"Breakfast's ready, mi amor!"
I turned around and saw Winnie standing with her arms folded across her chest, leaning against the door frame, with a smile on her face.
"Did it sound like Raylan?", she said it with a wink.
"Oh c'mon!", I uttered.
"Why don't you admit it Alvie?", she said.
"Why would I admit it?", I scoffed.
"Oh Vee, you're such a heartless person!", Winnie exclaimed with a dramatic flair.
"Have you, like, learnt that by heart or something? Didn't you?", I chimed in with a smirk on my face.
"What?", Winnie shot back, clearly confused.
"That I am a heartless person, because you keep reminding me of it often", I added.
"If I had a dime for every time I called you heartless, I could buy you a new heart, or at least a nice snack to fill the void." Winnie exclaimed.
"Well, if you keep reminding me of it, I might just need a whole buffet to fill this void! At least I'd be heartless and well-fed." I jumped in.
Winnie scoffed.
"Okay heartless! let's start with pancakes."
"Did you make them?", I asked.
"No, I haven't embarked on culinary adventures since the last time." Winnie exclaimed.
"Fair enough! ------- because I remember, the last time you made pancakes, we needed fire extinguishers instead of syrup", I replied.
"I'm quite a chef, Vee, you know that. The last time, it was just a rare slip-up, an exception, you could say." Winnie said, punctuating her words with the Italian hand gesture, a flourish that underscored her confidence.
"I know, Winnie you're truly exceptional", I replied, admiring her flair; with a smile tugging at my lips.
Winnie leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, Veeve, you're my exception!", she winked at me, her playful tone lighting up the moment.
I raised an eyebrow, a grin spreading across my face. "Oh really? I didn't know I was that special!", I teased, leaning a bit closer.
"Of course you are! you're the only one I can stand", Winnie shot back, laughter dancing in her voice.
"Wow, that's quite a compliment! I'll take it", I replied, soaking up in the spotlight.
We found ourselves around the breakfast table, the enchanting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and golden pancakes enveloping the room, while sunlight poured in through the glass window, casting a warm glow over the scene.
As Matilda gracefully served me breakfast, I inquired.
"Matilda, have you seen my black wrist watch? I searched my wardrobe but couldn't find it."
"Ma'am, you mean the one you wore on that day of the accident?", she asked.
"Yes, precisely, that one", I affirmed.
"Regrettably, ma'am, it broke in the accident", she replied; a note of sympathy in her tone.
"Ah, well, no matter." I said, offering her a reassuring smile.
"The company claimed it could withstand the pressure of a truck rolling over it." I let out a derisive scoff at the thought.
"Were you, perhaps, conducting an experiment in the guise of an accident?", Winnie interjected, her laughter bubbling forth.
"Yeah, kinda, something like that." I replied, a smirk creeping onto my face, amused by the sheer folly of it all.
After breakfast, we were all set to head out. I slipped into my charcoal gray turtleneck sweatshirt, its soft, fine fabric enveloping me in comfort as I tucked it in to strike a perfect balance between relaxed sophistication and polished elegance. My deep navy blue trousers flowed effortlessly with each step, their crisp folds accentuated by the sleek, black leather belt that cinched my waist with precision, its subtle silver buckle adding a touch of understated luxury.
Over this, I draped a gray-colored French trench coat, its tailored silhouette elegantly framing my shoulders. On my feet, I wore rich espresso brown ankle boots, their supple leather and subtle brogue detailing seamlessly completing the look.
My straight hair fell smoothly down my spine, its silky strands framing my face with sleek simplicity. To add a touch of refined elegance, I accessorized my wrist with a slender, silver-toned watch featuring delicate Roman numerals, its leather strap complementing my belt. A simple yet sophisticated tiny diamond stud in my left ear, a dainty sapphire ring on my right hand, and a delicate, sterling silver bar necklace added a whisper of sophistication to my overall ensemble.
As I opened the car door, Winnie chimed in, "I'll be driving. Remember the deal."
I shot back, "That wasn't in the deal, though?"
Winnie smirked; "It was, it was Alvie. You agreed to it, plus I don't have a death wish okay?"
"Keys, please.", she insisted.
I handed them over with a nod, "Here you go, signora."
Margaret with her usual warmth, added; "Miss Wiana, would you please take care of Madam Alvara, she isn't well right now. And please do take care of yourself as well."
Margaret had been my rock since my grandmother passed away; her love and concern for me were unwavering.
"Sure, Margaret. I'll do that, don't worry.", Winnie assured her; a smile spreading across her face. "She's on me for today."
When I stepped into the office, the astonishment on everyone's faces was unmistakable. They rose in a collective show of respect, a gesture that felt both overwhelming and suffocating. As I entered my cabin, I was greeted by an avalanche of red roses, their bold crimson petals invading my sanctuary. Their vibrant hues were a stark contrast to my mood, but red roses were never my kind. They teleported me to a place I dreaded. They dragged me back to a place I feared to revisit, a memory I fought to escape. The sight ignited a tempest within me, and I turned to Winnie, my voice sharp with indignation, "Did you get them to do this?"
"No, Alvie, I didn't."
She stammered, bewilderment etched across her features.
"I have no idea how they found out about it."
Just then the door flung wide, and Raylan stepped inside, wrapping me in a heartfelt embrace.
"Welcome back, Avy I missed you so much!"
I pulled back, breaking free from his grasp.
"Did you...... did you arrange this all Raylan?", I demanded, my tone laced with accusation.
"Yes", he admitted.
"Why?", I interrogated.
"What's wrong?", he murmured; with concern flickering in his eyes.
"What's wrong?", My voice raised. "You know exactly what's wrong... and yet you did this. YOU'RE FULLY AWARE. Despite that knowledge, you chose to act this way. How could you? How could you do that? How could you do that to me?"
My voice broke.
"Didn't you think about how it would affect me? I thought you understood me better. Your gesture feels like... a betrayal. That was insensitive, and it hurts.
You and Winnie are the only ones I trust blindly. But the way you've acted... makes me feel so exposed. You know everything, Raylan. EVERYTHING... all my secrets, all that happened to me, all my broken parts. Nothing is hidden from you, and now it feels like you've used every bit of that against me. It's like you've seen all my vulnerabilities and used them to hurt me. I thought I could trust you with my pain, but instead, you've turned it into a weapon, and you just threw that back in my face. Do you have any idea how much that hurts, coming from someone I care about? All of this has left me taken aback", I uttered; my voice quivering as my vision blurred with tears.
As my words lingered in the air, he surveyed the room, comprehension washing over him, "I'm truly sorry Avy. I didn't intend --------"
I raised my hand, silencing him. "Your carelessness just ripped open old wounds. I'm greatly disillusioned by your behaviour. I didn't expect this from you Raylan. Ray, you've disappointed me...... to the core", I stammered; my anger and hurt mingling and my tears started welling up.
I summoned my secretary Clara. "Miss Clara, I require this room to be swept of every last petal within fifteen minutes. No flowers are to remain in my cabin, not a single petal. And please warn everyone again that flowers are strictly prohibited in my office building, let alone my cabin. Is my message understood?"
She nodded, fear evident in her expression. "Right away ma'am, I'll see to it immediately."
"I expect this to be resolved promptly, I'll be waiting in the library, notify me when it's done."
My voice trembled with suppressed rage as I delivered my orders, and with that, I strode out of my cabin, leaving the floral chaos in my wake.
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