CHAPTER 28

April ate the last bite then looked into the container, she had eaten all three before she had even realised it. She closed the lid and licked her lips before she replied, "Have I not made you many meals? Don't be so stingy with your portions for breakfast. How was I supposed to know they weren't all for me?"

Although she was a bit feisty with her response her pale cheeks turned pink in response to him. Yes, she was sweet but her heart also had teeth when teased too much.

Dean who had wanted to tease her saw another fascinating part of her personality he enjoyed her banter. This also meant she was more comfortable with him around. His patience is paying off, he couldn't hide his smile.

There was that smile and dimple again, April looked away if every little word of his gave her butterfly's and along with the way he looked at her she didn't know if she would make it out alive.

Not long after that, they arrived at Walker interiors and Dean parked the car just outside the entrance. He turned to her, "Have a great day beautiful and remember dinner tomorrow at seven, I will pick you up."

April had just taken off her belt when she heard his words, she stilled. Could she not escape this devil?

"Thanks for last night, if I said anything... Ignore it. Also for this morning thank you, take care on the road... oh and don't play with your phone." She rambled a bit as she got out of his car escaping from his deadly smile.

"Sure beautiful." Dean's smile got bigger, he enjoyed her sweet care.

April heard him and could only shake her head, "Bye Dean." April closed the car door and walked into Walker interiors.

Dean watched April walk into her office, did she even know how many men's heads turned when she walked into Walker interiors?, he wanted to hide her away from all others eyes. Soon I can call her mine he thought. With that, he drove to work wishing for more of mornings like these full of sweet feistiness.

April walked straight to the elevator and pressed the button for Michaels office. Getting out of the lift she didn't see a secretary so she headed straight to Micheals office to get her things and ask what happened last night.

Knock Knock... Click

April opened the door and entered, she saw her boss Casey standing beside Micheal he then smiled at her. Did she interrupt something?

"Sorry boss." She apologized quickly.

"Call me Casey and don't be sorry." Casey replied then looked at Michael, "See you tonight."

Casey then walked out he had a blinding smile on his face and he closed the door behind him. April glanced at Micheal he smiled cheerily, he wore a baby blue suit with a white shirt and his hair that was usually styled was a bit messy.

Micheal turned to his desk and sat down he took out a comb and fixed his hair knowing his lover had messed up his hair again. He looked at the inquisitive cutie that stood in front of him and he grinned, he wanted to know how last night had gone.

"Come sit... Tell me about last night, oh and this morning too." Micheal's eyes scanned her body.

April sat on the seat opposite his desk, "How did I end up with Dean? Did I do or say anything I shouldn't have?"

Micheal nodded, "I see... I knew he would be a gentleman."

"Huh!?" April was confused.

"You were singing and Dean called, he brought you home as you live beside each other. You didn't say or do anything so don't worry, you're quite honest and affectionate when drunk." Micheal reassured and teased her.

"Honest?... Affectionate?... I don't wanna know anymore, what I said or did." April blushed, she had sung too. She decided to not drink again, it apparently made her act foolishly.

Micheal reached down and set her handbag on his desk, sliding it towards her.

"Thanks for looking after me and my bag." April took her bag and checked her phone, the battery had died.

"No problem, look whatever last night was about forget it." Michael started to offer her advice but she cut him off.

"Don't worry I am all good now." April smiled and reassured him.

"Good, it seems it was a good idea to leave you with Dean." Micheal nodded.

"It wasn't... It has nothing to do with him."

"Sure, whatever you say. But I have seen the changes in you, in you both." Micheal starter to explain but April stood up.

"I have to go start work. Thanks again, Micheal." April didn't want to hear about Dean, she had just stopped thinking of him.

"No problem." He would let her run, but he knew she couldn't escape her own heart.

April smiled and walked to the door then remembered Deans last words, "Don't forget tomorrow at seven okay, don't be late."

Micheal nodded and April took that as he had agreed so she waved goodbye and walked out of his office before getting into the lift and heading for her floor.

She got on the lift and waited to arrive at her floor, a second or two later the doors opened and she saw all but Emily at their desks, she smiled, "Good morning everyone."

April greeted her co-workers before she went to sit down. She turned on her laptop and then took out her phone. She wanted to check a few things but it was dead. She looked around before approaching Aarna, "Hey do you have a phone charger?"

"Sorry I don't," Aarna replied.

"I do." Sean stood and handed her his phone charger.

"Thanks." April thanked him.

"Getting all the boys eh!" Sophie responded.

April furrowed her eyebrows she was confused with Sophie's hostility and statement, "Sorry?"

"Oh, nothing," Sophie replied before she looked back at her computer screen.

April smiled at Aarna and Sean before returning to her desk and charging her phone.

_____

The day went very quickly for April, an endless flow of paperwork and computer work. She didn't join the rest of the team for lunch as she wanted to avoid whatever hostility Sophie had towards her. She didn't know what had caused the reaction but she was sure she hadn't done anything wrong.

'Get all the boys' Sophie must be mistaken she firmly had a leave me alone sign attached to her forehead so men wouldn't approach her. Her past lead to her mistrust and she had never been proven wrong so far.

She had seen and felt glimpses of how contrary to her beliefs Dean and Micheal were slowly proving her wrong but she kept her guard up again protecting her heart from what could inevitably crush her heart and break her soul once again. Sweet words were exactly that words for the nieve and young.

Though as she watched Sophie pack up her belongings April was about to confront her and hopefully resolve everything when she saw that Sophie stood with her bag and was leaving the office with Emily. Sophie gave her a dirty look and said goodbye to everyone except April.

April had lived two lives now and didn't want to play games so she decided to speak with Sophie first thing tomorrow. April switched off her laptop and grabbed her bag putting it over her shoulder as the office emptied she said goodbye to the rest.

As she stood up she saw Aarna standing by her desk, she smiled, "Hey Aarna do you want a lift home?"

"No thanks, let's walk down together I have my car with me too," Aarna replied cheerfully.

April had guessed Aarna had something on her mind so she nodded and followed her out and into the lift. When the lift door closed Aarna gripped April's arm looking very anxious.

"Are you okay, Sophie she was mean today. She even, I wanted to tell you but didn't know how." Aarna spoke very fast and April found it hard to keep up.

"Aarna it's okay, what was Sophie saying about me?" Thinking of office gossip made April roll her eye's she just wanted to go to work and live simply but people always had a way to surprise you.

"Okay...Well at lunch she said she was out with friends for a drink in The Nephilim and saw you there. You even drank with two handsome men and one carried you out." Aarna filled April in and they exited the lift together. Aarna was genuinely concerned for April, such rumours could be detrimental for her career and future.

April held Aarna hand and soothed her, "They are two male friends, isn't that allowed? Besides it won't happen again, I was sad and drank too much. But you won't see that again."

Aarna sighed, "Okay as long as your sure, but Sophie took pictures she said."

"Not to worry Aarna, I will speak with Sophie tomorrow." April was calm and walked Aarna towards her car.

Aarna took out her keys and opened the door on the driver's side, she looked at April for a moment before speaking, "You know you can always talk to me. I see the pain behind your smile sometimes. Others may not notice but I have. If you are sad or are hurting remember that even broken glass looks much prettier than before once it's pieced back together."

April was taken aback Aarna had seen through her smile and offered her comfort, her lips curved up slightly, "I am trying and thank you for your concern and advice. I will keep it in mind and I will talk to Sophie tomorrow."

"Okay see you tomorrow then." Aarna got in her car.

April stepped back, "Take care getting home."

April then waved Aarna goodbye and walked to her car and opened her door getting in she sighed. So much drama and it was only her first week of work. She started the car not to go home but to go to her fathers home. She had to get a sample of her father's tablets.

She didn't remember him being sick in her past life but then she had died so early. She also had to keep an eye on Racheal and Lucy. Left too long these two would surely cause trouble.

In this new life, she had just increased the people she had to be wary of, if experience had taught her anything it was to be careful of people. She took her time driving to her fathers she did not need to rush. Whatever would happen she was prepared.

She passed by the streets she had once struggled walking, in all seasons she had carried groceries in wind, rain and snow while Lucy drove a brand new car, she sneered in her heart how could she not see they only used her it wasn't familial love.

She arrived at the gates and before she drove in she noticed James's silver car. She watched as he helped Lucy exit his car and they beamed at each other. April laughed dryly surely the two belonged together. Both devious and as sly as a snake. That type of skinny love was not for April.

On the surface, they were a young loving couple kissing on the doorstep as they said their goodbyes but April knew different. They were both using each other to get ahead in life.

Once seeing that Lucy had walked into her father's house she noticed James wipe himself hand and mouth with a handkerchief before he got in his car.

April drove in and straight past James, the gates automatically locking behind them both. April parked and checked the rearview mirror. The snake was getting out of his car to greet her, fixing his suit. April rolled her eyes in disgust. This man was totally brazen. April lifted her bag and placed it over her shoulder.

She got out of the car and her long flowing wavy ebony hair danced in the wind.

"April... April..." James shouted to get her attention through the iron gates.

SKINNY LOVE- meaning a love that is malnourished and thin with nothing giving it weight or substance.