Chapter 7: Sign the contract.
Exhaustion clung to Bella like a second skin as she slipped into her rented house. The day’s whirlwind schedule had taken its toll, and she practically collapsed onto the sofa, her bag slipping with a soft thud onto the floor.
"Welcome back!" A cheerful voice called from the kitchen. Bridget, Bella’s friend and roommate, approached her, a wide grin splitting her face. "Guess what? Joe is cooking dinner tonight!"
The infectious enthusiasm in Bridget’s voice cracked a smile onto Bella’s weary face. "Wow, that’s amazing!"
Joe walked over with a cup of steaming coffee. "I thought I would treat the ladies tonight. Get home early, you know, to appease the wife." He winked at Bridget, who responded with a playfully seductive smile.
"Suddenly, I’m famished," Bella said with a grin, taking the offered coffee.
"Hold on!" Bridget exclaimed, taking everyone by surprise. "What happened to your hand?" Her smile had vanished, replaced by a deep furrow of worry between her brows.
Joe, mirroring his wife’s concern, leaned closer, his brow furrowing as well. "Yeah, how did you burn yourself?"
Bella sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. "It’s Olivia." She then narrated what had occurred the morning. However, she chose to omit the altercation at the bar, not wanting to burden her friends with unnecessary worry.
Bridget’s expression darkened at the mention of Olivia’s name. "That bitch!" she muttered, her protective instincts kicking in. "She needs a good teaching. Why don’t you complain about her? Your boss is kind to you. I think he will help you deal with her."
Bella’s face fell. It was Zack’s kindness that had gotten her into this mess in the first place. His fiancée mistakenly suspected her of flirting with him and caused trouble for her. The last thing she needed was to take any favor from him.
"There’s no need to involve my boss over something so trivial," Bella asserted. "I can deal with Olivia on my own."
"I have confidence in you." Joe squeezed her shoulder reassuringly, his smile unwavering. "Bella is strong, and we are proud of you."