Chapter Six

Bella watched as Kimmie’s chest rise and fall as she breathed, she had obviously been asleep for a long time. Too eager to talk to her, Bella ignored that her friend must be exhausted. Dragging her two feet she shook her violently, causing Kimmie to wake up looking startled.

“What’s going on?” Kimmie questioned, looking at the whole room in bewilderment.

Bella couldn’t hold back the laughter that escaped her lips, Kimmie looked hilarious; her hair was in spikes like someone who just got out of a burning house and her face looked flushed.

“I should take a picture of you right now, you would make a good meme.” She commented.

Inhaling, Kimmie tried to shake the fear she had felt off, for a moment she thought the house was being burgled. Rubbing at her face lightly, “I am so going to get you back for this B. I was having a nice nap did you really have to ruin it?’ she whined.

Shrugging with no remorse, Bella giggled. Sitting next to her friend she hugged her tightly, “you don’t know how much I have missed you. I had always hoped for the day you would return here.”

Kimmie held on to Bella’s arm, she felt the urge to cry. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come to my rescue.”

Bella snorted, “Oh please! You and I know you are like the prodigal daughter, you would surely return home to where you belong. I remember telling you that Jesse guy was no good.”

Nodding in approval, “yes you did, and turns out you were right. I was just too blinded by the luxury I was going to get being with him. I was tired of having to find a way to greatness on my own.” Kimmie shoulders sagged as she admitted her weakness. She felt ashamed of herself.

Raising her head up by the jaw, Bella stared into her eyes. “There is no harm in wanting to have a good and comfortable life. You have endured so much Kim. Sometimes, it’s okay to admit you are tired. And I know your mum is proud of you just as I am too.”

Leaning into her friends embrace, Kimmie let the tears she had been holding all day flow. She felt utterly disappointed in herself, all her life she had been taught independence and learning to work for her earnings. It had been obvious she had lost her morals, when she let Brian determine what she was meant to do with herself.

But, Kimmie didn’t really care at the time; all she wanted was an escape from the misery of poverty she was in. Brian must have seen right through her and decided to take advantage. He knew right from the beginning the type of woman he wanted. Reminiscing on that alone, made her cry harder. She was grateful Bella was thoughtful enough to not let go.

Her mother would be so disappointed in her, if she ever found out Kimmie had sold herself off to a man all in the name of wanting to live better. It made her feel like a pest, she wasn’t beautiful enough and all she had was her degree.

Her wardrobe was nothing to write home about, of course no man would want to waste his time with her. That reminded her of the man she had met earlier today.

Bella rolled her eyes exhaling, shifting away from Kimmie she held her by the shoulders. “I think I have had enough of you wallowing in self-pity. It’s important to know that you are irreplaceable; which that useless brute Jesse would come to realize soon. All you need is someone who would appreciate you for who you are. But for now, all I need you to do is…”

She took a pause observing her. “You need to get a good bath first, you are almost looking like a hobo.” Bella laughed at her own joke. “Don’t mind me, do that first and I would order some food.”

Kimmie nodded like a robot, standing up to head to the bathroom. “Mexican or Chinese?” Bella yelled behind her.

Waving a hand, “anyone would do.”

Clapping her hands excitedly, Bella muttered. “Just perfect.” Fishing her phone out from her back she dialed to make an order.

“So tell me, aside having to be sent out of your job and temporary home. What else happened to you, you seem like there is more to your encounter with Jesse.” Bella probed Kimmie as she chugged on a plate of ramyeon. They had decided to indulge in a Korean dish instead.

Kimmie shrugged, playing around her dish. “It shouldn’t bother me much, since I did try all I could to apologize to him. But his words prick me like needles.” She admitted.

Raising a brow, “what exactly happened?”

Sighing, Kimmie crossed her legs. “While I was trying to shake off the bad day and get some nice cup of coffee. I bumped into a man and spill all of the contents on him…” Bella interrupted with a gasp, seeing Kimmies countenance she muttered an apology.

“After repeating so many apology lines, I even offered to wash the clothes and return it to me. But he told me he wouldn’t give someone like me his shirt, cause its worth is beyond my imagination.” Kimmie pouted.

“He sure was right!” Bella noted in a whisper.

“I can hear you.” Kimmie informed her.

Slapping her thighs suddenly, Bella beamed brightly. “You know what enough of all this talks, I am taking you shopping tomorrow.” She announced.

“Hell no!” Kimmie objected, shaking her head. “I’m not making you spend on me.”

“That’s where you get it wrong. It’s not you making me, it’s me wanting to do so. Now, you would eat your food and digress from arguing with me. We are going shopping tomorrow, because you are coming to work with me tomorrow, we would go after lunch. I would take an excuse to get the rest of the day off.”

Judging by the look on Bella’s face, Kimmie knew better than to argue. She breathed deeply; tomorrow was going to be a long day.