.

Gino has been working at The Bristo for two years, and every time he comes in for work, he very much enjoys himself. As an employee of the place, drinks and snacks are unlimited to him and his co-workers. It was also another reason he liked working here; everyone here acted like a big family, not just co-workers.

At seven sharp, the doors to The Bristo opened; one by one, the customers started coming in and being escorted to their tables if they were here for food, music, or to enjoy the night out.

The Bristo has it all. 

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