Only fools rush in p4

When Matilda opened her eyes, Socorro was there by her side, sitting on the carpet with her head leaning on the couch where Matilda laid.

Throughout the majority of time that Matilda crashed on the couch, Socorro stayed there to watch over her, "She must've been sitting like this for too long...she's not even wearing warm enough clothes."

So worried, Matilda slowly reached to touch Socorro's head, a simple shallow tap was enough to make Socorro open her eyes quickly.

"Huh? what...Oh Matilda, you're awake." She said while lifting her head.

"You're neck must be hurting you, why didn't you go to sleep in your room? you're not even wearing warm clothes, I hope you don't get sick because of me." Matilda said.

Sighing, "So ever the gentle giant...I hate to admit it but i couldn't just go to sleep on a comfy bed when you're laid here on the cold couch." Socorro replied, "And don't worry about me catching a cold...I wouldn't mind it." she added slightly blushing.

"I'm sorry if I annoyed you coconut... honestly even after napping till morning, I still feel like shit."

"Things were crazy...you've been through a lot so it's normal to feel this way, also Stop apologizing over things that are out of your control, pumpkin."

"Crashing at Muriel's home was not out my control...And I probably worried him, I should apologize for invading his space." Matilda said while pushing herself up from the couch.

"Muriel doesn't mind and he's not here to hear your apology anyways."

"Where is he then?

"He and Thorn are at Ned's...they stayed overnight, I asked him what happened and he said everything was fine and then sent me an odd picture." Socorro replied.

Curious, "An odd picture? like a weird selfie or something?" Matilda asked.

"Well He did send a dozen of selfies, mainly of him trying silly sistagram filters on himself or Thorn, but there's this one picture that wasn't a selfie, it was a group photo.

Do you want to see it?" Socorro asked and Matilda nodded, so she pulled out her phone from her dress pocket and searched for the picture, "Here I found it, take a look." she said handing Matilda the phone.

In the picture, Matilda could see many familiar faces, all gathered-up in Ned's living room and seemingly having a good time.

Seeing how fun and friendly the vibe of the picture was, considering that most of these people don't get along well usually, weirded Matilda out a little.

"Is it me or this is a party?

Wait...who's the extra woman, sitting with Henrietta? I don't recognize her but she reminds me of Garrick somehow." Matilda asked surprised.

"I wondered about her too, And apparently the reason Muriel took the picture was because they were actually partying.

He didn't say much other than that the party was for Jade and Yuri, they turned out to be mates." Socorro replied.

"Really?! that's wonderful news! I wish I wasn't in such a bad mood yesterday, I would've love to be there for Jade." Matilda said.

"Excuse me?! She's the one who should've been there for you!" Socorro replied.

"C'mon Coconut, I'm a grown woman and so is she, we both got our priorities, if Jade chose Yuri over me then I understand! I would choose you over her actually..." Matilda said while sheepishly smiling.

Socorro frowned in an attempt to stop herself from smiling at Matilda's words, "Muriel didn't explain much yesterday, but he said that Ned should be coming here today to explain everything...I'm just a bit pissed off that Jade, Muriel and the others had a sleepover party during such circumstances.

Even with priorities...Muriel and Thorn were here, they knew what kind of state you were in and they still partied with Jade." she said.

"Circumstances? You mean what's going on with me and Garrick, or did something else happen?" Matilda asked.

"I have a feeling something else happened, judging by the mystery woman who looks like Garrick." Socorro replied.

"Wait, Coming to think of it...Ned and Garrick are nowhere in the picture." Matilda pointed out.

"Garrick was probably as traumatized as you were yesterday, of course he isn't going to party! he probably cried his eyes out in Ned's bedroom with Ned comforting him or something." Socorro replied.

Raising an eyebrow, "Knowing Ned, Why do I have a feeling that's not the case." Matilda mumbled.

"Ned is kinder than I thought though, allowing his daughter to have a party when her dad is going through some of the most devastating moments of his life!" Socorro spoke again, "And Muriel whom I put so much trust and faith in, just went along with it."

"Are you sure that party wasn't even Muriel's idea?"

"I'd be real mad if it was his idea." Socorro stated seriously, "Ah...let's hope it's not then." Matilda said chuckling nervously.

Sighing, "I'm glad to see you in a better mood than yesterday " Socorro said.

"Maybe I'm in a better mood but I'm not in a good mood yet.

Honestly being sad feels like a burden now, I don't like to feel sad but I can't help it." Matilda said, "But even though I'm in a tough spot...I don't care if my friends have partied or not, I don't want life to stop being enjoyable for them just because I'm having a hard time." She added.

"Stop being such an angel...You're making me feel bad because I don't agree with you." Socorro said pouting, it made Matilda laugh.

"Aren't two you adorable together." A sweet voice spoke-up, "Kimberly?...I mean Norma?" Socorro said in surprise.

"It's okay to call me Kimberly." Kimberly said.

Smiling, "It's good to see you, but How did you get in here?" Matilda asked.

"Lady Orange called for me earlier, she asked for my help to make breakfast." Kimberly replied knocking the smile off of Matilda's face.

"That woman is still here?" Matilda asked unamused, "Yeah, she's in the kitchen." Kimberly replied.

"Actually...I let her stay overnight, I thought you two should talk when you wake-up...She wanted to apologize to you." Socorro said a little nervous.

"Coconut." Matilda said sighing, "That woman and I have nothing to talk about." She added.

"I know you're mad at her, you have every right to be...but can you at least hear her out?" Socorro pleaded.

Then suddenly, "Lady Orange has briefed me a little on your situation, thought I don't know every last detail, I know you just found out that she's your mother..." Kimberly spoke-up, "I know lady Orange on a professional level but I can't help but to believe that, that's how she is even outside of work.

She's a serious and hardworking woman with high hopes for everyone, and she isn't one to easily give-up.

She can be Tough and too Assertive at times but when someone does a good job, she's the first to congratulate them, and if they're struggling...she does her best to get to the bottom of things in order to help them our." She added.

"And, What's your point?" Matilda questioned.

"I had my fair share of Bad parents...mine didn't support my transition nor accepted my career choice.

Parents who can't accept or support Their own child are as bad as the parents that abandon the child.

I totally understand if you don't want to have anything to do with Lady Orange, but from my perspective as a coworker of hers and someone who respects her deeply...I think you should at least hear her out, before blocking her completely out of your life." Kimberly explained.

"See That Pumpkin? you just have to listen, you don't have to talk to Lady orange or believe what she says or even accept her apology.

You don't have to do anything but listen, and trust me! the moment she crosses the lines, just tell me and I will kick her out for you." Socorro said.

"I don't know why you want me to listen to her, I don't feel good about it." Matilda replied.

Before Socorro could say anything, Lady Orange walked in on them, "I am sorry, I got impatient to see you...since Kimberly took her time to come back to the kitchen, I assumed that Matilda might have been awake." She said as she approached them.

Matilda glanced at her mother uninterested, then she turned her attention back to Socorro, "I'm not hungry, I just need some fresh air." She said standing-up.

"I understand you are too uncomfortable with my existence...I did not cook everything myself, if you do not want to eat what I made, you can have what Kimberly made." Lady Orange said gently.

"Yeah! I made some Orange juice and muffins! I can assure you that I made them real tasty." Kimberly spoke in a hopeful tone.

"Thank you Kim, I'll eat them later...I'm seriously not in the mood to have breakfast." Matilda said while walking away.

"Where are you going? What about Ned? I told you he's coming." Socorro asked.

"I'll call him and tell him that I'm coming instead...I have a feeling he hasn't left his house yet." Matilda replied picking-up her phone.

"I'll come with you then!" Socorro said, "You don't have to, I'll be fine." Matilda replied, "I'm sorry but it's not just about you, i still need to talk to Ned And Garrick and understand what happened last night." Socorro replied.

"Me too, I have to explain myself to Mister Valentino and the rest of your friends...I believe Henrietta also deserves an apology." Lady Orange spoke-up.

"I don't care if you follow me or not...do whatever you want." Matilda said coldly, before she headed for the door and left.

Sighing, "I guess I should go too...I want to see Rickie." Kimberly said, "I think we should let Matilda go alone in her car." Socorro said while glancing at Lady Orange.

"It's okay I brought my car this time, I'll drive us!" Kimberly said, "Thank you darling." Lady Orange replied.

...Meanwhile...

"Oh c'mon...I barely slept!" Ned groaned as his phone started ringing, waking him up.

Now sitting on the bed, He grabbed his glasses and phone from the nightstand but he took a look first at the sleeping and naked Garrick next to him, "At least one of us slept like a baby." he mumbled then glanced at his phone screen.

He was surprised to see Matilda's name, so he quickly got off the bed and started looking for his clothes while picking-up the call.

Matilda: Hey there Neds.

Ned: Mats! is everything alright? I was coming to Muriel's place, he told me you were there.

Matilda: You just woke-up didn't you?

Ned: Yeah...I'm sorry it's just that Garrick and I...We got...

Matilda: Got busy? Socorro told me she thinks you were busy comforting Garrick but I Know you better...*Chuckling*

Ned: *Chuckling* well, he is comfortably asleep in my bed.

Matilda: I knew it! did you use protection? or am I going to attend a baby shower very soon?

Ned: MATS! *Embarrassed noises*

Matilda: *Laughing* Damn I really missed you and Garrick being a thing, you guys are so cute.

Ned: Hey...I'm glad you sound better than I imagined, I'm sorry for not coming to you yesterday, I'll explain everything once I arrive.

Matilda: It's okay don't bother yourself, I'm coming to your house myself.

Ned: You are? is Socorro with you?

Matilda: No... Well yes, kinda, she's not in my car...but yeah! she's coming here with Kimberly and...*Sighing* Lady Orange.

Ned: Oh I see, I'm gonna have to wake everyone up downstairs then, I think I might be the only one who's awake here.

Matilda: Okay.

Ned: Btw heads up, Fernando is also here but don't worry I have him under control.

Matilda: I trust you Ned, don't worry yourself.