Ignorance Is Bliss

Finally!

Noel heaved a sigh of relief as she landed on her huge queen sized bed. The dinner with Paris had finally come to an end, and she couldn't be happier to be home. Having an extremely extroverted friend is double work.

She rolled around in bed a bit, rubbing her face between her soft pillow. After a while, she blindly felt around for her phone on the bed and after finding it, she checked to see the time as 9:00pm.

It wasn't too late for a late night snack.

Without further ado, she lazily stood up from the bed as she walked towards the bathroom to have a shower. After about thirty minutes, she exited with a towel around her body.

....

Walking towards the kitchen in her ash sweatpants and baggy shirt, she opened the fridge to see whatever she could get her hands on. Bending at a ninety degrees position, she looked around in the fridge, finally settling for the mini plate of ice cream and some chocolate brownies.

Picking out and holding them on one hand , she also stole an apple which she munched on as she kicked the fridge close. Barefooted, she strolled towards the sitting room where she plumped down on the couch.

Placing the snacks and her phone on the table, she proceeded to turning on the TV and selecting a channel after which she dove straight into her ice cream and chips.

...

Ring Ring

The upbeat tune from the phone on the table rang out through the sitting room, drawing Noel's attention to it. The caller ID showed the number saved as 'Nana' on the phone. With a soft smile, Noel picked up the phone while tuning down the volume of the TV.

"Hi Nana, Gramps!" Noel answered with a happy smile on her face.

"Oh, sweetie, it's so great to hear your voice!" The aged voice of her grandma Rosita rang out of the phone.

"Hey, kiddo! How's life treating you?" Followed by the voice of her grandpa Reginald. To be honest, she really missed hearing their voices. It was like a breathe of fresh air after a tiring day.

Smiling, she replied as she changed position into an Indian style sitting. It felt like she was just sitting across them.

"It's been good, just busy with work and research. How about you guys?" She asked.

"We're doing well, dear. Just missing you." Rosita responded and you could her the smile and longing in her voice.

"It's been too long since we've seen your little face around here." Reginald added with a little chuckle.

"Grandpa!" Noel blushed at her grandpa's comment but continuing, ".... I know, I'm sorry. I've been meaning to come visit soon." She responded with a slight pout.

"That would be wonderful! We can't wait to see you." Rosita said, brimming with smiles and expectation.

"And we'll make sure to cook your favorite meal - spaghetti with meatballs!" Reginald added and she could here a bit of movement from the other end.

"Okay! I'm looking forward to it." She responded with a little laugh and smile.

"So, how's work going? Are you doing okay?" Rosita asked with a slight hint of worry.

"Yeah, it's going well. Just it's been a bit busy lately." She responded with a soft smile a top her face.

"Well, keep up the good work. We're proud of you Ro." Reginald said making her smile more. She loved when her grandparents called her by her nickname, specially reserved for them.

"We love you, sweetie." Rosita added and Noel was on the verge of booking the next available train to go see them.

" Love you guys too. Bye!" She said into the receiver with a smile.

"Bye, kiddo!"

"Take care, dear." Reginald and Rosita said respectively before the call was dropped, leaving a longing look on Noel's face. Seeing it was past bedtime, the turned of the TV, cleared the sitting room and retired to bed after setting her alarm.

.....

Beep Beep!

The sound of the alarm clock was what roused Noel from her sleep. With a grumble and sleepiness, she walked sluggishly towards the bathroom to have her bath and prepare for the day.

It was rush hour and by the time Noel got to her place of work, it was already past eight.

With smiles, she greeted her fellow workers as she strolled towards her office.

As a curator, her work consisted of acquiring, researching, cataloging and exhibiting the museums collection and she wouldn't trade this job for nothing.

Or so she thought.

"Good morning pretty." A voice greeted as soon as she entered her department. She raised her head to see the young man smiling at her from his desk. With the speed of the greeting, one would think he had been waiting specially for her entrance.

"Good morning Andrew." She greeted back with a smile before taking her seat in her designated space.

...

Hardly had Noel settled when their supervisor, came in carrying a stack of files in her hands.

"Oh! August, you're already here. Please meet me in my office once you're settled." She said as she ccontinued her stride towards the inner part of the room to her office.

"Yes ma'm." Noel replied, also standing up immediately to comply.

"Hey Noel! I'm going to get coffee, do you need me to get you a cup?" Andrew asked as he also stood up to head outside.

"Oh! No, don't bother. I already had coffee on my way here. Thanks though." She said with a smile to which Andrew nodded before heading out.

"You know Andrew is interested in you right?" Jamie, a coworker who heard the entire convo commented.

"As long as he doesn't say, I also am not aware." Noel replied before walking towards the inner office.