After The Storm

World against her

Not long after Alexa returned to the bedroom, her phone rang insistently, piercing the quiet of the morning. "Is this what my phone will be like the whole afternoon when I'm not in the office?!" she groaned, frustration evident in her voice. She glanced at the screen, not recognizing the number, and quickly answered. "What is it?" she snapped, her patience wearing thin.

Her irritation faded as she heard her grandmother's voice on the other end. "Alexa, darling, it's Michelle. I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time."

"Oh, Grandma, it's you," Alexa said, her tone softening immediately.

Michelle's voice carried the familiar tone of both authority and warmth. "I need you to accompany me to an engagement party tonight. It's important for family relations, and I'd like you to bring Ammielle along. I understand you might have other plans, but I would appreciate it if you could make the effort."

Alexa hesitated for a moment, glancing at Ammielle, who was still in the kitchen, preparing breakfast with a hint of guilt. Despite their current unclear relationship, the thought of being with Ammielle and the love she felt made it hard for her to refuse her grandmother's request. "Alright, Grandma," Alexa finally said, her voice steady. "I'll take Ammielle with me."

"Thank you, dear. I'll see you later this evening," Michelle said before the call ended.

Alexa walked into the kitchen, where Ammielle was setting the table for breakfast. The scent of freshly cooked food filled the room, a stark contrast to the tension that lingered between them. Ammielle looked up, her expression a mixture of apprehension and resignation. "What's up?" she asked, her voice gentle.

Alexa took a deep breath, trying to mask her nerves. "We've been invited to an engagement party tonight. Grandma wants us to attend, and I need to take you along. I hope you don't mind."

Ammielle's face lit up with a relieved smile. "Yeah, sure. Time to use the pawn" she replied, her tone warm despite the meaning.

As Alexa and Ammielle sat down to breakfast, the initial tension between them began to ease. The rich aroma of the food and the warmth of the morning sun streaming through the windows helped lighten the mood. They settled into a more relaxed rhythm, the conversation gradually shifting to lighter topics.

Ammielle took a bite of the toast, raising an eyebrow playfully. "You know, for someone who always complains about my cooking, this is actually pretty good," she said with a teasing grin.

Alexa smirked, shaking her head. "Well, don't get too used to it. I'm just being nice because we're going to an engagement party later. Can't have you criticizing my cooking when we're both dressed to impress."

Ammielle chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Oh, so this is just a strategic move to make sure I don't have any complaints later? Clever, very clever."

Alexa laughed softly, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "Maybe. But don't think I won't use the opportunity to show off my cooking skills. You've got to admit, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

Ammielle leaned in slightly, her tone playful. "I'll believe it when I see it. Remember last time? You nearly set off the smoke alarm trying to make that risotto."

Alexa rolled her eyes dramatically. "Hey, that was a one-time thing. I've improved since then. Besides, I'm better at other things, like, say, navigating complicated family events."

Ammielle's smile softened, her eyes warm as she looked at Alexa. "True, you are quite the expert at handling family drama. I'm lucky to have you as my guide through this mess."

"Well, I'm glad you think so," Alexa replied, her voice gentle. "Though I'm not sure how I'll handle tonight's party without you. You always have this way of making everything seem less daunting."