The question caught me off guard. I'd hesitated to spend for Al's costume. There was no way I would buy one for myself.

   "Do I need one?"

   Both looked at me curiously.

   "He's new, ain't he?"

   "My part-timer,” Vera answered.

   "Part-timer, huh? You've never had that before." Alex grinned.

   "It's refreshing."

   It was like I didn't exist as they continued their back and forth.

   "So, what'll you be?"

   Again, their attention shifted back to me.

   "I- I wasn't going to wear one."

   "Preposterous!" Vera clapped her hand together. "What sort of things do you like, Aust?"

   I shifted, suddenly uncomfortable in their company.

   "Ems can get it for you."

   "Ems?" I raised a brow.

   "Emma Daniels,” Alex informed me, “she wouldn’t like it if you weren't wearing a costume. She's very particular about the gala."

   Vera had a smile like that of the Cheshire’s. I knew she wouldn’t notice how differently I felt about the gala.

   "Is it really that important for workers to get dressed up too?"

   I’d never worked for a place that needed costumes before.

   “It’s truly unavoidable.” She shook her head

   At the same time, a girl stepped into the store.

   "Speak of the devil." Alex seemed pleased. "Aust, right?”

   That's when I realized, Vera had never introduced us to each other. He simply made conversation as if he’d always known of me and so had I.

   Vera had inherited a profitable shop and freely writes novels as her profession. She rakes in so much money that she could technically retire.

   Alexander, I assumed, was a Dyer.

   "Alex, are you in charge this year?" The girl, Emma, didn't bother with small talk.

   "I took over the nursery over the summer."

   "Congrats!" The two women cheered.

   Alexander Dyer was also the inheritor of an empire of his own.

   "How was the show in Paris?"

   Emma shrugged, "Same, same. I'm honestly tired of them."

   My lips felt dry listening to their nonchalant conversation about their successful lives.

   I wasn't that much older than Vera, but I struggled to figure out what my family’s dinner would be, let alone our future.

   "I'm gonna unpack some of the books," I excused myself.

   All my life, I struggled to keep afloat. Losing Dad was tough, and Mom tried to handle it all. When we lost her too, I was left with the entire burden at twenty, raising a baby and a high schooler. I wouldn’t have given them up for the world, but I would’ve preferred an easier life. 

   When I go to the mall, I beeline for the clearance just for the chance to have something new for my kid siblings. Yet, here I was, cataloging books for a store that holds a yearly gala.

   Money is so different for everyone.

   I couldn't help the creeping anger, mostly jealousy.

   They'd never been where I am.

   "Yeah! Of course!" Emma's voice caught me by surprise.

   Even with the loud atmosphere, unusual for Uri Story on a regular day, her voice came out clear.

   "Aust!" Alex called for me.

   "Yes, sir?"

   "Sir?" Alex briefly turned to Vera, who shrugged.

   He pointed to Emma, ignoring the distance I tried to keep between them and me.

   "I can get you a costume. I usually make a lot for Seb anyway." Emma brought out her phone.

   "I-"

   "Honestly!" Emma scrolled through her phone and leaned against me. "Look here."

   I spotted a vampire outfit amongst them. Al would've loved that.

   "I'm okay with anything." 

   "I'll bring a few then," she insisted.

   Swallowing my pride, I spoke up, "Is it possible to borrow the vampire one for my brother?"

   Their eyes burned my skin.

   "Oh, your high schooler brother!" Vera made a square shape with her fingers. "From your cover letter."

   Ah.

   "Yeah."

   I expected their stares to continue burning me, criticizing me for my vain request. However, they only looked more excited.

   "Of course!" Emma beamed. "I can tailor-fit it for him."

   "She enjoys dressing people up," Alex attempted to whisper to me.

   They were so at ease, leisurely living their life.