I will still love you from a far

7:00 am Her eyes opened before the alarm went off. She pushed herself to get up from the bed. Last night Helea wanted to stay with her but she felt guilty about taking her away from Aiden. She insisted on being fine and to call if she needed something. Last night’s attack made her feel that she was being selfish with her emotions about Brian; she was careless of not asking about the ingredients before taking a bite. She got up and made a coffee for herself. She looked at the sky from the balcony. ‘Maybe I should call Ma.’ “ How long has it been since I visited back home?” she breathed a sigh. She decided to ask for a day off to visit back in old creak. ‘Will Ray be there? I wonder how Nurse Joan is doing,’ she thought smiling. ‘I better get to office’. 8:00 am The morning went as it does. Helea expected her to take a day off. Alya had to assure her that she feels fine and there is nothing to worry about. By this time some of her colleagues found out what happened last night. She did not like it to be known so much. Attention makes her a bit nervous. She walked to the RD and greeted everyone. Chef Wen came towards her. “Hello there! are you feeling better today?”. Others looked at her as well. Alya smiled a bit and felt awkward at the situation. “ I am fine it is just a small thing; I feel much better now” she apologized to the room for the worry she caused. Chef Wen patted her head. She continued the day with the regular noting. Smell of roast potatoes wafted into the room. They were making sweet potato puree to use as cream for the new desert line that will be opened. They will be used a topping for the cake. “ Are you thinking of making sweet potato flavor ice cream ?”, she licked the spoon of sweet potato cream. Chef Wen, “ That will not be a bad idea. What do you think will be good roasted? Or natural cold?” Alya, “I like the cream more its sweet.” The office continued like a regular day. Same coffee break same Megan running around with sticky notes stuck on her hair and looking for it. Only change was, Cynthia visiting the office. Alya saw the change in the mood of the office. Even when Brian came to the RD to inspect, Cynthia managed to bump into the shoulders of Alya while running towards him. ‘This is getting a bit hard to handle’ Alya thought while rubbing her right shoulder which felt sore. A chain was beside her it looked like a charm bracelet there were six hooks one of them was a golden flat bear a name was written “Cindy”. Something changed in her. “ This girl is not changing is she?” Megan joined her. They looked at Cynthia holding Brian. Aiden stood at little far listening to them. Alya thought she saw Brian smile at Cynthia. Her heart went a bit soft. She was reminded of the time when Brian was sad. His smile made her feel a bit happy. The smile feels a bit different than it was back then, but he smiles more when she is around. When she first saw him in the office he hardly smiles he stays grumpy and looks tired. It did not matter where it come from, what mattered to her that Brian was happy. Her thoughts stuck there for a moment. If he is like that I can try harder. “It does not matter how is the girl is childish. What matters they love each other.” A single tear threatened to fall from her eye. She blinked it away, but her gaze still fixed into them standing in front of her. ‘Brian was really sad and lost back then now he smiles. So, what if he does not recognize me.’ She thought of the days how she felt only. She did not think of what happened to him when he left. She felt selfish on being sad about herself only till now. ‘Maybe Cynthia just needs a confidence to be close to others we have not given her enough chance.’ Helea was standing beside them and talking about something she looks pissed at Cynthia when she is talking. She looked around time went slow Aiden was looking at her. ‘Does he want to say something? Maybe I am just thinking too much about this she smiled at him and then looked at Megan. “ I will give it a try” She moved forward every step she took made the time slow down around her. She chuckled at herself rubbing her shoulder and stood behind Cynthia. “ Miss Cynthia I believe this belong to you. It was back there in the ground” She had the bracelet on both her hand and placed it in front of her. Cynthia looked back with an irritated look it turned into a surprise she checked hand and quickly took it. She seemed grateful and muttered a small thank you. Alya nodded her eyes meet Brian. He had that look again as if he was searching for something. She smiled and moved back and left

‘ It is okay this might not be the way how I wanted things to be. But I can still love you and support from the sides.’