A Change of Heart

Chapter 47

It's the end of August, summer is over. Wind blows every now and then, and the leaves are browning like cookies in an oven.

Calvin has become a brother to me, which makes Anna really happy. She's been giving me advice on my relationship with Joanna. I even saw her with another guy at the cafe being quite friendly. I think it's safe to say she's gotten over me.

Arthur's trying to start doing deliveries, which includes hiring another employee. I hope he's able to do it, because shopping for groceries online would quite literally save me.

Becky's been checking on me, and if I've gotten Joanna to let me go to the wedding. She's been really stressed finalising everything. Becky's a total perfectionist.

Joanna and I have been flying high. She's getting to know God more and trying to forgive herself for never being enough. The woman that goes on late walks with me these days might just be the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. I really think I've started developing feelings for her.

Right now, we're in her cinema with my head on her lap. We're watching an old movie that she chose. It's quite boring but just to her standard. She strokes my hair.

"So, what do you think of the movie?" she asks.

"It's... intriguing," I lie.

"You can just say you don't like it. I don't expect you to have the same taste as me considering our classes," Joanna explains.

"Are you always going to bring up the fact that you're richer than me?" I ask.

"Maybe, maybe not," she smiles. Just then, one of the maids come in.

"Ms. Clieves, dinner is ready," he says.

"Thank you Robert, you may go now," she says. He leaves the room.

"Have you always been this nice to your help?" I ask.

"Yes. Unlike my employees, my servants are loyal and hardworking by choice. I didn't like how my parents treated their servants so I treat mine with respect," she answers.

"Should've gotten a job as your butler instead," I fake grumble. Joanna laughs, she laughs more these days. After the movie, we go to her dining room to eat.

Sometimes I can't tell if Joanna lives in a mansion or a palace. The dining room is gorgeous. A beautiful navy wallpaper with flower prints covers the room. At the end, is a giant cabinet that exposes crystal glasses that probably cost more than my car. The dining table is huge! Four vases of tiger lilies and white roses are lined up across the table.

"How come we've never eaten here?" I ask, trying to hide my amazement.

"Well Howard, look at the room. And look at your outfit," Joanna answers. Ouch, but she's right. I'm currently wearing jeans and a grey button up t-shirt. I don't even look like I'm the one who should be serving the dishes. We sit down across each other horizontally, because the chairs at the ends of the table are too far from each other.

A maid comes in and places the dishes, then leaves. It's pork belly with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables, wish I could live here. The maid comes back with two bottles of red wine and champagne. He pours the drinks then leaves again.

"Wow, this looks pretty good," I say.

"Should I be flattered?" she asks.

"You should be if you cooked it," I joke. Joanna's face turns serious.

"Are you saying I can't cook?" she asks. Her eyes are cold, sending a shiver down my spine.

"No, it's just that... you have a chef to cook for you. So you don't need to," I stammer. Joanna starts smiling.

"I'm not offended Howard. And you're right, I have a chef for a reason. However, I do know my way around a kitchen," she explains. I sigh of relief. We start eating.

During the meal, my phone rings. I look at the contact and see it's Becky. Why does she have to call me now?

"Sorry, I have to take this. Do you mind?" I ask.

"You can go," she answers. I walk out of the room and answer the phone.

"Becky, you picked a bad time to call me. I'm having dinner with Joanna right now," I explain.

"Howard, you have 1 month left. How are we doing?" Becky asks.

"Great, Joanna's turned into a totally different person," I answer.

"You make her really happy," she sighs. I can tell what she's thinking, that I'm still pretending.

"She makes me happy too. If she lets me go to the wedding, I want to take her with me," I explain.

"Howard, if you've been lying so much that you're lying to me right now, say goodbye to your house," she threatens.

"I'm serious, she's a pretty great woman when she's not being my boss," I smile.

"Well, I wish you two the best," she hangs up the phone. I head back into the dining room. Joanna has finished her food.

"I see you and Becky had a good talk," she says.

"How do you know I was talking to Becky?" I ask.

"You had your phone on the table when it rang, I saw her name," Joanna explains. I take a seat and finish my plate. Once the dishes have been cleared, I decide to bring it up.

"Joanna, Becky has told you about her wedding?" I ask. Joanna seems to know where this is going but plays along.

"Yes, I know. Why do you ask?" she says.

"Well, I promised her that I would be at her wedding, and stay for a week," I explain. Joanna starts laughing. Did she think I was joking?

"So, would you let the employees go for a week?" I ask. Joanna's face turns stone cold.

"You're serious?" she replies.

"Yes," I answer.

"Howard, what you're asking for isn't just about me. I may own the company, but my parents run the company. They'll know if I give everyone, or even one of you a vacation. I'd have to convince them to allow it," Joanna explains. Well, that just made everything worse. Turns out Joanna's parents are the ones who I need to persuade.