Found Again

“I already told you my side. It’s your turn to give your decision.”

I knew that she had a reason why she chose that path. Now, I understand her more. Anne may look tough on the outside, but deep inside she was broken and longing for love. I already noticed it for the past years that I have been working with her. She was always looking for acknowledgment. She wanted to feel that she was needed.

I like Anne as a friend or a family but never in a romantic way. I am also protective of her. And this time, I think she needed my protection more than anything.

I went to her and hug her. I felt her flinch but she was shaking while crying.

“You went through so much. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help you. I could have rescued you from making those kinds of mistakes. I’m sorry I was late.” I said with full compassion.

She cried louder after hearing what I just said.

Minutes has passed, Anne was a bit calm now. She was done crying. She lifts her face to look at me.

“You are not going to fire me?” She asked with hopeful eyes.

I smile at her and mess her hair. “Of course not. You are doing well with your job. It’s hard to find a manager who’s as understanding as you.”

She removed my hand and straightened her posture. She wipe the remaining tears in her eyes and she rolled her eyes on me. “It’s because I was well aware that you didn’t want to pursue this career. You just need to do it to win the love of your life.” She said.

I chuckled. “Exactly. And it was the two of us who planned all this. But as your friend, I do hope that you will not go to that path again.”

“Don’t worry, I will never do that disgusting thing again! I feel like vomiting just thinking about it. Also, I don’t loathe rich people anymore. I realize that not all rich people are looking down on people like me.” She said in a calm voice.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Andrew told me that she will confront Anne today. As per him, they will have a meeting today about his new schedule. I was not expecting Andrew to fire Anne because based on his reaction from our last conversation, he still has a soft heart for her.

I had no idea how close they are right now. They have been working with each other for two years. Anne was someone who was with Andrew during his vulnerable years. That’s why I’m sure that the friendship that they have right now has a strong foundation.

I would have respected that if I didn’t found out about her past. I know I shouldn’t judge her especially when she was not doing anything bad to me, except for the fact that she kiss my boyfriend with her lame excuse.

I couldn’t fully accept her reason especially now that she has a history of being a gold digger. I’m sure Andrew will be disappointed when he hears these things from me.

I pick up my phone as soon as I saw Andrew’s name on it. He was calling me, it only means that he was done talking to her. I am curious to death about what happened to their conversation and what was his decision, though I already had an idea.

“Andrew.” I greeted him.

I was trying to be calm as possible.

“Baby… I am done talking to her.” He said quietly.

His voice is calm too. It only means that the talk went well. I’m not sure if I should be happy or not.

“What happens?” I asked.

I heard him sigh. “She was anxious when I found out about her past. She was expecting that I will fire her.”

“And what did you do?”

“I told her that I want to hear her side. I know she has a reason why she did what she did.”

Andrew started to share to me Anne’s side of the story. At first, I was not that interested, but hearing the details makes me feel a bit sorry for her. I feel like her story is true except on Lieo’s part. I don’t know why I can’t force myself to fully believe her story.

I got curious about Liam and her. Liam was also in the fashion industry. Their family owned a multi-awarded international fashion enterprise that is home to top proprietary brands shaping the retail industry here in the country today. All their proprietary brands are popular not just here in the country but also in Asia. They are planning to expand their brand in the US and Europe.

Liam is currently the general manager of one of their proprietary brands. He was competing with his cousin Gabriel for the CEO position.

I actually had a meeting with him when I come back from my business trip to America. I could use that opportunity to investigate more about Anne. I couldn’t wait for my business trip to finish.

As expected, Andrew didn’t fire her. He wants to protect Anne this time so that she will not go on the same path anymore.

I feel like I was the evil one in the situation and Anne was the victim. I couldn’t help but feel a bit hurt by every word that Andrew was giving me. It feels like I was slapped by him through his words.

I can’t believe that I was thankful that Andrew couldn’t make it tonight. I need to compose myself and I don’t think I could hide what I feel right now to Andrew.

I wanted to calm myself down that is why I decided to go to my favorite dessert cafe. I was driving when my phone rang again, it was Lieo this time. I put the phone in speaker mode.

“Hey, what’s up?” Lieo greeted me.

“Good,” I answered him nonchalantly.

“Are you alright? Your voice is telling me that something happened,” Lieo asked me with concern.

I smiled to myself. I can’t believe that Lieo can easily tell through my voice if I’m okay or not. I wish that Andrew could also be like him.

“Andrew already confronted Anne.” I started my speech.

“And?”

I sighed. “Anne was obviously anxious she even ask Andrew if he will fire her. And knowing Andrew, he asks her to explain and tell her story to him.”

I told Lieo exactly how Andrew shared with me her side of the story even the conclusion that Andrew arrived.

“Are you alright?” Lieo asked after hearing the story.

My forehead creased. “Why are you asking me that?”

“Because I can feel that you are hurt by Andrew’s words.” He said knowingly.

I stop my car at the side of the road and cried.

“Hey Alli, stop crying. I know Andrew has no intention of hurting you. I’m sure that he was not even aware that you will get hurt by it.” Lieo started to say words of comfort.

But I was not comforted at all. It only made me feel more hurt. I cry louder this time.

“Hey, Alli where are you? I will go to you.” He said sounded so worried.

I did not answer. I don’t want to be with anyone. I wanted to be alone.

“Am I the evil person here?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“O course not! Anyone will react as you did. You had no evil intention, to begin with. You were just worried about us especially Andrew since he was closest to her.”

That is exactly what I wanted to hear. I don’t want to be an evil person. Maybe I should be more understanding of Anne’s situation. Just like Andrew.

I cried and calm myself more. When I feel a bit okay, I started again my car and drive to my favorite dessert cafe.

I was enjoying my favorite chocolate mousse cake and champagne when I saw Anne entering the cafe. I was stunned when she started walking in my direction wearing a smirk on her face.

She looks victorious as she was going near me.

“Your eyes are swollen. Did you cry, princess?” She asked teasing.

My forehead creased. What’s with her? Why is she talking to me like this?

“Cat got your tongue, princess? Did you cry because your prince charming did not take your side but he take mine instead?”

I did not answer her. I just remained looking at her like she was a different person. When she noticed that I have no plans on answering back, her face went closer to my ears and whisper.

“Want to know a secret? No matter what you say to him, he will always take my side. Do you know why? Because I am that special to him.”