Brunch and apologies

I opened the door to the kitchen and went straight to my office. I was in a quiet mood today. It was good that I didn't run into my dad in the morning because I wouldn't have been the best company. I didn't want any Lockwood drama today, honestly if I do get any I'd burst. I unloaded my monster purse---as my dad calls it---I mean it has plenty of room for stuff I don't have yet. Now, that's thinking ahead. I sighed as I sat down and took in the various aromas of the food in the kitchen. Mh, I smell pancakes. My stomach growled.

"What are you doing?"

I turned to see a confused Lily. "Hello to you too." I said. She adjusted her glasses. "I was up all night waiting to see if my MC will die or not."

"Lily, you are conundrum." I smiled. "And you can grab breakfast instead of sitting here drooling a pool." Her green eyes glittered as she grinned. "You're absolutely right! But, later on my break."

"Can I join you?"

"Wouldn't be a party without you." I smiled. "Ooh," she shrugged in excitement before exiting.

***

I sat and placed a plate of pancakes and eggs from breakfast. I also cut up some avocados. "Want Maple syrup?" Lily sat down. "Sure." I replied. She stood. "Make sure they have the real stuff."

"Here you go." She handed me a bottle. "I'd be disappointed if they didn't." I said. "Mh-hm." She said. "So, did Oscar contact you?" I asked. "No, why?" She asked. "Well, he tried to take advantage of me that night." I said. "That jerk! Honey, I'm so sorry, I didn't know. Are you okay?" She said holding my hand. "I'm fine. Mr. Lockwood was there fortunately." I said. "Huh," she gasped. "He was like your knight in shining armour."

"Um, no. He was just at the right place at the right time." I said. "Don't worry about Oscar. I'll tell him off right in front of his mother." She said with a vengeful look. "Come on, Lily. The man still lives with his mother. I think he's suffered enough." I said. "You can't let things like that slide, Lee." She said. "Nothing happened." I said. "It could've." She said. She had a point. But I'm just not that type of person. I don't believe we're created to take matters into our own hands like that.

"So, where'd he take you? His house?" She asked. "No. To my house." I said stern. "Aw," she frowned. I scoffed. "Did he call to check up on you?" She asked. "No," I said. "Hm, I thought you guys were closer than that." She said. "What?" I asked. "You spend a lot of time together." She said. "No, we don't." I defended. "Marion told me you were both locked in the freezer." She said. "So?" I asked. "Just saying, it was dark and cold, you know? Maybe you formed a bond."

"I was unconscious." I said stern. "Sure. He probably stared at you and wondered why you weren't together." She said. "My goodness, Lily, sometimes I wonder why you don't have your own book yet." I rolled my eyes. "Coming soon, dear friend." She grinned. "I woke up at his house the next day and Brian drove me home." I said. "Who's Brian?" She asked. "The chauffeur." I replied. "Huh," she gasped as her eyes grew the size of cue balls.

"You know I'm right." She said. "Whatever, I gotta get back to work." I said. "I better be the maid of honor." She said leaving. "Will you get outta here?" I pushed her slightly out the door.

***

The keys jingled as I locked the kitchen door. Lily had to leave early to go to Oscar's. She was not kidding about that. I walked by Raphael's office and saw light from the threshold gap. Before I knew it my hand was on the knob and the door was open. "I'll leave when I'm done, Madison. Don't wait up." His face was bathed in bluelight, and he had glasses on? "I wasn't planning on it." I smiled. He looked up. His lips parted but he didn't say anything. "Lee, what are you doing here?" He stood taking off his glasses. "Since when do you where glasses?" I asked. "They help filter bluelight." He replied.

"Well, I just wanted to say thank you for the other night." I said. "Which one?" He asked. "Right." I chuckled. "Lily's right." I mumbled. "What?" He asked. "Nothing. The one I was drunk and---" I said. "Of course. Happy to help." He said. "It was fairly irresponsible of me. I don't even like beer." I chuckled. "I didn't think I'd see you again after you didn't bring any of my meals today." He said his eyes glistening. "Sorry about that. I wasn't feeling 100%, and you've been acting strange so I wasn't sure I had energy for that." I said.

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. I want us to be friends. If that's still possible." He said. "It is." I smiled. "Good. I'd rather have you close than far away." He said. My cheeks flushed for an unknown reason to me. "Um,"

"Sorry, I don't know why I said that. I meant as a friend other than an enemy. Not that you were. . .I just. I'll stop talking." He said. I bit my lip. "Don't worry, I understand what you mean."

"Do you want to go grab a late night bite? I only have a few minutes of work left." He said. "Um," my phone buzzed, and I reached for it. Raphael looked down as I checked my phone. "It's Alec, he's outside. Um," I said. "Yeah, of course, yeah." He said. "Rain check?" I asked. "Totally." He sat. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Lockwood." I said. "You're really stuck on that?" He said. "Well, since it's after hours, I'll let it slide." I smiled. "Goodnight, Lee." He said. "Night, Raph." I left.