CHAPTER SIX

　　Annie woke up with her head banging. She groaned as she recalled drinking with Naomi, she must have drunk a lot earlier in the day to feel this way now. The both of them had cooked, eaten, and laughed while making derogatory remarks about her boss. Then they proceeded to watch a movie on Netflix. How she moved from watching Netflix to being hungover in the evening, she had no idea. Though she was grateful it was Saturday. She wasn't going to put up with her boss's bad character for two days and she was glad.

　　Annie made to leave the bed and that was when she realized she wasn't the only one laying on it. She quickly turned to see who it was and chuckled when she realized it was Naomi.

　　"Well, I guess I'm not the only one who would suffer from a migraine today," she said.

　　"Wake up Naomi, it's evening already!!" she screamed as she glanced at the wall clock in her bedroom.

　　"Urghhh... Go away!" She heard her friend groan.

　　Annie sighed as she quickly got up from the bed and made her way into the kitchen to make something for both of them. Naomi was a terrible cook and always left the cooking for Annie. While in the kitchen she remembered her discussions with Naomi from last night and decided to start on it immediately if she wanted to survive, and survive she must. She had just finished making the soup when Naomi came into the kitchen looking so disgruntled with her phone.

　　"The damn thing wouldn't stop ringing," she said as she handed Annie the phone.

　　Annie collected the phone to see who was calling. She almost drooped the phone when she saw the name on the screen.

　　"What is it" she heard Naomi who had already started sipping the hangover soup she was preparing. It was their remedy and it always work its magic every time.

　　"It's my boss," Annie replied.

　　"What!" Naomi said as she jumped from the chair she was sitting on, smashing the spoon she was using on the plate. She then calmed down as she realized she wasn't helping with her display. She could see Annie shivering already.

　　"Annie, everything is going to be fine. Remember our discussion from last night, just pick up the damn call and put it on speaker, let's find out what he wants" Naomi said.

　　Annie picked up when the phone started ringing again, she quickly placed the call on speaker.

　　And they both heard a loud husky voice.

　　"Have you fucking lost it! Why didn't you pick up your damn phone? Or did you suddenly forget how to use a cell phone?"

　　"I-i-i a-am s-sorry"...

　　"Of course, you're always sorry. Anyways, there are some files I sent to your mail. I want you to work on them and give me feedback when you are done. Today!" He emphasized "And you had better be fast about it," he said and then he hung up.

　　"What!!" Naomi roared. She was fuming with anger, she just witnessed how mean Annie's boss could be.

　　"Is this what you put up with every single day, Annie?" she asked in a galled tone.

　　"Believe me, Naomi, this is just the tip of the iceberg" Annie replied in a relaxed tone after releasing a huge breath of air.

　　Naomi looked at Annie and her expression softened immediately. "Are you okay?" she asked as she squeezed Annie's hands in a comforting way.

　　"I am okay, Naomi. Be brave. Be strong. Do not let anyone make you feel less of yourself" Annie said to Naomi and smiled. "I am not going to cry or lament and hide anymore. I will face this. I just have to put up with it for five months anyway".

　　"Good. Do not lose that spirit, Annie. You know I love you right?" She said as she gave Annie a warm embrace. Deep down, she felt sad. She just hoped Annie would be able to overcome this.

　　"By the way, your boss has a lovely voice," Naomi said, causing Annie to jump out of the embrace.

　　Annie stood arms akimbo with a frown on her face.

　　"Oh please, Annie don't look at me like that. I'm just stating the facts. If only he is not so cold-hearted and mean. I would have drooled over that voice" Naomi said.

　　"Naomi!!! You're crazy." Annie said in disgust.

　　"Whatever, you know I always tell the truth. C'mon let's go back to our soup before it gets cold" said Naomi as she pulled Annie back to the table.

　　“So, how’s Angie? Have you heard anything from your mum concerning her health?” she asked

　　“Easy with the questions Naomi, one at a time. Angie is doing great, she’s a fighter and she’s going to get through this. I know that for sure and I still have to raise enough money for the surgery, I’m saving up for it gradually. Her surgery is in a few months so I have enough time to save some money before then.” Annie told her.

　　“Hmmm, I feel for her. I wonder what she’s going through right now, it must be hard for her and your mum” Naomi said letting out a long sigh “poor kid, such an adorable angel” she added.

　　“I believe she’ll be fine. So, how’s the art exhibit coming on, I heard you sold out your artworks. That’s a big win, when were you going to tell me, dummy?”

　　“I’m sorry, it wasn’t deliberate,” she said. “You know how busy I’ve been with this exhibition, and there is another one coming up soon so it's hectic for me. I’m so sorry love” she added

　　“I’m not mad at you, just don’t keep things like this from me again, we should be celebrating your success, go to the club, drink up and get high,” Annie said.

　　“Says the person who is lightheaded,” Naomi said amidst laughter. Truly Annie was indeed lightheaded and couldn’t handle a glass of alcohol, but Naomi was a better version of the duo. She was still talking when Annie’s phone rang again. Annie jolted from her seat thinking it was her boss but Naomi checked only to realize it was Esme calling.

　　“Relax, it's not your boss, it's Esme. Who is Esme by the way?” Naomi said handing the phone to her

　　“Shhhhh” she said placing her index finger on her lips

　　“Hi, Esme”

　　“Hi, are you okay? You don’t sound good” Esme said

　　“I’m ok, I was sleeping, your call woke me up. What'sup?” Annie lied

　　“Oh, I’m sorry for waking you up. Well, Uhm…. The documents Damien sent to you, I’ll be needing them on Monday s I need you to take your time with them”

　　“but he said I should send them to him today, what if..”

　　“Forget about what he said and do as I have told you,” she cuts in “I’ll deal with him myself. By the way, how are you doing? I hope he hasn’t been mean to you since I’ve been out of town,” she said.

　　“I’m okay, thanks. Look, Esme, I don’t want you to worry about me, I’ll be fine”

　　“Anyways, I’ll see you at work on Monday”.

　　“Sure, see you on Monday”.

　　“Take care of yourself”

　　“You too Esme. Bye,” she hung up. She wondered why Esme changed the whole thing and hoped her decision wouldn’t put her in trouble with Damien at the office.