Page 23 of Strictly Against Policy

I’d never seen my mom so happy and excited before. She laughed louder and smiled more. This new friendship breathed some kind of life into her and⁠—

Was she dating? The thought bolted across my mind for a second. No.

I doubt it. My dad has been gone for over twenty years, but she never once considered dating. She said she was happy being single with just Julie and me. Still . . . I’d never seen her this happy with just us either.

“What are you still doing here?” asked Carmen as she came into the break room.

I smiled, putting on my coat. “I didn’t realize you were so keen on keeping tabs on everyone.”

Carmen shrugged, grabbing a paper cup for the water dispenser. “Just making sure no one’s overworking.”

I raised a playful eyebrow at her. “Trying to take over my job for me?”

“No, thank you.” She waved her hand. “You always look stressed.”

I laughed as I started heading out. “Good night. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow!” she called after me.

The cold night air bit my cheeks and nose as I stepped out. I could drive over to the Cantonese restaurant or simply walk. Needing time to mull over my thoughts before dinner, I figured it was best to just walk my ass there and back.

I didn’t mind when the server mentioned they were low on roasted duck, and that it was going to take forty-five minutes before their newest batch came out. I had all the time in the world right now. Going home and heading next door to my aunt and uncle was the least of my concerns.

Was I overthinking? Or were there hints I’m finally noticing about my mom and her newly found friendship?

Those two questions lapped around my mind repeatedly. I was in a daze, lost in my thoughts as I broke down every detail my mom had said about her new friend.

From the sounds of it, this friend could be a woman. Or a man. She never disclosed their name so it could be either. They ate dinner on some weeknights and spent a hefty amount of time together on weekends. I love my friends, but if I were being honest, the only people I’d be able to spend that much time with were few and far between.

My family were the only people I loved and cared enough about to spend that much time with—unless it was a girlfriend.

I sucked in a sharp inhale as my feet came to a stop after crossing the street. The takeout boxes of roasted duck were heavy in my hand as I stood on the sidewalk, traffic passing by on the street. The sound of cars rumbling by was all I heard as I concluded my thoughts.

My mom was dating again.

“Give me my fucking money, you little bitch!” screamed a man.

The yell wrenched my attention toward the direction of the pharmacy parking lot. The pharmacy was closed with no lights on, and the shutters pulled down. Lina and Carmen should have been long gone, but Lina was still there in the lot by her car.

She was alone with a man standing several feet away from her. He was not imposing in height or size, but rage fueled his fast, wide-arching movements. No one else was in sight as he stalked closer.

Lina stumbled back into her car, wide-eyed, under the dim lights of the parking lot. Her entire body trembled as she tried to reach into her bag. But she could barely get her bag open. The man inched closer to her, cornering her against her car. She began heaving. Panic was written into the lines of her face.

He waved his fists in the air. “LINA, GIVE ME THE FUCKING MONEY!”

Before I could stop myself, I was already storming in their direction and yelling, “Hey! What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Both Lina and the man turned to me. Lina, face pale, parted her lips as if to speak. I jutted my jaw toward the pharmacy while I distracted the man as I approached them. The air reeked of hard liquor and beer as the man swayed just slightly. Lina saw an opportunity and slipped past the guy, bolting toward safety.

“Call the police, Lina!” I yelled after her.

“Who the hell are you?” asked the man, narrowing his beady black eyes at me. He eyed me from head to toe. “You fucking my baby sister?”

“What a polite way of asking if I’m her boyfriend,” I stated. “No, I’m not. I’m her manager.”

“I suggest you get the hell out of here. This is none of your damn fucking business,” said Lina’s brother, words slurring slightly together.

“You’re harassing your sister on the pharmacy’s property, which easily constitutes as workplace violence. As her manager, this is my problem. I will call the police.” I glanced over at the pharmacy window where Lina stood safely inside. She was on the phone, talking.