PBUY Chapter 02

02

Nellie presented her cheek as evidence.

"Oh my, your cheek!"

Wanting that nasty gardener to be properly punished, Nellie put on a pitiful expression.

"This is what happened, ma’am."

"Goodness!"

At last, fury crept over Mrs. James's face.

"I need to get to the bottom of this. Wait here a moment."

Soon after, Mrs. James came out of the garage wearing a coat and hat and got into her car.

"Get in."

Nellie quickly got into the passenger seat. Thanks to the car, they reached Fitz Street faster than by tram.

Gracefully stepping out, Mrs. James briskly walked to the door and banged on it.

"Tch! Open up! I know exactly what’s going on in there!"

After quite some time, the door of house No. 331 on Fitz Street creaked open.

The man behind that door deserved to be cast into hell.

"I’m about to pass out. Ches!

"I told you not to call me that, didn't I?"

"Are you really going to leave your aunt standing at the door like this?"

The gardener with the sullen expression, the one she called 'Ches', reluctantly opened the door a little wider to let Mrs. James in. Taking advantage of the moment, Nellie slipped into the house as well.

In the spacious living room, there was only a lone sofa, no carpet, as if someone had just moved in the day before.

Mrs. James sat down on the sofa, clearly displeased.

"So you really have no intention of setting foot in the Hero’s House ever again? Planning to wither away like this?"

"Please mind your own business."

"Hah. What do you think Dominic would say if he saw you like this?"

"Probably nothing. He’s never cared about me to begin with."

"Is that any way to speak to your aunt?"

"I don’t think it’s inappropriate."

"Watch your mouth. What kind of tone is that?"

Oh dear. What had she gotten herself into?

Nellie found herself smack in the middle of an intimate family feud she should never have overheard.

It seemed there was no one else in the house but that man who deserved to be in hell.

Yes, that man was apparently the owner of the house, Nellie’s employer.

And she had cursed at him with all her might.

Nellie deeply regretted her reckless behavior.

Then again, he had picked the fight first.

A surge of resentment flared within her, but still… it was a job with an excellent weekly wage.

"Why aren’t you going to rehab? Do you want to spend your life like that?"

Mrs. James pointed to the man’s limping leg.

"Again, that’s none of your business."

"…How long am I supposed to put up with this? Are you waiting for someone to die for it to finally be over?"

"Wouldn't it be better for both of us if we just stopped seeing each other?"

"Don’t be snide, Ches. If I could’ve done that, I would’ve long ago, if only you weren’t my nephew."

A brief silence fell between them.

"If you won’t do this or that, then at least take this girl. I can’t keep cleaning up after you anymore."

"When did I ever ask you to?"

"Are you planning to live like this forever, throwing away your family and reputation?"

"Again, that’s none of your-"

"At least try to live like a human being!"

Mrs. James finally lost her temper and let out a very unladylike shout.

"Sigh… This girl has experience caring for the sick and can do all sorts of tasks. Take the help, and live like a person for once."

"……"

"If you send her back this time too, I’m cutting all ties with you. Think carefully, Ches."

Regaining her usual poise, Mrs. James turned toward Nellie, who was still hesitating about whether to stay or leave.

"Miss Mackenzie."

"It’s McKay, not Mackenzie, Mrs. James."

"Ah. Miss McKay, excuse me. I should’ve introduced you properly. The man sitting here is my nephew. He’s a retired soldier. Please take care of him."

The man looked at Nellie with a disgruntled expression. Nellie gave a polite nod.

"If this guy tries to kick you out again, give me a call."

Mrs. James handed Nellie her business card.

"Because of work, I can’t look after Ches anymore."

"Yes, ma’am."

"As you can see, his leg makes it hard for him to move around, so it’d be great if you could cook for him and help with minor chores."

"Understood. You don’t need to worry about that."

Once Mrs. James left, the house at 331 Fitz Street fell completely silent.

Taking a step forward, Nellie asked the man in a cheerful tone.

"Um… Mr. Ches? It’s a bit late, but have you eaten?"

"Please don’t call me that."

The man frowned.

"Then what should I call you?"

"Chester Coleman."

"Ah. So your name’s not actually Ches, Mr. Coleman."

"What kind of fool would name a baby Ches?"

Well… somewhere out there, there might be someone like that.

Nellie skillfully hid her thoughts and introduced herself.

"As you might’ve heard earlier, my name is Nellie McKay. I spent the last three years taking care of an elderly lady back in my hometown, and I just moved to the city a few days ago."

"So, what’s it like to see a disgrace of a man who’s already fallen into hell, someone who doesn’t even have a shred of decency left?"

Chester Coleman gave his trembling leg a tap and let out a sneer.

"I apologize for my earlier outburst. I swear… I had no intention of insulting you, Mr. Coleman."

"Yes. I’m sure you did."

"……"

"Miss Mackenzie."

He just heard her name a moment ago, it's McKay. This lunatic. He was clearly doing it on purpose.

"It’s McKay. Mr. Coleman, your home has such… a charming, modest aesthetic. Shall I prepare a meal?"

"I don’t need dinner. Since you’re already here, go into that room and stay there."

Chester Coleman pointed to a door that appeared to lead to a bedroom.

"Pardon? Why…?"

"Because I don’t like having other people in my line of sight in my own home. So please go somewhere I don’t have to see you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the man turned up the volume on the radio. The sound of a baseball game filled the room.

"That’s not right. I came here to work. Mrs. James asked me to take care of you, Mr. Coleman."

"I don’t need any help. Just go inside."

"……"

"……"

"Woof woof!"

The standoff between them was suddenly broken by a barking sound.

A tiny dog hopped down the stairs through the slightly open door, yapping at Nellie as if on alert.

Nellie, who had a weakness for animals, held out her hand. The dog paused for a moment before licking her palm.

"What an adorable dog."

Nellie quickly shifted the subject before he could shove her into the room.

"George." 

The man said.

Unexpectedly, he told her the dog's name.

"George! A boy, then? What a cute little guy!"

Nellie laughed, stroking George’s fur.

"She’s a girl."

"…Oh? I see."

Wait, isn’t George usually a male name?

"My direct superior’s name was George."

"Ah… I’m sorry to hear that."

Nellie offered her first genuine apology since entering the house.

"I didn’t know… Then, your superior is…?"

She gently asked Chester, a tone of mourning in her voice.

"He’s still on active duty."

"Pardon?"

Wait, isn’t it common sense to assume someone is dead if you’ve named your pet after them?

Nellie was so taken aback she forgot how to respond.

"Or maybe he rescued you from the heart of enemy territory? Carried your dying body all the way to the medics?"

"Your imagination is excessive, Miss McKay. We simply served in the war together."

"Ah… I see."

"Well then, please go into the room now."

With a polite gesture, Chester ushered her into the room. Nellie trudged inside.

"……"

Nellie McKay revised her impression of her employer.

He wasn’t just a madman. He was thoroughly insane.

***

Today, I won’t take it lying down.

Chester Coleman… I’ll show you what Nellie McKay is made of.

I’ll show you the skills that got me through three years of caregiving for senile old Mrs. Hudson.

Nellie stormed down to the first floor and launched into breakfast prep like it was war.

"Don’t just blow your hard-earned wages, buy land while you still can!"

Mrs. Gerald liked to lecture the boarders over meals.

"We’re barely getting by day to day, who’s got money for land?"

Replied a man sitting beside her, a construction worker.

"If not land, then at least buy some stock!"

"If I had that kind of money, I’d be living like you, ma’am."

"I already have stocks! Bought into an oil company when a new field opened up…"

Nellie half-listened to Mrs. Gerald’s sermon while chewing her bread with vigor.

After breakfast, she headed straight to Fitz Street and knocked on the door of house No. 331.

Eventually, Chester opened the door, his expression sour.

"What are you doing here this early?"

"Reporting for duty, Mr. Coleman! Good morning!"

"Morning? It’s the middle of the night."

Chester slowly opened the door. He looked like he hadn’t fully woken up.

"The sun’s already up, how is it night? I bet you haven’t eaten yet today, have you?"

As Nellie smiled brightly, Chester looked like he regretted his life choices.

Brimming with confidence, Nellie marched into the kitchen to start breakfast.

That is… until she saw the completely empty pantry and fridge.

"Mr. Coleman! There’s nothing to eat in this house. Are you some kind of fairy who lives on dew?"

"……"

"Can’t be, the fairies I’ve seen in storybooks were small and cute."

Chester’s face twisted in annoyance.

"So then, are you planning to starve to death soon?"

"…I don’t particularly keep regular meals. I told you yesterday, no need to cook for me."

"Oh dear."

Nellie quipped sarcastically, looking anything but sorry.

"If you’re planning to starve to death sometime this week, please let me know. I’ll call Mrs. James right away."

"Sigh…"

Sitting on the sofa in his nightgown, Chester buried his face in his hands.

Chester Coleman had been thoroughly defeated.

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