"Are you feeling well, darling?"

That was the first thing Mrs. Charan said once I knocked on her office door and was told to come in. I wasn't sure how to answer to be honest, because I definitely didn't feel well. I know I'd never looked well, but I must've looked like a ghost at this moment.

"Fine, Mrs. Charan," I mumbled.

"Are you sure, Melody? It's fine If you need to take a day off to rest. We managed to find a part time barista. Maybe you can switch sometimes," Mrs. Charan said, twining her finger over the desk, a faded smile on her lips.

My heartbeat accelerated.

"Oh! Is that why? I'm... being replaced?" I choked, my eyes distended painfully, "Mrs. Charan, I'm so sorry about the broken cup... I'm... I'm going to pay for it!"

No ! Please! It's hardly been a few weeks and I just started to like it here! Now everything is going wrong again? What kind of curse was cast on me when I was born?!

"Oh! No, darling. You're not being replaced. In truth, I wanted to reward you."

"Reward me? For what?" I whispered, wrapping my arms around my chest.

"For your hard work. " Mrs. Charan's smile widened, looking sympathetic, "I do that to motivate my employees. There's an (Employee Of The Month) bonus. Well, it's every other month to be exact."

"You mean... I'm not fired?" My voice was squeaky in the end.

"No! Why would I fire my best worker?" Mrs. Charan winked. She opened a drawer and held out a medium-sized envelope. " Here. You've earned it. It's not much. Just a symbol of gratitude."

Stepping forward in a daze to take the envelope, I stood in front of her staring like a dolt.

Wow! My boss just gave me a bonus! Who would've thought!

Something that would normally make me jump for joy. It was a first in my concise career path. The problem was, I was too shaken to give the right reaction with everything that had happened today.

Vivian and Akram's exchange a couple of hours ago was like the harshest reality check I had of late . I couldn't get over it. My mind kept making up images of what might've happened that I hated to dwell on. I wanted to doubt my own eyesight. I wanted to question my judgement. It seemed too obvious that she talked him into something and he paid for it. The only something I could associate with Vivian was too horrible to think Akram would be interested in. Especially, not after that bull session we had about his supposedly virtuous life. He seemed truly different and I didn't want to be disappointed in him.

Hey! It's none of my business. He's just a friend. Nothing more. It's his life. I'm not his mother!

God, but it was Vivian! He hooked up with Vivian! As if reality was mocking me!

"You need to go home and rest, child."
The kind voice echoed in my throbbing head, bringing me to the present. I blushed, realizing I had zoned out in front of my boss, and I haven't thanked her yet.

"Um! Thank you... so much, Mrs. Charan. You're so kind," I babbled, trying to curve my lips into a sheepish smile.

"No problem, darling. Don't forget to take dinner from the kitchen," she continued, knitting her eyebrows in concern.

"Uh! Okay." Was all I replied before I turned dizzily and walked out of the office.

To my surprise, Asha was waiting for me outside the door, a giant smile making her dimples look even deeper.

"Here comes my favorite zombie, " Asha cooed, clapping her hands. "Cheer up, dude! You just won The Bonus! Aunt Chan never let me win. She says it'd make her seem biased." She rolled her eyes.

"How did you know?" I asked half-heartedly.

Asha raised an eyebrow, "I live with her, remember? Now, it's time to party!"

"Um! What?" I mumbled.

"I'm kidnapping you for a couple of hours. No excuses allowed." She put her hands on her waist, holding her grounds. "Don't you wanna wear something nice on Friday?"

I blinked a couple of times.

"You mean... shopping?" I exclaimed.

"Yup!"

"Now?? But Ash, I'm considering not to go." I bit the side of my lip.

"You're going," she demanded, her hand on my shoulder. " He asked you out as a 'friend', right? Now listen. He's got some explanation to do. He owes you."

"He owes me nothing, Asha, we're not together," I said, trying to hide the bitterness I still felt.

"If he lied about himself, then he owes you the truth. And he'd better own up or I swear I'll spit in every cappuccino he will ever order in the next two years! I'll probably do something much worse to his sandwich!"

I shuddered.

That means I owe you both a lot, Asha. If only you knew !

"Alright... alright. But I can't be late, ok?" I forced a small smile to appear on my lips.

"Yay!! " Asha bounced in her place. "This is officially our first BFF shopping trip! I'm so excited!"

"Yay back at you! Let's go." I chuckled.

Asha was always excited about something and I tried to show proper enthusiasm, so she wouldn't feel bad about my unintentional disinterest. It couldn't hurt to get a new outfit any way. Even though it wouldn't make such a big difference to lift up my mood presently.

Two hours later, luckily too early for curfew, we said goodnight after we'd left the little boutique in Broadway. It had a nice collection with affordable prices which was exactly what I needed. Having an unexpected bonus didn't mean that throwing money around was Okay.

Considering that my favorite shirt had been possessed by a demon, it was the right time for shopping. I'd picked a cute button down blouse; white with tiny pink dots, a fake cashmere shawl that was pink and under ten dollars, which I couldn't resist, and a pair of black trousers.

Asha was practically pulling her hair off when I'd refused to buy a skirt or a dress. I never wore dresses or skirts any more. And I had a really good reason that I wouldn't reveal to Asha or to anyone for that matter. More than just being self-conscious, or being too lazy to shave my legs.

Asha decided that I was overly modest and I didn't argue with her. Maybe I was, among other things. Plus I wasn't trying to impress anyone. I convinced myself this shopping spree was for pure necessity.

Later in my bed, it seemed possible that what they say about the therapeutic effect of shopping was actually true. I was able to think more rationally after the short expedition with Asha.

I definitely overreacted today!

At the moment, I was almost certain I was wrong. If Akram was this type who could be easily led on by someone like Vivian, why would he bother to tell me otherwise? Why would he leave his job because of a similar incident? Why would he introduce himself the way he did when he didn't have to? Why would he reject the flirty girl at the café? It just didn't add up.

Eventually, I came to the conclusion that there was a different reason to justify what I'd witnessed between Akram and Viv. Akram had to be innocent but I blamed Vivian for it. She came to my work to tick me off. She played some sly game on me, and I fell for it. But there was something else. Something vague that rattled my insides. I couldn't quite put my fingers on it at first.

Then, as I snuggled up against my pillow, my eyes widened when I came to a new conclusion.

If Vivian's stopover at the café wasn't random , which clearly was not, and if the odd exchange with Akram - of all people- was intentional to get on my nerves. It meant that, somehow, Vivian was informed that Akram and I knew each other.

But that's impossible! Unless...

Unless the number of spies Vivian had hired to tag me was more than just good ole Krissy from the shelter. She sent someone to stalk me outside of the shelter too...

Nope! No way! That's crazy! I'm just being paranoid. Seriously, that is ridiculous, isn't it? I should just hit the hay right now!

*******

Hello my lovelies :)

Ok. I have to admit, I'm not very fond of this chapter. I would love to know what you think though.

*Do you think Akram is really innocent?

*What do you think Vivian is up to?

*is Melody too paranoid?

*why do you think Mel hates wearing dresses?

Please share your view and any remarks. Your feedback is what helps me keep writing :D

LOVE YOU ♥♥♥