Abs' bitter words echoed in my head as I sipped the thick hot Chocolate Milano drink in a takeout Caffè Nero cup, looking outside the bustling crowd of Market Street. I knew Milla was right but I just want to believe otherwise. Because the heart wants to believe what it wants to believe. Tired of sitting, thinking about what else God has planned for me, I got up and ambled across the café towards the door.

An aged homeless man sat cross-legged by the sidewalk outside Caffè Nero wrapping himself with an outdoor blanket as he looked at me and held out his palm towards me. "Spare change please, love."

I slowed down and rummaged whatever pennies I have from my coin purse and placed onto his hand. He then slotted the pennies in his worn out Michael Kors wristlet tucked underneath the blanket. For a moment, I wish I could be as carefree as him, with no one to argue with except for the authorities, no heart to ache and no problems to face.

The air felt colder as it approached early autumn with a real feel temperature of 7° Celsius due to moderately strong wind that hurt my nose. As I arrived, Piccadilly Gardens, I got into no. 48 Stagecoach for Wilmslow Road. Watching the mellow weather outside the bus numbs my heart. Many things shrouded my mind, the thought of losing Milla and Abs, the struggle with my studies, diminishing supplies of funds. Could it get any more worse than this?

Looking at my wrist watch, I'm early by five minutes for my shift at Al-Safar. I walked straight into the front entrance of the shop, greeted one of my workmates before going through the counter and into the kitchen. Then I overheard a loud conversation between Yosef and someone outside behind the shop. I wasn't sure who but not only it was serious, it sounded threatening. I peep by the back door and caught a glimpse of two familiar figures facing Yosef who was facing his back at me. They were Nick and Chubby Jason Statham.

They circled him around, while Nick with his usual smoking routine, exhaling a fog of smoke from his nostril. Nick caught me peeping over Yosef's shoulder, causing Yosef to turn and look at his direction. Yosef instantly closed the back door behind him to resume the private chat.

My heart beats faster out of curiosity. Questions popped in my head, 'What's Nick doing here? Are they trying to hurt my boss?'

I hung my coat by the coat hanger compartment, getting myself ready for the shift like normal although my guts told me that something bad might pop up soon. Taking a tub of yoghurt and jalapeno out of the freezer, I filled them up into the serving tray by the counter as per rountine.

Yosef walked into the kitchen half an hour later, looking overwhelmed. He called me up into his small office at the upper floor. I followed him behind and went in, closing the door behind me.

"How are you today, ZJ?" he asked casually. "You alright?"

"I'm good. How about you?" I responded.

"Alhamdulillah (praise to God), I am alright," he sighed, scratching the bald spot on his head. "There's something I have to tell you but I don't know how. It's going to be hard for the both of us."

"Go on," I urged. "I've gone through a lot of painful events. I think I can handle this one fine."

"I'm sorry to be the bearer of this bad news, but I'm laying you off starting today. I'll pay your salary in full shift today but you don't have to work here anymore."

I wasn't shocked to hear this, I was more roiled up to it and I know why Yosef had to do what he had to do. But I insisted a justification just to satisfy my guts.

"I can't exactly tell you why –"

"What kind of boss couldn't justify the reason for my termination?" I asked impatiently.

"Well, you don't have much right to ask me questions, considered I took you on illegal terms," he replied in agitation.

"Is Pholadi part of this?" I probed further. "Was he the reason why you fired me? You think I fear him?"

"Look, ZJ. I know you're upset," he said, trying to calm me down. "You're a good employee, in fact the best and most hardworking by far. But I'm doing this for your own good. I am protecting you."

"Protect me from what? I don't need any protection," I chuckled bitterly. "If you think terminating me would solve my issues, I can easily get employed elsewhere. Al-Jazera for a start."

"Please don't do that," he pleaded. "This whole stretch is under their watch. No one will be safe if they find out."

"So, it is something to do with Pholadi," I heave a sigh, satisfied with the answer.

"Look, wallahi (I swear) I never wanted this to happen. And I don't want to get you hurt too. So, I need you to stay away from him at all costs," he cautioned me. "If you really need some funds to get you going, let me know."

"I don't want your charity, sir. Thank you." I said as I stood up and gently bowed to him out of respect. "And don't worry, I am not mad at you at all."