Chapter 8: Claiming the Prize
A VX Land Cruiser idled outside Richard's home as Jack hopped out. In the front yard, Richard and Anita stood with their bags, the cool morning air wrapping around them.
"Marcello, I'll leave this all to you," Anita said, adjusting the strap of her bag. "We might visit, but it'll be a long time from now."
Marcello, standing barefoot on the pavement, scratched his head and sighed. "Yes, Auntie. Thank you. I'll take care of this. You too, both my dudes—I'll fucking miss you." He dapped up Richard and Jack.
Richard scoffed. "Don't be so dramatic, dude. We'll be back soon."
"Who knows, man," Marcello shrugged. "But if you ever run into trouble over there—"
"Speaking of trouble," Jack cut in. "I was gonna ask—since we're leaving, how about you help out at the internet café? Dino's the only one running it, and he's already got too much on his plate."
Marcello blinked. "Wait... you're offering me a job?"
Jack grinned. "Of course. No time restrictions, no bullshit. Just keep an eye on the place. Dino already knows the pay and everything."
Marcello nodded, a rare seriousness in his expression. "Thanks, dude. I mean it. I'll take you up on that."
Meanwhile...
Richard crossed the yard and walked to the next-door sari-sari store. "Auntie Nina," he called out.