The Best Friend's Contract

"Are you threatening me?" I furrow my brows as the amount of stress are starting to radiate, leaving me sitting down on my seat-trying my best to just ignore her voice but it appears, she's good enough to annoy the hell out of me.

"I'm doing everything you're telling me to do! You asked me to get married and I'm getting married but now, you're making it a big deal just because I didn't show up to discuss about the caterers?" I continue to speak, "Give me a break, mother. For god's sake... I just need you to let me live a little. You're not even giving me a second to breathe," I groan, slightly annoyed.

She sighs, "You're getting married next month."

"I know and you don't need to remind me I'm sorry but I'm really busy and I need to go," I reply before slowly hanging up the call, leaning my head back onto my seat. My eyes are getting tired from the lack of sleep and also from the amount of stress. This is why I didn't want to get married at such a young age when I'm still busy trying to alter my future.

Hours have passed and I didn't come to realise how time flies. My eyes wander out to the glass window to find the sky has darkened, leaving me glancing down at my wrist watch to look at the time... almost ten. Just as I turn to look at my laptop, I see how my work is only halfway done, which will take a few more hours to be settled.

I look up to find Flynn entering my office, "Why are you still here? I thought I asked you to go home?" I ask, not expecting to see him still working. My back feels strain from the hours spent bending down to look for files and type down the details in my laptop which leaves me leaning back, sighing deeply, again.

"I couldn't let you do your work alone," He replies. "Here's your coffee. Please take care of your health, Mr. Ashton. I can finish it up for you in the morning," He adds which causes me to shake my head-not letting him finish my work. There's nothing wrong with him trying to help since he's my assistant but he has done my work to an extent, he would forget about his own health.

"I'm heading home and you should, too." I say and he nods, making his way towards the door before stopping.

"Have a good night, Mr. Ashton." He says.

"Goodnight," I reply, watching him leave the office until he is out of my sight-causing me to lean back on my seat, again. My eyes are wandering around the office at the mess from all the files on the ground and a few papers are scattered from trying to find the exact paperwork.

Just as I'm about to leave after picking up my car keys, I am suddenly hit by a sudden headache which causes me to close my eyes. A normal headache would always bother me from the lack of sleep and it has by far, concerned mother. I glance one more time at my wrist watch, not really having the strength to drive all the way home before suddenly, thinking of an idea.

I scroll down my phone to call Kenna.

"Kenna, are you home?" I ask, as soon as she has picked up her phone.

"Yeah... I just arrived," She replies, hearing her closing the door to her apartment as she walks further inside, "What's wrong? Do you want to stay the night?" She asks.

Staying the night at Kenna's apartment has been nothing but something casual. At times, when I'm too tired to drive back to my own apartment, I would just stay the night at Kenna's apartment-my shirts are also there, also my other necessities such as my toothbrush. The distance to her apartment from my office is lesser than to my own apartment which is one of the reasons why I'd stay the night, especially when I'd be too tired to drive back. She has never complained or anything as we've always been close; it's like a second home whenever I stay the night at hers.

"That would be great. I'll be there in ten," I answer.

She breathes out, "Drive safe."

Without further ado, I'm already making my way out of my office and straight towards the elevator before arriving at the lobby. My legs stride down the lobby and to my car, unlocking it. Once I've stepped inside, I immediately start the engine to drive down the road, heading to Kenna's apartment according to the directions in my head.

The traffic at night is less heavier than it was during the day which eases me slightly, especially with the sound of music coming from Kenna's favourite 'heartbroken' playlist she saved on my Spotify. By far, it would be my night jam whenever I'm on my way home from work or just when I'm in the mood for long car rides at night.

With my left hand up to run my fingers through my hair as my right hand gripping hard onto the steering wheel, I begin to feel myself being lost in the music. The lyrics seem to bring waves of uncertain emotions overflowing in me, even without having to experience it, truthfully.

I park my car before stepping out and heading straight towards the front door, lifting my hand to knock but before I can-Kenna has already opened the door for me. My lips curve up into a smirk, "You've got to stop doing that." I mutter, chuckling softly. "What? I was downstairs when I heard your car," She replies as she closes the door behind me. Then, I am already taking off my coat after throwing my shoes off at the ground before quickly making my way towards the sofa and drop down, letting my body release the stress from haunting me.

Kenna chuckles, "You look exhausted."

"Thanks," I mutter as I peek through, seeing her standing near me before sitting down and turning on the television-pressing onto the remote to search for her favourite television series. It's the one and only, Once Upon A Time... her all-time favourite.

"Your stuff are where they're supposed to be," She says before glancing at me, "Go on and take a shower because you stink," She laughs, making me throw the cushion pillow towards her face which causes her to yelp as she pushes it away from hitting her, directly.

Just like that, I'm already making my

way towards the bathroom after taking a pair of shirt and pants from the wardrobe. The warm water sprinkles down my skin, causing my body to relax as the heat open up my pores-letting me close my eyes at the sensation. It would always feel great to come home and just have a warm shower or bath, by far the most relaxing.

When I'm done changing into my new pair of clothes, I brush my teeth after cleansing my face and dapping my face dry with a towel. Without further ado, I'm already making my way out of the bathroom to find Kenna leaning back on the sofa with her blanket wrapped around her as she smiles, watching the show without paying attention to her surroundings which is typical of her. Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

"Can I join?" I ask, sitting beside her as she moves to give me some space. As I lean my head on the sofa, she is already leaning closer towards me before placing her head on my shoulder.

"So... is Emma going to die?" My question seem to have caught her off guard as she smacks me on the shoulder, leaving me groaning in pain before chuckling. She has always shipped Emma and Hook together, no doubt she would be upset if anything happens to them.

She looks up at me, "If you're going to stay here and watch, you're going to keep quiet or I'm going to castrate you." She says, threatening me which causes me to laugh before nodding my head and lean back, eyes drooping at the screen.

Slowly, I begin to find myself falling asleep even if I try hard to fight it. My eyes are starting to close as I feel my head leaning back on the sofa without further support, letting me blink a few times, trying to stay awake before looking down at Kenna, seeing her still focusing onto the television screen.

Everything seems to disappear

around me as hear the voices

asth

coming from the television yet I pay

no further attention, only finding

myself giving in to my

tiredness-forgetting about my best friend who seems to be snuggling close towards me, in search of warmth but she could just turn off the air-conditioner. Then again, she has always loved the cold.