Sally didn't know what to feel when she heard the sobs stop. Still, she decided to wait.
The bathroom door opened moments later. Jade had already fixed herself up. Sally could still see the redness on her eyes and nose though.
"Aren't you going to answer it?"
Jade just glanced at her phone on the table and shook her head.
It stopped ringing. The screen registered a number of missed calls and text messages. All from Althea.
"Are you sure you still want to do this? I told you, you're free to take the rest of the day off."
"I'm sure, Sally. I need to keep my mind busy. If I take the day off I'll just think of it again."
"Okay, Jade. If that's what you want," she said hesitantly.
"Well, time to get back to work."
Her phone started ringing again. This time, she ended the call and switched it off before putting it back in her bag. She slung the bag over her shoulder and put her cap on.
Sally decided not to comment.
"You already have the address?"
"Yep. I'll just check if Bianca's done with the bouquet then I'll be on my way. I'll go out the back, I left my bike there."
"Okay, and please be careful. I know you think you're some sort of racer when you're riding that bike of yours," she said as they walked out of her office.
Jade laughed and gave her a mock salute before walking away.
"I mean it, 'Asphalt Urban JT'!" she shouted. The sticker Jade had put on her bike still makes the shop owner roll her eyes.
"See you later, Sal!"
"Ugh," she shook her head before walking back to the counter.
She looked at the direction Jade had taken and sighed. She's worried about her best friend. She's just as confused as well. Things seemed to be going pretty well.
"She finally noticed me, Sal!" Jade had gushed after telling her about Althea's invitation. She laid herself on the couch inside Sally's office and sighed with a big smile on her face.
Sally remembered the undeniable glow Jade had after that coffee date.
"So how was it?" she had asked her when she went to visit Jade at her apartment last Saturday.
Her best friend just blushed and bit her lip.
"Hey! No blushing and smiling to yourself until you've told me everything, Jade Tanchingco."
Sally watched Jade's expressions as she told her about the time she spent with Althea.
She didn't complain when her best friend seemed to have forgotten her since she was already busy exchanging messages with the mystery woman. She quietly smiled while watching Jade after she had excused herself to answer a call. It wasn't long before she heard her laughing freely at whatever the person on the other line said.
"This girl is hopeless," she had thought to herself.
Then all of a sudden, Althea pushed Jade away.
Sally can't help but be mad at Althea even though she hasn't met the woman yet. Oh, she'll be giving her a piece of her mind once she does.
The bell by the door signaled the arrival of a customer. Sally adjusted her glasses before turning to the newcomer with a warm smile.
