The Next Best Thing: Part II

Forty

I took off my apron for the first time that night, more like early morning, exhaustion hitting me like a tidal wave, knocking me off my feet and taking over my body. I was so drained, the onset of fatigue setting in.

Thanksgiving was the next day and the pressure from Min to make it a perfect day was weighing heavily on my already burdened shoulders.

I spent the entire night preparing all the food I'd have to cook later during the day, the easier part of my slave work. Min offered to sort out the dessert, the least of my worries for that day, and Lily was in charge of decorations, doing what she did best - designing.

I was up early that day, uncharacteristically looking forward to the holiday. I hadn't seen Eoin since I'd spoken to Aidan about him - he'd had to fly to England for a few days and would only be getting back in a few hours. I missed him more now that I opened myself to the prospect of him. I was ready to tell him how I felt, what I wanted from him.

Carla popped in before she went to her home for the holidays, breakfast for her girls in tow. "I understand how busy you all are so I made you a little something to take the pressure of you," she explained. "I'll be on my way after seeing Min. She called and told me about the baby so I'm also here to congratulate her."

Min suggested Carla stay for dinner, insisting that she be dined on for once in her life. One can only refuse Min's offers so much - she eventually agreed, rushing off excitedly to prepare for the dinner party with her daughter.

"I should probably get myself a new dress. It is Thanksgiving after all. Let me give thanks to my body for maintaining its youthfulness," she joked.

Whilst Lily and I got ready for the soirée, Min popped out of the apartment for a few odd hours, returning armed with homemade cupcakes whose origin she didn't bother to disclose.

Something was off with her when she came back - I was afraid to ask her about it, not wanting to upset her so close to her guests arriving for a fun-filled evening.

I assumed it was because Lyle was bringing someone as his plus one, a female someone Min was bothered by, although she refused to admit it.

The current rumour mill surrounding Lyle's life was that he had a new girlfriend, a simple girl nobody knew the identity of. The tabloids also suggested that she was the one he'd been escorting into a car at the hospital. The level of truth to this news was very low so I didn't exactly bother myself with it. Now, maybe the first bit was true after all.

First at the door was a stunning Carla with her equally stunning doppelganger, Penelope. Pen looked beautiful in a long white dress with a chunky woollen cardigan - she looked beautiful in anything she put on. God bless the Puerto Rican genes. Her mother was radiating elegance in a pale yellow number highlighting her golden locks and hazel eyes.

They brought with them more food for the party, all our old favourites Carla knew we missed. "Mom's always making the same thing for Thanksgiving dinner. I'm so excited to have something different for a change," Pen said.

"She's just excited for her first dinner party," Carla interjected.

"That's also true. You guys throw the best parties."

"Of course we do," Min grinned, embracing the two of them.

Lily was happy to see Penelope, seeing as they grew up together at the Kanagawa's; Lily couldn't accept that she had only one sibling the older she got, disbelieving that Penelope was her housekeeper's daughter.

The two have been best friends ever since, always finding time to hang out, surprisingly with the blessing of the Queen of Mean herself.

Aidan arrived soon after the Figueroas, bringing nothing but his handsome self and warm personality. I introduced him to the famous Carla, whom he made blush with his adorable compliments.

He'd met Penelope though, who entirely approved of him for Lily - she was on Team Aidan with me. Fortunately for the sake of the rest of the night, him and Min were pleasant towards each other.

I served everyone the cocktails for the night, non-alcoholic for the two teenaged girls and one pregnant Min, who welcomed Lyle and his date to our home.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Kai. This is Lyle's girlfriend," she said, introducing us to the fresh faced brunette holding Lyle's hand. She had the most amazing smile, pretty brown eyes and a personality I immediately realised was a direct contrast to Min's.

"Happy Thanksgiving," she said in a sweet Southern accent. "Thanks for inviting me over here. You have a lovely home."

Lyle agreed, directing the first part of the compliment to me. "You don't look like someone who's been labouring for over twenty hours."

"I clean up nice, Lyle," I smiled pleasantly, attempting to lighten up the now very tense atmosphere.

Carla was aware of the situation, no surprise there, but Penelope was very confused - for all she knew, Lyle was with Min.

She expected them to get married, despite the fact that Min was a serial cheater. She'd called that Min was in love with Lyle. "You'll see soon enough." And we had.

Aidan was happy to see his best friend, and introduced himself to Kai, welcoming her into their family. He obviously had much more to say, not particularly good things I assumed, but he respected that it wasn't the time nor the place to go on a rant.

"Please, take your seats," Min bellowed, ushering everyone into the dining room. "Dinner will be served shortly."

She returned to the kitchen where I was posted, making sure that each meal course was ready for our guests. She'd hired a wait staff of five to relieve me of the duty of working the night as well, wanting me to have as much fun at the party as she did.

"Zoe, I think we can start serving the soup now," she said in a relaxed tone of voice.
"Min, are you okay?" I asked, ignoring her. I had to make sure she'd be able to celebrate the day with everyone else.

"I'm okay, Zo. I'm exhausted and I think I'll need to be sad when everyone's gone but right now I'm okay," she assured me. "Is Eoin still coming?"

"He should be here now," I answered, checking my phone. Nori had sent me a picture of Eoin's back entering the elevator, captioning it, "What Zoe better be thankful for tonight!" with a kissy face emoji.

I texted him back a winking emoticon. Another day, another crazy and typical Nori text. It made Min laugh as well, putting that beautiful Min smile back on her face, the genuine one that made her eyes twinkle.

"I still can't believe you two aren't dating yet, Zoe," she said, hooking her arm with mine. "You two act like a married couple stuck in the honeymoon phase yet he's not even your boyfriend. Get with the program, Zo."