Chapter six

Nichole

Quitting may have been my worst idea ever.

It had been six days only, and yet, everyday felt like I was wasting away.

I'd never been particularly good at taking a break, or vegging, or even resting. The way I switched jobs, it was one job to the other with a maximum of two days break. Even then I still did one or two things that definitely counted as work.

I knew I had gone completely insane because the old me would never quit one job when I wasn't sure of the next one. But what could I do when my mind was beginning to sound like a total stranger to me. Thinking about things I wouldn't ordinarily think about. Getting distracted too easily. Having wishful thoughts like he'd finally realize his 'the one' had been right under his nose.

Ludicrous ideas and thoughts.

But those weren't the worst part about my change. The fact that I was getting jealous so much that I couldn't stop thinking about ways to kill Lisa, and somehow that thought was giving me some kind of relief, was what broke the camel's back.

I've always been a pacifist. Unnecessary squabbling and fighting was what I tried to avoid the most. But every time I saw Lisa or some other girl around him, I lose all coolness and control. Sometimes I feel like I'm losing a battle I didn't even know I was fighting.

But all that was behind me now. No matter how useless I feel now, it was definitely better than being in that office.

"So… find anything?" Christine forced her way into my front, backing me, she sat on the ground only a few inches away from the coffee table my Mac was sitting on.

"Christine, move. I can't see what I'm doing."

She looked at me, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry." She said, getting up and taking a seat beside me on the couch.

"I can't see clearly." She complained.

"Do you have to? It's not like you're the one offering all the jobs." I sighed, making sure my Mac was in my view alone.

"If you didn't need me here, why did you call me then?"

"Uh, maybe because I didn't call you. Christine, I know I'm jobless. But why are you here? Don't you have work to do?" I brushed strands of dark hair away from my face, tucking them into my messy ponytail.

"Fine. You don't want me here, I'm leaving."

"Hallelujah."

Christine scoffed. "You know what, I am being an amazing best friend, and I refuse to allow your negativity get to me. No matter what you say, I'm gonna stay and support you. As I should."

I feigned an annoyed groan. Seconds later, we bursted out laughing.

Christine cleared her throat after a while. "Why won't you work for dad? He'll pay you good money. And it'll make him very happy."

"I'm sorry Christine, but honestly, I don't want the privileges that come with being the owner's daughter."

"Like not going into work when my big sister is down? Those privileges?"

"I didn't mean—"

"Don't worry. I understand what you meant." She smiled kindly. I couldn't be more grateful for that smile. "It's just, I would love it if you were there. If my best friend was working side by side with me."

"I know Chris. I know. But not just yet. At one point dad would want me to take over the business. You know… I, I don't want it to feel like a prison when that happens. I would like to do what I want until then. So when that time comes, I won't hate… giving in to him."

Christine stood up, pacing the room dramatically as she talked.

"You and dad always have to fight?"

"We're not fighting. We're simply… clashing. That's all."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah right. Clashing."

I stood up, holding Christine in my arms.

"I miss my big sister." She said, a little too sad for my liking. "You haven't been home in almost one year. I miss you. Dad doesn't want to admit it, but he misses you too."

I know sometimes I get so subsumed in my work that I forget I have a family. Maybe now that I'm out of a job, I could visit other aspects of my life. I mean, it couldn't hurt to just forget work for now.

"You've convinced me."

Christine raised her head, looking at me. "About what?"

"I'll come home. While I'm looking for a new job, I'll stay home with you and dad."

"Really?" She shrieked.

"Anything for my baby sister." I placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you. Did I tell you how much I love you?" She smiled, I smiled back, almost laughing.

"I don't seem to remember you saying it."

"I love you. I love you." She said, jumping.

"Love you too kiddo."

"Let me help you pack." Christine ran into my room, banging the door as jolts of excitement coursed through her body.