Molly was slowly but surely getting used to practically being waited on hand and foot. Vanya was intense and confusing but she was beginning to realize it was nice having someone around to talk to whenever.
If she found something interesting while conducting research for the novel she would probably never finish, she had someone to talk to about it aside from simply saying it aloud to the cats. That was a new experience since she only ever worked on it when Calvin wasn't home. When he was, he preferred for them to spend time together instead of doing their own thing separately.
Unfortunately, that had been happening less and less lately as he tried to work toward that promotion. There were a lot of days he worked overtime or went in on days he was supposed to have off.
Part of her wondered if he was feeling inferior because she had so much more money than him now when they had been on more equal footing before. He had always been a hard worker and seeing how his hard work wasn't getting him anywhere while her dumb luck pulled all the weight might be hard for him.
Molly was afraid to bring up the subject though. She didn't want them to fight. That had been happening more often lately too.
Relationships were hard. Were they fizzling out so close to their third anniversary? Weren't people supposed to grow closer during wedding planning rather than further apart?
She knew that relationships took work to keep them happy and healthy over long periods of time but she had never gotten this far before. Plus it wouldn't make much of a difference if Calvin wasn't willing to work with her.
She sighed. Was she getting cold feet because of her parents' marriage?
Molly used to not want to get married at all but she got over that phase once she got super into romance novels and chick flicks. She wanted to be loved after seeing all of those fictional romances but real life wasn't anything like novels. Her expectations may have been raised too high.
She had been thrilled to get into a relationship with Calvin though and was grateful for anything she could get from him because she thought she would never be loved at all. She had been the mousy nerd girl at school who didn't do anything but read. No male had been interested in her seriously until he came along.
It might be paranoia talking but she felt like he was less affectionate with her lately too. Like their kisses and touches were more perfunctory than anything.
Molly sighed again and leaned against the back of the couch to stare at the ceiling helplessly. Why was she feeling so off lately? Did all prospective brides feel like this or was it just her?
There was a good chance it was her anxiety working against her. She always had a hard time believing that she actually deserved good things and that they were going to last. Everything would probably be fine.
"Are you alright, Molly?" Vanya asked as she passed by. "You seem distressed."
"I guess I am a little," she admitted.
"What can I do? Do you need a massage? Should I bake you cookies? Do you need to go read for a while? What would make you feel better?"
Honestly, it was amazing that her housekeeper cared more about her general well-being than her own fiancé did these days. Amazingly sad. That didn't help with her poor mood but she smiled at Vanya's concern anyway.
"I could go for a massage. Thanks, Vanya. You're very talented at them too. Do you have a lot of practice?" Molly asked curiously.
The tension began seeping out of her neck and shoulders almost immediately the way it did every time Vanya gave her a massage. She had been wondering about how the woman acquired her skills for a while.
"You could say that. I used to give them after…sports practice frequently. I was rather in demand when I was younger," she admitted.
"I didn't know you played sports! Which ones?"
"Fencing, martial arts, and wrestling. In case you ever need me to, I can take down anybody."
Molly nearly choked on her spit. Vanya said that so matter-of-factly! Was this woman who couldn't be more than 5'7" tall really that powerful? Those were some pretty hardcore sports. She wasn't sure she had ever met anyone else that either fenced or wrestled.
"…somehow I don't see myself needing that but thanks."
"You don't have any enemies then?" Vanya asked lightly.
Not unless you counted her father but she hadn't spoken to him in years and never planned to again. "Nope. I'm too boring to have enemies."
"You aren't boring. You're simply too kindhearted to have enemies."
That was sugarcoating it but Molly could see the compliment in that statement and somewhat awkwardly said thank you. She didn't get complimented often and it was usually from Calvin on special occasions when she bothered to dress up.
Kindhearted could be a compliment but it could also be an insult. She was willing to bet on the former but it was entirely possible that Vanya was calling her a pushover in a roundabout way. Who could have enemies when they almost always did what other people wanted without saying a word?
"Do you think I'm too soft?" she dared to ask.
The housekeeper's response was surprisingly vehement. "Not at all. In fact, it's refreshing."
Molly blinked in surprise. No one had ever told her that before. How could being a pushover be refreshing? That didn't make any sense! "How so?"
"Hearts like yours are rare. Most people are far too ambitious and would step on anyone or stab them in the back to get what they wanted. Selflessness is a rare quality in my experience. I think what you refer to as being 'too soft' is a good thing."
Her heart warmed. That was a really nice thing to say.
"Thanks, Vanya! I really appreciate that. I've always thought I was too weak and that it was a major problem."
"Being strong isn't all it's cracked up to be anyway. Everyone is jealous and afraid of what you can do so they come after you. You're perfect exactly as you are, Molly," Vanya said sincerely.
Had anyone ever told her that? She honestly wasn't sure. She was so used to criticism from her parents and peers. Even Calvin didn't usually get that sentimental on her. She didn't quite know how to respond to such praise.
Molly ended up saying thank you and dropping the subject. When the massage ended, she wasn't sure what else to do with herself so she stuck with the old standby: finding a book to read.
She was still reading when Vanya came to find her hours later to let her know that dinner was ready and ask if she wanted it brought up to her. She wasn't that spoiled so she put the book down and joined her at the table downstairs.
Still no sign of Calvin. The overtime lately had been truly ridiculous.
His birthday was tomorrow and she had asked if he had to work late again and he said he did, which was totally lame. She planned on getting him takeout from his favorite restaurant and bringing it over to him around the time he normally had his lunch break. That ought to cheer him up a bit. They could do cake and presents when he got home.
After dinner, Molly got to work on the cake. Vanya insisted she could do it to no avail and ended up helping. It was sweet of her but Molly wanted to make her fiancé's cake on her own since it was a kind of personal thing.
She made Calvin's favorite, German chocolate, and got some colored frosting to pipe the words 'Happy Birthday Cal' on it as well. She put the lid on the cake carrier feeling rather satisfied with herself and put it in a corner of the kitchen where he wasn't likely to find it.
"You can go home now," Molly told Vanya. "Honestly, you could have gone home after dinner. I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me."
She had been reading a good chunk of the afternoon and all the chores were taken care of so she felt bad about keeping the woman from going home. Yet she insisted on staying because she didn't want her friend to be alone.
Molly was used to being alone though. For most of her life, book characters and cats had been her only friends. She could handle herself alone for a few hours even if she did wish her fiancé was home.
"Alright, if you're sure," Vanya said. "I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Molly."
"Goodnight!"
Once the housekeeper was gone, she headed back up to the library where she was joined by both of her cats snuggling up against her. Calvin might be working late again but, aside from that, she didn't have anything to complain about. In that moment, she was perfectly content.