Rhythm of the Dancefloor - Chapter 2: The Weight of Reality

I woke up at 7 a.m. today, even though my shift at the restaurant starts at 10 a.m. I didn’t mind waking up early—it had already become part of my routine. In fact, it felt strange whenever I woke up late, like something important was missing from my day.

The moment I opened my eyes, my mind was already running through a checklist. Breakfast. Laundry. School things. Bills. Work. Repeat.

I sighed softly before getting up.

I immediately went to the kitchen and started preparing breakfast for my sister. The small space filled with the sound of boiling water and the faint aroma of garlic and oil. While the rice was cooking, I arranged her clothes neatly on the bed, ironed her uniform carefully, and checked her school bag.

“Notebook… pencil case… project…” I murmured, flipping through her things.

I checked everything twice, making sure she wouldn’t forget anything. I couldn’t afford mistakes—not when I was both her sister and her guardian.

After that, I stepped out to a nearby bakery and bought fresh bread. The warm scent wrapped around me like comfort. For a moment, I allowed myself to slow down, breathing it in.

“Good morning, Miss!” the baker greeted.

“Morning,” I replied with a small smile.

On my way back, I decided to share some with the landlady—my dad’s “friend,” as he said. The word alone already left a bitter taste in my mouth.

She accepted it with a wide smile. “Oh, thank you, dear. You really didn’t have to.”

“It’s nothing,” I replied politely, handing the bread over.

She looked pleased, almost too pleased, as if she had something else to say.

And she did.

“You don’t have to pay rent anymore, as long as you and your sister stay here.”

I froze for a second.

“I—what do you mean?” I asked slowly.

She waved her hand casually. “Your father already told me. You’re his daughters. So don’t worry about the rent anymore.”

I forced a smile.

Of course.

I already knew.

This was his doing.

It was a privilege, yes—but I didn’t feel grateful. Not even a little. If he truly cared about us, he would’ve stayed. He would’ve chosen us.

Not another family.

My chest tightened, but I didn’t show it. I refused to let her see even a hint of weakness.

“Thank you, Ma’am Martha,” I said calmly.

“Are you okay?” she asked, tilting her head.

“Oh, yeah. I’m just a bit hungry. I haven’t eaten yet,” I lied smoothly.

She nodded. “Take care, dear.”

I walked away, my face blank. The bread suddenly felt heavier in my hands.

As I walked down the hallway, I noticed a new tenant moving in. Boxes were scattered outside her door, and she looked around my age—maybe early twenties.

I gave her a small, shy smile. “Hi.”

“Hello,” she replied warmly, brushing her hair behind her ear.

I nodded and kept walking.

It was strange—I had been living here for years, yet I barely knew anyone’s name. And honestly, I didn’t try to.

Maybe because I was too busy surviving.

Or maybe because I didn’t want to get attached.

But nothing was stranger than what I saw next.

A couple… inside a room… door wide open.

I immediately froze.

“Oh—”

I quickly reached out and shut the door for them.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, running upstairs before they noticed.

I couldn’t help it—I laughed quietly to myself. Not because it was funny… but because it was awkward.

“Ahem… were you out there for a while?” I asked when I saw Audrey.

She raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. And I saw you laughing like crazy. Are you okay?”

“Me? Crazy? No,” I said quickly. “I just saw something funny downstairs.”

“What was it?” she asked, clearly curious.

I paused.

She’s only fourteen.

“Uh… someone got scolded by the landlady,” I said awkwardly. “That’s it. Corny, right?”

She stared at me for a second, then shrugged. “Okay…”

“That was too close,” I muttered under my breath.

After breakfast, Audrey got ready for school. We waited outside for the bus together, standing side by side in comfortable silence.

“You have everything?” I asked.

“Yes,”

“Money?”

“Yes.”

“Lunch?”

“Yes.”

I nodded. “Good.”

The bus arrived shortly after. Before she stepped in, she turned to me.

“Bye, big sis.”

“Study well,” I said, waving and blowing her a kiss.

She laughed and waved back.

Every single day, I played the role of both mother and father.

And I never complained.

Because she was worth it.

I checked my watch—7:58 a.m.

Still early.

So I decided to walk around for a bit.

The streets were slowly coming to life. Vendors setting up. People rushing. Cars passing.

Normal.

As I was walking, a ball suddenly hit my head.

“Ouch!”

A group of boys burst into laughter.

One of them immediately ran toward me. “I’m sorry!”

I looked at him, trying to stay annoyed—but his sincerity softened me.

“It’s okay. Just be careful next time.”

He smiled brightly. “Thank you!”

I handed him the ball, watching as they ran back to their game.

“Be careful!” I shouted, shaking my head with a small smile.

After about 30 minutes of walking, I passed by a familiar spot.

A man was sitting on the sidewalk, holding his hat out for coins.

I reached into my pocket and gave him two dollars.

But instead of accepting it, he handed it back.

“You need this more,” he said gently.

I blinked. “No, it’s okay. Please take it.”

He shook his head again.

I smiled softly. “Come on, Grandpa. Buy yourself some coffee. It goes well with bread.”

He looked at me for a long moment.

Then… he accepted it.

“Thank you,” he said quietly.

I tapped his shoulder. “Take care.”

Back at home, I took a quick shower and prepared for work.

While doing my skincare, I received an email.

From an unknown sender.

Rhythm Steps Academy.

My heart skipped a beat.

I opened it.

An invitation.

They were looking for dancers—people willing to train and compete internationally… against the undefeated king of dance.

My fingers trembled slightly.

For a moment…

I felt alive again.

My heart raced. My mind drifted. My body remembered.

The stage.

The lights.

The music.

The battles.

But then—

I looked at a photo of me and Audrey.

Reality hit.

I slowly exhaled… and deleted the email.

“…It’s time to work.”

I arrived at the restaurant at exactly 9:15 a.m., earlier than most of the staff. The glass doors reflected my tired face for a second before I pushed them open and stepped inside.

“So early today,” my manager greeted with a smile as he noticed me.

“Yeah,” I replied, placing my bag down. “Mother duties are done.”

He chuckled lightly. “You say that like it’s normal.”

“It is normal,” I answered, tying my apron. “At least for me.”

He leaned against the counter, watching me for a moment. “You know, you don’t have to carry everything alone.”

I paused.

“What do you mean?” I asked, though I already knew where this was going.

“You still have a father,” he said gently. “You can ask for help. You’re still young. There are things you should be enjoying right now, not sacrificing.”

I let out a small breath.

“Maybe,” I said. “But I don’t depend on him anymore.”

He didn’t push further. Instead, he just nodded.

“You’re strong.”

I gave a faint smile. “Or just used to it.”

Work started, and the restaurant slowly filled with customers. Plates clattered, orders were called out, and the smell of food surrounded the place. I moved from table to table, greeting customers, taking orders, and serving food with a steady smile.

It wasn’t easy—but it was something I had mastered.

Even if I was tired, even if my mind wandered somewhere else, I never let it show.

Because this job wasn’t just a job.

It was survival.

During my lunch break, I stepped outside and sat on the edge of the pavement. Right on time, Leo appeared, smiling as usual.

“There you are,” he said.

I handed him a packed meal. “Sorry if I’m late.”

He shook his head. “You’re never late. You always come.”

I smiled and sat beside him, unwrapping my own food.

“I have good news,” he said suddenly.

My mouth was still full, so I just looked at him, waiting.

“I found my family.”

I froze.

“…What?”

“They’re coming to pick me up today,” he repeated, his voice filled with disbelief and happiness.

My eyes widened. “Leo… that’s amazing!”

Without thinking, I hugged him.

We both laughed.

“I didn’t think I’d ever see them again,” he admitted. “It’s been 20 years.”

“What happened?” I asked softly.

He sighed. “I lost everything after my wife left me. I couldn’t support my daughter, and I lost custody. After that… I just drifted.”

I listened quietly.

“But yesterday,” he continued, “I saw them at the park. My daughter… my grandchildren. I couldn’t even look them in the eye. I felt ashamed.”

My chest tightened.

“But she recognized me,” he added. “She ran to me… and hugged me.”

I smiled, my eyes slightly watery. “You deserve that, Leo.”

Before he could respond, a car pulled up in front of us.

“That’s them,” he whispered.

A woman stepped out, looking around anxiously before her eyes landed on him.

“Dad…”

Leo stood up slowly.

They walked toward each other—and embraced.

I looked away for a moment, giving them space.

After a while, she approached me.

“Are you Marlee?” she asked.

I nodded.

She held my hand. “Thank you… for taking care of my father.”

“It’s nothing,” I said, smiling.

“No,” she insisted. “It means everything.”

She handed me a piece of paper. “This is our address. You can visit anytime.”

I nodded.

I hugged Leo one last time.

“Take care,” I whispered.

“You too, kid,” he said.

They left.

And just like that…

My small routine changed.

When I returned inside, something felt off.

Voices.

Whispers.

I slowed down as I passed by the kitchen.

“I don’t like her,” Stella said.

I stopped.

“The manager favors her too much,” Samantha added. “It’s annoying.”

My chest tightened.

“Let’s make a plan,” Stella continued. “We’ll get them both fired.”

My heart dropped.

Carefully, I pulled out my phone and started recording.

“Yeah,” Samantha agreed. “If we say they’re having an affair, it’ll ruin both of them.”

I felt my grip tighten.

So that’s their plan.

I ended the recording and slipped my phone back into my pocket.

Then, I walked in like nothing happened.

“Hi,” I said casually.

They both froze.

“M-Marlee,” Stella stuttered.

“I just came to get water,” I added, opening the fridge.

They exchanged glances.

“O-okay,” Samantha said.

I smiled slightly.

Got you.

The rest of the day felt… heavier.

Every smile I gave, every step I took—it all felt like I was walking into something I already knew would happen.

And I was right.

By closing time, everything unfolded exactly as they planned.

Samantha suddenly raised her voice in front of everyone.

“I can’t stay silent anymore!” she said dramatically. “Marlee and Manager Henry are having an affair!”

The entire restaurant went quiet.

I stood still.

Here we go.

Henry looked shocked. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t deny it!” Stella added. “We saw you both together!”

Before I could speak, the door opened.

A woman entered—angry, furious.

Henry’s wife.

Without hesitation, she walked up to me and slapped me.

The sound echoed.

My cheek stung.

“That was painful,” I said calmly.

“You shameless woman!” she screamed. “You’re ruining my family!”

Henry immediately stepped in. “Julian, stop! This isn’t true!”

“Then explain!” she shouted.

I stayed silent for a moment.

Then—

I stepped forward.

“I think it’s time to clear things up,” I said.

Samantha smirked. “Oh, really?”

I took out my phone.

“You wanted evidence, right?” I said.

Then I played the recording.

Their voices filled the room.

Every word.

Every plan.

Every lie.

Silence followed.

Stella’s face turned pale.

Samantha couldn’t speak.

Henry clenched his fists. “You… tried to ruin my name? My family?”

Mr. Donny, the owner, stepped forward. “This is unacceptable.”

Within minutes, the decision was made.

They were fired.

Just like that.

Henry’s wife broke down.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, holding onto him.

“It’s okay,” Henry said softly. “I’m here.”

I watched them.

Quietly.

Because I knew something they didn’t.

I had seen her before.

At the parking lot.

With another man.

Not just talking.

Not just laughing.

Something more.

I had recorded it.

But I never showed it.

Because sometimes…

Truth isn’t justice.

Sometimes…

It’s destruction.

That night, I left the restaurant alone.

The air felt heavier than usual.

I walked slowly, my mind filled with everything that happened.

Another problem solved.

Another day survived.

But somehow…

It didn’t feel like a victory.

When I got home, Audrey was already asleep.

I smiled faintly, fixing her blanket.

“You’re the only reason I keep going,” I whispered.

I sat by the window, staring outside.

Thinking.

About everything.

About the email.

About dancing.

About the life I left behind.

And the life I chose.

Tomorrow, I’ll wake up again.

Do the same things.

Live the same routine.

But deep inside…

Something is slowly waking up.

Something I thought I buried a long time ago.

And I don’t know…

If I’m ready to face it again.

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