After picking Daphne up from school, I thought it would be nice to treat ourselves to some cake at Fran's Madd Hatter. It is the only café in the village and it is most definitely the best café in the entire world. Daphne has a very understandable obsession with Fran's cakes and other delicious treats, so I try and keep her away from the sugar as much as possible.
"There must be something to celebrate if we are going to the Madd Hatter before dinner. Did you get the job Zi?" Daphne asks, her eyes wide and bright. I tap the side of my nose, a smirk on my face as we enter the shop. It is not as busy as it can be at times. Just the regulars today for Fran.
"Oh Ziayn you are no fun!" Daphne protests, taking a seat at a table near the window. I sit opposite her, handing her a menu. I chuckle at my little sibling, as I begin to read the menu. Fran walks over to us, a huge grin on her face. Besides Daphne and Jo, Fran Heathers is one of my closest friends.
"Well if it isn't my favourite customers! How are you ladies?" The bubbly red head girl questions us.
"Good as ever. It is always a treat seeing you Fran." I reply back. She hugs me and kisses Daphne on the cheek, leaving behind a faint red stain from her lipstick.
"Let me guess - a slice of carrot cake for Daph, and two jam doughnuts for Ziayn?" Fran reads off the tops of her head. Daphne and I giggle at how well she knows our usual order.
"You got it!" Daphne smiles impressed. Fran curtsies and walks back to the kitchen to start on our food.
"I do have good news to tell you Daph." I begin, grabbing my sister's attention. "I did get the job." Daphne goes ballistic. She screams and squeals in excitement. She then gets up from her seat and starts to dance. When she is done performing, the customers in the café applaud and cheer for my crazily insane sister.
"I knew you would get the job! I prayed extra hard to God, and he answered my prayer! Oh I am so happy for you!" Daphne goes on. I smile slightly, waiting to bring up the catch of it all.
"However," Daphne quietens and looks at me. "my boss wants me to live in the city so I am closer to work. He has offered me a two-bedroom apartment for you and I. All expenses paid." I finish. I look to see her mouth wide open.
"So... we have to move to the city and live in a fancy apartment and move away from all our friends and-"
"I know it is a lot to take in. But if you do not want to move, I will not take the job." I make it clear. Daphne gives me a look. I know that look.
"Are you stupid? Ziayn you have to take this job! If it means we have to move, let's do it!" Daphne smiles, high-fiving me. I love my sister with all my heart. Her support and love she gives me is all I need to get me through life.
"I will give my new boss a call then." I say, excusing myself from the table. I stand outside the café window so Daphne could still see me. I dial Xavier's number into my phone and press the the green icon. It rings once; immediately picking up after.
"Hello?" His voice fills my ears. I can feel my knees go weak. Why does this happen to me?
"Hello Mr Bri- Xavier, it is Ziayn. I want to accept your offer and take the apartment, if that offer is still on the table?" I wonder, my heart beating. What if I have missed my chance?
"The offer is still on the table Ziayn. I am glad you have taken it. I will get the apartment ready for Thursday. Is that enough time for you to move out?" He asks, a tone of concern in his voice.
"That is plenty of time. Thank you again." I say, containing my overwhelming emotions.
"I will see you Thursday. Have a good evening Miss Xu." He says. I return the gesture, ending the call. I turn to Daphne in the window and give her a thumbs up, and being the drama queen she is, Daphne got up and did another happy dance.
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As soon as we got home from Fran's café, Daphne and I made a start on packing up the apartment. We collected some boxes from Jo's, after going to tell her the great news, and started to get rid of all the things we didn't want to take with us. In a text message, Xavier said that he would have furniture installed, so we would just have to bring the basic essentials such as: cutlery, bedding, plates, bowls, as well as our belongings.
"I cannot believe your boss has brought us an apartment in the city! He must really like you." Daphne smirks, wriggling her eyebrows at me, making faces at me. I throw a cushion at her, catching her off guard.
"Xavier is my boss Daphne, not my sugar daddy." I say, the last bit of my sentence makes me smile.
"Not yet." Daphne jokes, rolling on the floor in a laughing fit. I gasp at her inappropriate behaviour, trying not to laugh along with her.
"I am serious Daph! Xavier is too busy of a man to even batter his eyelashes at me. This is just a kind favour for us." I say, wanting to believe my words, but I just couldn't. Who else has gotten this kind of offer from him?
"Okay Zi, but just think about it. He is buying us a place to live. Something tells me he does not do that for any of his other employees!" Daphne carries on, folding her clothes into her suitcase.
"Maybe that is because none of his other employees have been through the shit we have had to go through." I sigh. Daphne smiles ever so slightly, shrugging her shoulders.
"I guess so. But that does not change the fact that things are finally turning out for the best for us." Daphne tells me, before getting up and heading into the kitchen for a drink.
My sister is right - things are turning out for the best.
Let's hope it stays like that...
YOU ARE READING
Don't Hurt Me
Romance"If this is just a game to you then leave!" "This is no game baby girl. This is the real deal." Ziayn Xu is a twenty two year old woman who has been looking after herself and her little sister ever since they were left outside an orphanage by their...
