SARAYA’S POV.
The flight to Colorado was uneventful, but by the time I stepped off the plane, I was so exhausted.
The crisp air hit my face as I walked toward the arrival gate, I spread my arms and closed my eyes, taking in the fresh breath of Colorado. “Welcome back home, Saraya.” I told myself and slowly opened my eyes.
“Saraya!”
I turned to the direction of the familiar voice to see Gabby waving at me. I chuckled and waved at her. As soon as I got close, she pulled me into one of her signature hugs, tight and full of affection.
“Oh, look at you,” she said, stepping back to get a better look at me. Her eyes gave way to concern. “You’ve lost so much weight. What is going on with you? Don’t tell me your father told you to come only to starve you?”
“Trust me, he takes very good care of me.” I told her.
She tilted her head. “More than I do?” She asked and I could hear the jealousy in her voice.
I laughed hard. “He never would be able to match up to you, of course.” I replied drawing a satisfactory smile from her. “Shall we?”
Before I could say anything, Gabby had already grabbed my bag and led me to the car.
Gabby adjusted her seatbelt and glanced at me. “So, how’s Alex doing? And your grandma? You never really talk about them.”
I hesitated, staring out the window as I processed her question. I had known she would asked and it was only a matter of time.
After what felt like an eternity, Gabby finally broke the silence. “You seem… off. Is everything okay?”
My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my sweater. “My dad is… well, he’s in the hospital right now,” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. “And my grandma… she’s good.”
Gabby’s head whipped toward me, her eyes wide with shock. “Alex is in the hospital? What happened? Is he okay?”
I took a deep breath, keeping my gaze fixed outside. “He collapsed… it’s serious, but we are optimistic.”
“Oh my God.” Gabby’s voice was laced with concern. “I’m so sorry, Saraya. I hope he gets back on his feet soon.”
“Me too,” I murmured, my throat tightening.
“I prepared your favourite meal with extra cheese, I’m sure you would love it.” Gabby said, trying to change the tide of the conversation.
“I can’t wait!” I salivated, thinking of the delicacies Gabby must have prepared.
*
I laid on my mother’s bed, I could perceive the faint smell of her. “I miss you, mom.” Tears streaked down my face.
I was long gone reminiscing when I heard a soft knock. I need not to be told who it was. I quickly whipped my face clean. “Come in, Gabby.”
She entered, smiling sheepishly, holding up a small bag of takeout. I sat up, watching her walk towards me with a tray of food.
She placed it near the stool attached to the bed frame. “You miss her, don’t you?”
“More than you could imagine.” I replied.
“It’s always like that.” She sat beside me. “I’ve lost my mother for the last twenty years but I still miss her very much.”
“Guess the wound don’t heal then.” I pointed out, looking away so she doesn’t see my tears but it was too late.
She turned my face to meet her gaze. “The pain of losing one parent never heals completely, Saraya. We just learn to live with it.”
“I don’t think I can, not if I lose my dad.” I admitted, crying out loud.
“Oh, poor child.” She took me in her arms. “You won’t lose him.”
After some couple of minutes, I had cried to my heart content and composed myself.
“I thought you might need company tonight. And food. You didn’t eat much earlier.”
“Thanks for the meal but I will make do with the glass of fruit juice.” I grabbed the glass from the tray and took a sip. “Thanks, just the way I like it”
“I’m glad you like it.” She said staring at me.
“What is it?” I asked. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Now, spill. What’s really going on, Saraya? I can tell there’s more to this than Alex being in the hospital.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I really can’t… hide from you, can I?”
“I’ve been with you most of your life and can tell.”
I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to unload everything. “Im sorry but I really don’t want to talk about it.”
That’s when my phone started buzzing. I glanced at the screen. Arlan.
I ignored the call, letting it ring out. When it buzzed again a moment later, I sighed and switched it off entirely.
Gabby noticed, of course. “Trouble in paradise?” she asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
I set my glass down and leaned back against the bed. “No trouble. We’re done.”
Her eyes widened. “Who is he?”
“His name is Arlan, we used to be together.”
“What happened?” She asked.
“There is Arlan and there is Dominic. And everything in between.”
Gabby’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow, that’s a lot of names. Start with Arlan. What’s his deal?”
I let out a humorless laugh. “Where do I even start? He messed up big time by being entangled with another woman but he is persistent about fixing things. He keeps calling every single minute but it’s too late. He’s part of the reason I left in the first place.”
“And Dominic?” she prompted.
“He’s… complicated too,” I said, my cheeks flushing slightly. “He’s been there for me as a friend, but I don’t know if it’s fair to lean on him when I’m still sorting out my feelings. He saw me to the airport today and before I boarded, he confessed his feelings to me.”
Gabby nodded thoughtfully. “And everything in between?”
I shrugged. “That’s just life, I guess. A never-ending mess since everyone got to know about my affair with Arlan who doubles as my father’s best friend.”
Gabby gasped. “You fell in love with Alex’s vest friend? Don’t tell me he collapsed when he found out about it?”
“I can’t deny my contribution to his detoriating health.” I admitted.
“Sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate. But you don’t have to carry it all alone, Saraya. Take your time to think about what you want to do.”
“I thought about it on my way down here?” I revealed.
“Oh really?” Gabby asked. “Care to share?”
I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “I know you’ve been managing Mom’s cosmetic business since her health started declining and since her death. I want to learn business from you.”
The look on her face was priceless.”Is this really you talking? The Saraya Hilton I know hates business.”
“Right, I did,” I admitted with a small shrug. “But I’ve realized it’s the only way I can survive. My parents are both business owners, I can’t run from it after all.”
Gabby shook her head, still looking at me like I’d grown another head. “You’re serious about this?”
“I am. I’m willing to start at the bottom, take the smallest position, and work my way up. I just need a chance.”
She studied me for a long moment, her expression softening. Finally, she nodded. “Alright. I didn’t see this coming, but if you’re serious, I’ll help you. Just don’t think I’ll go easy on you because we are familiar with each other.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, Gabby has a way of always drawing laughter from my mouth. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“We start tomorrow, you get some sleep now.” Gabby hugged me and excused herself. “Good night, Saraya.”
“Goodnight, Gabby.” I replied, feeling relief for the first time that time.