CHAPTER 19
Rachel had been enjoying her days off, taking the time to relax and recharge and Celine had come to see her, feeling concerned since she hadn’t been seeing Rachel at work lately. Rachel felt a lot better aroud her as they discussed about work.
“You will never guess what happened at work this week” she giggled, almost choking on her cofee.
“What? Did you finally tell Leo off for being such a jerk?”
“No, actually the opposite. He’s been acting total softie lately. It’s like he’s been replaced by a kinder version of himself.”
“What happened?”
“I don’t know, but he’s been complimenting me and he proposed that I took some days off. It’s like he’s a completely different person. I don’t knoe but I’m not ging to look a gift horse in the mouth. I’m just going to enjoy this while it lasts.”
“You do that” Celine giggled. “Who knows how long this new and improved boss will last.”
Rachel laughed heartily. “Ha! Maybe you’re right. I’ll just keep my guard up, just in case he turns back into the old grump again.”
The laugh that followed was followed by a long silence until Celine spoke up.
“Hey Rachel, it’s Celine. Are you free today?”
Rachel paused for a moment, wondering where the question was heading “Um, actually I was going to say that I’m busy but. What’s up?”
“Great! I was thinking of going out for lunch, want to join me?”
Rachel: “That sounds good, where do you want to go?”
“How about that new Greek place that just opened up? I heard the food is amazing.”
“I haven’t been there yet, but I’ve heard good things. Sure, let’s go there.”
Rachel downed her coffee and took a deep breath, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation for her lunch with Celine. She was glad that she had decided to be spontaneous and not let her worries about the contract marriage weigh her down.
She had been spending most of her time at home, but today she decided to go out and catch up with her friend Celine.
Celine was dressed casually in a light blue sundress that had thin straps and a flowy skirt that came down to her knees. The dress was made of a lightweight cotton material that was perfect for the warm weather. The bodice was fitted and hugged her curves, while the skirt flared out, giving her a feminine silhouette.
She paired the dress with a pair of white strappy sandals that showed off her pedicured toes. She carried a small white crossbody bag on her shoulder. Her hair was styled in loose waves and cascaded down her shoulders. She had minimal makeup on, opting for a natural look.
They took an Uber to the Greek restaurant, and as they sat down to eat, they started catching up on everything that had been going on in their lives.
The restaurant was a small, family-owned Greek establishment located in a cozy corner of the city. The decor was traditional and rustic, with exposed brick walls and wooden beams running across the ceiling. The lighting was dim, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere.
The tables were made of dark wood and were set with white linens and simple, elegant tableware. The chairs were upholstered in a rich, wine-colored fabric, and the floor was made of polished hardwood. The restaurant had a small bar area to the side where guests could enjoy a drink before their meals.
“So, how has it been? Why did Leo ask you to take a leave.” Celine asked, taking a sip of her drink.
“I’ve been good,” Rachel said, trying to sound positive. “Just taking some time off to relax and clear my head.”
“That’s good,” Celine said with a smile. “You deserve it. So, what’s been on your mind? You seemed a bit preoccupied.”
Rachel hesitated for a moment before letting out a sigh. “It’s just this whole contract marriage thing,” she said, her tone filled with frustration. “My mother keeps bringing it up, and it’s just causing a lot of stress and annoyance.”
Celine’s expression turned sympathetic. “I can imagine that would be tough,” she said. “But you never know, you might actually like your betrothed.”
Rachel shook her head. “I highly doubt it,” she said. “But I’ve decided to be civil with my mother from now on. I don’t want to argue with her anymore but I can’t help it. I always find my emotions getting the better of me”
Celine nodded in understanding. “That’s a good idea,” she said. “Family is important.”
They continued chatting, and Celine told Rachel about her recent romantic outing with William.