CHAPTER 6

Riella's POV.

I hopped out of the cab, paid the cab man, and started to walk into the house. I was happy and excited for myself. I didn't expect to get the job, I wasn't expecting the news at all. And no, I wasn't underestimating myself.

And the pay, my goodness!

The pay was triple the amount of my former job. I couldn't believe it, couldn't comprehend it when Damien Martin had told me earlier. Heck, I almost freaked out.

But I didn't. Instead, I raised my head and gave them one of my most pleasant smiles. 

A low ruffled bark had me stopping in my tracks. Hesitantly, I spurned around to meet the sight of the small white Labrador retriever dog that belonged to Lyn.

I scooted down slowly, my smile stretching further as I rubbed its back. It wagged its tail, obviously excited to see me. It always stays at home while we go out to work.

“Hello, Winter.” I smiled before moving further to rub its chest. That single gesture had it wagging its tail excitedly before it flicked its tongue at the back of my fingers, making me giggle a little.

I rose from my position and adjusted my fitted blouse before moving along to my room. Once I got in, I tossed my back somewhere, kicked off my shoes, and pulled off my clothes. Next, I hurried into the shower and took a bath.

I pulled on black shorts and a gray baggy top over my head. I slipped my foot into my pair of flip-flops before moving along to the kitchen where I started to make preparations for an early dinner.

For as long as I remembered, I loved to do my cooking. I never got tired of it, never lost interest in it. It was something, an experience I shared with my mother who used to be a chef. It was why I loved it so much.

I started to get the ingredients to make Pasta, and chicken sauce. A simple dish that would barely take my time. As I cooked, I went about humming to a tune I didn't know.

When I finished cooking, I laid the table carefully. As soon as I had that covered, I grabbed a bottle of nonalcoholic wine before heading out for the pool. The house we lived in was averagely big. Not exactly a mansion but not lacking anything either.

I and Carolyn had put together the money to purchase it when we left college those years. We were so eager to leave Brooklyn that we bought the house, with the help of our parents. It had always been me and her, alone all these years.

I must have started dozing off as I sat by the pool, legs dipped into the water when I heard her loud horn. I didn't bother to leave the poolside knowing fully well that winter would lead her to me. And it did.

“Ella, love.” She sang as she sashayed toward me, bag by her side and heels clicking loudly to the floor. I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips as I watched her walk toward me.

“Hmm, darling.” She settled down beside me, dumping her bag somewhere before going ahead to slip off her shoes. Next, she dipped her legs into the water like me.

“You seem excited, what's up?” I asked before turning my face toward her. She was smiling brightly so I knew she had news for me. “Finally got the man?” I raised a teasing brow which made her chuckle.

“Progress, progress sweetheart.” She tsked before taking my empty wine glass, refilling it, and going ahead to down the content in one gulp.

“Oh!” She gasped suddenly, the glass hanging in her grip. “Pardon my manners, babe. How was the interview? Any news yet?” She rambled.

“I got the job, baby!” I was suddenly excited, my voice rising a bit as I laughed at her excited face.

“O. M. G!” She screamed, threw her head back, and burst out laughing. “Congratulations, love. I told you my good luck coffee was going to work.” She sassed.

My smile morphed into a frown at that as I remembered what the coffee put me through at the office. “I beg your pardon, sweetheart. I almost embarrassed myself at the interview all because of your so-called coffee.” I rolled my eyes at her.

She sat up. “How so?” Confusion danced in her eyes.

“You know how my body doesn't tolerate anything I have that early in the morning? It almost messed me up. But hold on, why the fuck didn't you tell me that Harrold Williams is a show?” I screamed the last part out to her.

She threw her head back and laughed loudly. “Pay attention to celebrity gossip, baby. You like him?” She winked.

“Not in the way that you think. He is hot, alright.” I admitted, my smile widening.

“Yep.” She nodded, popping the ‘P' in her word. Then, she took her leg out of the water and got on her feet. “Common, we have to celebrate this great news.” She did a slow twirl.

“I know right!” I clapped. “I cooked dinner, one of your favorites,” I informed her. 

She stopped twirling and raised a brow. “Who's talking about dinner?” She hissed as she picked up her shoes. “I meant; we are hitting the club tonight. Bill's on you.” She muttered.

“Oh, no.” I shook my head in disagreement. “Let us just celebrate at home. I am resuming tomorrow.” I mumbled.

“I don't want to hear anything. We are going to the club and that's it.” She deadpanned. “I mean, when was the last time we did that anyway?” 

“Uhm, last weekend.” I reminded her as she grabbed her bag.

“See, a long time ago.” She frowned. “I'm going to hit the shower and have dinner. Afterward, we dress up and hit the club.” She was already walking away before I could retort.

And I just knew that there was nothing I could do.