Honestly, I type up multiple chapters a week during my weekends. I enjoy my stories, and I want to finish them before I lose motivation or forget what happened. It's the reason I update often. Because I'm busy during the weekdays, I rarely have time to type, but I do have the chapters I typed during the weekends to upload. Adulting sucks. With a full time job and a life, I don't have as much time to focus on my stories like I did during the Stay-At-Home order March-April.
Anyway, thank you for those who have expressed their concerns, but I enjoy typing my stories enough to have multiple chapters/week ready. Also, thank you to those who continue to diligently read and follow my stories! I do this for y'all! :D
Chapter 27
"You're cutting the funding?" Solidad shouts over the phone.
Drew is surprised that his former friend even called him at all. When he learned that she requested to be relocated while he was in a coma, he was hurt. She's his closest and oldest friend, yet she left him in his time of need. He would contact her only to be ignored or cut off shortly. Drew wasn't sure if he did something to her during the years he lost his memory, but no one will tell him. Therefore, he assumed they weren't friends anymore.
When she called him just now, he missed her so much that he quickly answered. Although he was curious about her reason for calling him, he was more excited that he didn't think much of it. Now that she's yelling at him, he isn't so sure he should've picked up. It seems like she really does hate him, and he's upset he doesn't know why.
"What funding?" He's been cutting a lot of funding lately.
"The orphanage!" she shouts.
Why would Solidad care about the orphanage? She has no ties there. Why does Hayden Corporation care so much about it that they've spent so much money funding it? Plus, she never texted him back when he asked about the orphanage a few days ago. "Why? It's not making us money." Drew knowingly tells her.
Solidad bites her tongue before she can tell him everything. Everything about his lost memories. About May. About the orphanage. She's already vowed not to tell him anything, so she can't. Even if the funding for the orphanage will be cut anyway, Solidad already promised May she wouldn't tell Drew anything. The younger woman really believes this is how everything should be, though Solidad knows it shouldn't be this way.
"Just go check it out before you cut the funding." She tells him in frustration. Yes, she's supposed to be making sure Drew doesn't regain those memories, like the Hayden parents have ordered everyone, but Solidad can't allow the funding to be cut. It's everything Drew worked so hard for. He sacrificed his and May's happiness for this, and now he's about to destroy it himself? Even if Drew doesn't remember how important the orphanage is to him, Soledad does.
"I don't have time, Solidad." he replies because he doesn't. He's too busy focusing on the business to go visit some orphanage in the remote part of town. Drew Hayden doesn't do useless things.
"If you care about me, you will go to the orphanage before cutting the funding!" Solidad cries out angrily at him.
How dare she use that tone on him! "If you care about me, you will stop avoiding me!" Brianna is very annoying, and Drew has no one he can confide in. He really misses his friend, though she wants nothing to do with him.
Solidad lets out a pained breath. She can't be by his side anymore, especially with Brianna around. Solidad is sure she's going to get in trouble for this phone call when Brianna ever finds out about it. However, Solidad just can't idly sit by and watch Drew cut ties with the orphanage. She still remains hopeful that he'll regain his memories someday, and he'd be devastated if he did after cutting the funding for the orphanage. It's the reason all of this happened in the first place: because Drew prioritized the orphans.
Chuckling softly, Solidad shakes her head. "Do what you want, Drew. It's all you ever do anyway." Like when he chose to marry Brianna instead of giving their plan a shot. Like when he chose to drive drunk and lose his memories. Like when he chose to be unhappy.
Before Drew can retort, the call is ended. Glaring at the device, Drew throws it at the desk. Why does Solidad treat him like this? Why do people hesitate when talking about the years he's lost? This all sucks! He's going to be the wealthiest person in the world, but he's so unhappy. No wonder why his parents are never around.
Petalburg City
"Where's the bathroom?" the bluenette asks the manager.
Pointing out the doors, the manager Cheryl replies, "We use the store across the hall since ours is still under construction."
"Are they okay with it?" Dawn inquires.
Nodding, Cheryl says, "Yeah. They're very nice people. Just tell them you're from Berlitz Beauties."
Dawn is visiting the Petalburg branch to see how construction is going. The store is due to permanently open in a few weeks, and it will be one of the larger ones for Dawn's new line of makeup products.
"They're mostly women, so Paul might scare them." Cheryl informs the bluenette.
Looking over at her bodyguard, Dawn winks at him. "Can you help Cheryl move that desk, Paul? I'll be right back."
He shakes his head at her. "My job is to protect you."
"I'm just going to the bathroom."
"Anything can happen."
With frustration laced in her voice, Dawn replies, "Anything can happen in the bathroom too, but you never follow me in there, right?"
The bodyguard looks away with a deep scowl and blush on his face. They had gone into a few bathrooms together before, but it was because of her...not him...well, he didn't object. However, that's beside the point! This is a different city with lots of people. He can't let her leave his sight. Nevertheless, when Paul lifts his head up again to challenge her, he sees she is gone. "Troublesome." He mutters in annoyance while proceeding to follow her orders of helping Cheryl move the desk. If Dawn isn't back in 5 minutes, Paul will go after her.
Smirking to herself, Dawn enters the store across the hall. Paul is just so much fun to tease. With a slight blush on her cheeks, she recalls the times he'd join her in a few bathrooms. Their relationship is such a thrill, though Dawn hopes for them to stop sneaking around soon. She really wants to be with him officially.
Walking into the store, she's greeted by a teenage girl with the name tag Fiona. "Hello! Is there anything I can help you with today?"
Dawn points to the store across the hall that's under construction. "Actually, I'm with Berlitz Beauties. I was wondering if I could use your bathroom?"
Fiona grins in excitement because her suspicions are almost confirmed. "Are you Dawn Berlitz?" The excited teen asks.
While Dawn appreciates her fans, it does get annoying. Plus, she really needs to use the bathroom. Giving the girl her own pleasant smile, Dawn replies, "Yes, I am. Uh. I really need to use the bathroom, and then we can chat a bit."
Nodding, Fiona leads Dawn to the back and shows her the bathroom. Along the way, the girl is talking non-stop, though she does stop for Dawn to use the bathroom. Once Dawn is out, she thanks Fiona and engages in conversation with her. Walking out from the back, Fiona excitedly greets Dawn to her other co-worker, another teenage girl who knows about Dawn.
"And this is our manager!" Fiona exclaims in excitement at the woman returning from her lunch.
When sapphire meets midnight, both women's jaws drop. Dawn blinks a few times in disbelief. So this is where May disappeared to? And she's a manager at some retail store in a mall? This is very different from the May Maple she remembers. "May?" Dawn is the first to speak over the excited Fiona.
Taking in a deep breath, May comes out of her daze. She gives the other woman a tight smile. "Hello. Is there anything we can help you with today, miss?"
Fiona and the other girl are curiously watching the interaction. Had Dawn Hikari just say their manager's name. Well, Fiona had mentioned May's name while Dawn and May were in a daze, though the women didn't hear. Why are these two women so shocked to see each other? Of course May would be shocked to see a famous person, but why did Dawn freeze?
Dawn fights the urge to frown at May for wanting to forget about her. However, the bluenette knows she's a person from May's past, and May wants to move on from everything. With an ache in her heart, Dawn smiles sweetly at May. "No. I was just using the bathroom. Thank you."
When Dawn walks past May to leave, the brunette finds herself grabbing Dawn's arm. Maybe it's because May has been feeling lonely with Brenden constantly gone? Maybe it's because Dawn reminds her of a time when she was at her happiest? Maybe it's because she still views Dawn as a good friend she's missed.
Nevertheless, before the brunette can get a word out to the confused Dawn, a strong hand grabs May's wrist in a way that makes her yelp and release Dawn. "This is why I don't leave you alone." Comes the gruff angry voice.
Glaring at Paul, Dawn grabs his arm off of May's. "Stop it, Paul."
Paul doesn't like talking, especially in front of strangers. And he hates arguing even more. Deciding to scowl and scare off the woman who touched Dawn, Paul looks at the brunette, but his scowl falls to surprise. Fortunately for May, Paul doesn't speak, so the man just grabs Dawn's wrist to lead her out of the store.
Angry at him, Dawn pulls herself away to no avail. "Let me go, Paul!" She exclaims once they're out in the hall outside of the store.
"Stop being troublesome!"
"I order you to let me go!" Dawn hates telling Paul what to do because they're supposed to be a team, a couple. Usually, she'll ask him or playfully order him around. However, anytime Dawn actually says I order you to, she's using her title on him, and they both hate it. Nevertheless, she needs his strong grasp to be released, which it is. She'll deal with Paul's hurt feelings later, but for now, she has something important to do.
Running back into the store, Dawn spots the brunette trying to talk her way out of the awkward encounter just now. Before May can react, Dawn envelopes her in a tight hug. With tears slipping out of her eyes, Dawn says, "I'm glad you're okay, May." Yes, May had just pretended to not know her, but when Dawn saw that lonely look in May's eyes when May grabbed her, Dawn couldn't stay away. They were once friends, even if they didn't spend too much time together. Dawn cares about May, and Dawn knows May cares about her too.
Letting out a breath, May hugs the woman tightly too as a few tears fall from her own eyes. "I'm sorry." May is sorry for failing at their mission. For ignoring Dawn. For ending their friendship due to May's own selfish desires.
Dawn pulls apart because she notices the eyes on them as well as Paul's annoyed glare. Looking into May's tearful sapphire eyes, Dawn smiles. "Don't be sorry. I'm sorry."
Shaking her head, May giggles at how silly these grown women are being. "You did nothing wrong."
"Well, regardless of who was wrong, May, I miss you." Dawn wipes at her tears. "I miss your friendship, and I'd love to be friends with you again if you'll allow me to."
Now, it's May's turn to hug Dawn. "I've missed you too, Dawn. Let's be friends again." May trusts Dawn won't try and bring her to him. It seems like Dawn doesn't interact with him anymore since they're not on the news together. Plus, Dawn is one of the few people May trusted in that world, so Dawn wouldn't jeopardize their friendship.
Looking over at Paul, May gives him a tearful smile. "Hi, Paul."
He nods in acknowledgment at her before glaring at his heiress. "Let's go."
Giggling, Dawn hands May her business card. "I leave next week. Let's catch up before then."
May nods. "I look forward to it. And you can finally meet my boyfriend, Brenden." Dawn can't help but smile wider knowing May has moved on. Good. May deserves someone who puts her first. Just like how everyone else has moved on from 3 years ago, May should too.
With promises of speaking again soon, Dawn and Paul leave the store. Fiona and the other worker continue to bombard May with questions on how she knows Dawn, though the brunette just tells them she knew Dawn from a long time ago. It's not really a lie, but the girls don't know how long ago May knew Dawn. May also only tells them she met Dawn through a mutual friend, which was Solidad...who she met through him.
Sighing, May pockets the businesscard to walk around the counter and to the register. "Get to work, ladies! We're gonna get a lot of customers once Berlitz Beauties reopens!"
Hours Later
"Paul, I'm sorry." the bluenette apologizes for the twentieth time that day. She hates using her title on him, but in the heat of the moment, she needed to.
With his arms still crossed over his chest, Paul avoids looking at her. They're currently in her Petalburg City hotel suite as Dawn is in her robe after a nice bath. Obviously, he doesn't respond, like always, especially when he's upset. However, he does understand why Dawn ordered him earlier, even if he doesn't like it. Gosh. Paul hates it so much. If they're supposed to be a couple, then they're supposed to be equals. But everytime she goes about ordering him to do things, it just reminds him of how different they are.
Walking over to him, Dawn gazes up apologetically into his eyes, like she has already done today. "I hate it when you don't respond to me, Paul. I don't care if you don't speak, but at least glare at me." He looks away over her head to ignore her, which makes Dawn pout. "What can I do to fix everything?"
Sighing, he replies, "Stop ordering me around." They've had this conversation before, although it happens rarely.
"I hate doing it too, Paul!" Dawn pleads with him. "But I was upset and wanted to talk to May, and you wouldn't let me go!"
"Because she was ignoring you for years! I thought she resented you and was going to hurt you!" Paul exclaims back at her, making Dawn flinch. Paul only argues with her in private, though they rarely argue. Seeing the slight fear in her eyes, Paul runs a hand through his hair to calm down. "Whenever you order me around, I just feel so far away from you." He admits. Those damn eyes of hers always gets him to behave out of character.
Nodding slightly, Dawn replies, "I won't do it again. I promise." She gazes back into his apologetic grey eyes and wraps her arms around his neck. "And you're always the closest person to me."
When she winks, Paul blushes profusely, but he follows her lead to the bed. She's very troublesome indeed, though she's his troublesome. Despite her promise, Paul has heard it a few times before when she would order him around. As she unbuttons his shirt, he pulls his lips away from hers to say, "I will work on listening to you so that you don't have to order me around."
Dawn just recaptures his soft lips in hers. Gosh, he's so sweet. Paul rarely talks, however he's only honest with her. "I'll work on telling you my feelings so that I don't order you anymore."
Letting out a relieved breath, Paul moves his face to her neck. "Thanks, troublesome."
While Dawn normally argues with him about her name, she opts to moan, "I love you, Paul."
"Mhm." He's never said those three words back for fear of what could happen to them. He fears that they'll be pried apart some day, and if he admits his feelings, he will be completely heartbroken once she's gone. He saw what it did to Drew and May years ago, so Paul won't let it happen to him. It's the reason he's also trying so hard to support Dawn's moves to bring them together.