17

Kendra leaned back in her chair, watching as Elena cleared the main plates from their dinner setup in the office lounge.

She just had roasted salmon which was flaky and perfectly seasoned, the garlic mashed potatoes creamy, and the herb-roasted vegetables still carried a faint, appetizing aroma.

When did she last eat with someone, maybe when she just married Richard or when she goes to family dinner or friends gathering or with Freya sometimes. Richard never stays home to have breakfast or dinner or lunch, he'd eat at work, who knows if he's always with Freya.

She eats alone most of the time, the maids at Richard's mansion can testify.

And one of the things she loves is eating with someone, maybe dinner or anything, someone should just be there.

She sighed out. At least her heart is at peace now, she's not loving someone that doesn't love her anymore.

Elena worked quietly and efficiently, stacking the dishes on a tray. She returned from the small kitchenette with two steaming mugs.

“Here you go, ma’am.” She offered.

“What's that?” Kendra asked, almost sounding like she whispered.

“Chamomile tea with a touch of honey, you'll love it.” Elena replied sweetly.

“Careful, it’s hot.” she added as Kendra took the mug, letting its warmth seep into her hands.

“Thank you, Elena. I'm sure this will be nice.” She took a small sip, then another. The tea was soothing.

They sat in comfortable silence for a minute before Elena spoke again.

“You seem a little more relaxed than earlier. Did the meal help at all?”

Kendra nodded slowly. “It did.”

She smiled, “You know I didn't even realize how hungry I was. And the fact that eating alone...gets heavy sometimes.” She paused, staring into her mug. “Especially lately.”

Elena sipped her own tea. “I can relate to that very well. I stay alone, my parents aren't in the city, at the moment." She said,

Kendra said nothing, she became silent again, just sipping her tea gently staring at nothing.

“Miss Ree, If you want to talk about anything that's bothering you, I'm here.”

Kendra was quiet for a moment, she felt uncomfortable, sitting with her employee, talking. Elena has been working for her for two years now and they've never really had that real connection.

But her heart feels so heavy that she feels like it might burst if she doesn't pour out her emotions.

“I will leave now if you don't…”

“No, just sit with me and let's talk.” Kendra said and Elena straightened very well on her seat.

“You know about my ex husband Richard...?”

Elena nodded, who wouldn't know him? Maybe someone who's not online.

“...He was never really present, you know? Even when things were okay on the surface.” She took another sip. “When I was sick, really sick with fever, he’d just say the maids should take care of it. Like I was a task on his list.”

Elena’s voice was gentle. “That sounds incredibly lonely. Did he ever stay with you? Even once?”

“Not really,” Kendra said softly. “A quick pat on the shoulder, a half-hearted ‘sorry,’ and then he’d be gone. I told myself it was just his way, the way of doing things. That I needed to be more understanding.” She let out a small, tired breath. “I accepted so much, a lot of rubbish.”

Elena nodded, giving her space. “You’re a very patient person, ma’am. Not many would have stayed as long as you did.”

Kendra set her mug down. “Freya was the one I trusted the most, she was my only real close friend, she's always smiling with me, always ready to listen when I needed to vent out my emotions. Fuck...whatever she did...I never saw it coming.” Her voice caught slightly. “How do you miss something like that?”

“Betrayal from a friend cuts deeper. She was around a lot, helping with things. I've never noticed anything off about her.”

Kendra shook her head. “Maybe little things. She’d ask about his schedule sometimes, and offer to help. I thought it was just being a good friend. I was the reliable one... the boring one who wanted to be chosen. She seemed so warm, so available.”

Kendra picked up her mug again, taking a longer sip. “My mother always said never force a man to choose you. I should have listened.”

“I gave a lot to that marriage,”. Kendra admitted. “It was always taken for granted. But I realized I deserve more.” She didn’t elaborate further on the night before.

Elena smiled softly. “You do deserve that, ma’am. I’m glad you’re starting to feel it.”

They finished their tea in easier silence, the conversation ebbing naturally.

Kendra glanced around the quiet office, she doesn't feel like leaving the office and go home straight else she'll keep thinking about stuffs

“I don’t feel like going home early tonight. Would you come with me to the mall? I need a gown for the Reens Gala, I need something new and I think your eye for these things is better than mine.” She asked Elena.