Chapter 5

Nelly watched her friend force the pizza down her throat. "I'm sorry I couldn't get anything else. I had already bought this pizza on my way home before I heard the news," she said apologetically.

"It's fine. You've done more than enough already," Annalise replied.

Nelly nodded. "So um, I know this isn't the best time to talk about this but can I ask you about Dalton?" she asked nervously.

Anna's body froze for a moment but she nodded.

"Thank you. What was the reason he said he was breaking up with you?" she asked.

Anna shrugged. "He said I'm careless. Apparently, he noticed that a long time ago but kept quiet. He said he can't be with someone who could be so careless to the extent of almost ruining the company," she said.

"Oh please. Uncle Fluffy is a Bakery," Nelly corrected.

"It's more than just a bakery, you know."

"Annie, they bake cakes and other pastries. Even though you guys have many affiliates and a whole other building where the paperwork is done, it's nothing but a glorified bakery," Nelly maintained.

Anna shrugged. "Suit yourself. I don't care either way," she said sadly.

"So what's the next step?" Nelly asked her.

Annalise eyed her. What sort of question was that? "What next step are you talking about?"

"I don't think you plan to stay there as an assistant. I think you should quit," Nelly suggested.

"And where will I go if I quit?" Annalise asked with an amused expression on her face.

"To a real company where you will be appreciated more," was the reply.

Annalise took one last bite out of the pizza and dropped it. "Speaking of companies, how did you find out I was fired from my former job?" she asked calmly.

"Did you forget? Two girls from your department are my roommates. They usually talk about work whenever they come home. As usual, they were chattering when they came home. I wasn't interested in their talk until I heard your name," she explained.

"Oh, I think you've mentioned them to me before," Annalise said as a look of realization hit her face.

"You know, I'm suddenly glad that you never visited me when I was begging you to. If you did and they ended up knowing we're friends, I doubt I would have heard about this today and I wouldn't have been able to get here on time."

Anna hugged her. "I don't deserve you," she said as she sobbed into the other lady's shoulder.

"You most certainly do not but then again, what can we do?" Nelly teased. Anna barely managed a smile. "But what do you think of my earlier suggestion?"

Anna furrowed her eyebrows. "What suggestion?"

"Lambie, I suggested that you quit and get a new job," Nelly said as she rolled her eyes.

"I can't just quit. If I do, how will I feed and how will I pay my rent?" Anna said.

"Isn't the warning period supposed to be two weeks? You can get a better job within that time," Nelly said. "After all, your credentials and experience are excellent."

"That's the thing, Nelly. This woman acts as if she's bipolar. She could decide to have me leave on the spot. She doesn't care about these things," Anna told her. "Even if I give her a warning, she could still tell me to leave her building immediately. Only God knows if even pay me for anything."

"She hasn't yet paid you guys for the month," Nelly reminded her.

"Yes but the month hasn't ended yet."

"It's ending in three days," Nelly said with a blank face.

"And your point is?"

"My point is that she would be paying you for work done in the past twenty eight days. If you add today's work, it's twenty-nine days," Nelly said.

"Trust me, this woman can do anything. Even if I'm getting a new job, I think I'd rather stay there and look rather than risk being thrown out," Annalise said. She leaned into her pillows.

Nelly shrugged. "Suit yourself then. I've said my own." She cleared away the remaining pizza and laid beside her friend. "But wait, you mean to say that this woman is the owner of Uncle Fluffy?"

"Yep. She's the one who founded it."

"But the bakers and the servers at the main bakery are so nice. You'd think their boss is nice too," Nelly said sadly.

"Yeah. Elizabeth is crazy and annoying but she's a strategic and calculating woman as well." Anna turned in the bed and covered herself properly. "She knows that customers would generally prefer people who are polite and sound caring to people like her."

"I see. So she doesn't let her attitude get in the way of her business. How intriguing," Nelly commented.

"Indeed."

"Now, as for that idiotic son of a bitch called Dalton, make sure you don't tremble when you see him tomorrow," Nelly started.

"Please, can we change the topic?" Anna pleaded.

"No, we can't. Because when I was telling you that guy just wanted you as a status symbol at work, you refused to listen. In fact, you made this exact same request," Nelly fired. "And have you forgotten that I know you? You'll see him tomorrow and start crying like one lovesick kid. Better listen to what I have to say now."

"Alright, I'm listening," Anna said, sighing in defeat.

"Better. Now, make sure you keep your chin up…." As she went on, Anna barely listened but nodded as if she was latching onto every word.

"I know you aren't paying even the slightest attention but I've done my best to advise you. The rest is your business," Nelly said and turned to sleep on her side.

"Thank you, Nelly. I really appreciate everything," Anna said gratefully.

"Please get out. I thought you wanted to hit the hay. Better hit it before the hay will hit you instead," Nelly snapped. Anna chuckled.