Duante arrived at the administration office 15 minutes after the agreed appointment time. The restaurant was crazy and somehow he couldn't escape. Inwardly, he prayed to find Killian, that is, patient with a good mood. His walk was accelerated. It's possible that he couldn't even hear if people called his name. The time he'd take to turn around, flash a smile, say a few words and commence was also unaffordable.
He gently knocked on the door once and opened it. Soft music quickly filled his ears. He casted his gaze upon Killian's desk and as he feared, he wasn't there. The desk was empty, matter of fact, there was nobody inside.
"This is bad.", he inwardly thought.
In the midst of his regret, the storage room door opened, and Eris walked out holding a bundle of files. She wasn't surprised to see him, and she couldn't ignore him either.
"You just missed him.", she said as she walked to her desk.
"Could he be far?",
"Yeah.", she dropped the files on the desk and opened the drawer. She took out a large envelope, "But he left me with instructions on how to assist you.", she added.
Duante heaved a sigh of relief, "Thank God.",
"He also gave me power to deny your request if I don't find it convincing, so don't thank God just yet.",
Eris grabbed her purse, the envelope and started heading out first. Duante, now invaded by the memories of him saying mean things to Eris out of anger, walked behind her like a child approaching his father after being caught doing wrong.
"So, you need to expand your restaurant's parking lot, correct?", asked Eris, enjoying the power she held over him at the moment.
"Yes.", Duante nodded.
"Sounds like business is good.",
"It is.",
They got out of the office. Eris locked the door, "Mr. Chairman asked me to check your current parking lot, and then the area you wish to expand it to. Is it closer to the restaurant?",
"Yes.",
"Is it the park?",
"No.",
"Our town has a limited usage of cars policy. I can't allow the new parking lot to be 2 miles or more from your restaurant. Because it's against the policy",
"I understand that. It's just around the corner.",
As they walked, Duante couldn't take his eyes off Eris. Her hair bounced with every step she took. He had no plan to stare, but it was all he was doing now.
"Can I say something off topic?", he asked.
Eris shook her head, "No.",
"It's an apology.",
"Not a good time.",
"I thought you'd say you've let it go.",
Eris scoffed, "Do I look like a saint to you? You and your sister are sibling versions of mean girls. But I do wonder though_", she paused and turned around to face him. Her face wore a question. "Did you feel better after that?", she asked,
"After _",
"After spitting bullshit about me in front of everybody, did you feel better?",
Duante's face lowered with guilt.
"Are you trying to apologize now because I might deny your request?",
"Not at all. I was really looking for the perfect time to apologize. It just came to me.",
Eris looked him in the eye without saying a word for a while. She keenly searched for a speck of honesty in his eyes, or his tone, and it wasn't that hard to find. She knew he was better than his sister.
"I forgive you.", she said,
"About Lanelle; she's just _",
"I forgive you, so don't bring your sister into this.", she turned around again but halted. She looked back at him, "I'm sorry I told Deb that you like her.".
"It's all good.", Duante smiled, "I had no right to rash at you for not being man enough.",
"What're you talking about? You see the woman you love being romantic with your brother every day and not once have you lost it. That's the kind of strength which makes you man enough.", she patted him on the shoulder, "So, buddy, you're good.",
Eris walked away first. Duante felt light. The exact words he craved to hear had just been spoken to him. How can she be so kind after he almost choked her the other day? He knew that that was the side of Eris that the world wasn't lucky enough to see.
…
Deb was in the car with the old man she worked with at the fishery. His name was Pablo, the most healthy looking 70-year old man. They were on their way back to The Hill after the daily deliveries were complete. Pablo was driving, and Deb was physically present in the car, but mentally elsewhere. She had lots of things in her head, but lacked the person to vent them to. Her chest felt like it'd burst if she didn't spill the troubling thoughts on somebody. And Pablo seemed like the one person who wouldn't judge her.
"I have a friend.", Deb began, "She's in a healthy relationship with a great guy.",
"She sounds lucky.", said Pablo, eyes on the road.
"She thought so too, but she recently found out that the brother of her boyfriend is in love with her. The longer she thought about it, she started seeing signs that she might've been in love with him too all along.",
"I feel like your friend is confused",
Deb faced Pablo, "Why?",
"Of course she loves the boyfriend's brother, but not romantically. The recent confession must have been so shocking to her. It felt like an earthquake and somehow knocked her feelings a little.",
"She now finds the brother attractive and notices little things about him",
"It's all understandable. We do get distracted sometimes. What your friend needs to do is to bring her attention back to her boyfriend because she's in love with him, and only him.",
"I see",
Deb looked out the window, digesting what she heard. It's quiet for a while before _
"You should know that you're a very beautiful woman, Debby. Any man will easily fall in love with you or something about you. So, whether Duante is in love with you or not, it's not your concern.",
"I never said _",
"You don't have many female friends, Debby, especially the ones in that kind of situation. So, don't let his feelings alter yours. He's been able to control his feelings for who knows how long. He'll move on",
"Jesus", she was embarrassed.
"This is between us. I won't even tell my wife",
"Right",
***