Chapter 12

Kaylee couldn't help but beamed at her best friend who was at a loss in this.

"Jaxon is not Ellie's father." 

Bella was confused and she then questioned. "Then who is he?"

Bella waited for a long time to get her answer while watching her friend who appeared dumbstruck.

"It's about the one-night stand and I don't know him, Bella. Jaxon got to know this and so we broke up."

"Oh my goodness! How did he know it was the one-night stand? Don't tell me you told him about it yourself?" Bella exclaimed in disbelief.

Kaylee nodded once as her eyes concealed regret.

On the other hand, Bella was short of words for a short time. She doesn't know if to blame Kaylee for her own mischief or comfort her friend. Bella could see Kaylee truly loved Jaxon for her to reveal the one-night stand incident to him because not all ladies could do what she did.

Bella gulped down with a lowered gaze as guilt and sympathy filled her eyes. Suddenly she seemed to remember something. "So that was the reason behind the news in the entertainment industry." She muttered in a low tone but Kaylee heard it.

"What are you saying?" Kaylee raised her body to sit upright while she waited for a reply. 

Bella looked at Kaylee who had a confused face. "Don't you know about it?"

Kaylee shook her head. Truly anything about the entertainment industry Kaylee doesn't know a bit about them since she had cut herself from the online world while facing her cruel reality in New Brunswick.

Bella was hesitant for a short time before saying. "Geez. There has been nonsense news in the media saying you left the entertainment industry with a foreign guy. I wonder who published that nonsense?"

Bella got furious whenever she remembered the news going rampant online about Kaylee.

Kaylee felt the words in her mouth were stuck in there.

Bella on the other side was surging up with a tight fist on her legs, if she eventually met with the guy she managed to believe, he would be a good and protective guy to Kaylee but he failed her in the end. Since that was the case she doesn't need to think twice when she would descend on him like an angry mob if they meet.

She lifted a gaze when she noticed Kaylee was dazed.

Bella placed her hand on Kaylee's shoulder to comfort her. "I'm sorry Kaylee. I shouldn't have persuaded you to go along with us, I thought it wouldn't be fun without you. Please forgive me."

Kaylee placed her hand on the hand that was still on her shoulder. "It wasn't your fault Bella. It was meant to happen so please don't feel guilty about this. If I can't get into the entertainment industry then I have to find another career. There are so many out there right?" 

Bella didn't dart her eyes away from Kaylee's eyes which was trying to hide her pains from her. "But that is your dream, Kaylee. How could you utter such a thing?" Bella took Kaylee's hands with a slight frown that settled on her face. "Promise me you won't give up on your career, no matter what they say about you out there?"

Kaylee's lips curled up into a warm smile as she hummed with a nod.

Seeing the smiling expression on Kaylee's face, Bella couldn't help but smile back at her.

"So tell me, What about you Bella? What have you been doing in those years?" Kaylee questioned, gazing fondly at Bella.

"Uhmm. Nothing. To be honest I felt lonely with the thought you never wanted me again but when I got to learn about Jaxon's engagement on media I had second thoughts you left probably because of that. In those years I stayed alone and had no friends." Her lips pursed as she exhaled while being in a trance of her loneliness in the past years.

"I waited for your text every day, I went to the cafeteria alone. It was tough, but I kept hoping to hear from you." A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she continued, "Anyways, things have been looking up for me. I got a job as a receptionist in one of the five-star hotels and they treat me well." Bella chuckled, but Kaylee could see the tears glistening in her eyes. 

Kaylee reached out to hold Bella's hand, and their eyes met. "I'm glad you returned, Lee. Now we should focus on you," Bella said, her voice full of empathy and kindness.

Kaylee's keen observation didn't miss the subtle signs of loneliness in Bella's eyes and voice. She also felt lonely as well without Bella's company. Although she had her mother and Ellie by her side. There was this kind of feeling in a true friendship that can't be shared in other relationships and Kaylee missed that dearly.

Kaylee took Bella's hand and said. "I'm sorry Bella, I should at least tell you about it then you won't miss me that much. I'm sorry for making you feel unwanted."

Bella looked at Kaylee and said slowly. "Well for me to accept your apology, you have to promise me that you wouldn't disappear like this again without my knowledge?" She raised her thumb, and her little finger stretched out, and the rest of her fingers curled into her palm. "Can you make me a pinky promise, Kaylee?" she asked, her voice soft but firm.

Kaylee didn't know when a chuckle escaped her lips. Surely Bella hasn't changed in the past years! She only let go for another!

Kaylee did as Bella. She locked her small finger with Bella's while she pressed her thumb against Bella's thumb. "Alright, I won't disappear like that ever again without the knowledge of my sweet Buddy."

Bella frowned slightly. "Are you trying to sweetmouth me now?" Bella hissed through her teeth while going through her memory briefly. "If I could remember clearly, you haven't said such sweet words to me before."

She broke the pinky promise and clutched her arms across her chest while blinking blankly, and dramatically before saying. "Don't tell me you have your eyes on me?" 

When Kaylee heard the young lady, she scoffed in disbelief. "Hey! Why are you this dirty-minded? Can't I sweetmouth my best friend anymore?"

"But you haven't done that before and what I feel right now is something different. You know that feeling when your crush says a sweet word to you, right? You feel a chill on your skin and then your heart beats rapidly." Bella joked seriously while demonstrating.

Kaylee was fed up with her dramatic best friend as she shook her head and lay down without uttering a word.

When Bella noticed Kaylee had laid down because of her babbling, she bounced on the young lady as she tickled her. "Tell me you love me, Lee! Tell me you love me, Lee! Can you say another lovely word!"

"Hey, Don't be silly Bella! I don't love you! Stop daydreaming and go find a guy to say that to you!" Kaylee giggled while struggling with Bella's tickling.

"And you are that guy I have seen! Mr Lee!" Bella joked.

The two young ladies joked and giggled until it was late at night.

The following day, Kaylee left Bella's house and Ellie stayed at home with Bella since Bella was on shift today.

Kaylee was walking along the street, her determined gaze fixed on every building and shop in sight, as she searched for any signs of part-time job opportunities. Despite having submitted some applications online to the entertainment industries, Kaylee was not one to sit idly by and hope for the best. As she walked, she thought of all the possibilities that could lead her to a part-time job. Whatever it was, Kaylee was determined to find it and make the most of her time in the meantime.

Taking a long walk, Kaylee got a place and stopped in her tracks. She turned to the side, facing the shop next to her. Kaylee moved from her spot and walked into the restaurant.

Walking further into the chattering restaurant, Kaylee couldn't stop scorching her eyes around and noticed the restaurant was filled up by customers.

She stopped after a few steps and met a young lady at the bar. The young lady at the bar seemed busy while putting some ice cubes in the glass cup which contained a drink.

When the bartender heard the calm voice in front of her, she raised her gaze and it fell on Kaylee.

"Good Morning!" Greeted the bartender.

"Good Morning Ma'am and welcome to our restaurant. Please, take your seat while we have your order. Do you want some drink?" The bartender said formally as she welcomed Kaylee.

"No no, I'm not here to eat." Kaylee declined quickly. "I saw the placard outside needed some workers in this restaurant so that's why I'm here." Said Kaylee with a polite smile on her lips.

After the bartender was done putting the ice cubes in the drink, she carefully pushed the drink on the counter to the person who ordered for it. Just as bartender was done serving the customer, the young lady returned her attention to the young who was still waiting patiently for a reply.

Since there was other person at the bar, the young lady thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to leave the bar and get their manager.

"Alright. I should go and inform the manager, I will be right back shortly." Said the bartender.

"Okay." Kaylee beamed.

The bartender left the bar, going to the room behind the bar.

Kaylee waited for the young lady to inform the manager about her. She shifted her gaze toward the spacious restaurant that was bustling with many customers. The restaurant had an array of servers who were attending to the needs of the customers, making sure they were comfortable and had everything they needed.