Reciprocation

Annalise in the six months she's been working at the Amastacia townhouse as Stella's secretary she had never once heard Stella squeal like she did moments ago. Annalise frantically rushed over to the distressed girl's aid. However it was a welcomed sight to see Stella clutching her phone to her towel covered chest with a beet red face.

As Stella looked up to notice Annalise catching her breath she just straightened herself before pretending to cough in hopes of looking natural.

"Sorry about that Annalise, I just got some good news."

With a sigh of relief Annalise softly closed the door as she took her leave. As soon as the door closed behind her the delighted squeals filled the room once more just at a lower volume. This was the first time Annalise had seen Stella portray emotion and she couldn't help but feel happy for the girl.

Stella flopped onto her bed with a happy wiggle as she hastily typed out several replies before deleting them all. To Stella the answer was clear but the nagging part of her lizard brain began to sow the seeds of doubt into her mind.

Maybe this wasn't a cause of celebration but Mallory had changed her mind after thinking everything over. Maybe Valerie's words were a lie and she had just been strung along. However, despite the gray clouds slowly beginning to form above, Stella decided to meet Mallory with an open heart ready for whatever came next.

After getting dressed in an elegantly colored sundress decorated with a vibrant blue floral pattern Stella stepped out of her room. With confident strides she gathered her purse and sunglasses before following Mallory instructions to meet her at the cafe where they had made their original agreement.

This time the tables were reversed. Mallory sat at the same place Stella did the first time they met. With a deep breath Stella made her way over before taking the opposite seat. With a smile that melted her worries away Mallory turned to face her.

"So Mallory, what do you wanna see me about?"

"Stella, do you remember our first meeting?"

"Yep without a question of a doubt but it might not be the one you're thinking about."

"Oh is that so?"

"Yep but that might be a story for another time. Please continue."

"Well when I came here I was so on edge I stopped at the door for a few minutes before someone tried to enter behind me and snapped me out of it."

"That's absolutely adorable!"

"I knew you would say that. Honestly I fully expected a rich brat that just wanted revenge or someone to toy with."

Stella tried to speak up but was met with Mallory's finger on her lip as she continued.

"However I met with someone I could relate to. Well actually I didn't know it at the time but looking back at it now I think I became a bit enamored with you. Ever since that day you always checked in and tried to make me comfortable despite my bites."

Taking a deep breath Mallory focused in on Stella's ruby-like eyes before continuing.

"Since that day you have annoyed me so much I couldn't help but smile. Your smirk, your teasing those god awful puppy dog eyes just make me happy and I have no idea why. Anyway what I am trying to get at is that I want to explore these feelings with you if you would have me."

Mallory words hung in the air as Stella struggled to answer. As Mallory's sapphires gazed at her Stella just pinched her cheek so hard they deepened the red that filled it.

"Okay so this isn't a dream. Mallory I would happily explore every inch of you!" softly squealed Stella.

"Stella! I am out here laying out my heart and then you say that?"

"Huh?'

"You know exactly what you're doing!"

Then it hit Stella like a train and she immediately exploded into gibberish before taking a deep breath to muster up a coherent response.

"No, I meant I like you and would gladly help you explore those feelings whatever they may be."

"I thought Valerie said you love me Stella now you only like me." said Mallory looking like a hurt puppy.

"No I do love you but I don't know how you feel about the word."

As Stella squeaked out a response in hopes of clarifying her meaning Mallory couldn't help but burst into a fit of giggles. Only then did Stella realize she had gotten a taste of her own medicine and she decided to bite her tongue and hold it in. Mallory was going to pay for that just not right now.

"Oh we're playing like that huh?"

"I mean you started it Stella~"

"Hmm~"

"Okay one last thing now that we had all the mushy feeling things. I want to repay you all the money I ever earned under our prior engagement because I wanna do this right."

"I mean you don't have to Mallory because you earned it fair and square for a service you provided but I know how you are so how about working on a project with me in the future."

"Sounds good! I am happy you understand. SO what's the project Stella?"

"We can do work another time, my Mallory. Right now I just wanna relax with you after all I would love to know more about my ... girlfriend?"

"Okay Stella, my girlfriend. Ugh! I hate that it feels so weird."

"Well get accustomed to it because I am not going anywhere!"

"Weirdly enough I wouldn't have it any other way."

The pair broke into a fit of giggles before engaging in idle conversation. The pair was more than happy to take a moment to revel in each other's company now that the tension was cut and replaced by a soothing calmness.