The Faded Rose

Chapter 2

"We're celebrating tonight!" Sky exclaims, her beaming smile illuminating the room. It has been far too long since our last girls' night, and her excitement is contagious.

"Yeah, I agree. The past few days have been incredibly stressful for all of us," Beth chimes in, her voice laced with a hint of weariness.  Yet, a mischievous glint danced in her eyes as she winked back at Sky. "Oak it is," she whispered, a knowing smile spreading across her face.

"But I need to be at the restaurant," I interject, the weight of unfinished tasks looms over me. "There's just too much work to do," I remind them.

"I am sure your team can handle one day without you, Hay," Beth points out with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I'll speak to Jade, and I'm certain she'll be on our side," she adds, winking playfully.

"She better be," Sky chimes in, holding up her phone. "I just texted her, and she's totally cool with it. She in fact insisted we take Hay for her much-needed break."

I try to interject again, but Sky cuts me off, her tone firm yet lighthearted. "Hay, you've been working your ass off for this contract. You deserve a break, no buts about it," she insists, her determination shining through.

 Beth grins and joins in, teasingly raising her finger. "That's right, Hay. Resistance is futile. You're coming with us, and that's the final verdict!"

"Fine," I relent, giving in to their persuasive powers.

"Great! It's decided. My place, see you guys at 8?" Beth gushes. "And-"

"Beth!" Alice Miller calls loudly, "Where is Sam?" She inquires. "You forgot to pick him up from school? Again?" Entering the frame, with her hands on her hips, staring down at Beth, giving her a disapproving look. "Elizabeth Miller, What am I going to do with you?" she waves her finger at Beth, chastising her making both Sky and I snicker.

Beth glares at us through the camera. "I am going mom, I thought you were going to pick him up today," she looks at Alice sheepishly. "But I am going now." She raises her hands in the air in surrender. "Later girls!" Beth yells over her shoulders as she grabs her keys and tramps away in haste.

Alice Miller is a very sweet lady. Her tall frame makes her seem daunting but she is the most delightful person you'll ever meet. However if you mess with her family, that includes Sky and I, she turns into a mama bear.

"Hi girls! How are you? Sorry about that. she-" Alice starts.

"Don't worry about it, we know how forgetful Beth can be," Sky chuckles, interrupting Alice. 

"She made us search for her ring for two hours  only to find it in her purse." I laugh. Alice and Sky joining in. 

"That's Beth for you," Alice jokes. "I need to make dinner so got to go girls. Drop by sometime." 

"Definitely!" Sky and I chorus. 

Switching off the webcam and shutting down the laptop, I let out a sigh of exhaustion. I threw myself onto the bed, feeling the softness of the mattress supporting my weight. Looking up at the ceiling, I allowed the reality of the situation to sink in.

I have secured the contract. My dreams are finally coming true.  I did it mom. I finally did it.

******

I hear my phone blaring, piercing through the silence. Rubbing my eyes languidly, I reach for the phone, my fingers fumbling slightly in their tired state. I brought it close to my face, squinting at the bright screen.

5 missed calls from Sky. 

Shit. 

10 missed calls from Beth.