Just Between Us

Chapter 36

Stefani's POV

Finally, I can think clearly. Today was practically wasted and the pitch sale is tomorrow.

"You brought your other phone?" Rachel checked in with me once we settled into the suite.

"Yep, this is the one neither Kent or Lillian don't have the number to. So we're all clear," I sighed tiredly.

"What about the pictures?!" Rachel was actually keeping up.

"Air dropped them and deleted it from the other phone," I kicked off my shoes.

"Okay, I'll go over what we have left to do for your project in chronological order," Rachel flips through our notes.

I honestly forgot what's left, I was so enraged all day.

"Oh shit girl, this one's easy," Rachel was relieved.

"What?" I sat back up in my bed and looked at her.

"Picking the outfit. We still have time to kill before all the stores close today. And then we can rehearse while we order in," she suggested and I liked what I was hearing.

"What are we waiting for?" I raised a brow a smirk.

~~~~

"What screams business?" I was walking through the plaza contemplating which clothing brand is to be the most appropriate.

"I think Chanel is the one for us," Rachel concluded and I found myself appealing to the idea of a soft pink blazer with a matching pencil skirt with a white blouse and heals.

"What about shoes?" I stopped right in front of the clothing store.

"Red bottoms. We're here to be confident and let's throw in some pearls for elegance," she was excited to be able to dress me up again.

For once in my life, I'm okay with her doing it.

"I'd say let's go with a crisp black and white classic look for you but we don't want a dull business transaction.. pastel pink and some Dior perfume should seal the deal," Rachel took me to go pick an outfit that I literally imagined myself wearing moments ago.

"Rachel, I don't say this a lot but I love you..." I spoke softly as I was trying on clothes in the fitting rooms.

"Bitch I fucking love you too!" She yelled and started sobbing.

I quickly opened the door to check on the child and-

"Haha got you so good, but stef I know you love me," she laughed.

I threw my purse at her and she squealed.

"Anyways, how's this?" I stepped out and pulled out my curls from the back of my blazer and fluffed them out.

"Oh my god we're not doing anything else. Natural everything. Only thing that goes on your face is skin care, lashes and lip balm. That's it, girl look at youuuu," Rachel was gushing over me and I never looked at myself the way I'm doing right now.

Having my hair down.. I look-

"Stefani, what's wrong!" I was rushed with a hug and shoved Rachel off me as I quickly blinked away my tears.

"I see my mom's resemblance like this," I couldn't stop smiling.

Everything was hurting inside but I'm so happy. I'm so happy with this resemblance. I'm so relieved that she isn't gone forever, a part of her is with me- in me. She's my everything.

"You big baby, come here," Rachel flings her arms around me and this time I embraced it.

"You're not upset?" She checked.

"No, I'm so happy," I assured her as I went back to change into my initial clothes.

"Constance Ugine..." I smiled with a sniffle as I came back out.

"Huh?" I caught Rachel off guard.

"My mother's name... born abroad as a citizen in Jamaica and the US," I looked up at the ceiling admirably in thought of my mother..

"That's such a name for a powerful woman.." Rachel rubbed my back and shrugged her off.

"I think she would want me to go to college," I was at peace with myself.

"Let's knock this sale out the park tomorrow and use that paycheck to settle in Massachusetts," Rachel continued to cheer me up as I swiped my card and made the purchase.

"I don't think we'll be needing the entire check if we're living on campus," I reminded her and giggled.

"I don't think we'll be there for long anyways," she informed me and I stopped outside in my tracks.

"Why's that?" I was somewhat bummed out.

What if this is a new chance at life?

The endless cycle of my dad running through women and treating them like trash is taking a toll. I need a break from it all, I don't want part of Lillian's marriage if it actually happens.

"I know I said I applied the both of us- but I've already knocked out majority of my required courses at NYU here because I'm older than you and have been attending college longer. Stefani, you're probably gonna be there for two or three classes to get that business degree because didn't you do dual enrollment majority of highschool- online school- whatever?" Rachel hit me with reality.

"Probably business calculus, entrepreneurship and statistics/probability are gonna be my corses. I did get my AA my sophomore year and continued to do dual enrollment for my last two years..." I mumbled off speaking my thoughts outloud.

"One thing at a time but if you ask my opinion, the possibility of you being able to get a major in business this fall term is very high," Rachel assured me as we got to my car.

"Only one way to find out..." I drove off.