Chapter 21 We started feasting and having conversations in between. There was more than enough food, so much that I feared it was going to be too much for just me to eat. I loved how everything was curated. There were burgers and pizzas, cooked lasagna, and pasta. I didn't know where to begin at first but he urged me to eat to my satisfaction. I was beginning to feel better and for the first time, I didn't feel a wave of sadness from my episodes of overthinking. He was talking about how he charmed everyone with his looks when he came to look for me at the restaurant. He was so full of himself but in a funny way. I kept laughing and things weren't so tense when he said that. I was glad we were quick to put the talk about "my ex" by the side. "For a moment there, I think your Manager was into me." he winked. "She kept coming to me and asking if I was okay." "That's because she knows you and she wants you to be comfortable. She is pretty nice to everyone. So don't flatter yourself to

Chapter 23 Accepting Drew's offer turned out to be a very good decision. We've been on a roll telling one story after the other and laughing hard in between. We ordered some scones, small chops, and milkshakes. Drew wanted a whiskey instead without anything to eat. He wanted a package of Chinese food to take home so replaced the order. Drew mostly sat there, listening to me be a chatterbox as he offered to pay the bills. I wanted to ask about Elliòt but I decided against it. I didn't know how to begin to ask such questions, I was already feeling weird about it. Then he faced Kathy. "So Katherine, how is work?" I let my eyes go back and forth between the two and I nodded to myself. I could feel Kathy being all giddy but she wasn't showing it as much. Sneaky idiot. She took a sip of her drink and shrugged. "You know, it's been fine. Nothing much really happens at work." "Same old." The guy smiled broadly and my friend nodded. "I hope Zora hasn't been a pain in the ass because

Chapter 25 My thoughts were drawing me into a deep void. I felt like nothing could stop this from eating me up. Confusion spun me further into its lair. I couldn't decipher what was true anymore because the fear and too many emotions clouded me. I grabbed the counter and tried to breathe. I was finally exhaling when Bella appeared beside me. "Mrs. Lane wanted you to fix the kitchen before you end your shift. She is really frantic, I suggest you get to it. That's if you still need the pay cheque by the end of the month." I stared at her blankly as she spoke. I gave a brief nod and she walked away. I saw the pity that lingered in her expression for that short time. I understood because I had days where I pitied myself. Just that the humiliation I had faced, wasn't something I had expected. I sighed for the umpteenth time as I went about to get the task done. There was no need to cry over spilled milk, no point crying like a baby. It wasn't even worth a shot even if I had tried it. I

Chapter 27 The truth was that I was so exhausted but curiosity had the best of me because I wanted to know what exactly was so urgent that he had to call me five times. We were both silent most of the time. I didn't know when he asked a question. "Is everything okay? Are you okay?" I grimaced, not knowing how to reply to his questions. "Yeah, I'm good. Why?" "After you were done with your shift, you left without informing me. That is so unlike you." I facepalmed and realized that there was no way I could have thought about saying goodbye with the way I was feeling. My insides were shattering due to the strong words of my supposed role model. Nobody could have understood that because they were just minding their business. Derek for example, it was bad for me to have left like that. "I should've let him know that I was leaving…Fuck!" After the reminder, all I could say was. "I'm sorry. I was really in a hurry. I had to rush home because something came up. I'm so sorry." T

Chapter 29 My heart kept racing as I stared at my phone. I kept asking myself questions that I already knew the answers to. It was the second time the phone rang and Elliot appeared on my screen. At first, I thought it was a dream, a dream I didn't want to be in. It was so bad that my phone went off and it rang again. I was getting tired of listening to my phone ring because I knew that it wasn't going to end. He was going to call until I ended up picking it up anyway, so it was inevitable. I sliced the answer button and kept quiet. "Zora, are you there?" I exhaled. I was mentally screaming in my head. Why does it have to be this way? Why do I make steps to get past this and somehow I am being dragged to this same place that ruined me? I didn't know how to begin so I decided inwardly to feign. "Good morning Mr. Garrett." I heard him sigh until he spoke again. "You don't have to be formal with me Zora, you know this?" "I didn't think you were disrespecting people. Is it a crime