Rachel was seated on the couch together with her sister that night, sipping tea while watching a romantic comedy. It was a lighthearted movie with the cliché ending, but she loved it. Watching that movie with the happily ever after ending made her realize she wasn’t that kind of woman anymore. She’d make something out of Emma’s Haven. She’d find an apartment which would be her own place which she could be proud of. She’d no longer try to be the perfect woman who could stand by a billionaire’s side. She’d be the kind of person she actually wanted to be, no longer giving a fuck about what others thought of her.
“I brought ice-cream thinking you girls would need it.” Gabriel’s voice caused her to look up, noticing the warmth in his eyes, “But I suppose it’s not necessary.”
Rachel smiled at him, “It’s still appreciated. Is it vanilla?”
“Yes.”
She sipped from her tea, “Then you can put it away, I’ll make brownies sometime this week. We can have brownies and ice-cream for dessert.”
He returned her smile, “Sounds good.”
Valerie sat up and watched her husband with careful eyes, “You sound different.” She stated.
Gabriel walked to the kitchen to put away the ice-cream he bought, “Different how?” He called.
Valerie met her gaze, shaking her head at Rachel. Smiling Rachel sipped her tea and focused on the movie again. She ran her fingers through her hair, carefully glancing at the long locks. Making up her mind she put her cup upon the table and reached for her phone, researching salons which were close to Gabriel and Valerie’s apartment.
“Different like last time Rachel came over when they were having issues you sounded hesitant.” Valerie told her husband who joined them in the living room again, “Behaved like you didn’t want to be around us. Tonight you sound like your usual self which just struck me as odd.”
Gabriel met her gaze, “I can tell Rachel doesn’t need our pity. She is doing fine.”
He was right, she didn’t need their pity at all. She wasn’t heartbroken over the decision she made. She hadn’t talked to Ethan yet, but she wanted to get things straight before she’d face him. She had texted him earlier to let him know she’d be staying with her sister. He didn’t even respond back, so she knew he didn’t mind her not demanding to talk to him about making things official. When the time came it was going to be more like a formality which was okay with her.
“Rachel?” Valerie called.
“Hm?”
Unlike her husband Valerie wasn’t convinced at all, “Are you okay?” She asked quietly, “Need more tea or do you want to break out the ice-cream after all?”
“I’m honestly doing okay.” Rachel reassured her sister, “I’m just looking for a salon close-by. I think I found a place which does everything. I want to do my hair and nails. I’ll make an appointment tomorrow morning.”
Valerie still didn’t look convinced, but her sister kept her words to herself. She knew only with time Valerie would be reassured about her. Thankfully Gabriel was around, he was treating her normally. She needed that to get through this, someone who wouldn’t be scared to speak his mind around her.
***
The next morning Rachel called up the salon while she was baking away at Emma’s Haven. She managed to get an appointment later that day since someone canceled right before she called them up. To her it felt like faith, she needed to make that change. She’d leave Emma’s Haven early and do her hair and nails.
“Honey, you’ve helped me more than you can ever imagine.” Emma told her when Rachel once again apologized for not being able to be there yesterday, “It was busy but nothing I can’t handle. Without you, there wouldn’t even be an Emma’s Haven. So you know, I owe you.”
Rachel looked at her with a new found fire blazing within her, “Emma, trust me. I’m going to give it my all to help you. This is going to be the most popular place in town.”
“It already is doing quite well because of that handsome friend of yours.” Emma joked.
Ryan indeed helps boost their popularity with their female demographic. While Emma kept telling her how much the woman owed her, she owed a lot to Ryan. Their place wasn’t the only shop which provided quality coffee. There were places close to his office in town which provided even better hot beverages. She knew Ryan chose to visit their place often because he wanted to help them. Once things were settled between Ethan and her she’d meet up with Ryan to thank him properly.
Later that day Rachel left Emma’s Haven and took a cab to the salon. She let the hairdresser cut her hair shoulder length and dye it a gray ombre. She kept her nails short but chose a French manicure. It cost her a small fortune to feel better about herself, but she didn’t regret a thing. She felt like a new woman. Edgy and determined. She entered Gabriel and Valerie’s apartment that night with confident steps, a smile spread across her face. Gabriel and Valerie were seated in the dining room, already having dinner. Valerie lowered her fork and knife looking at her like she just witnessed a unicorn flying by.
“Looking good.” Gabriel told her, breaking the silence, “You’re hot.”
Valerie slightly nodded, “You are hot, Rache.” She agreed, “Damn!” A laugh followed.
Valerie got off her seat and walked around the table, taking her in her arms and hugging the life out of her. Laughing as well Rachel returned the hug. Valerie pulled out of the hug and cupped her face in her hands.
“You’re okay,” Valerie concluded.
Laughing she nodded at her sister who looked like she was about to cry because of how happy she felt, “Yes, I’m more than okay.” She reassured Valerie.
“Well then, why don’t you grab a plate and join us for dinner?” Gabriel suggested.
She pulled away from her sister, dropped her jacket and bag on the couch and went to the kitchen to grab herself a plate as well. She’d be okay like she promised herself there were no more tears. She’d make sure there weren’t going to be any tears over a man in her future either.