Chapter 7 Alice is Wonderful

"I saw the house burn down the next time you entered the kitchen and tried to commit this grave crime of cooking!" I snorted, catching Alice off guard.

Though flabbergasted, she chuckled and then gave me a pet Pat. "Why you!" Another chuckle. "It can't be that bad. I need a few more practices and then, I'm good. By the way..." She waved her hand. "How was the meeting?"

For a while there, I forgot all about Shawn and my worries but now, they came rushing back. "For starters, I'd say fine." I shrugged.

"But then why did your countenance suddenly turn ugly?" Alice wasn't convinced.

My chest had begun to tighten again. "Nothing, Alice. I just need a refreshing bath." I replied, walking out of the kitchen.

"And some finely cooked Lasagnas!" Alice called behind me and I couldn't help but smile again.

She was just a sweetheart. Her husband sure was damn lucky. However - men? I bet he'd still cheat on her if he could.

I entered my room. It was not so big but manageable room that Alice and Bill, her husband had reserved for their baby but Alice moved a couple of things out so that it'd be comfortable for me.

I threw my case on the bed and then, all of my clothes and went into the bathroom. The moment the shower began to run down my hair, I couldn't withhold my tears.

I cried about everything and nothing in particular. "You thought you were really over this, huh?" I scoffed at myself, laughing at the lie I had told myself all this while.

But then again, who wouldn't break down when this was just the first meeting? I had to pretend in front of the bastard who took my virginity and then showed the world how.

I did well.

After showering and dressing in a baby pink tank top with a short, I packed my well-trimmed hair in an underhead ponytail and was about to go join Alice when my phone rang.

It was still in my case.

"Hello?" I said into the phone after ransacking that case for it. It was Gabe on the other end.

"Hey, beautiful. Alice said you were back so I decided to call." His whimsical voice boomed softly from the phone.

Of course, Gabe would definitely call. He had just been always looking out for me even more than I did for myself.

As I settled my briefcase on the shelf, "Well, it went well, I guess."

"I bet he wasn't able to recognize you. You look way better and different from the old you I saw in the picture." Gabe whistled.

I could chuckle at that. "He did, Gabe," I replied and then went on to relay everything that happened to him.

"You just stay strong, Serenity. You're a strong woman. I've seen you conquer worse and know you can do this. I just hope you don't fall into his trap once more." Gabe's voice was sinfully low now.

What in the blazes of thunderstorms was that? I fall into Shawn's trap?

"I think it's Shawn who needs this advice, Gabe. He'll be the one to fall into my trap, not the other way round." I scoffed.

"I believe you but then, you just mentioned that he tried to flirt with you."

"He did. You don't know, Gabe but it's to my advantage that he's like that. It makes my job easier."

"What do you plan on doing?"

"Seducing him and then ending him for good."

Gabe gasped deeply. "You mean k-kill him?"

"Of course not, Gabe. Don't be silly. I don't want to end up behind bars because of some bastard. Nah- that's deep." I laughed shortly. "I meant destroying him and everything he owns."

I heard him sigh with relief. "Now, that's my girl!"

"Being so sweet is in your blood, Gabe. Alice is wonderful." I said, changing the course of the conversation.

I didn't want to talk about Shawn any longer.

"Oh, Alice sure is wonderful but it feels like you're complimenting me right now." Gabe joked.

"Enjoy it while it lasts!" I grumbled and we both bust into a fit of laughter after which we ended the call.

That incident with Shawn when I was still Calista had turned me into a strong-hearted woman. I barely go around being sentimental or complimenting people.

I bail from conversations when they seem like they are leaning into a more emotional depth.

"I have to go now, Serenity. Do enjoy yourself. I'll text you on iMessage." Gabe said and then, a beep followed.

I dropped my phone, considering the call more refreshing than even my bath. I went back to the sitting room and found Alice already setting the table.

"Dinner's ready!" She beamed the moment she saw me.

I faked a crying face, throwing my hands in the air. "Somebody just come save me already!"

"Cut the crap and come get that belly filled up with homemade food." Alice laughed, gesturing for me to come take a sit.

I did and after a much reluctant while, I took a bite.

"Well, how is it?" With dimmed hopeful eyes, Alice inquired.

There was no chewing on that shit any longer. I swallowed it in and picked up the glass of milk and gulped about half of its content. I smacked my lips together to regulate the taste of my mouth. "Salty but definitely better than the last one or the rubber you baked yesterday," I confessed.

"Rubber?!" Alice's eyes bulged. "It was a velvet cake!"

.

.

Throughout dinner, I laughed so much all thanks to Alice. After doing the dishes, we both watched a little bit of TV before retiring for the day.

I updated my boss on the new developments and he was even more than elated that I had been able to get Shawn's consent so quick

I did some more of work, making sure all of the materials to be transported tomorrow were in check. When it was almost midnight, I dumped work, chatted with Brielle and Gabe in the group chat, and then, went to bed.

Brielle was all ranting about wanting to know if the CEO was a cute one. True, the bastard was sinfully good-looking with a very great physique too. Too bad he was a silly spoilt brat on the inside.

"Too bad you'll take everything from him soon too," I whispered to myself and then laughed all alone like a maniac until sleep took me.