Afterglow ❃ l.m.j

• chapter forty six •

The Italian restaurant that Ally chose was dripped in chandeliers and waiters dressed to the nines. I stepped into the venue in a pair of heels and a ruched pearl blue dress. My hair was curled and cascading down my shoulder.

A glass of Prosecco sat in my hands as I waited. A piece by Joe Hisaishi reflected in the background. I closed my eyes to the lull of the piano.

When I opened them, Ally was walking towards our table. She wore a black slimming turtleneck with a matching black skirt and a tan Sherpa jacket thrown over. To my surprise, the blonde sported a new haircut. Instead of tresses gracing her back, she now had a bob. She moved a strand away from her face and behind her ear.

"Hey." She said plainly, placing her phone and wallet onto the table. I stood to kiss her cheek in customary fashion before we sat down together.

I sipped from my glass, allowing the liquid to coat my throat and ease my surroundings. I could tell she was nervous. Her smile was uneasy as she picked up the menu.

"Did you drive here okay?" She asked, peering above her menu. I nodded.

My eyes mindlessly scanned over all the items in its wake. Her rings tapped on the laminated sheet. She placed her own order to the waiter before turning to me. I didn't even bother with a smile. I just looked on, waiting for her to begin.

She looked down, running a hand through her hair again. When she finally opened her mouth, her voice shook.

"So I noticed that things have been a little tense between us lately." I nodded in agreement. The blonde looked me in the eyes. "And I just wanted to take time, outside of the club, to say I'm truly sorry for what went down with Cherry and how I handled it."

I tapped my fingers on the table, a habit I was slowly picking up from Normani. She continued.

"As of January 6th, Cherry no longer works at Heaven's Door."

My eyes were low in her direction.

"You realize that's nearly a month after the incident, right?" My fingers glossed over the rim of my glass. "I know that I said I didn't want to press charges. But why did it take so long for the option of firing her to be on the table? Why did things have to get physical first?"

She opened and closed her mouth before settling on clamping it shut. I pushed on.

"Is harassment not as serious as physical abuse?"

"Of course it is."

"Ally. I want a legitimate answer. I truly do. Because I didn't deserve to be disrespected multiple times just to prove this point. Of course things between us are tense right now. Would you have let this slide if it were you?"

She shut her eyes. The waiter came over, placing her drink in front of her. Before he could even ask about our meals, I signaled for him to give us a minute. She picked up her glass to take a sip.

"It wasn't right. I'm sorry. And to answer your question..." Her voice grew quieter. "No. I wouldn't have been this lenient if it was me."

I shook my head, my tongue crossing over my teeth in disbelief. "But because it's me, it's alright? You're a house mother, Allyson, your literal job is to make sure we're all taken care of. I didn't feel safe in that club for weeks!"