Just as she heard her father starting to speak, her office room opened from behind her and there stood Za'Niyah.
…
"Father, could I call you back?"
"Of course. You must be busy… I'll call you in the evening."
Archie placed her phone atop her desk and turned to face Za'Niyah who was standing at the doorway, accompanied by a bouquet of roses and a small wrapped box.
She walked towards Archie and placed her belongings on her desk before going into hug her tightly.
"Thank you so much."
"No. Thank YOU. If it weren't for that case, I wouldn't have had this job right now."
… Silence as they are still hugging.
"I thought I was going to lose my hard work" Za'Niyah sniffled against Archie's shoulder.
Archie patted Za'Niyah's back, in attempts to comfort her before she pulls away from the hug.
"I nearly forgot! Open the gift!" She said, holding the small box in front of her, wrapped in a floral cover.
Archie gently tore open the wrapping paper to reveal a glass case holding a necklace which had a half a heart for a locket. On the heart was printed "Best Friend."
Za'Niyah waited eagerly for Archie response, moving aside her shirt collar and holding a necklace with the other half of the heart and the same print.
"Will you be my friend?"
Archie's heart fluttered in happiness. She wasn't quite sure the need for the necklace but she was curious.
"We were already friends" Archie said gleefully, engaging in another, tighter hug.
~
Archie was now alone in her office, not knowing the next step. She looked at the glass box again and said to herself.
"Best friend…"
Why the formality of a necklace? She wondered whether Augustin didn't consider her a friend enough for a necklace but then was comforted, knowing it wasn't necessary. She owed so much to Augustin, including the nights just before they met Afsah which were the most joyful moments she remembered. Laughing, joking, messing around at the bar. That time he got beat up by those girls for walking into the lady's restrooms and that night when he mistook it for the afternoon… He never failed to make her giggle to herself.
Just as she was inspecting the necklace, there was another man at the door. He was tall and fair, with long blond hair tied into a bun. He was skinny but looked like he attempted a few minutes at gym once or twice a year.
"Hey. My name is Denmark, and yes I am from Denmark. I will be your assistant from now on."
Archie scanned him up and down for a mere second. She felt luxurious with such a privilege. She never even dreamt that such a day would come.
"Okay."
"Well… do you need anything?"
Archie thought for a while, trying not to make it awkward, thinking of something she could let him do, but nothing came to mind.
"Nope…"
"Nothing?"
"Yeah… nothing."
"How about a vase for those flowers?"
"Oh." She had forgotten about it completely.
"Yes please."
He left without another word.
What a strange character she thought.
~
The day went on and she received a folder. This was her first proper case after Adam. She looked through the papers long and hard that by the time the afternoon ended, she had known it by heart.
Archie's day was over. She grabbed her things and walk towards the entrance of the law firm, where she convinced herself not to feel disheartened at seeing her empty jeep.
"Architha!"
She turned around.
It was Christopher.
He was happier than a usual day, letting his smile being the first thing on his face.
"Do you want me to drop you, since Mr Boyfriend isn't going to be?" He asked, his joyful smile shifting to a slight bratty smirk.
"I drove myself here, I know how to drive back." Archie said, continuing out the doors.
He ran after her.
"Tomorrow's a holiday!" He screamed out to Archie who was had already started her car.
She showed a thumbs up from the window before driving off, leaving Christopher at the stairs being eyes down by the ladies around.
~
Miraculously, Archie's thoughts weren't bombarded with Afsah. She learnt to concentrate on her work and making it her priority. She was young and she knew so. She knew it would be easy for her to be swayed by the unexpected appearance of a handsome man at a bar she somehow ended up in as she was trying to flee the state. That was her age. But now she had a glimpse of reality. Working hard, earning, living, friends, responsibilities… And she has Augustin to keep her company anyways. Not to mention mother Devi who always by her side with delicious food and advice she was in desperate need of. Like a mother she never knew.
And Za'Niyah. Their friendship had leveled up a few notches. Archie was interested to see where this would lead to.
On her way to the mansion, she stopped by a jewelry store. Even thought she knew it wasn't necessary, she wanted to buy Augustin something to remind him that they were one.
She spent a long time at the store, staff by staff who tried to read her mind but to no fortune. Until she saw it. At the bottom of the glass showcase, a crystal box with two golden bracelets.
Each one had a pendant in the shape of two children, merging together by their fingertips. For a reason she had not yet found an answer to, that image struck to her mind. It explained them in a way words weren't capable of.
Archie parked the jeep by the mansion, gripping her hands on the steering. Never had she gone into the mansion without Afsah there. But it was all going to be fine… she convinced herself. All fine… and made her way in.
And it looked just like a normal day… Soap operas playing in the background. The scent of Sandalwood from the candle near the prayer table. Mother Devi serving rice to Augustin who was sitting at the dining table, conversing to someone opposite to him. To whom? Oh to Afsah… Wait what?