A Step Closer to Love

Arabella could not believe that he was asking her that. Was he a child? He could lie or evade the question. She wanted to tell him her thoughts but then realized how wrong they sounded when she tried to say them out.

“What?” he asked her. “I can’t do that” he added turning to the road that leads to their office.

“My mom had been happier these two days you have been around than the past six months. I don’t know what it is but it seems like she is slipping into depression and ain’t talking to my dad or me about it. We are very worried. If you make her happy then I would do everything in my power to make it stay the same” he said.

He had noticed his mom’s withdrawal from things she did normally and her constant bickering with his dad. He had noticed the way she went silent from her constant talking previously.

Arabella was too stunned to speak. She concluded that Kieran was a boy who had his heart ripped out and could not observe his surroundings. On the contrary, he was able to analyze his mother and know what she needed. She needed company and some kind of peace that comes along with her feeling important.

Arabella had spent just two days with them and she had noticed her. Everly who she remembered from her childhood was like the color yellow. She was jovial and always happy. Although Everly tried to keep up the facade anyone who knew her before could see right through her.

“What if I leave with you in the morning and then you just me off somewhere nearby? I do not want anyone in the office to know that we are coming together” she said after considering.

She turned to see that they were nearing the office and he was not giving her any response.

“STOP” she screamed which made him step on the brakes and bring the car to a screeching halt just in time.

“WHAT?” he screamed back when he stopped and looked to the road. He thought she screamed because she saw something and he was about to hit it but the road in front of him was clear.

It was a relief that a car was not following behind if not it would have been a serious accident.

“I am sorry I had to scream,” she said taking off her seat belt. “I could not allow you to get to the office without us concluding what we would be doing,” she said.

“You are bold and troublesome for no reason,” Kieran said and started the car.

“So?” Arabella responded her voice confident and daring.

“Arabella I want you to understand that if anything happens to you. My mom would kill me and I do not care about Aurora. I am sure once you do well at your job then you would get off her bullying list.” he said turning to the car park of the office.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“What do you know about workplace bullying?” Arabella asked biting on her fingernails.

“You are a good worker and that’s why we hired you. I am sure you can make her forget about her prejudice soon enough”

“Hello Ava,” Everly said over the phone.

Ava had called her. She was worried about her daughter and how she was adapting. Arabella had always been a peculiar girl and which made it harder for Ava to easily let go of her.

“Hello Everly,” Ava said.

Ava and Everly were a wonderful bunch of women. After they lost contact at high school and then regained contact when they were married they showed great friendship skills.

They maintained over fourteen years of relationship with them not seeing at all.

“When are you going to come visit me?” Everly asked.

She had been trying for fourteen to bring Ava back but Ava persisted and got what she wanted.

“Why don’t you come over to Japan for the holidays? After all, you are retired,” Ava countered.

Ava knew that Everly was just trying to get her back to Crescent Bay. Fourteen years later and Ava was not ready to move on. She would have been happy if her daughter got a job in any other part of the world asides from that city.

The only good thing about the city was that Everly was in there and could help her out with keeping watch over her child.

“I would come over this year,” Everly said.

Since Ava moved they have had this conversation multiple times. Everly had tried to bring Ava back and Ava had tried to bring Everly over to experience the richness and thickness of the Japanese culture.

“Arabella is coming to becoming home in November. Her cousin is getting married and there is a national holiday too. She can spend it with us” Ava said over the phone.

“You can join her. We would be happy to host you” she added.

“I would come this year. For real” Everly said.

It could be a good distraction from her life which she thinks is falling into pieces and also a great vacation for her. Since she left work she had not taken any time off. She was always picking up after her husband and dotting over her son and it got her nowhere.

“I would be happy to have you,” Ava said excitedly. She had not seen her friend in a long while and having her friend over would make her happier.

“How is Arabella adapting?” Ava asked.

“I knew you did not call to know how I am doing,” Everly said in an accusing voice. She could understand Ava and why she was worried.

“Don’t hit trust me anymore? I am more than capable to take care of Arabella” Everly responded. “Take care of yourself now. You don’t have to rear your kids again” she added.

“But…” Ava started before she was cut off by Everly.

“Or do you want to come over and take care of her yourself?” Everly said.

“Okay then. I trust she is doing well” Ava said.

Both women laughed before going on to talk some more on the phone.