IT'S THE SECOND week of December. It's only a few days before Christmas. Just like the weather, my heart is as cold as it is.
I heard a noise from the loving room because Andrew is putting up a Christmas tree. I got up and took a shower. I received a message from Ms. Cindy
"Oh, our queen is awake!" Andrew smiled broadly at me as he faced the Christmas tree.
"Are you leaving again?" Auntie Melva asked.
I glanced at Dad holding some garlands to attach to the Christmas tree.
"Yes, auntie, I just have an appointment today," I say goodbye here.
I stepped closer to Dad and kissed him on the cheek, "I'm leaving Dad," I said.
"Won't you have breakfast first?"
"Not anymore, maybe at the meeting." I turned my back on them and walked out.
I went to Cindy's boutique. It's been a while since we see each other so I decided to bring a cake for her.
"Cherry!" Her voice was soft as I entered the establishment and hugged me tightly.
"Good morning, I brought you something," I shyly said.
"Wow! That's great. Thank you, you're so sweet! I'm with my son and the son of my best friend Margaux. She glanced at the two kids playing.
"Lenny, please take care of this for the two kids," she orders her secretary.
"Maybe you already know Margaux, my best friend, Lawrence's wife."
I glanced at the woman next to her who smiled at me. I smiled softly at her.
I wasn’t able to open my lips because I seemed to be starstruck at her beauty. If I were to be asked she would be the one I would say is perfect to be a more famous model than me.
"Hi, Cherry! Nice to meet you. I heard a lot about you and your success." She pulled my hand to hold it tightly.
"Thank you." I'm embarrassed to answer.
We said goodbye to her first and went up to his office for the meeting she was saying.
"Cherry, I want you to come back as my model."
My lips parted and I did not answer.
"I heard the rumors about you and Nicholas. My ears are open to everyone, both sides. So I think this is a good time to do the right thing. Leave Nicholas and his team for good, come back to me, just for one event only.
I looked up at her with full of questioning.
"You heard it right, Cher. Just one event!" Her smile grew more.
"I want to take rest for now," I slowly bowed my head.
"It's a pity," she said seemingly disappointed.
I bit my lower lip. I suddenly felt ashamed for rejecting the offer. I knew I had no right to refuse because she was the reason I became a famous model.
"W-what event is this?"
Her face immediately lit up and she even raised his back in his swivel chair.
"It's a stag party. The groom wants a model to be his guest at the event.
I nodded here and listened to the details of the event to be attended. When I was satisfied, I finally agreed.
"So, see you on Sunday?" She held out her hand to me which I gladly reached out to.
She didn't send me home right away because she was having lunch at a nearby Restaurant with Margaux and their children Kyzler and Clarence.
I also didn’t escape their curiosity about Rexon and me. But I kept my mouth shut.
“I heard Logistic is in Europe,” Margaux said.
I nodded slowly at her.
"Hey, I heard, Hannah was on that trip too," Cindy muttered.
I was shocked by what she said. I know nothing of that matter. I also lost track of Hannah.
Gradually the pain rose here in my heart. Even if I wanted to ignore what she said, I couldn't do it.
Until I got home, I carried the weight of the news with Hannah on the tour. Is this the reason why he doesn't make me feel better?
"Oh, you look early now, hija? That's right I cooked candied bananas," Auntie Melva told me as I entered the kitchen.
"Thank you, but I'm still full." I went straight to the table where the pitcher of water and glasses was.
"Where's Dad?" I asked after lowering the drinking glass.
"It's in the backyard resting in a hut."
I went to the back of the house to visit Dad. I reached for him cutting the plant.
"Dad..."
I waited for him to finish before I asked him to sit in a nearby wooden chair. I brought him Auntie Melva’s cooked snack and a glass of juice.
"How's your meeting today?"
"It's okay Dad, Ms. Cindy offered me a new job."
He nodded then started eating the snack I had brought.
I watched him for a moment before I took a sip.
"Ah, dad, I've resigned from my job."
I bit my lip as he lowered the spoon into the saucer.
"As much as possible I don't want to interfere in your decision, Cher. I know you have a dispute with your boss, even with your boyfriend Rexon. If you think this is the right thing to do, I will support you."
I smiled at him, I knew he was behind me no matter what happened. I’m also very thankful that he didn’t further escalate the issue about Rexon.