Chapter 0214


    “Thank you,” I finally manage to say, my voice so low it’s almost a whisper. “I… I think I needed to hear


    that.”


    “We all do, from time to time,” she says, her eyes softening as she reaches out to squeeze my arm.


    “So, whenever you find yourself doubting your worth or questioning your ce in this world, remember


    this: You belong here, just as much as anyone else. And no amount of criticism, sabotage, or petty


    rivalry can take that away from you.”


    I nod. “I’ll try to remember.”


    Vanessa’s eyes then flit between me and Karl. “And, I must say, it’s a wonderful thing to have a


    boyfriend who stands up for you like that,” she says.


    Both Karl and I sputter almost in unison. “Oh, we’re not—”


    “—together. We’re not together,” Karl finishes, his eyes darting nervously over to me. I’m aware of how


    red my cheeks are, and I quickly look away.


    Vanessa’s mouth twitches into a knowing smile, her eyes glinting with a kind of yful mischief. “My


    apologies, then. It’s not my ce to make assumptions.”


    “Still, it’s pretty awesome to have such a good friend,” she continues, looking squarely at Karl.


    “Someone like that is hard toe by. Hold onto him.” She winks at me, her eyes twinkling.


    As Vanessa starts to drift away, I find myself looking up at Karl. He’s staring back, and there’s a


    softness in his eyes that makes my heart melt even though I was on the verge of scolding him for


    causing a scene like that.


    “I’m sorry, Karl,” I find myself saying for reasons unknown to me.


    He tilts his head, his eyes searching mine. “Why are you apologizing? You did an amazing job today,


    Abby. You were professional, articte, and honest. Everyone at the restaurant was watching, and


    they’re just dying to see you.”


    His words help to soothe away my unease. But still, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve inconvenienced


    him—and everyone in this studio, for that matter.


    “You didn’t have to confront Daniel. I didn’t want to drag you into my petty drama.”


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    “It’s not ‘petty drama,’” he says. “And besides, I wanted to. You think I’d just stand around and let some


    dor-store chef bad mouth you?”


    “Thanks,” I say with a soft chuckle. “But you really don’t need to do stuff like that. I’ll try to handle my


    own emotions in the future.”


    Karl rolls his eyes, a yful gesture that sends an unexpected ripple of warmth through me. “Well, too


    bad. I’ll do it anyway. Until the day I die.”


    His words send a pleasant shiver down my spin, and I find myself looking away again to hide the blush


    in my cheeks. From across the room, Vanessa’s eyes meet mine, and I almost think I see her wink.


    “C’mon,” Karl says, gesturing for me to follow. “Let’s head back to the restaurant. There’s a surprise


    waiting for you.”


    I nod, and begin to follow him toward the door. But then, I freeze, remembering something.


    “Wait here,” I murmur, turning on my heel. Suddenly I’m running, running down the hall, back toward


    the greenroom. I burst in through the door, and there they are.


    The flowers, still on the floor, right where we left them.


    A smilees over my face as I pick them up. An array of vibrant sunflowers, daisies, and baby’s


    breath seems to warm up the room, and although a few petals havee loose, it doesn’t mean that


    the whole bouquet is ruined.


    And as I walk back to meet Karl, the bouquet serves as a reminder:


    Even when life feels like it’s missing a few petals, there’s always something—or rather, someone—


    there to brighten up your day.