Auntie Estela served them the usual food that they ordered from before.
As they were eating, Roland noticed that auntie Estela was not in the right mood.
Perhaps, Stacey also noticed this as she also had a worried look on her face.
It has been a few days since the last time they visited here, a lot of things could happen at that span of time and both of them vaguely felt something must have happened during the period of their absence.
"Auntie, what's wrong? You seemed out of place since earlier," Stacey could not hold back her concern anymore as she asked.
Auntie Estela forced a smile on her wrinkled face as she said, "Nothing, I just missed the two of you."
"Auntie, we definitely feel that something is wrong. Auntie, we are all ears and we have plenty of time. Don't let yourself be burdened by the trouble and speak to us about it, alright?"
Stacey held her wrinkled hand as she began to tear up, feeling Stacey's concern and sincerity from the bottom of her heart.
Roland also nodded his head, expressing his stand at the matter.
Seeing the two's concern, Auntie Estela could not hold back anymore as tears began to drip down her aged face.
"I'm telling the two of you. Don't become a government official. Those people are vermin and have no sympathy for the poor at all?" Auntie Estela began weeping as she cried her heart out.
Roland had long known about the dark side of the government. He thought what had truly happened for auntie Estela to be dejected about them.
"Auntie, what happened?"
"It's like this…"
Auntie Estela began to recall what happened during the past days that Roland and Stacey did not come here.
It turns out that a few days ago, the local government of Fore City suddenly announced the demolition of the entire area around the restaurant due to an upcoming building that would become a huge shopping mall in the future.
The plot of land the restaurant was built upon was a property of the government and it could be considered that they were illegally conducting business or illegally living here.
To be fair, the government indeed has the right to chase them away from the plot of land.
However, something like this was very understandable. What made Auntie Estela cry so much was the fact that they were only given a week to move out. And if they don't, they even threatened that they would get demolished along with their illegally built properties.
"This is our only home since I was young. Where should we go now that they would demolish it in a week? The restaurant is only our lifeline, if it was demolished, where would we live? With these old bones of mine, would I be able to withstand the cold outside?"
Auntie Estela's voice was full of sorrow as she complained.
She was already old and was already nearing her sixties. Although she was still alive and kicking due to her healthy lifestyle when she was young, she was more than aware that her toughness would not last that long.
The restaurant was their only source of income, if it was demolished and destroyed, how could they feed themselves anymore?
"Yesterday, a young man came here with her girlfriend. They threatened to burn this place if we don't move out in a week."
"Dear Stacey, where should we go? I'm old already, I don't know what to do!"
Stacey rubbed her back as she cried her heart out.
She was like a child complaining to her mom.
The scene of an old lady crying her heart out on the shoulder of a twenty year old girl was indeed strange. However, Roland and Stacey did not find this strange at all.
As she talked, Stacey began to provide her inputs on the matter. She explained to Auntie Estela that the government indeed has the right for the property.
Regarding the threats and the immediate expulsion, Stacey thought that they can take it on a lawsuit as long as they have enough evidence.
However, Auntie Estela actually shook her head vigorously upon hearing her say that they can sue the other party.
As a poor person who grew up in the slums, Auntie Estela was certainly afraid of the authorities.
People like them were afraid of going into court, even though it was clear that they were a victim.
Stacey frowned as auntie Estela insisted that they should just let the matter rest as there was nothing they could do about it anymore.
It's just that this place has become a core memory and already has a lot of sentimental value to her. Losing the entire place would surely make her heartbroken for a long time.
This was a place formed from their daily hard work, who would not tear up if someone decided to break it and they could not even do a thing to stop it?
The rejection of Auntie Estela for the lawsuit made Stacey frowned. However, since it was her wish, Stacey could not do anything than just to stay silent.
In the end, Stacey provided some alternative options that Auntie Estela should take. For example, find a house to live in first and then slowly build the restaurant again slowly but surely.
Auntie Estela also said that they have already thought about this. But the problem was, they have no money to buy or even rent a house, much less the money to build the restaurant again from scratch.
Unfortunately, the government was just so abrupt in their decision. Not even letting those who live here prepare for their migration.
On the other hand, after hearing her story, Roland did not try to hold back anymore as he said his other agenda on coming here, "Auntie, here's a better suggestion. How about you work under me? It just so happened that I am opening a new fast food restaurant, if you are willing, I can let you be the head cook."
"You don't have to worry about the salary as I am not stingy to my workers. And about your rent, you also don't have to worry about it as we already got that covered in one of the employee's benefits."
As Roland explained, a sudden and condescending voice from behind suddenly stopped him from explaining.
"What a funny joke. Imagine offering work to someone when you don't have work yourself, if you're not a clown what are you?"
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Bonus Chapter: 1/9