EPISODE 28

Catherine's POV:

Talia drove me home when her parents got back, when I got back home they were both sleeping already.

I unlocked the door with my key and went inside my room.

I wasn't feeling fine. I guess being so angry with myself I have already invited malaria.

I sat down on my bed and dropped my bag on top of my drawer.

Talia told me not to think much about it since I couldn't even remember anything that happened and she was right. I couldn't remember anything so why should I feel guilty?

All I have to do now is to stay away from Ace.

Yes, that's what I'm going to do to avoid any further troubles.

*****

I walked inside Montego hotels and spotted Hailey immediately at the far end of the restaurant.

It has been a long time since I last came here. I messaged Mr Malcom and quit my part-time job before my exam started but here I am, Hailey and Karla were her friends too, even though they were older they were still friends. Age is only a number.

"Catherine! It has been a long time, what brought you here?" Hailey asked from afar while rushing towards me with a beautiful smile on her face and her hands clutching the notepad and pen in her hand.

"I just missed you guys," I responded cheerfully. Hailey smiled at me and took my hand in hers, I felt welcomed.

"Come let's go somewhere and talk." She said to me,

I waved at Karla who was looking at me from across the room and she waved back.

Hailey and I walked inside the dressing room and we sat down on the bench there.

"What happened? you just stopped coming to work just like that without even telling anybody what's going on with you, I was worried and so was Karla until Mr Malcolm told us that you quit, why?She asked me, concern written throughout her face as she stared at me intently.

"It was not a big deal, nothing bad happened. I am writing my final exam currently and I wouldn't want anything to distract me that was why I quitted, it wasn't because I hate this job I just wanted to concentrate on one thing before diving into another. Maybe during this holiday I might beg Mr Malcolm to accept me back." I said and chuckled. Hopefully I can work here again after my exam. The people here are nice.

Hailey nodded and stood up from the bench.

"What would you like to eat? Let me get it for you."

"No no no no no I won't let you do that . I don't want to eat anything, I ate before coming. I just wanted to see you guys." I told her, she frowned her face while glaring at me.

"You've got to tell me what you want to eat. I don't care if you are before or not. Do you want some dessert?" She questioned. Oh boy, I must have forgotten how persistent she used to be.

"Okay, I'll have some fried rice." I responded calmly. Hailey smiled and winked playfully at me.

"I'll be right back."

"Okay."

After a while Hailey came back with a platter full of food and drinks.

I wasn't expecting all this, really I just came to say hi and not to eat a whole feast.

"This is too much, Hailey. How am I supposed to finish all this?" I asked her helplessly, she shrugged and started walking towards the door.

"Help yourself, I am busy outside. I'll see you when you're ready to leave." She said and walked out of the door.

I ate as much as I could and left the remaining one. Even though the food was too good for me to leave, I still had to watch my weight. Sad for myself.

I walked out of the dressing room and saw Karla walking towards the kitchen.

"Hey," I greeted her, she turned to look at me and smiled.

"Hey, sorry I didn't come to meet you when you came by. I was busy with the customers. So what's up? how have you been, it's been a long time."

"I'm fine, I just came back to say hello. I actually have an exam tomorrow being Monday so I have got to go now and study." I responded to her calmly.

She nodded her head and glanced around the place.

"Give me a minute, I'll be right back." She said before leaving.

I wonder what this is all about. Not long after she left she came back and pulled me to a corner.

"Here, I don't know what's going on with you but I do know that you need money. This is all I can afford to give you now." She said as she placed a folded up money inside my palm and closed it.

"Karla.... I... " She interrupted me by placing her finger against her lips, signaling me to shut up.

"I don't want you to reject it. Concentrate on your studies and take care of yourself. You're still too young to work your ass off just to make some money." She said and caressed my cheek. "Come and visit us again during this coming holiday."

I was speechless. I wasn't expecting anything.

I didn't know how much it was yet but I appreciated it immediately.

I wasn't expecting it at all.

I smiled at her and nodded my head.

"Of course, I'll come and visit again." I told her with a wild smile on my lips. She smiled back at me and patted my head.

"I'm busy, I'll see you soon."

I left the restaurant in a very much brighter mood than when I went there.

When I rounded the corner, I unfold the money inside my palm and smile again.

$200 note was sitting pretty inside my palm.

Karla is really a nice lady with a strict personality.

I am blessed to have her and Hailey as my friends.

I kept walking down the sidewalk, my eyes fixated on the money until I bumped into someone.

The money fell on the floor and my head hurts.

"Sorry." I said and bent down to pick the money up but the person was faster than I was.

I frowned and looked up at the intruder. It was none other than Anitra Steel.