Aaron saw a bookstore with the sign "Violet." He had found it exactly at the address given by the old man named Hans. Without wasting any time, Aaron immediately went inside and met one of the store’s employees.

“Good afternoon. Can I speak to the store manager?” Aaron asked.

“Who are you? Do you have an appointment?” the male employee asked.

“I know Mr. Hans. Just tell your manager that,” Aaron explained.

“Alright, please wait a moment.” The employee left.

Aaron waited, browsing through the rows of books and found six that caught his eye, all about business.

Aaron checked his wallet to see if he had enough money to buy all the books. Once he determined he had enough, he grabbed them and paid.

“I haven’t even started working yet, and I’ve already emptied my wallet,” he murmured softly, scratching his head, which wasn’t itchy.

“You seem to like reading books,” a middle-aged man’s voice surprised him. Aaron turned toward the voice.

“Quite a bit, sir,” Aaron replied, a bit nervously.

“It shows on your face.” The middle-aged man smiled, finding it amusing to see Aaron struggling with the heavy books.

“Let’s go to my office and talk inside,” the man continued. Aaron nodded and followed him.

The office was cozy with a feminine touch, dominated by purple, a stark contrast to the owner’s somewhat stern appearance.

Soon, an office boy came in with two cups of black coffee.

“I don’t know if you like it or not, but all we have here is coffee,” the middle-aged man said.

“I like coffee, sir. Thank you.” Aaron took a small sip.

“Let me introduce myself; my name is Sylvester,” the man said.

“My name is Aaron Reynard.”

“How did you know old man Hans?” Sylvester asked.

“He’s a relative of mine.” Aaron needed to say this to be accepted for the job.

Sylvester nodded.

“I’m the manager and the owner of this store. So, what brings you here?” Sylvester asked again.

“I’m here to apply for a job. Even working as an office boy or cleaning service is fine with me,” Aaron said.

‘Why is he offering to work any job?’ Sylvester wondered to himself.

“Have you ever worked as an office boy before?” Sylvester asked.

“No, sir,” Aaron replied.

Sylvester suspected as much. From his face to his tall body, Aaron didn’t seem suited for a position like an office boy or cleaning service; he seemed more fit to be a boss at a prestigious company.

“But I will try my best to work well,” Aaron continued, trying to reassure him.

“Alright, I’ll hire you as a store clerk. But the job involves a lot; organizing books, knowing prices, checking stock, supervising deliveries, and assisting customers,” Sylvester explained.

Aaron nodded in understanding.

“I’m willing, sir.”

The next day, Aaron began his first job as a bookstore employee. He was quite fortunate because his boss, Sylvester, kindly provided him with a free employee room behind the store, so he didn’t have to struggle to find a place to stay.

Aaron smiled politely at every customer who came in and helped them find the books they wanted while occasionally tidying up disorganized books.

“Aaron, I’m going to the bathroom. Please assist a customer at the end there,” said his coworker named Tom.

“Alright,” Aaron said and quickly approached a middle-aged woman carrying a baby girl.

“Can I help you, ma’am?” Aaron asked.

“I’m looking for an old novel about a girl who marries a criminal.”

“Do you know the title?” Aaron asked.

“I forgot.”

They were silent.

Aaron was puzzled about how to search for the novel on the computer without knowing the title.

“Are you looking for the novel *Truth Cry Lie*?” a girl asked.

Aaron immediately turned toward the voice behind him.

“Yes, that’s the title of the novel,” the middle-aged woman exclaimed happily.

Aaron stood frozen, staring at the girl’s face. He remembered that pretty face from a nightclub when he accidentally spilled champagne on her dress.

‘Natasha!’ Aaron thought to himself. Quickly, Aaron pulled his hat down to cover his face, not really understanding why he did it.

“Why does the customer know more than the employee?” The middle-aged woman grumbled in annoyance.

Aaron remained frozen.

“Hey man, don’t just daydream. Find that novel quickly,” the woman said.

“Alright, I’m sorry.”

Aaron quickly checked the computer, found the novel, and took it from the dusty shelf. The book looked worn out and probably old.

“Here’s the book, ma’am,” Aaron said. His eyes glanced at the girl who was focused on reading at a table while sucking on a lollipop. Unconsciously, Aaron smiled fondly.

The girl seemed to notice someone was watching her, she turned to him, but Aaron quickly turned his body and went back to the cashier’s desk.

“Tom, I need to use the bathroom now, please cover for me,” Aaron said to his coworker.

“Okay, but why is your face red like a tomato?” Tom asked, confused.

Aaron ignored him and quickly left the place. In the bathroom, Aaron steadied his racing heart, feeling strange about this unfamiliar emotion.

Five minutes later, Aaron returned, and his coworker handed him the novel titled *Truth Cry Lie*.

“This is for the customer from earlier, right?” Aaron asked Tom.

“No, that’s for you. A beautiful girl bought it for you. I’m so envious,” Tom joked.

Aaron examined the old book closely; he remembered it was the last remaining copy among the other novels.

“Didn’t the woman with the baby end up buying it?” Aaron asked.

“I don’t know. I wasn’t paying attention.” Tom shrugged.

During the break, Aaron skipped lunch and remained focused on the novel Natasha had given him. He had checked the security camera to see who the girl was who bought him the book.

Aaron also found a handwritten note behind the novel’s page that said: *This novel is very good; you should read it.*

Aaron’s heart raced again, and he felt he needed to go to the bathroom once more.

‘What’s happening to me?’

The first day of work went smoothly. Aaron returned to his room to rest, but Natasha’s image continued to disturb his thoughts.