With everything impending on my mind, I felt like the college girl I was nearly a year and a half ago. 

Along with trying to save face at work, I had to go through blueprint plans with Ezekiel. Despite my personal groomers trying to maintain my glow, I found myself refusing all my usual spa treatments.

My already pale skin grew sickly and black bruises formed underneath my eyes. I truly looked like a zombie nowadays, though I could have cared less. My first priority was finding Kylie and keeping down the bile that constantly reared its ugly head.

I was a terrible friend keeping what was going on from Brendan, Rose, and Josephine, but we were all at different spectrums in our lives. I didn't know if it was safe to tell them much yet, but I was sure they knew of Kylie's disappearance by now.

 I would have to talk to them sooner or later.

But... Josephine. 

They were all my friends- close friends- but Jo and I had a deeper connection than most. I couldn't keep this from her.

 She'd been blowing up my phone for days.

Before I could scroll through my phone to look at all her worried messages, an insistent knock sounded on my closed office door. 

Oh, if it was Cole or Eli...

Aiming a glower at the intruder, I was shocked to see Tawnee peeking her head through. Oh my. I hadn't seen her since...

 I wasn't sure. 

To make matters worse, Josephine was her daughter-in-law. I really needed to stop burning my bridges.

I stood up, tear flowing like an uncontrollable dam.

"Tawnee... I... I..."

Like she was here to put all my worries to rest, she held out both her arms.

"Come here, darling."

Without needing much more coaxing, I bounded into her arms, nearly knocking her off her feet. She enveloped me, running a hand through my sleek locks.

"How's the new and improved Tiffin estate?" She asked.

I sniffled, unable to hold my emotions at bay.

"Oh god, I don't even know... Tawnee... I have no idea what I'm doing. For all I know, I'm causing the business to go into debt. You don't know how much I've missed you."

Even I didn't know how much until this very moment.

She forced me away from her, furrowing her brows.

"All you need to do is call. You're like family to me, dear girl. I've been worried about you. Josephine and Niall have been trying to dial you."

Fuck. Niall did too? How could I have missed that?

I closed my eyes for the briefest moment before opening them again.

"I know. Ever since my meltdown, things haven't been the same for me. I've been meaning to call Jo and our group. I need some nights out away from all this chaos."

Tawnee tried her attempt at a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"You do that, honey. And please get ahold your parents. They still love you, you know. Us parents still talk."

I nodded.

"I will."

She looked like she was about to turn, but paused, assessing my horrid face.

"Kristina... You seem different..."

God. Was it that obvious?

I rolled my eyes, writing it off.

"I haven't been getting much sleep. I look like a zombie most days."

Tawnee shook her head.

"No, you look just fine, my dear. You... You're glowing. Something definitely has you changing..."

I didn't get to ask her to elaborate before I was jumping over my desk, retching into the trashcan.

"KRISTINA!"

Tawnee screamed as she helped me move my hair out of the line of fire.