25. Chapter 25
Chapter 25
-Annabella-
I was almost scared to look at Kace, not sure what he would think. I knew he didn’t like when I talked down on myself, so I was unsure what he would think as I asked him about going back to face the people who had been talking bad about me for years. I didn’t really want to see them. I only saw something horrible happening.
“That’s up to you,” Kace told me.
I carefully looked up, seeing him study me.
“Up to me? Have you met me?” I chuckled.
He smiled, nodding a little. “I have.
“And?”
“And I know you can face them with a straight back. You just need a little push.”
“From you?” I inquired.
“Why not?” he asked.
“You can be a bit mean, and that won’t give me courage,” I reminded him.
“I will be on my best behavior when we choose to face them. Let’s focus on your family first,” he told me.
“You’re right. We should. They will be our biggest challenge,” I agreed before I began nibbling a little on the food again. Kace saw that as a cue to go back to eating again, but I was deep in thought now.
“Is there more?” he asked.
I looked up at him, confused. “What?”
“You have slowed down on eating. Is there more you want to talk about?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Not really.”
“Are you sure?”
I nodded. “I will be fine.”
“Okay.”
When Monday came, I could finally go back to work. While I worked for a high-class architect firm, a job I had precured myself, because my sister was easily given everything she pointed at by my parents, even modeling jobs, I had to work hard for my own stuff. That also meant what I got was mine completely, and no one at my job looked down on me.
Here, I had good connections, and I greeted those I came by until I ended up by my desk. I had graduated early from school and had secured myself this job thanks to my brilliant mind, but I still had a lot to learn before I became an actual architect.
I put my stuff down and settled into the chair, but I had only just gotten started when my boss came by. Luckily, I was on good terms with her, so she was smiling at me as she stopped by my side.
“Oh, hey, Laura,” I told her.
“Hey, I'm glad to see you’re back. Did everything settle with your family?”
I had not told her the truth about why I needed time off. I just told her there was a personal problem in my family I had to solve.
“Yes, everything is fixed now, and I'm ready to work,” I assured her.
“Good, I'm glad to hear it. Get to work then,” she said, winking.
I nodded and quickly got started, grateful for the distraction. Despite the many mundane tasks assigned to me, having something else to concentrate on felt refreshing.
But it wasn’t until the first person on the floor bid me farewell that I glanced out the window, noticing the sun hanging low in the sky.
Yet it brought a smile to my face. After packing up, I headed home. Upon returning to Kace’s house, I was pleasantly surprised to find him there, welcoming me back. It was an unexpected but heartwarming sight.
“How was work?” he asked.
“Good. I'm still new there and learning, but I enjoy it a lot,” I replied.
“That’s good to hear. Shall we go eat?”
“Were you waiting for me?” I inquired.
“Well, we didn’t see each other much over the weekend,” he pointed out.
He is right , I thought. So we went to the dining room this time and sat down. Mariam had it all ready for us, and we quickly dug into the delicious food.
“So, I was thinking tomorrow we can go ring shopping,” he suggested.
“Already?” I inquired.
“The dinner is Friday, and we need to find you a new dress.”
“I have dresses,” I said.
“Yes, but we are going to find a new one,” he told me.
“I don’t need a new one. My old ones are fine,” I assured him.
“You want your family to have more to pick on?”
“Why are your arguments always so annoying?”
“Because I’m right,” he stated.
I smiled, shaking my head, but I was enjoying how we were growing more comfortable with each other.“Fine, we can find a new dress as well.”
“And get your hair done, but we will wait until Friday with that,” he told me.
“Are you my new stylist?” I teased.
“I’m clearly good at it.”
We both laughed, and I enjoyed the nice atmosphere. When was the last time I joked around with anyone?
“Fine, we will do it your way,” I agreed.
“My way is often the right one,” he said.
“So confident,” I teased, sticking out my tongue and making him chuckle a little.