Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN
Fiona stood at the stove, stirring a pot while the gentle humming of some sort of pop music that Rosa liked played in the background, the house was warm and smelled homely.
Rosa sat at the kitchen table like she had been doing for the last few days at the same time, scrolling through job listings on the laptop we had gotten. Raven tried to make them get two but she didn't think that was necessary.

A deep look of concentration was etched on her face and the sight filled Fiona with a sense of contentment, Rosa was getting better, and the doctor was almost certain she would not need any check-ups soon she was gradually regaining her confidence and independence. The progress was steady and well paced and it gave Fiona hope that soon she would be able to stop worrying about her sister.


" How is it going" she asked and Rosa grinned
"I'm applying to a firm downtown, they need an assistant" Rosa announced, breaking the comfortable silence.

" A lot of others have an entry-level position that sounds perfect."

"That's good Rosa!" Fiona exclaimed, turning to her with a beaming smile.
"You're going to get it."

" I believe you"
"Thanks, Fi," Rosa said, her eyes reflecting a glimmering with a sheen of tears
"It's all thanks to your support, yours and Raven's" she mumbled and Fiona smiled.

She could understand how that would happen, Raven had been coming over more often, his presence a comfort for both she and Rosa. He came over so often that both of them had formed a bond, and while Fiona cherished their moments together, the secrecy of their relationship gnawed at her.


Raven's denial or was it acceptance about keeping their relationship hidden frustrated her. He seemed to be too content with their secret romance, sometimes she felt like he didn't care.
She felt he should, especially when they had to be careful in their own home she remembered an incident from one evening when she and Raven were sharing a tender moment in the elevator which in hindsight had been stupid when their neighbor, Mrs. Langley, had appeared unexpectedly.

Fiona had instinctively pulled away, her heart racing as she pretended to look everywhere but there which was stupid but effective in a way.

Once she had gotten off the elevator, Raven had chuckled softly, seemingly unbothered, but Fiona had felt a pang of embarrassment the rest of the day the memory haunting her, a constant reminder of the state she was in.

"Is Raven coming over tonight?" Rosa asked, her voice pulling Fiona from her thoughts.

Fiona nodded, forcing a smile.
"Yes, he is. We're having a small celebration for his birthday."

"That's nice," Rosa said, a hint of curiosity in her voice
" Does he know this?" she asked and Fiona smiled
" No" she grinned

" This will be fun"
. "Have you decided on a gift yet?"

"Not yet," Fiona admitted.
"I was thinking of going shopping today."

" This is for you to have some and then disappear, " she ordered grabbing her bag from the counter as she rushed out the door.

Fiona's mind rolled with conflicting emotions. She was falling in love with Raven deeply every time she closed her eyes she saw his face, but the toll of hiding their relationship was becoming unbearable.

She strolled through the bustling streets of the shopping district provided with its crowded places and loads of shoppers that offered temporary distraction.
Fiona wandered through each store trying to find the perfect gift, browsing through the shelves of high-end boutiques.

Maybe a shirt would be nice, she thought as she ran her hands over the long-sleeve

" That would look nice on him" she heard a voice say turning, she found herself face-to-face with a striking woman whom she immediately recognized from the cafe that she and Rosa had recently visited.

"Hi," the woman said with a warm smile, which was far different from the woman who had bumped into her and cursed her out that day.
"I remember you from the café. " She mumbled and the woman smiled while nodding returning the smile.

"Yes, that's right. And you are?" she mumbled peering into her face
" I'm Fiona, Fiona Hardin" she mumbled under her breath, the woman looked at her and smiled softly

"Mirabelle Hales," she replied, extending her hand. Fiona's eyes widened in recognition, as she tried to work out how she had not realized it.

Mirabelle was a well-known model, her face gracing countless magazines and billboards, she was a beautiful woman and a very wealthy one too all of a sudden. Fiona felt shabby compared to her.

"It's nice to meet you, Mirabelle," Fiona said, shaking her hand.
"What brings you here?"

"Shopping for a birthday gift," Mirabelle explained, holding up a sleek leather wallet.
"For my boyfriend."

Fiona's heart skipped a beat. She wished she could be that open too,
" Are you shopping for someone too?" Mirabelle asked and she nodded
" Yes"
" A boyfriend" she mumbled wiggling her eyebrows, but she shook her head


"How long have you and your boyfriend been together?" Mirabelle asked as they moved to a display of watches.
" It's not a-" she started to argue but then stopped, it was unlikely she would ever see this woman again

"A while now," Fiona replied cautiously.
"But we've been keeping things quiet for... various reasons," she mumbled beneath her breath
Mirabelle nodded, her expression understanding.

"Relationships can be complicated. My boyfriend and I have our share of ups and downs too."
"Thanks for the chat, Mirabelle," Fiona said as they left the store.
"It was nice talking to you."

"You too, Fiona. I hope your boyfriend loves his gift," Mirabelle replied with a warm smile her glasses shielding her eyes before they parted ways
Something nagged at her though a faint bell of recognition rang in the back of her mind telling her she was forgetting something.


As Fiona walked back to the subway, the pieces of the puzzle suddenly clicked into place.
Mirabelle Hales the daughter of political aspirant and all-around good girl and Raven had once been in a relationship.

She had read about it in a gossip magazine that Jenny had discarded months ago but had dismissed it as just another celebrity rumor that she had no time for but now the realization hit her like a ton of bricks.

Back at home, Fiona wrapped Raven's gift with trembling hands, her mind racing, Raven arrived late into the night, she called but there was no reply, she was almost certain he wouldn't come when the door opened and he walked in, she greeted him with a wide smile

"Happy birthday," she said, handing him the neatly wrapped box.
"You didn't have to, Fiona." He said grabbing the box from her hand and she shrugged flustered

"I wanted to," she replied, watching as he unwrapped the gift.
" Do you want dinner?" she asked and he shook his head
" I already had some"

" Oh" she murmured and he nodded kissing her cheek softly
" Let's have some wine " he offered and she nodded.

She grabbed glasses and poured them some wine, taking the whole tray to the living room
"I ran into someone today while I was shopping," Fiona explained.

"She was buying a gift for her boyfriend. It made me wistful" she mumbled and he smiled
" Why should it, you have yours right here" he grinned and she sighed sitting up straighter

"Raven, there's something I need to ask you."

He turned to her, his expression curious.
"What is it?" Her stomach swimming with nerves and her voice trembling.
Fiona asked,

"Do you remember Mirabelle Hales?"