022 Pride Before The Fall

Lana

Why is he here?

He shouldn’t be here right now.

My eyes met with Karl's empty ones, and i pressed my lips together.

Stella stood beside me, and Karl's eyes went to her.

“Didn't you hear what I said?” He raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased.

Stella couldn't move. I could feel her visibly stiffened beside me. It seems all her confidence obliterated.

Her feet left the floor slowly, and she walked out of the kitchen.

“Come with me,” Karl said to me and left.

This isn't right, I don't like this, Karl's presence only made the situation worse.

He only confirmed how right Stella was, and that made my blood boil.

He shouldn't have come here and fired Stella.

I followed Karl into Roman’s office. The elevator ride was long as hell.

“Why are you here?” I asked again.

“That chef posted a picture of the both of us in the staff group, Roman saw it and told me about it, aren't you in the group?” He asked, and I blinked.

No one was nice enough to tell me there was a staff group.

“No, Stella showed me the picture when I walked into the kitchen just now” I replied. “You shouldn't have come here. You only made things worse” I said.

“Am I supposed to keep shut and watch her talk to you like that?” He frowned.

“You didn't have to come see me, I told you clearly when you offer me this job that I don't want anyone to think I've got favoritism,” I snapped.

I should be the one frowning, not him.

“So I'm wrong for coming to see you and standing up for you?” Karl asked, and I bit the inner walls of my mouth

“I can't work here anymore, I was already having a hard time working here, and you just made things worse,” I said and turned to leave, but Karl held me.

“What exactly do you want, Lana?” Karl said. “I've done literally everything I can think of to show you how much I care, and now you're telling me to let you get bullied?”

I turn to meet his eyes. “I didn't ask you to do that,” I bit out.

Karl's expression changed into something I couldn't understand, and I didn’t even try to understand. “I didn't ask for your help or care, I don't need it,” I said, my voice tight.

“I know you were hurt by your ex-boyfriend, but don't you think you're being a little heartless? Do you hear yourself right now?” Karl's voice broke.

“You should stay away from me,” I stepped back, putting a significant distance between us.

I stared at him for a brief second before leaving Roman's office.

My chest tightened a little, but I ignored it, I can't be soft hearted right now.

My pride is on the line.

_

I scrolled endlessly through my phone, chasing anything that could drown out my thoughts while also trying to find a job.

I am officially jobless, not fully, though.

Was I being too heartless?

Karl's words rang in my head, and I ruffled my hair in frustration.

It's a bit ironic because when I was dating Ethan, I begged for this kind of attention.

I didn't want him to be afraid to meet me in public, but now that I've got that, I don't want it anymore.

That's not right.

It's not like I don’t want it, I'm just not... used to it.

“Let's not think about Karl,” I muttered.

I decided to call my father

I planned on calling when I first got that message from the unknown number about my mom, but I have been putting it off because I really don't want to talk to him about mom.

The phone rang a few times before dad picked up.

“Look who remembered I existed. I had to double check before answering,” I heard dad's voice through the phone, and I sighed.

"I wanna ask you something," I got straight to the point, not wanting to spend too much time speaking to him.

“Of course, that's the only reason you'd call me, I would answer to the best of my ability,” dad replied.

“Did mom have any connections with the Moretti family?” I asked, and dad fell silent. “Dad?” I called to make sure he was still on the line.

“No she didn't. Why are you asking?” dad said, and I frowned.

I have a very strong feeling he is lying.

“Nothing” I replied and hung up.

Why can't he just say the truth? Dad is definitely hiding something, and it makes me uneasy.

The sound of a knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts, and a little part of me hoped it was Karl.

I walked towards the door and opened it.

A wave of disappointment hit me when I saw Katelyn and not Karl.

“Hi Katelyn,” I smiled at her.

“I going to pick Lily up from school and we would go meet her grandparents, we would be staying there for a few days,” Katelyn informed.

“Ohhh, I would really miss Lily's presence,” I said, and Katelyn chuckled.

“I know I have been bothering you and Beatrice for a while, and I am really sorry for that,” Katelyn apologized.

“There's nothing to be sorry for. We are happy to take care of little Lily,” I smiled, and she nodded.

“Goodbye, see you next week.” She waved at me and left.

I shut the door and sighed.

I wish I had grandparents. My parents were both orphans when I was born.

My phone pinged, and I walked towards it on the couch.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw a message from Cole.

Damn, I almost forgot about him.

“I'm downstairs,”

I wondered what he was doing in my house. We hadn't spoken for a long time.

Maybe Jenna told him I'm avoiding her.

I sighed and threw on a large hoodie over my slacks and hurried downstairs to meet him.

When I got out, I couldn’t find him, I looked around and decided to text.

I didn't finish texting him when a large hand covered my mouth and nose from behind using a handkerchief.

I struggle, but the person behind me was huge and stronger.

I didn't even struggle for 20 seconds when my head began to feel heavy. My eyes closed slowly, but I tried to keep them open.

My entire body eventually went limb, and I blacked out.