TIFFIN 2

19

The next week went as expected... sort of.

Cole didn't say much to me at work after our heart-to-heart. My guess was that he'd been too scared to confront me after Hero had body-slammed him, but I was relieved that I hadn't lost my job. 

Rides weren't a problem. Hero offered each morning, easing my nerves a bit. 

Work had become second nature now that I knew the ropes of how to do every task. The only thing that was left for me to do was familiarize myself with all the different departments so I could decide how to move up in the company.

For now though, being an assistant wasn't too bad. 

On my Friday, I had received a few texts from Josephine here and there, until finally, she materialized on my doorstep. I screamed, barely able to believe it. We jumped into each other's arms, squealing in excitement. 

"I can't believe you're back!" I exclaimed. 

"I know! I can't either- Oh, I'm so excited to be working with you! Ahh!"

At this precise moment was when both Niall and Hero excused themselves to a separate room, plugging their ears. Josephine and I took this moment to catch up and talk about our month. 

"Tahiti was a dream," Jo smiled, looking up at the ceiling. "Oh, I wish you could have been there..."

"Maybe I can. Someday. Cole said the company pays for vacations-"

Josephine grabbed onto my arm. "Wait- who's Cole?"

I rolled my eyes, pretending as if he and I hadn't grown close. 

"Oh... he's just our boss..."

At Jo's confused expression, I went on.

"Well, above Tawnee. He's at corporate. I met him at the motel... well... I mean... he knocked on my door..."

Josephine furrowed her brows together. "I'm lost. Are you and Hero...?"

I blushed, already feeling embarrassed. "Yes, Hero and I are together."

Jo still didn't look convinced. "You're not trying to make him jealous, are you?"

I gasped. "No, no. Of course not. I... Cole is just my boss. I mean... there have been a few times where he asked me out, but... I love Hero. You know that."

Josephine surprised me by laughing. "I know he's our boss, but he better not do anything stupid in front of Hero. He'll be toast."

I nodded, remembering how he had effortlessly lifted Cole off his feet. Was I going to bring that up at all?

After a moment of silence, Jo spoke again. 

"Kristina... there's something I have to tell you..."

I looked up at her in concern. "Um... okay? What's wrong?"

Josephine looked down at her lap.

"While at Tahiti, something happened between Niall and I-"

My eyes widened. "You're not pregnant, are you?"

Jo snorted at this. "No, I'm way too smart for that. Niall..." 

She trailed off, looking around to make sure he wasn't near. 

"Niall asked me to marry him."

I went pale. Marry? They hadn't even known each other a year. 

I clasped my hands over my mouth. "What did you say?"

Josephine shrugged. "I told him that I would think about it. I was just glad Tawnee wasn't there. Niall had a hard enough time doing it with his father around."

Oh. That was right. Tawnee hadn't gone to Tahiti with them. I hope I hadn't been the cause of that.

"Do you think he's the one?" I asked, genuinely interested. 

Jo smiled. "I'd like to think so. I've been through my fair share of relationships. If Hero asked you to marry him, what would you say?"

This caught me off guard. We were all still so young and had so much to accomplish. 

On the other hand, I didn't want to marry anyone else. 

"I don't think I'd be able to say no." I finally replied. 

Just then, Niall and Hero came clambering out. 

"Come on," Niall grinned, reaching out for Josephine's hand, "My parents have dinner waiting."

As Jo practically jumped into his arms, Hero gathered me into his. 

"And my parents are expecting us."

I raised an eyebrow. "Didn't Diedre plan this?"

Hero sighed. "Dorinda wanted to join as soon as she heard I'd be there.

I took a deep breath. 

Oh, wonderful.

As soon as Jo and Niall had left, we began getting ready. Hero had dressed in a black tux, which was still odd to see him in, though he did look rather dashing. 

I, on the other hand, adorned the same outfit I had met his parents in; my favorite skirt and leg-warmers. 

When I set my hand on the front door, Hero halted me by pulling on the back of my cardigan. 

"What?" I asked, turning around. 

"I like you like this," He admitted, "In your baggy clothes. I know it sounds dumb, but it's what I like about you. It doesn't reveal too much. Makes me hard, thinking about what's underneath."

I playfully swatted him on the shoulder. "Do you always have to be so dirty?"

Hero snorted. "I only want to please you."

I laughed as we made our way out the door. 

When we finally made it to a fancy diner, I closed my eyes for a brief moment. I wasn't sure if I could do this, now that I was in the moment. The last time I had dined with Diedre, she'd paid for me to get burned. Who was to say she wasn't going to do it again? 

When we finally met the host at the front and were guided towards the back of the restaurant, I was greeted with an unpleasant sight:

Dorinda, Chester, and... Diedre. All sitting together like some family that had reunited recently. As we took our seats, I didn't fail to see Dorinda's moody stare. 

"Oh, I see you've brought her again," she said, "I thought you two broke up?"

Oh, here we go again.

"We were," Hero replied, "But I won't be making that mistake again."

Dorinda went silent. Diedre, however, spoke up. 

"Oh, my dear grandson, what a... pleasant surprise this is."

Sorry if the chapter sucked 😭😭💩