Just friends? Pfft. Yeah, right.

Chapter 40

Hello, my lovelies. This shall be the last chapter!!! Hope you all enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. :D 

Chapter 40

A year later...

“Sandra, hey! I got the article here, all ready and loaded,” I told the blonde who was currently frowning down at the table scattered with papers and photos.

She looked up, her frown melting into a huge grin. Her happiness was contagious and i found myself smiling. “Ah, Julia! My favourite journalist!”

I laughed, sliding to her the folder with my article. “You’re not meant to have favourites.”

She shrugged, blonde hair shimmering under the light. “Who cares? I’m the Chief Editor of this magazine anyway.”

“Still,” I mumbled, leaning one hip on the table she was looking at. “What’s all this?”

Sandra pointed to some photos. “Those are for the front cover. Ned wanted me to choose from them.” She cocked her head to a pile of papers. “That is what dear, old Casey left me with to sift through for the writing competition. Who knew we would get that much of a response.”

I grinned. Sandra loved to tease all her employees. She was a great boss to work for. The very moment I had stepped into the building of Hello! Magazine, i was immediately eased by the warmth of the environment. The interview went great since i had managed to make the boss, Sandra, laugh. Then, she had called to say I got the job. I had screamed excitedly in her ear. Not really a good impression to set on your new boss but Sandra took it all in stride. Hell, she had even joined in with the screaming. I thought i heard a few other people shrieking and screaming in the background too, probably mocking us for fun.

After I had left home and bravely walked away from Dave, I had decided to start afresh. I had a new haircut. No, i did not cut it short like the last time. Just a new do with some trimming and highlighting. Then, I had sent my resume to various magazine and newspaper magazines, anything that had intimidated me before. After that, I had curled in front of the tv, watching the phone from the corner of my eye. I was alone in my apartment since Kayla was on tour.

With my new job, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in work and find out who I am a little better. I had to admit, it felt amazing. Sandra sent me to various places to get interviews and scoops. It helped that my best friend was a rockstar. Perks, huh?

Back home, things seemed pretty good. My dad helped out with the diner, wanting to spend more time with my mom. Sean got engaged. Haley was excelling, no surprise. Plus, I had a feeling that something was going on between her and Michael. Kayla got married to Robert. Claire had twins. Iz had her own bakery. Elle became a professional photographer for Times magazine.

“Aren’t you heading back for Christmas?” Sandra asked, folding her arms.

“Aren’t you?” I asked back, smiling playfully.

She rolled her eyes and flipped her hair over her shoulders. “Julia, honey, this is my home.”

I chuckled. “Ah, same excuse as always.”

She winked at me. Pulling out the pencil from behind her ear, she leaned her elbows on the wide table. She did not look up as she addressed me.

“You should go. Go see your family, your friends. Just enjoy yourself. You deserve a break. You hardly took any leave,” Sandra pointed out, still scribbling away.

“Or I could stay here with you,” I suggested, sheepish.

She looked up at me, quirking an eyebrow. “What’s your story?”