"But sir," it was Elanne speaking and Aria's ears stood, geniuely interested what she was about to say. "I don't think I'm a good fit for this role. Queensley here has offered, it won't be bad for you to consider her.""Yeah I know but I chose you which isn't bad as well or isn't it?""No," every other person except Robert, Aria and Elanne chorused. Aria's eyes darted towards Queensley. She had that bright smile on her face as she urged Elanne to take the role. Still standing, she shook her head, dissatisfied. Knowing Elanne, Aria knew she wasn't going to give up just yet."But wouldn't it be nice to work with your friend? It's what most people wish for in situations like this." Peter, the head of the tech department shrugged. Aria wondered it wasn't noticeable that they weren't close friends anymore."Exactly, it's actually not a bad idea." Queensley interjected and Elanne rolled her eyes."Sir I don't think I'm the perfect fit to plan and organise an event like this, I wouldn't want
On Aria's way to the Ladies, she saw Elanne walking over there too in an unhurried gait probably to fix her braids. Aria hastened her footsteps so she could catch up with her."Hey," she blurted out when she had caught up with her. Her heart palpitating because Elanne's eyes were cold and held no atom of friendliness."Hey." Elanne said and opened the door. They both walked in. Elanne stood in front of the mirror, repacking her braids as Aria had guessed.Aria rehearsed what she was going to tell her before she cleared her throat and spoke."so Elanne, about the task we've been paired to-"Elanne paused her activity, interrupting Aria's speech. "Look I don know what you and your boyfriend are up to but I'm certainly not in for all these. Could you kindly tell him I have no idea about handling something like this and he should pair you with someone else?"Aria swallowed a gulp. "He's not my boyfriend and he's your boss at work and he has the right to delegate any duty to you."Elanne sc
Aria slowly walked out of the bathroom, her legs weakened at the realization she had just come up with it. Pain slashed through her as she made her way back to the staff quarters. Aria glanced at her wristwatch, it was just few minutes before 4pm when she and Elanne were supposed to plan for the open day. Her stomach twisted at the thought that Queensley might be there. She didn't even know how she felt about Queensley, she knew that she didn't hate her but she just didn't like how she had taken space in Elanne's life. She could chalk up her slight discomfort in her presence to that and Anna had encouraged her that she wasn't a bad person for feeling like that. Any other person would have the same reaction towards Queensley because of the circumstances surrounding everything.Aria tried her best to draw her mind towards the task at hand, editing the final report and sending it back to Robert. The words on her screen scattered in front of her as she tried to mentally place them by the s
Aria still couldn't find it possible to erase the thoughts of Elanne finally leaving her from her mind. Each time she'd try to scrub the thought off, but it would come back ten times worse, each thought worse than the former. She reclined on the sofa when her phone lit up with a text from Robert. She angrily shook her head, not wanting to read the text from him. As far as she was concerned, he had a hand in this. Why did he pair with her, Elanne, when he already knew the friendship wouldn't work and that someone had already taken her space? Did he do that to set her up or to make her pain more intense? Did he do that so she could see how ruined the friendship was already, so she could move on with her life? She scratched her head; she knew it wasn't his fault, and he was just trying to make her happy. But she freaking wanted her friend back! And not getting what she wanted, she was getting more angrier and miserable, and she needed someone to pass it on! With all of these, Aria's ne
Aria made her way into the kitchen, preparing pasta, steak and lobster. It was her favourite and Robert loved it as well. In her books, Pasta was one of the best dish and it's such a delight to prepare and feed it to anyone. When she was done, she placed her hands on her hips, thinking about what other desert she could prepare to top it up. And finally she settled for cake. Aria still had some of the ingredients, little of them from the last one Anna bought. Anna loved baking, they had both learnt it from their mother. She loved baking and each time she did, the would hang out, teasing her and picking up her strategies. So when she became bedridden, sometimes Aria and Anna would bake, because it reminded them of their mother and her warmth and everything she was and was not. Aria thought about telling Anna what she up to and she placed a call to her. Anna picked up at the second ring."Hey ma'am," Anna said into the phone, "How are you doing?""Fine," Aria slurred, balancing the phone
Aria sat on the sofa, legs crossed as she waited for Robert. Soon he called her that he was almost at her house. The sense of the anticipation was now replaced with anxiety, as her heart started to beat fast and her mind conjured scenarios of how everything could go bad. She willed them to go away and dragged her mind back into the present focusing on it and nothing else. Just then Robert walked in. Aria's head jerked towards the direction and she took in his outfit, it was just casual shorts and polo. She loved how his hard body was visible despite how loose the polo. She was used to seeing him in formal outfits such that he looked different in casual outfits now. Asides that, his handsomeness struck her such that her mouth was agape. Aria stood up, tucking a stray strand behind her ears and smoothening the non existent rough edges of her maxi gown."Hey princess," he greeted her, outstretching his arms in which she took and stilled herself into his warm embrace. She loved how small
"Easy," Robert said and pouring contents of the juice into her glass and giving it to her.She drank from it. "I'm okay now."Robert observed her for while before he spoke. "So I asked when you were moving over to my house since Anna isn't around.""I don't know yet but I will." Aria replied.Robert's eyes lit with excitement. "Tell me when you're ready.""But do I have-" Aria started but smiled—"Nothing.""What do you mean nothing? Go on with what you were about to say, will you?""Nothing it's really fine." She waved a dissimive flick of her wrist with a praticed smile on her face."You were asking if you have to, isn't it?" Robert asked, reaching out for her palm and squeezing it. "Look Aria you don't have to if you're super uncomfortable with the idea. Even though I'd want you to be closer to me but what you want really matter and I wouldn't want to force you into doing anything you're not happy with."Robert's calm words felt reassuring. There were no hint of pressure, just all-r
"Oh why did he have to come now?" Aria huffed, putting her lips in between her teeth."I should just go get it." Robert stuttered as he stood up and walked towards the door. Aria looked away, pushing her gown that had rode higher downwards, still reeling from the feel of his fingers on her. She wished the pizza didn't arrive at this moment, it could have come earlier or later. Whatever, but not now. "I was right," Robert announced, excitement lining his voice as he closed the door. "It's the pizza delivery guy. I'm sure you'd love this one.""I'm sure." Aria replied passively, touching her laps, hoping to replicate the feeling that Robert's fingers coursed through her.Robert settled the pizza on the table, taking his seat. He looked at her. Suddenly feeling shy, Aria looked away.Robert adjusted his chair and his body to face her direction now. Then held her hands. Aria's first thought was to withdraw but she didn't heed to it for the fear that Robert might think he had done someth