Chapter 8

Upon arriving home, Dustin heard a familiar female voice. Eating sounded like a loud laugh. From afar, he already knew who the woman was inside.

Dustin stepped into the living room, and it turned out that his guess was correct. There was indeed a woman he knew, and it was Vera, Karina's best friend.

Dustin also saw many paper bags in the store's name containing the luxury goods he had bought earlier. Some luxury clothes were already on the sofa.

Dustin smiled as he approached Karina. "All the items are beautiful. 

Vera's eyes narrowed. "Haven't you ever seen luxury goods? These are all gifts from men who like Karina!"

"Maybe all these gifts were given by Justin. He's been after you for years, Karina." Vera looked convinced.

Dustin grinned. "That guy couldn't have bought them."

"All this expensive stuff was never given to you by the man who says he's your husband. What a piece of shit!"

"Isn't he ashamed of being such an embarrassing man? Even he's just living off of you," Vera insulted relentlessly, holding Karina's expensive bag with curious eyes.

"Look, Karina. Justin knows exactly how you like it. Not like that guy over there!" Vera glared at Dustin.

Karina let out a long sigh. "Never mind, stop it. You're saying too much. Justin can't possibly like me. I already have a husband."

"What? How could you possibly think that? You're a beautiful woman and can get any man. But instead, you got a poor, unemployed, useless husband who's just a burden in your life. Disgusting." Vera chuckled in annoyance.

"All these gifts are too much. Besides, it's too much, and I don't like it." Karina pushed some of the dresses on the sofa into a paper bag.

Vera gaped. "What, how can you not like all this fancy stuff? Look at these bags and shoes; they're stunning, right?"

Vera handed me a black bag with Swarovski on the side. "Look, you look great in it. Justin knows your taste. In stark contrast to that useless guy!"

Dustin chuckled. "You seem to be the one who's happier than Karina to receive all these fancy gifts. You'll want to ask Karina for them, too, right?"

Vera's eyes widened. She was angry because she felt insulted. "Insolent. Who are you to insult me like that? You loser dust!"

Dustin was very familiar with Vera. That woman always wanted what Karina had. Dustin even knew that when Karina had an expensive lipstick, Vera had borrowed it without returning it. Even that lipstick had only been worn once by Karina.

Dustin grinned. "Why are you so angry if that's not the case?"

 

"Look at this guy, Karina! He is a shameless man. I can't believe you could stand living with him for two years!"

"Dustin, never mind. You'd better leave than make a scene!" Karina defended Vera. Of course, it made Vera look happy.

"Why, I don't think I made a scene. She's the one who started it first." Dustin tried to defend himself.

"Already, just go!"

Dustin had no other choice. He finally chose to leave their presence. Meanwhile, Vera smiled slyly because what Dustin said was true.

**

Dustin had dinner with Karina's family. The meal was going on as usual. But something caught Karina's attention. Karina kept noticing Dustin's polite eating and seemed to understand manners.

Not just this time but because she had long been curious about it. "Have you ever studied table manners?"

Before Dustin could answer, Eri answered instead. "That's because he imitates the way we eat. How could a poor person like him possibly learn about manners?"

Eri laughed along with Jake. "Manners? Don't be stupid, and he doesn't even have good manners."

Jake shook his head. "The manners he does have, of course, are because she's with us. Just imagine if she wasn't accommodated in this house. There would be no other family to put up with her."

Eri nodded her head with her spoon raised, pointing at Dustin. "Besides, you don't use your brain very well. How could you learn about manners if you weren't watching us."

Dustin sighed. "I did learn table manners."

Eri laughed at that. "What an idiot. That's all made up. What are you studying table manners for? To beg?"

Jake laughed too. "That's for sure."

Before Dustin could answer, Karina had already opened her voice. "Please, can't you guys just stop and eat in peace?"

Eri and Jake, who were laughing, immediately shut up. Eri glared at Dustin as Karina defended him. They ate pretty quietly. Only the clinking of plates and spoons against each other.

Jake pointed his spoon at Dustin. "Hey, useless dust!!! It would help if you got a job. Our finances are small. Don't trouble us anymore. You're such an embarrassment, and don't you feel sorry for Karina, who works at her cousin's company?"

"Never mind, Karina. You'd better divorce this useless man. You can get a wonderful man and never suffer like this again." Eri made a suggestion that was not a solution. She disliked Dustin, who she thought was giving them more trouble.

Dustin nodded in agreement. "Alright, I'll look for a job."

Karina was surprised. "Are you sure you're going to look for a job? I'm afraid you won't get one since you lack skills."

Eri chuckled. "It doesn't matter what his abilities are, and the important thing is that he should still work and earn money to make her life more useful and not just a burden to our family. Remember, don't embarrass us again!"

Dustin nodded. "Yes, I promise I won't embarrass you anymore."

"It's good that you're self-aware. I hope you get rich and stop burdening our family." Eri scoffed.

The next day, Dustin was looking for a job. He wore a simple shirt and a folder with all the paperwork.

The streets were shiny and slippery from last night's heavy rain. The sidewalks were full of puddles. Dustin was already walking carefully so that his clothes wouldn't get splashed when a vehicle passed.

Dustin glanced behind him when he heard the roar of a car engine that sounded like it was traveling fast. Dustin pushed aside the grassy side of the road.

Dustin's clothes were wet because the puddle of water on the sidewalk spurted up to him. The fast-moving car suddenly stopped. Someone from inside came out to see Dustin, holding a folder to apply for a job.