Samantha woke up with an elevated mood from which she thinks will continue for the rest of her day. She showed a pleasant glow in her face as she continue to arrange the flowers. She swayed the bouquet for a bit, checking whether the proportional distribution of the the flowers she placed were on point. After seeing that it looked good, a satisfied smile came after it.
“Bella.” She gestured for the woman to come to her. “I wanted to ask your opinon on this.”
The girl came forward swinging the feather dust in her hand. “It looks good, Miss. The evergreen themed as a design matches with the flowers so well.” She showed Samantha her thumb, letting her know that she approves of it.
Samantha smiled at Bella. She first remember the time she first came in her place to apply when she's looking for helpers. Bella is still Bella. The girl is still as saccharine in her persona. Samantha loved that for her.
“Belle.” She uttered again making Bella lift her head to meet her eyes. “I hope you'll stay like that. It'll get you far in life.” She smiled, referring to Bella's attitude.
Bella moved her hand and showed her a salute. “Yes, Miss. I will.” She smiled at Samantha.
She liked her business. Not only for the reason that it provided her with freedom to do it on her own way but it's because she have people that makes her feel at ease. She's glad she was able to choose the right people to assist her in her business. People who were genuinely good to accompany her in her place.
She smiled with pure pride before she head inside her office.
--
Samantha was deeply involved in her work. She was creating a tally for the total amount of money they collected for the past ten days. She couldn't help but feel blessed because of how her business was thriving and the blessings seemed to overflow. There were lots of orders this week and a few reservations from people who want their catering services in celebrating their special activities.
She fixed the calculations for a bit before a few knocks was heard outside of her door.
“Come in.” Samantha uttered.
She closed the tab for a bit and let her eyes stare at who's about to enter the room. She smiled when she saw the beaming happy expression coming from her friend Cassidy who was carrying a paper bag in her hand.
“Hellooo, my dear friend.” Cassidy beamed at her.
Samantha exhaled before she eventually give in. “Hey.” She said.
Cassidy to the the seat in front of her. Samantha just let her do whatever she wants to do. She saw how her friend opened the paper bag that seemed to be a take out order.
The commotion was matchless when it happened. She felt exhausted upon the sudden retrieval of Cassidy's chaotic incident with her ex-boyfriend. Samantha's neutral expression remained in her face as she stared at her friend.
“What are your plans now that you're pregnant with Chase's child?” Samantha questioned her friend.
Cassidy plopped the whole xiao long bao inside her mouth before she wiped the juices that flow down with the back of her hands. “I plan on getting married.” She answered still chewing on the Chinese dumpling she was eating.
Samantha gestured her the tissues that her friend got with her. Cassidy then grinned sheepishly at Samantha, taking the tissue then wiping her hand with it.
“Is that a mutual decision or was it all on you?” Samantha asked, trying to ensure that her friend's state will end up to be beneficial for her not causing her more difficulty.
Cassidy dipped a dimsum in soy sauce before she offered it to Samantha. Samatha on the other hand opened her mouth as Cassidy fed it to her. Samantha chewed on it slowly.
“It's reciprocal, babe.” Cassidy happily answered. “He proposed. He was down on his niece after the incident. Cassidy then displayed a dreamy look on her face. “It was romantic.” Her eyes sparkled as she was saying her words at Samantha.
Cassidy propped her hand on the table. “But I need your help.” She told her. She opened her mouth again before she saw Samantha's attention. “We need to go to the place I wanted to have as my wedding reception. I want your honest opinion about it.” 
Samantha drew a heartfelt look towards her friend. “I will.” She paused for a bit. “I'm very happy for you, Cass. You're fulfilling your dream.” She added. 
She removed her gaze away. “You know, I have been wanting to tell you this. But I—I'm really really not happy when they didn't invite you on the day of my wedding when you were supposed to be my maid of honor.” She uttered heavily. 
It was something she was not happy. None of her close friends where there during her wedding ceremony and even at the reception. All of those people were close associates of her adopted parents. What's even more wretched is that her maid of honor was supposed to be her best friend since her sister was still in the hospital but they switched it up for betrayer sister Hailey. 
“It's totally okay, Sam.” Cassidy started chewing on her food again. “It was a moment to let evil prevail for a bit.” She then started to chuckle upon saying her own words. “But you know, that I am really really proud of you for not taking in your family's evilness. They always tell you that you're the odd one out but the truth is, is that you've been always been the best among them.” She smiled at her. “Including Grace too.” Cassidy added. 
Samantha smiled at her friend's word. “I missed her, Cass.” She told her. Her eyes displayed a glow of sincerity. 
Cassidy flashed her a warm smile. “I missed her too, Sam. Life's been not lifing because of her absence.” 
Samantha gave out a chuckle because of her friends choice of words but at the same time she felt the emptiness inside of her heart upon remembering Grace.