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11.Takeout and Tutorials
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2024-04-02 23:50:34Related chapters
Better In Every Way 12. Just Because
Walking into this Monday morning, I feel refreshed. I feel like I’m slowly starting to adjust to everything. Having George popping in and out of my apartment this weekend helped to make everything feel a lot less lonely. Not to mention, we had finally managed to figure out how to place those large rollers on my head; so now I have the extra benefit of a perfect hair day to kick off the week.As usual, Liliana was ready to greet me at my door with my schedule for today. This week, however, she did not hold back.Today was supposed to be my first official day back; so there was a lot that I needed to attend to.After giving me the rundown for the week, Liliana left my office. Only to, like last week, return with a bouquet. “Another one came for you this morning. Still no card; and this time it’s just the flowers, so no package.” She said.“Oh, okay. Just put them on the coffee table.” I point to the flowers from last week that had begun to wilt. “You can throw those out.” I say.“You
Last Updated : 2024-04-15Better In Every Way 13.Our Professional Relationship
“I was just making an observation on the nature of our relationship and how it will change going forward. I guess I have to get used to calling you ‘Miss Caldwell’ myself.” He says, grabbing a sugar packet and mixing it into his cappuccino.I barely have time to decipher what he said before my phone starts buzzing. I pull it out of my pocket to see Rachel was trying to call me.“Just give me a second.” I say to Alec. I get up from the table and move to take my call outside. “Where are you?” Rachel immediately says, forsaking greetings and formalities.“You mean Liliana didn’t snitch on me?” I joke, remembering the slightly less than dignified way I was dragged out of the office. “I need you to be serious for a minute, Dar. We have a lot to talk about. So where are you?” She repeats.“Uh, I’m at a bistro close by if you need me to rush back to the office?” I asked, pensively. I couldn’t properly gage her tone through the phone so I was confused as to whether the things we needed to ‘
Last Updated : 2024-04-19Better In Every Way 14.Can You Believe It
I made my way back to the office alone, feeling more optimistic than I have in over a month. I tried to ignore it, but the last few weeks had me in a sort of state of emotional limbo. The experience of having a part of my life plan ripped away and significant aspects of my world view altered had truly emotionally and mentally exhausted me. The only time I wasn’t at an emotional flat line, I was riding the very deep dips. But not right now. Right now I find myself on an upward trend. I allow myself to revel in the hope that my life didn’t go to complete shit a month ago. Maybe everything didn’t go as planned; I may not get the full package where I’d return to the ranch style home, family, and doting husband after a long days work in a fulfilling career. But I can still have the fulfilling career.And goddammit, does it feel fulfilling right now.I make a beeline for Rachel’s office. As I walk past her assistant, Micheal, he gives me a nod to indicate that she is available. I do not wa
Last Updated : 2024-04-21Better In Every Way 15. A Quick Detour
The past few days have been a rollercoaster of emotions for me; caught between feeling excited for the new business opportunity and sad about some of the things that came with it.Not talking to Rachel for the past few days has been a relatively easy task to accomplish. It was hard, emotionally, having our last conversation play in my head over and over like broken record; not allowing me to escape all feelings of that day. But both of us were genuinely busy during this past week, so there was no ducking or diving around the office to avoid each other. Neither of us just made the effort to reach out to the other, and that seems to have worked out best. We both needed the space.However, that comes to an end today.Today we were supposed to be meeting with the team from HephaesTech to discuss the specifics of the contract and for them to give us an actual project brief.I was in the main boardroom, going through a final round of checks to make sure everything was in order before every
Last Updated : 2024-04-25Better In Every Way 16.How did you even get in?
I am woken up close to noon on Saturday morning by the sound of someone knocking at my door. I try my best to ignore it, choosing to cower under my sheets where its warm rather than going out there and facing the world that is becoming increasingly colder and colder. It may be mid-autumn; but the weather, especially in the mornings, was a biting prelude to winter.Besides, I am exhausted. This last, very busy, week had taken a lot out of me. Outside of the physical toll, everything that had happened had also emotionally exhausted me. Old feelings and very confusing new ones had my head in a spin by the time Friday rolled around. So much so that I couldn’t even make it to Melody Line.I wasn’t in the right headspace to be interacting with everyone, especially Rachel.I still very much needed that space that I asked her for, and I didn’t think it would be fair to subject Emma and Rory to the awkwardness that undoubtedly still exists between us.I just wasn’t in the mood for celebratio
Last Updated : 2024-04-30Better In Every Way 17. Neutral Lip
The last few weeks had me embarking on a slow and tedious up and up. Before that day when Emma essentially broke into my apartment, I hadn’t realised just how much energy I spent trying to emotionally mute myself so I could put up a strong front for everyone else. Including my friends.Emma has known me my entire life. I don’t know why I felt the need for the performance with her. But she let me know that it is something I’ve done for most of the time that she has known me. Emotionally shut down and refuse to acknowledge that I even had them. It is probably a side-effect from growing up in a family like mine. Having everyone around you looking at you, studying you for weaknesses they could exploit or secrets they could sell to the highest bidder if they couldn’t extort you themselves. Naturally that didn’t breed an envrionment that could produce a person that was capable of asking for help.Emotions were a weakness. Just another thing that unsavory characters could use against you. M
Last Updated : 2024-05-03Better In Every Way 18. Wonderful
It seems I may have underestimated what is going on between Rachel and Dominic as just a crush on her part. It appears as though the feeling is reciprocated.I have been staring at them for the last ten minutes as they were engrossed in their own conversation that Alec and I were not a part of. Seemingly too concerned with each other to remember that we were even there.“I thought this was supposed to be a meeting.” I say to Alec next to me.“It is.” He says, much too absorbed in the endless options on the dessert menu— even though we hadn’t even gotten our entrées yet— to even notice the two lovebirds at our table.“Then why do I feel like we are third wheeling their date?” I ask just as Rachel giggled at something Dominic said. Full on dainty schoolgirl giggle. A sound I haven’t heard her make since she was actually a schoolgirl.Alec finally looks up from his food quest to look at them and then me. “We don’t have to be third wheels, this could be like a double date.” He smiles.“Yo
Last Updated : 2024-05-05Better In Every Way 19. Caldwells Conquer
Sunday came way too soon. I found myself sitting in the pews of the very same church I got cheated on in. Sitting in the row behind my parents. Close enough that people would assume the image of a perfect family that my mother wanted to portray, without having to sit next to her and subject myself to her direct scrutiny. Sunday mass has been a requirement that I did not miss fulfilling. Mass once a month and on major holidays; a requirement borne out of my duty to my brother, and no one else. If it were up to me I wouldn’t be here; not in this specific church, at least. I would have loved to completely sever my ties to my family’s public image. But when I tried, my mother absolutely hounded George, demanding he make attempt to drag me to this and that social event by my hair, kicking and screaming, if he had to. He’d always defended me against her, rebuffing her demands, but I could tell it really wore him out; and that made me feel bad. He shouldn’t have to suffer for my social
Last Updated : 2024-05-06
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Better In Every Way In Our Seats
Dariana“Is that a question?” I ask her, but she’s not looking at me anymore, she’s too busy watching Alec walk away. Can’t say I blame her, it’s a good view— one that I will never admit to watching myself. And I won’t begin to acknowledge it now. But seeing her drift off while watching after him makes me feel a bit…. weird inside. But that’s another thing I won’t begin to acknowledge right now.“A little bit…” She finally manages to mumble.“Come on.” I say, pulling Shelby toward one of the tables so we could sit down. “These shoes aren’t exactly meant for standing around.” I say. They may be gorgeous, but this may be the last time I allow Emma to pick my shoes, the stiletto heal is biting into the heel of my foot.“This isn’t our table.” She says once we get to one.“We can always just move later.” I shrug, nudging her into a chair and not-so-gracefully plopping into one of my own. “Sweet relief.” I breathe out.“So… You and Bradley Greene, huh?” I say in an attempt to steer the c
Better In Every Way 48. That Friend
Dariana The sound of the doors opening is immediately drowned out by the music and the sound of chatter coming from the event hall. The familiar mixture of sounds does very little to comfort me, but it does serve as a sort of switch. Sending me into a practiced, almost robotic, stance; moving me through the room with an ease and grace I wish I felt. At first I try to convince myself that no one cares, that there are much more important and much more interesting people here for people to look at. That everyone is staring at Dominic and Rachel, the co-host and his new girlfriend. That would, of course, make for better news. It’s new and interesting, where I hopefully have made enough rounds around dinner and tea tables that my scandal is old and tired. That hope dies in me when I separate from Rachel and her beau when they head for the bar and the eyes still follow me. People look at me out of the corner of their eyes, some don’t even pretend to look like they’re not tal
Better In Every Way Sorry For The Mistake
*DON’T PAY FOR THIS CHAPTER!!! SKIP IT!!!* This was supposed to be a chapter but there was a mistake that I didn’t notice pre-publish. It was an error with the title. Then I forgot I could just edit it so I re-published the chapter *insert facepalm here*. I am very very sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused, I’ll get better about these things, I promise. The rest of this is just going to be the first quarter of the next chapter because I cannot put less than five hundred words down and I really do not have much to say outside of my deepest apologies. Especially considering that I did warn you in the first line so you wouldn’t be subjected to this. But if you are comfortable enough to have your settings set up in a way where you auto subscribe to chapters… *shrugging my shoulders* I feel like this is your lesson to be more careful. Because what if you don’t like a book? Now you have wasted valuable coins on a book you don’t like…. *sigh* tsk tsk tsk. I’m glad I cou
Better In Every Way 47. Good For Them
Dariana Standing here, taking a good long look at myself in the mirror while I get ready, I am glad that Emma, Rachel and Rory didn’t let me settle for the first dress I picked up off the rack. This one is much better. It’s a black floor length, off-shoulder slip dress. The side is pleated in a way where it looks like it’s being pulled in a way that accentuates my curves that are usually hidden under many layers of professional clothing given the weather recently. Overlaying the pleats is some of the most exquisite beaded flower embroidery I have ever seen. It’s so simple but so well done. Emma essentially put out a whole look for me, all I had to do was obey. All the way down to my hair and the silver accessories in it. “This dress demands an up do.” She had said, last night when she was laying everything out for me. “Gotta show off those collarbones.” Not to forget the makeup. Many inspo pictures were sent. A light smokey eye paired with a deep, plum lipstick. I wasn’t
Better In Every Way 46. Wink Wink
DarianaI hate how quickly the days are going by. This week in particular seems to be in a rush to get done. It’s feels like just yesterday when I was trying– and failing– to convince Rachel to let me sit out the gala. But I blinked and now it’s Friday and Emma, Rachel and Rory are dragging me from store to store to find a dress for tomorrow evening.I would have been fine with the first dress from the first store, seeing as I didn’t really want to put in too much effort for something I wasn’t really keen on going to in the first place, but they would not let me.That and the fact that they didn’t have it in my size and it is too short notice to put things in for alterations.“I’m tired.” I dare to complain, leaning on Emma so I don’t have to carry my own weight. Rory and Rachel are walking slightly ahead of us, engrossed in their own conversation.“It’s your fault for leaving things for the last minute.” Emma rolls her eyes.“Why can’t I just wear something I already have? I don’t ne
Better In Every Way 45. Pet Name
The walk to my office was longer than I’m used to. Or at least it felt that way. Your brain has a funny way of stretching out and building up moments that you’re dreading. And that is what I am feeling right now, dread. Not for any other reason than the fact that I don’t really know what I am walking into. I mean– I knew she would be here at some point, she had warned me after all, I just didn’t expect that point to be today. It feels too soon. I feel rushed. I finally make it to my office door. I take a deep breath to prepare myself for what is waiting behind it. When I open the door I am greeted by Hadley’s back to me as she pours herself a drink from my bar cart. “Sure, help yourself.” I say as I walk in; causing her to jump up a little in surprise, spilling a bit of my not-so-cheap twenty-five-year-old single barrel bourbon. “Alec, hi.” She says, offering a small smile. “I didn’t think you’d mind.” “Of course not.” I say, trying my best to keep things polite. “What are yo
Better In Every Way 44. Punchline
Alec “You’re here.” I say, very much shocked to see Dom walk past me to his office. Over the last few weeks I’d seen him so little I had actually begun to forget that he works here and is not stationed at Brokk for some reason. “I’m not saying it’s not nice to see you, I’m just surprised. It’s a good surprise, I’m just… surprised.” I continue to ramble as I follow him to his office, his foul mood stinking up the hallway as he moves along. “Why are you here?” “Don’t you have other things to do?” He groans. “Perhaps.” I shrug. “But your sour mood is written all over your face and it has peeked my interest.” “It’s really none of your business.” He shakes his head and starts to set up his work station. “I think it’s my business when my partner seems a little worse for wear.” I say. “Now, tell big bro what’s wrong.” I tease, and he scrunches up his face. “She doesn’t want me there, so I thought I’d just come back to my own office. I see it’s been collecting dust.” He sig
Better In Every Way 43. It Happened
Dariana I have been staring at me computer screen for an amount of time I couldn’t possibly have perceived, never mind kept track of. This morning started off like any other. It felt like I was finally starting to fall back into a routine, like it would just be another unremarkable Monday morning. I walked down the hall from the elevator to my office without anyone staring at me. I greeted Liliana at her desk. She followed me into my office to brief me on my day and she changed out the flowers while making a remark about the ‘anonymous’ sender under her breath and I pretend not to hear her. Like normal. Like any other average Monday. But it wouldn’t be my life if I got to start off my week without a single out of the ordinary thing happening. And this week’s out of the ordinary thing is an email from Eliza. Subject line: Resignation. She’s resigning? I have been reading and rereading her resignation letter for so long it has completely stalled my morning. I can hardly believ
Better In Every Way 42. He Knows Me?
Alec Brea follows Rory out as she leaves the rest of us sitting in uncomfortable silence. Cam keeps staring daggers at me, and I am compelled to act on my earlier promise. “Barry come on. I think we should go too.” I tap Barry on the arm as I get up. “Congratulations, you guys. Thank you for the food Adeline.” Barry, looking like he has been itching for this moment, does not waste a second in getting up and getting out of there. In fact, he makes it to the car before I do. He is already inside by the time I get to the front steps. Just as I am making my way down them, I hear Carter calling my name so I pause to let him catch up to me. “You okay? You don’t have to leave so soon, Adeline made that chocolate and strawberry mousse cake of hers—” He starts as soon as he gets to me. “No, I’m good. I’m jus– Barry’s got school tomorrow so I’ve got to get him home.” I say, hoping that it would be enough to end the conversation and he could just let me go. But that seemed to just be
