Before going home I decided on doing a bit of shopping, getting some new clothes for my new job. When I got home I decided to sort through some of my things and get rid of what I no longer need. Once Ian and I are both getting paid a decent amount we're going to move in together, so I should downsize the amount of things I have. Especially since what we'll easily be able to afford is going to be small, from what we had been looking at anyway. There's this one place we're going to rent from that we've paid two months rent upfront on already. We just need a paycheck or two more so we can afford to buy groceries and such once we move in.
Since moving is about two weeks away I packed up the bit of things I don't really need for a little while, just to have it ready for when I do move. After that I went downstairs to start on dinner, my moms taught me a lot of recipes to "make a good wife someday" but I just took it as if ever I need to cook for myself I'll be good and won't starve or be living off Kraft Dinner.
I made chicken and spinach skillet pasta, which my parents were excited to eat. With dishes I've made before they usually call Ian over to eat with us, they don't do that with ones I haven't made before so that they can taste test and make sure it's good first. I find it ridiculous, but hey, more practice can't hurt. Thankfully they loved the dish and the three of us wound up eating every bit, no leftovers to be had.
After dinner, my mom and I washed/dried the dishes, putting them away. Then I had a bit of down time so I called Ian to tell him about my interview.
"That's great! Told you you would get it no problem!"
"Yeahhh yeahhh, I know. My new boss seems pretty laid back, it's almost funny. Least I should get along with her without issue."
"Can't hurt to be friends with your boss, I know I'm going to make sure to befriend my new boss. Anyway I gotta go, talk tomorrow!"
"Talk tomorrow, love you!" I replied, but he hung up right after. Shrugging it off I got ready for bed, showering, putting on my pajamas and setting out my outfit for tomorrow.
My first day was actually going pretty good, I showed up early enough to not have an arrogant asshat nearly crash into my car door. I also managed to grab some coffee from the gas station as well, not that I needed any more energy. I was already practically bouncing off the walls just from my nerves.
Angela trained me on what I'd be doing, basically just having me watch her all day before she'll have me try anything. At lunch time I went and got McDonald's, eating in the parking lot and throwing out my garbage there. I kept all the windows open to air the smell out of my car then drove back to work. As I walked inside I heard a now familiar voice sarcastically ask, "enjoy your salad?"
"Why? You looking for a recommendation?" I sweetly shot back, venom clear in my voice.
Surprisingly he held the door to the building open for me as he replied, "no, just wanting to know what NOT to have for lunch."
I sent him a glare as I walked by then half rolled my eyes, stating, "some salads are pretty good, just... FYI."
He snorted and said, "yeah. Sure. Thanks but I'll stick to my diet of literally every other food so I get actual nutrients." After that I saw him roll his eyes as he walked into the back to his desk. Jesus christ I hate that guy. Especially since he has a point about the nutrients, lettuce has like none except some water content. It's just crunchy water like celery and I already hate this dumb "diet" I've been on for only a week. My sister Harper and two friends Sabrina and Celine haven't stopped raving about it though, so maybe I'll just pretend to do what they did while not actually doing it. What they don't know won't kill 'em, definitely not letting Axel know I'm faking it though. He'd for sure screw me right the hell over on top of dancing around singing "I told you so". No thanks.
After lunch was the same as before lunch, the only reason I wasn't bored was because of learning new things. However, I know once I get the hang of it all I will wind up incredibly bored.
A couple weeks have gone by, Ian loves his new job and I've already gotten the hang of mine. Now that we've gotten that extra bit of money we needed for groceries, we started moving our things today. It went by fairly quickly, for me anyway since I had most everything packed already. Ian on the other hand did not and needed my help to finish packing and moving his things.
"My parents should've just done it for me, I was too busy working to waste time on something as time consuming as packing." He grumbled hatefully before carrying a box out. I rolled my eyes and grabbed the last box, glad to finally be done.
"Well at least I was ready, so I could help you." I gently stated as I caught up, trying for a smile. He just huffed and continued outside to his car. Sighing I followed. Deep inside I prayed he wouldn't always be like this, because right now he's acting like a spoiled brat and I don't handle brats very well. As in I don't tolerate the behaviour at a certain point and things can get explosive.
After the last boxes were shoved into his car we made our way to our new place, the excitement building in me once again. It was nice feeling excited, it covered the boulder of guilt sitting in my stomach at what I went behind everyones backs with. I'm already way too bored at this secretary job and I happened to find an ad for a database developer and already had an interview set up for a few days from now. I'll wait to see if I get hired before I say anything to anyone, I don't want to piss them all off just to not get the job.
We parked in our new driveway, Ian already deciding, "I should park in the garage since my car is newer than yours."
If I had a decent to look at car like he did I'd be annoyed and question him on it, but since my car is a big hunk of crap I shrugged and nodded in agreement. With that he parked in the garage and we got out, unpacking his car and loading everything into the dedicated rooms they needed to be in.
"Oh crap! I think I left my box of towels at my parents." I exclaimed, realizing I couldn't find that box anywhere.
"You go get it, maybe we'll have dinner with them tonight as a small house warming thing." He replied, giving a small smile. I nodded, smiling back before giving him a quick kiss and rushed out the door to my car.
I happily drove back to my parents, excited to share this milestone with them. Then I noticed all the sirens blaring louder and louder as I got closer to their street... and the lights flashing close to their house when I was a block away. Dread sunk in the pit of my stomach, twisting it in knots while the blood drained from my body. Rounding the corner onto their street my worst fears were confirmed when my eyes gazed on at the wall of flames that engulfed my parents house. Tears instantly stung my eyes as a hand covered my mouth in shock, foot hitting the breaks. I don't recall jerking forward, so I must not have been going very fast.
The sounds of sirens and firefighters spraying faded to dull ringing in my ears as I got out and ran at the house. I knew they were in there, they never walk anywhere and both cars were in the driveway. Every day at this time my dad has a nap while my mom sits across from him reading a book. I couldn't even give myself false hope, I knew they were in there and I knew from how bad the flames are that they did not escape the horrible death they were apparently fated for.
I didn't get all that close to their driveway thanks to someone trapping me in their arms, struggling to keep me from slipping free due to how much I was flipping out. Wouldn't be surprised if I blew out their ear drum from the amount of screaming I was doing. "My parents are in there!!! I have to help them!! Let me go!!! They need help!!!!" I didn't scream for long though, my throat started hurting practically immediately while tears constantly poured down my cheeks.
Eventually, no clue how long, I calmed down enough to just slowly fall to the pavement sobbing harder than I ever have in my life. The realization that they're likely dead fully sunk in and hit me like a freight train.
"Is there anyone we can call for you miss?" A distant voice asked. I don't know who they were and their question didn't even really register, I was too busy becoming numb as I stared vacantly at the ground.
"Do you have any other family we could contact?" They tried again.
"M-my sister... H-Harper..." I rasped quietly, staring at the ground. At some point they managed to get me off the road and sitting on the back of an ambulance, blanket around my shoulders. They asked what her phone number was then gave her the worst call she'll ever receive.
While we waited for her to get here I murmured, "how did this happen..." not fully expecting a response.
"We're not sure of the cause yet, but we have a feeling it was in connection to this mystery guy that keeps managing to evade authorities. I assure you we will get to the bottom of this and get your parents justice." The cop surprisingly answered. All I could do was solemnly nod a couple times, continuing to stare vacuously at the ground while the last of the fire was put out.
In what felt like the blink of an eye Harper was running towards me, tears staining her face with her mascara that clearly isn't water proof. Least she won't be as scarred as I will be. Hearing what happened and seeing it happen right in front of you are two completely different things. Yes both suck just the same, but she won't have nightmares of seeing their house in flames burning through her memory every night making her wake up in a cold sweat of pure despair. She might have a couple about that phone call, but seeing everything tends to burn in your brain a lot more... especially when she missed watching them wheel two gurney's out of the blackened home, black bags containing the two bodies I knew were on there.
"Is it really true... are they gone...?" My sister sobbed as she hugged me tight.
I fought the lump in my throat that tried to stop me from confirming what she had been told on the phone, "y-yes..." I wanted to say more, but what more could even be said? Her sobs grew in intensity, my heart breaking all over again as I hugged her tighter.
At some point I got myself together enough to answer the phone when Ian called, my phone having been in my jacket pocket this whole time.
Eventually he showed up, instantly hugging me close to his chest as he whispered, "I'm so sorry Riona..." My only reaction was more sobbing, my body shaking with every violent breath as my face remained buried in his chest.
Who knows how much time went by, but we made our way home after the cops said we could go. Probably wasn't long, I didn't have any helpful information aside from what their names were so why keep me crying my eyes out in the back of the ambulance. Next thing I knew I was laying in bed staring blankly at my ceiling, contemplating anything and everything. Memories of my parents flashing through my mind, realizing I will never have any more with them. If I get married they won't be there, if I have kids they'll never meet them...
All this thinking turned my pain to anger, I became infuriated at whoever was responsible. It took everything in me to not go on a rampage and destroy the house in blind rage. I don't know what mystery guy that cop was talking about, but I'm gonna fucking find out and I'm going to make that bastard pay.