LOVE ON PAPER

CHAPTER 2

A new home.

As they got into the warm and airy apartment where Lily lived with her family, Patricia resumed questioning her friend about her life in California.

Lily chatted excitedly as she helped Patricia with her luggage. As they entered the living room, she sank on the sofa heavily. ‘‘Uumph!’’ She exclaimed.

Patricia smiled. ‘’I like it here!’’ she said. Lily laughed heartily.

‘‘I work at a bank downtown, marketing, and events. It’s a lot, but I like it.’’

Patricia's eyes widened. “Wow that sounds great, I am pretty proud of you Lil.”

Lily grinned. ‘‘Haha, thanks, Trish! And there’s more, I got married to an incredible guy, Tam. He is a software engineer, and we met through friends. He is such an amazing guy, kind, funny, and loves me for myself.’’

Patricia squealed with delight. “That is good news indeed, I’d like to meet this Tam – soon.”

Lily laughed. “Of course, we will soon have dinner, and you will be able to meet him. He was asking me about you. I introduced you to my beautiful friend from South Africa.’’

They chatted about life and everything they had been up to. Patricia was thankful for Lily’s constant support. She knew that she could always depend on her.

At this moment, as if on cue, Lily’s phone vibrated. She looked at the screen and didn’t wait a single second to smile. “Oh look, as if you invited him – Tam is returning from work, and he’ll be home soon.”

Patricia felt a sudden rise in her chest. She was quite eager to see the man who made her best friend fall in love with him, and perhaps, if she was lucky, then she might write her romantic tale in California.

Lily was on her feet, moving to the entrance just as the doorbell rang. She was stunned to see a gorgeous and grand entrance. The sitting room was Grande with very high ceilings and marble floors and a grand wide staircase at the end of the hall. Across high benches, colorful paintings were seen on the walls and a huge chandelier was hanging from the roof.

Lily got up and Patricia joined her, going into the living room with large glass windows that made the room look like it was extending outside. The interior design of the room was so perfect with quality furniture, dark oak wooden panels, and green plants.

At that moment, a rather attractive male with strong jaws, intense brown eyes, and a warm-looking grin entered the room bringing a bouquet. “Hi you silly!” said Tam as he pecked Lily on the cheek.

Lily beamed. “Tam, this is Patricia, my oldest friend from South Africa.”

Tam looked at Patricia, then with laughter in his eyes, he said. ‘’Hi Patricia, welcome to our home.’’ Friends are always welcomed warmly at our home.

As they embraced, Patricia understood that Tam was a meek and kind-hearted person with a huge generous heart. She did not fail to realize how well-suited he was for Lily; they reflected to a healthy couple's goals.

As they sat down for dinner, she was grateful for the new life she had and the loving friends as well as the new adventures in California promised. Unfathomably,

She was yet again staring at the roller coaster of her life headed for another twist.

------------------

The next morning, as the sun rose over the skyline of the city, Patricia surreptitiously slipped out of bed and went to prepare something for Lily to eat in return for her warm reception. She had to clean the living room where cushions were strewn all over and the furniture was just about in disorder.

Next, she went to the kitchen, she turned on the oven and prepared a delicious breakfast for the family – scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and hot coffee. The smell coming out of the kitchen was appetizing!

And just when Patricia was getting ready to set the table to be ready for dinner, Lily was bounding down the stairs, still in her nightclothes, rubbing her eyes as if she had just woken up. ‘’Well, what’s going on here?’’ She joked. ‘’Trish you are making me feel like a total idle!’’

Patricia chuckled. “It would be great if I could talk to you for a while and, in particular, let you know how grateful I am that you let me stay here." Tam has also been an outstanding host.’’

Lily yawned and then sat at the table. “You are family, Trish, welcome to have you around. Though you didn’t have to cook, the aroma from the kitchen seems divine.”

When they were seated, Patricia told Lily all her intentions for the day, including but not limited to job searching and sightseeing. Lily helped her, and they talked like friends, as they used in the times when they were in high school.

At that time, Tam entered the kitchen, scratching his head, and seemed to just have woken up from bed. “Ah something smells delicious in here. What’s for breakfast, Patricia, you are such a goddess in the kitchen.”

Patricia blushed and felt much welcomed by the company that Lily and Tam were extending to her. Of course, she had no idea that her life was soon to take another twist in fortune.

Tam went close to where Lily was seated and gave her a peck on the cheek, much to the amusement of Patricia, who was smiling from the corner of her mouth. Claiming that these two were so adorable, she started laughing.

Lily laughed, looking a little embarrassed, and rolling her eyes as is typical of teenage girls. “Please, Trish, don’t get mad at us. We are just glad you are here.”

------------------

Tam searched across the room for Patricia, then, when he found her, he moved close and looked her in the eye. ‘’Well Trish, what are your plans for a job? Your economics degree will give you a way into almost any job.’’

Patricia quickly agreed, not hesitating to share her plans and options for what she wanted to do next. “I am considering making an application to the field of finance, possibly, financial services such as investment banking or as an analyst.”

Lily's eyes lit up. “Oh, that would be fantastic! You’d love it There was an opening for a financial analyst at your company, right, Tam?”

Tam's face lit up. ‘’Well, I can vouch for you, Patricia, I can tell the company about you. It’s one of the best companies out there with the best opportunity for growth.’’

Patricia had a moment of panic. That was exactly what she needed – a career break. “Oh, Tam, that would be incredible, thank you so much.”

After the discussions with Lily and her husband, Patricia glued a sense of enthusiasm and appreciation. She had good friends supporting her and new prospects were opening in front of her. Nothing could go wrong, she was confident.

Soon, Tam got ready for work, he took his briefcase and, as he left, turned to Patricia and spoke. ‘’You know Trish, good luck in your job hunting. And yes, I will put in a good word for you today.’’