"I have a letter from Madame Athalena sir."
My secretary places an envelope on my desk. I stare at the envelope with my name. Pain. Anger. Disgust. I am flooded with mixed emotions that are hard to keep contained.
"I shall take my leave then sir."
W...
"Let me guess, reminds you of yourself when you were young?" I respond teasingly.
Leo laughs saying "I will neither confirm or deny that accusation." He then sobers down and says apologetically "I hope you don't mind Alena. I wasn't fit to drive last night so I decided to hog your couch."
I shake my head and answer "Its okay ... I understand. Even I'm physically drained from last night." I pause, looking out the window. "But ... I feel at peace."
"I understand. Me too." Leo says quietly.
A comfortable silence fills the air as we remember everything that was said last night. After a few minutes, Leo smiles and teasingly says with a bow "Shall we begin cleaning up milady?"
"That we shall milord." We begin cleaning up the dishes in a happy manner. This is what last night's discussion returned to us — our friendship. And for now, that is all I can give him.
Forty minutes later the children are in the living room waiting with Leo, who is dressed in an Armani suit which he, like many years ago, always kept in his car for emergencies. I was still in my room, seated in my vanity finishing my makeup.
Earlier, I told the children to dress a little more formal than their usual casual attire since we were going to an office. For some reason, probably because of Laila's insistence, all their outfits matched having the common color of white and blue. Always loving the idea of matching family outfits, I decided to put on a white quarter sleeve bodycon dress. As I put on my earrings, from my peripheral I see a small paper bag on my vanity. It was the necklace Leo gave me. Maybe I should wear it.
While putting on the necklace, I look at the mirror and say to myself.
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.
YOU ARE SMART.
YOU ARE COURAGEOUS.
Lift your head up Alena.
Things are changing for the better.
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These are the outfits I had in mind for Alena and the kids. The first boy outfit is Lei's while the second is Lucca's.
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