Would you Swallow all your Pride?

Chapter Four: Charcoal.

"Wait—" Billie Dean said before Wilhemina could even turn around this time. "Are you going to have lunch alone?" Wilhemina nodded. She was used to it. "Mind if I join you?"

Wilhemina blinked once. Why would Billie Dean want to have lunch with her? In the back of her mind, Venable had to admit she was a little scared her anxiety would flare up again. An anxiety attack in front of her boss was something she would absolutely not allow her body to go through. "No," she answered. What was Wilhemina supposed to say? Billie Dean was her boss, and her voice wasn't as annoying as it was yesterday anymore. "I don't."

"Great." Billie offered a smile. She guided them to the kitchen, and from behind Billie Dean, Venable allowed her eyes to land on her blonde locks; they bounced so beautifully, it was nearly mesmerizing. "I've ordered spaghetti today."

Venable hummed quietly. She reached for a portion, noticing it was still warm in the little container it came in. After getting settled on the table, she opened the lid. The delicious smell of fresh red sauce raised up. Billie Dean had joined her on the table, now. "Smells nice," she commented.

Billie nodded, already digging in for a forkful. "Their sauce is homemade."

Venable watched as Billie Dean carefully wiped her mouth clean, not allowing a single stain of sauce to fall on her chin. The whole donut incident from earlier came into her mind, and as Wilhemina took a first forkful, she already reached for a napkin. "I can see that."

Billie Dean took another forkful before looking at Venable. Her aura was so absolutely unique. After a second of silence, she decided to speak again. "You don't really enjoy speaking much... do you?"

Billie Dean was the second person this week to comment on that. Venable reached for her mug, which was now filled with water, and took a sip. She thought about her answer, about whether or not she was going to waste her time explaining her reasonings. "I suppose I don't have much to talk about." The answer was simple, but honest. Wilhemina had learned the hard way that if people were not interested, talking to them was meaningless.

"I doubt it," Billie Dean smiled softly. She took a sip of juice, which she had poured herself before sitting down alongside Wilhemina. "Your education is impressive. I bet you know a lot about a lot of things." Even though Billie Dean didn't like one bit that Venable doubted her work, she was still focused on making her feel welcomed. There was no point in scolding her for a personal belief—as long as she didn't lack respect with Billie again.

Venable chuckled before taking another forkful. She wondered if that whole conversation was a trap, if Billie Dean did it with every new employee in order to catch something she didn't like. Wilhemina would not fall on traps. "I know I didn't expect you to wear Floratta Blue, out of all perfumes." Redirecting the conversation to Billie was a smart idea, Venable thought.

Billie Dean's eyes lit up slightly. She smiled a little more, holding her fork. "You're the first one to recognize it. How do you know it?"

"Mainstream brands are usually overcharged," Wilhemina shrugged. "You pay for the brand, not for the product." Billie nodded. Smart. "How do you know about it?"

"I got it in my first trip to Brazil. Been wearing it ever since."

Venable had never traveled. She had never left the country. The notion of being away from familiar comfort wasn't the most appealing to her. After fighting for her peace for so long, Wilhemina didn't feel like she was ready to abandon it yet, even if just for a few days. "Suits you."

"Thank you." Billie ate a little more, and Wilhemina admired her courage of wearing a white dress when she knew spaghetti with red sauce was in the menu. "You smell like Lavender," Billie Dean commented softly. And then she realized it sounded a little bit strange. I've never been normal, anyways.