Would you Swallow all your Pride?

Chapter Twenty-Six: Maroon.

Wilhemina smiled a little. She finished her coffee and reached for her cane. "I'll go back to work."

"Okay." Emma leaned closer and pecked her lips.

With butterflies on her stomach, Wilhemina walked back inside the kitchen.

Once she washed her mug clean and set it to dry, Venable walked back to her table and got to work. She only looked up again when she heard shuffling, and people began getting ready to leave. After saving the document she had been working on, Wilhemina leaned back as the computer turned off. She took a deep breath. I'm anxious about dinner. Venable almost wanted to cancel, but as anxious as she was, she was also very excited. She eyed Emma, watching as she, too, turned her computer off and stretched her back. Her perfect, straight back. Her lower lip got caught between her teeth, and Venable's thoughts wondered to how her life would have been if she had a straight spine; would her parents have left her? Would she feel so disgusting? Would she be— Brown eyes quickly moved up as she heard rushed heels coming from the hall. Billie Dean soon appeared, walking with her head down and eyes on her phone, steps quick and heels clacking loudly. She didn't look happy, and her makeup was a little smudged. Wilhemina frowned. Was she crying? "Billie Dean," she called, but Billie didn't look back. Wether she had heard it or not, Venable didn't want to wait to find out. As quickly as she could, she followed behind. "Billie Dean," she called again.

Billie had reached the elevator already, hand holding the door open. She turned back as she heard her name, only to see a concerned Venable rushing behind her. The last person I want to see. The only one she knew would be able to make her smile, too. "Hi—is everything alright?"

"I was about to ask you the same," Venable's words were as collected as always, but a few deep breaths slipped in and gave room for anyone to notice she had made swift moves. Now, closer to Billie Dean, she could see her makeup was nowhere near as flawless as it had been during lunch, and her eyes looked way heavier.

Billie gulped. "Everything is alright. I need—I need to go." She motioned to the open elevator. "I can't be late for the set."

Wilhemina squeezed her cane with both hands. She frowned. "You're not alright..." she said softly and with a delicacy she sometimes wondered if she were even capable of.

Billie Dean bit her inner cheek harshly. She had done enough crying for the day, even if it hadn't been that much. Tears had slipped down her cheeks while she settled everything she had to settle for the Christmas special, and she had allowed them to do so freely. She couldn't cry anymore; not now, not there, not in front of Venable. But Wilhemina's tone shot straight to her heart, to the part where she felt the most vulnerable and alone. Her eyes threatened to overflow again. "I-I'm not having a good day. That is all."

She's never like that. Billie Dean had always been sunshine and rainbows; she was always making jokes, smiling and making everyone smile, too. Even back at their trip, when things got rough, Billie hadn't acted like that. Maybe I am the problem. Wilhemina had no reason to think that way... but she still did. "Will you be alright at the set?"

Billie nodded. And for fuck's sake, how could Venable keep on hitting all the right spots which made Billie Dean the most vulnerable? How could she so easily make Billie feel so comforted? "I will." She gulped.

It was hesitant, but Wilhemina nodded back. "Will you text me if anything happens?"

"I will." Billie Dean repeated, even if she didn't know if that was true.

"Okay..." With a sad smile and hesitant feet, Venable turned around and walked back to the office.

Billie Dean watched her for a second. Maybe Emma is right... She sighed and got into the elevator, leaning back against the wall as the door closed. She didn't have time for herself right now.