The man brought the boy infront of a building. The word Jones House are hanged on top of the building.

Without saying anything, the boy helplessly enter the building since the man still haven't let his hand go.

Jones House, while it looks like a big house from the outside, is actually a well-known restaurant among the commoners. At night, the restaurant is usually packed with customers. Since it's still noon, there are only a few tables occupied.

The man walk towards the counter. At the counter, a chubby man is currently busy writing something on a paper.

"How are you doing, Jones?" The man said.

Hearing his name called, the chubby man lifts his head to look at the source. When his eyes meets the man's eyes, the earlier stressed face he had faded.

"Hey. Been 'ta long day since I last saw ya!" The chubby man, Jones, happily replied. "What's up?"

"Just fine. Here some fruits I bought on the way." The man hand over a bag to Jones.

"What're ya doing here? Aren't ya busy nowadays?"

"I asked for two days off from the warden. Been dying to eat some of your cooking."

The man sits on the chair infront of the counter and made the boy do the same.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Seeing the boy, Jones asks curiously, "Who's tha boy? Ya nephew?"

"Oh, him?" The man glance at the boy. "Just some boy I found on the way here. His name is.."

"Adam." The boy unhappily let out.

"Woah. What a grumpy boy." Jones teasefully said. "So, why'd ya bring him here?"

"He wanted a job. So I thought you would take him."

"Wait! When did I say I want a job?!" The boy shouted. "You brought me here forcefully!"

"So, are you taking him?"

"Sure. I am understaffed right now." Jones went to Adam and pulls him with one hand. "Ya gonna start today, boy."

"Don't decide things on your own!"

...

The boy frowned after being forced to wear a black apron.

"Bring these two to table 8." The chef said to Adam.

Although he don't want to do this, he had to because Jones and the man whose name he doesn't know is keeping a close eye on him. Helplessly, the boy had to work for the restaurant.

While the boy is working, the two old friends had a chat while drinking some drink.

"Hey, tha boy is pretty good. Ya sure ya didn't kidnap him?" Jones asks his friend as he watch the boy taking order.

"He is from the slums." The man replies. "He needed money so I brought him here."

"How'd ya know he needed money?"

"His eyes flinched when I asked what if he die trying to get money."

...

The day started to turn dark. Adam got tired after working without rest.

"Nice work, boy." Jones hands him a juice.

Without saying anything, the boy took the juice and drink it.

"Here."

Jones gave him an envelope.

"What is this?" The boy asks.

"Open it." The chubby man said smilingly.

"This.."

When the boy open the envelope, he doubted what his eyes are seeing. Inside the envelope are 15 copper coins.

"How 'bout it, boy? Wanna work here?"

"..Y-yes!"

Probably because he is still stunned, his response lagged behind.

For the rest of the day, the boy worked even more dilligently than before. The difference between now and earlier was right now, on his face, there exists a smile.

...

"Fucking hell! Our pay got cut because of that damn bitch stole the package!"

In the veil of the night, two men are cursing the boy they chased in the morning.

"Shit! Next time I see him, I'm going to beat him until his mother can't recognize him."

As they walk in the street, they stopped when they saw a small figure. It was the same boy they met in the morning.

"What bad luck you have, boy. Hehehe"

The men start to follow the boy into the alley.