Love At Last

Damage control

Cayden

I gazed at just how pristine Lily looked when she was sobbing and her tears had washed up most of the oil on her face that was now swollen. She must’ve been crying for quite a while now to be this swollen. I finally snapped out from my drooling episode and was finally able to assemble words.

“Lily, are you okay?” I doubt that was a good start but I’d do it for now. As I suspected, she says nothing and only lets out loud breaths.

Meanwhile Jarod had now gotten so vexed that he left the house, why would Lily let me in so freely and she had told him that she wanted him alone, he couldn’t take staying in the same room with that guy… with me.

“I honestly don’t mind you not telling me what the matter is, I will not force even a cough out of you, not while you’re in this state. I can sit here all evening without saying a thing and absolutely fine by me” but I lied or at least I didn’t tell the truth completely. The truth was I wanted to know everything, I wanted to know it all. What could possibly make such a strong and stubborn lady like Lily cry so deeply, was it a man? At least I didn’t notice any in all my time around her and she wasn’t one for being flirtatious or forming new bonds, I’d have won her over by now if that were the case… what are you saying Cayden!

I rally my thoughts back and continue talking “Truth is I can’t promise I’ll rest easy tonight knowing I left here without at least knowing what made you this way” I couldn’t help it anymore. I was now more concerned about her than my life or death situation at work “so please tell me, what happened Lily?

I was almost moved to reach for her hands but that would have come off as flirtatious.

She finally speaks and I jump at its instance “Okay…”

“Like okay you will say something now?” I lean forward a little then settle back into my seat

“Yes, I’ll tell you what happened” I smiled widely and readjust my posture

“Alright I’m all ears and senses” she’s goes ahead to tell me all that had happened with the supervisor and how it was now affecting her business negatively and how now more than ever, she needed to win the competition in order to rebuild the reputation of the bakery and also open up new opportunities” I admired that she valued her business just and prioritized its growth. This was me to Steve’s company, I could not let anything happen to it.

I pleaded for her to let me put out a few calls and pull some strings with the organizers but she refused and was adamant on the fact that she wanted to win the contest by her own will and nothing else. I was amazed and impressed.

“Jarod must have done it, I’m certain”

“What exactly?” She stares in confusion

“He saw the mail Lily and took it to God knows where” I reemphasize. I mean, am I the only one who sees this, who else would take mail that was delivered to the shop beside him.

“Is this a joke? Jarod would never do such a thing, I know him” Lily becomes offended and her mood changes almost immediately

“I assure you my dear it isn’t and maybe it’s because you know him too well that you do not look at the obvious. No other person has access to that kind of stuff asides the both of you and I doubt the organizers would miss not sending you a mail before sending a supervisor. You should ask Jarod and if you already have, you should ask him again and this time with more intent” I persisted in my notion and Lily wasn’t very happy about it. I took the que and immediately changed the subject to avoid making things worse than it already was.

“You know what, forgive my intrusion. I don’t mean to fault your truth in your friend stroke employee. I’m just showing concern and I’m sorry if that may come off wrong” I douse the heating situation and move to the next subject “By the way, how is the conversation with my next date going, may I see the chats?”

She immediately readjust her sitting position and responds just as soon as my last word drops “I don’t think that would be necessary honestly, everything has already been finalized and is going according to plan, besides I don’t appreciate people prying into my work, especially not you”

“Well okay, if you say so! Let it not seem like I don’t believe you can deliver, I am paying a lot of money for a reason” I retreat and settle that all had worked out just fine and that by tomorrow evening I’d been sharing a table with my second and hopefully the last date.

“Speaking of money, she did mention that she fancied rose flowers so I wanted to get some of those and give to her but situations have clouded my time. But then again I obviously cannot go anywhere in this state I am in so you’d have to do this one on you own”

“What exactly?” I become curious

“Get her some rose flowers and probably some chocolates and leave them by her door step on the morning with a nicely quilled letter but without letting her see you, now that would be really romantic”

“Yeah I would but why do I have to do the delivery though and is the date still sure for tomorrow?” I protestConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“You are paying a lot of money, aren’t you?, You should get in on some of the action asides the dinner dates and yes, your date is set for tomorrow” she uses my words against me and all I could do was smirk and yield.

“Alright fine, here’s my card. Have them delivered to me and I’ll take them there in the morning alright?” I reach for my wallet and take out one of my platinum cards and hand it over to her ” And oh, do get something for yourself as well… you should have to shed all those tears for nothing. Let me try and put a smile on your face for a change”

To my disappointment, Lily does not say a thank you neither does she say anything else.