A BURDENNED FRIEND

She can stay out there and look for some more gossip. Imao! But I am sure her itchy ass will not last out there, even for a minute. She will be trailing behind me soon. I am sure the recap of my seven-day adventure is playing in her mind as if she has any business in it. Eyes roll!


I know I need to hurry and leave as well. The thought of navigating through the city streets in the midst of a torrential downpour is enough to send shivers down my spine. Traffic will undoubtedly be a nightmare, and I don't want to get caught in the midst of it. I really need to beat the rain and make it home safely before the storm hits in full force.

After exchanging a few words with the waiters and waitresses, I walk to the baren corner of the shop and perch myself there with my cappuccino. Grace takes little time. She doesn't even wait for my signal. She strolls to me with her coffee too. Her arse must be itching really awful for gossip. This nosy bitch, though!

"You can ask me whatever is itching your ass instead of just looking at me," I snap, mellowing my nerves with a sip of my steaming hot cappuccino.


She shakes her head, burying it in her coffee mug, to take a sip before speaking. "Nothing. You just look so different from the wandering woman I ran into in the job hunt a few months ago," she says, and we both slop our cups down.

I know that.


"In all aspects. You are so stress-free, to begin with. When I met you, you seemed so lost and tormented. You looked like all the demons in the whole world were chasing after you. You were like a lost, wandering soul," she states, her voice filled with sincerity and warmth.

"I know," I speak, concurring with her, 'I am just glad that that is all behind me now. I have a contented life, and I am not worried about anything. I have the strength and the boldness to face everything." I respond with a grin.

"And that includes Mr. Riccaford? I don't believe that your father has lost this battle, Ellie. Don't you find it strange that he has gone mia at you these last few days? It's kind of unlike him," she says, not in a manner to worry me or challenge my boldness, but just because she cares and shares my sentiments.

I can not refute the sole fact that my father will not just give that easily, but I also refuse to live in the shadows of fear. "Maybe he just realized that I am no longer the girl he can control anymore. Honestly, Grace, I don't want to put superfluous sentiments into anything. I am happy, and that is all that matters."

"And I am happy for you, my friend. Just don't put your guard down. You don't know what this lull from your father means. I don't mean to worry you, though. I just don't want him catching you off guard, okay?" she says her words are so genuine.

What a friend! Now, this is the side of her that glues me to her. So caring and sweet.

I tap her shoulder gently. "I am prepared for anything, Grace. Choosing my happiness doesn't mean that I am forgetting what Papa is capable of doing. In any case, we are doomed to meet again, maybe sooner than we both know. But I am ready for him."

"I am so happy for you. I wish I could say the same with my animalistic brother. I still can't face him. And my anger towards him is mounting day by day. But at least I am happy that karma is catching up with him," Grace confides, her words dripping with resentment and bitterness.

Her vehemence catches me off guard, and I can't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. Whatever transpired between her and her brother must have left deep scars, ones that refuse to heal even with the passage of time. But can I blame her for rejoicing even in such a situation? No! Honestly no. I understand perfectly how she feels after the hell her brother put her through.

"What's the situation?" I inquire, eager to understand the root of her frustration.

"The company is going bankrupt. I am guessing he didn't have what it takes to manage it," Grace explains, her tone laced with disappointment.

What?

"Jeez! That is bad. I mean, it is your parents' company after all. Your parents' legacy and hard work didn't have to go down the drain this soon," I sympathize, shaking my head at the unfortunate turn of events.

"I get your point. It breaks my heart that all of their efforts, hard work, and sacrifices they put into building that small company are going down the drain, and there is nothing I can do. So I will just be a bitch and rejoice in my mean brother's predicaments. Karma caught up with him sooner than I had imagined. Serves him right," Grace admits bitterly, her voice tinged with resignation.

I can sense the pain and frustration behind her words, and I can't help but feel a swell of compassion for her. Sometimes, life has a cruel way of testing us, throwing obstacles in our path that seem impossible. She had a handful to deal with.

"What exactly happened to the company?" I press, my curiosity piqued by her cryptic explanation.

"I have no idea, Ellie, and I don't want to know. What for? To torment myself further." Grace retorts, her tone tinged with bitterness and resignation.

But I can't let her wallow in despair. I refuse to stand idly by while she suffers in silence, consumed by anger and grief. "I want you to find out," I state firmly, my voice leaving no room for argument.

Her eyes widen in surprise at my insistence, clearly taken aback by my words. But deep down, I know it is the right thing to do.

I think I can somehow help her.