My Very Bad Day And All That Happened After

NALANI’S POV

I didn't bother attending my lectures.

I was a mess.

I hung around the campus until it was okay to return home.

The front door swung open, and a warm glow spilled out, enveloping me.

Nana’s chicken stew aroma filled the room.

It should have been a perfect welcome, but my appetite was long gone.

Her face lit up with a smile as she looked up from her book.

Then my vision blurred with tears, and my throat locked.

My bag slipped from my hand, and my feet moved on their own, carrying me across the room until I sank into the couch beside her, burying my face in her shoulder.

One sob after another, my whole body shook with the force of emotions I could no longer hold back.

Nana’s arms wrapped around me gently as she pulled me closer.

“Nana,” I cried.

“Sweetie,” she answered quietly. “You're home now. Cry all you need to.”

Tears streamed down my face, relentlessly, soaking her blouse.

Everything hurt.

My phone kept buzzing with calls and text messages.

I ignored them, knowing it was Baker. I didn't care to hear from him ever again.

I guess I understood now how Dixie felt at the Christmas party.

After a while, I pulled away, sniffling.

Nana passed me some tissues.

My fingers closed around them, and I blew my nose, making an awkward sound in the sudden silence.

“I'll be okay,” I said, my voice a bit steadier now, as I wiped my eyes dry with the back of my hands.

“Of course you will,” Nana agreed. “Now tell me what made my favorite grand baby cry.”

“I'm your only grand baby, Nana,” I pointed out.

The smile lines around her eyes crinkled, but her gaze stayed on my face.

“That's because I could never share my love for you with anyone else.”

I knew I had to tell her something, otherwise she would worry herself sick.

But which truth would be easier for her to bear?

Definitely not about me getting fired.

“I broke up with Baker, Nana,” I answered finally.

Her eyes traced the contours of my face as if she was searching for something.

I nodded.

Then her shoulders dropped, and a gentle exhale parted her lips.

“Good riddance,” she said. “I know you made the right decision.”

“You're not going to ask me what happened?” I asked.

“Are you ready to talk about it?” she asked.

I nodded.

“I think I got all my anger out already. So, yes.”

“Do you need some ice-cream while we talk?”

I shook my head.

“I'm not going to wallow because of him,” I answered. “Besides, it’s a short story. I caught him cheating.”

Her head jerked backward.

“He's a fool,” she said. “You know that, right?”

“Mm-hm,” I answered. “You tried to warn me. Should've listened.”

Her head moved side to side, as her eyes locked onto mine,

“You gave him a chance,” she disagreed. “He was the one who chose to prove me right.”

She hugged me again.

“He always had a wandering eye. Old school like me can smell it from miles away.”

“Better now than later, sweetie. As long as you’re the one who did the dumping.”

“He was with Phoebe,” I added.

She gasped, her hand flying to her chest, her eyes wide with a mix of shock followed closely by anger.

“That daughter of a…” she stopped herself. “Even I didn't see that coming.”

Her warm fingers closed around my hand, gently squeezing, while she wiped a tear that slipped out my eye.

“My heart breaks for you, sweetie. But you don't need fake friends.”

I stopped another tear from dropping.

“I don't know whose betrayal hurts more, Nana.”

“Mm-hmm.”

I exhaled through my mouth and got up.

“But I'm done crying. I'm going to take a shower and sleep.”

“What about dinner?” she asked, frowning.

“I'm too tired to eat,” I lied.

Who eats after watching their boyfriend step out of the shower with their best friend, right after being falsely accused of stealing and getting fired?

“Uh-uh, you're not going to bed on an empty stomach because of those whores, Nala,” Nana said. “I know I taught you better than that.”

“I'm over them, Nana,” I responded, raising my hand.

“Prove it,” she challenged.

I shut my eyes for a second.

Then, I smiled as convincingly as I could.

“Let's celebrate it tomorrow. After work.”

“You're sure?” Nana queried, a little worry in her voice. “Wouldn't tomorrow be too early?

Ever since I could remember, Nana and I have had this tradition.

We celebrated every first. Whether it was good or bad.

It was our own way of staying positive, accepting life and moving on, especially during hard times.

Baker was the first guy I said yes to, so this was my first breakup.

“You asked for proof,” I said. “Let's have it tomorrow. The earlier we have it, the sooner I can have a fresh start.”

“Attagirl,” Nana cheered happily.

After showering, I returned to kiss her goodnight and was soon asleep, all worries, postponed until tomorrow.

Only tomorrow took forever to come.

~~~~~

LILY'S POV

Annalise’s eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and desperation.

“You had one job.” she said with disdain in her voice.

I stayed mute.

“You drugged him and then lost him?” she asked. “Do you have any idea how difficult you just made things?”

I was meeting her at a park, the spot she had picked.

The night air was chilly, carrying the sound of traffic into the starless sky.

Morris, her son from another marriage, stood a few feet away, listening to us.

The pale moon cast a silvery glow on her face, letting me see just how much my failure angered her.

I wonder why she was so obsessed with having this baby?

“How is it my fault that he found out?” I responded with a bit of caution.

Annalise literally had my life in her hands. I had to deal carefully with her.

“You told me he would be mostly unconscious after he took it,” I went on. “That wasn't what happened.”

“Stop with the excuses and think of something fast,” she snapped.

“There's no way we can pin this pregnancy on him if he doesn't sleep with you within one week. If my plan dies, your life will be over.”

“He already broke up with me,” I half-lamented. “There's… nothing I can do about that.”

Her head flew back, a mocking laugh escaping her,

“Oh please, get over yourself.” she said.

“You've been sleeping with the man for years. You know exactly what to do.”

She paused before adding,

“I'm having a Style heir and you are not about to ruin that for me. Think about what I can do to you at the snap of my fingers. That's all the motivation you need.”

“Annalise, please…”

“One week,” she said, cutting me off.

Then she spun on her heel, heading back to her sleek black Mercedes parked by the curb.