Peace and Love

Chapter seventeen - Help was needed

Abby's POV:

Luke wanted to spend some time with my dad, and I agreed. I know my boyfriend's intentions are good. Sadly, his plan didn't work. Dad wasn't impressed by any of the things my boyfriend did. He is a great cook, but I guess that is not enough. That was the last thing he wanted to do. Luke said he was giving up. I told him to do it a long time ago. It was not worth it. My boyfriend was wasting his time. After all, my parents won't stay at home forever. Once the house is ready, they will go back there. Then it will be only us again. I miss this a lot. It's not like I mind my parents, but lately, that is too much for me. That's why my mom and I were outside when Luke and my dad were together. I'm glad that at least she likes my boyfriend. According to her, he is the perfect match. Mom said she would learn how to cook from him. That is a good sign. It was visible she wanted to make up things, but she couldn't. I mean, not until my dad says what he wants from Luke. As I see it, that won't happen soon. That is his choice. If he wants us to be distant, I'm ok with it. I tried to do everything I could. He didn't want to listen to me. Then I can't do anything else. No matter how much I try, nothing will change. My boyfriend told me to give up a long time ago. The thing is that I wanted to try one more time. That repeated a couple of times. Sadly, without any result. I don't want us to live like that, but I don't know what else I can do. Dad won't help me for sure. If he had told me what he wanted, I would've talked to Luke, and this would've been over. I guess he wants all of this to be the hard way. He is the only one who is losing from this. My relationship won't change with or without his approval. I hope that soon all of this will be over. It was way longer than it needed to be.

Once again, I am in the office. I swear that became my second home. It's not like I mind. At least people here are good to me. They always help me if I have problems or need something. Especially Andrew. That's why I tell him everything. Well, except for the personal things. We might be friends, but we are not that close. Also, I like to keep some things only for myself. That doesn't last long because Luke wants to know everything happening with me. I'm glad that I have someone who cares about me.

I started the fourth thing on the list. I am not moving very fast. The thing is that I have to start from the beginning. I'm still annoyed about that, but I can't do anything. It's better if I do what this man wants. Otherwise, he will find someone else. I don't want to lose this client. I have to prove that I'm good at this job. Mostly, I should do it to myself. I like challenging myself. The feeling of doing something right is good. That's why I keep doing it.

I am working on the structure of the design. Soon, there was a knock on the door, and Andrew walked in. I think he wants something from me. Let's see what it is.

- How can I help you?

- There is a meeting, and the boss wants you to attend it.

- Now?

- Yes. Come on. We have to go.

- For what is that meeting?

- I don't know. He told me to take you there.

- Ok. I'm coming.

Both of us walked into the room for meetings. There were a couple of people, including my boss. I have the feeling this won't end well. I sat down, and his secretary gave me a glass of water. That is not a good sign.

- Abby, I'm glad you came.

- Yes, I did. Can I know what this meeting is about? No one told me about it.

- It's about the project you are working on.

- What about it?

- The client wants it done by next week.

- What? I can't finish so fast. Not with all the changes he wants me to make. Also, some people have to build it. Things can't happen that quickly.

- He knows that and said he would pay us fifty thousand.

- What? He said twenty-five.

- Yes, but the man needs the website to be ready quickly.

- That is great money, but I can't finish this quickly.

- I know. That's why I asked some people to help you.

- That was my job.

- It always will be. Abby, you'll be the leader of this small group. Tell them what you want to do, and they will help you. I don't want to miss this deal. With the money, I'll redo some of the offices.

- Ok, I will try, but I can't guarantee anything.

- It's ok. Thank you so much. You can use this room for the meetings.

- Thanks.

- I have to go now. Good luck.

- What do you want from us? - Andrew asked

- Hold on. Are you part of my group?

- Yes. I want to help you. You can tell us what to do, and we'll do it.

- Thanks.

I brought my laptop and told everyone what I had done. It's not like that is much. We started with ideas. That is what we need now. How to optimize this website. After all, people who visit it should easily navigate through it. Like that, until lunchtime, we had ideas for almost everything. Only the last three things on the list are left. Maybe we can do it. The help was needed. I appreciate the people who wanted to work with me. Andrew went to buy us lunch and brought it into the meeting room.

- Lunch break time. - Andrew said

- Thank you. I was hungry.

- We did a great job. Don't you think so?

- I do.

- We know you had some ideas. Maybe we can use this with this website. - Brittany said

- I wish, but we can't. They don't fit all the requirements the man wants.

- Oh, ok. I thought this could save us some time.

- I could've been done up to now if he hadn't decided to change the entire website.

- Don't worry. We are here to help. In two days, we'll finish everything. I promise you.

- I hope so.

The rest of the afternoon we spent in the meeting room. We finished with the ideas and started planning. By the end of the day, we finished with the first three things. I wanted to stop there. These people worked a lot today. They need a break. Me too. I asked the boss if he could let us go home one hour earlier. Luckily, he agreed. Luke is still at work, so I will use the change to go shopping. We need some things from the grocery store. I will try to make dinner today. Well, if my boyfriend lets me. Maybe I don't need to tell him at all and do it. When I walked into the store, I went to take some fruit. Last night, I wanted an orange, but there weren't any. As I was walking around, I saw miss and mister Adams. Only he saw me. I waved at him, and he smiled. It was a sad smile.

- Hello.

- Hey, Abby. - mister Adams said

- What are you doing here? - miss Adams asked

- I'm shopping for dinner.

- Did your food finish?

- No, but I wanted to cook something else. I better do it before Luke comes home. Otherwise, he will take the lead.

- He loves taking care of everything. - mister Adams said

- Yes. That's why I'm using every chance I have to help him. I see your shopping as well.

- Good guess, Sherlock. - miss Lee said sarcastically

- Thanks. Well, I have to leave you now.

- You should've done it earlier.

- I hope to see you soon. - I said and left

- And I don't. - miss Lee shouted after me

I don't think we'll ever be able to understand each other. I know how Luke is feeling. His mom treats me the same way my dad treats him. I have no idea how we ended up like that. Well, it is what it is. I can't change anything. That's why I'll continue with my shopping. When I was done, I texted my boyfriend. I have to tell him he doesn't need to wait for me. I walked home and pulled out everything I needed for this dinner. I won't finish until he comes home, but at least I can start. I like it when he is cooking. I want to do it, too. Also, I am in a good mood. Soon, I heard the front door. It was mom and dad.

- Abby, what a good surprise. - my mom said

- I finished work earlier.

- You better make this dinner before he comes home.

- That will be impossible, but I have ways of convincing him.

- I hope you know what you are doing.

- Yes, I do.

I was talking with my mom and dad. I wanted to make this dinner by myself. That means no help. I was cutting some mushrooms when I felt two hands wrapped around me. I don't need to turn around to know who this is. That's why I only rested my head on his chest. As I have said, he always knows what and when I need it.

- You should've waited for me.

- I know, but I wanted to make it. Are you mad?

- What? Why would I be? Abby, this is only food. - Luke said, chuckling

- Yes, but I know you like taking care of it.

- True, but if you want to do it or help me, I will let you.

- Thanks.

- I see you are in a good mood.

- I am.

- Can I know why?

- My boss made some people help me with the project. We did a great job today. Also, the client wants everything to be done by the end of the week. I thought everything was over, but now I have hope.

- This one?

- No, the next.

- Well, you have some time.

- I meant everything. The website should be working.

- But that is a lot of work. Isn't the other team waiting for you?

- Yes. That's why we have to finish quickly. So they can start building it.

- I know you can do it. I believe in you. - he said and kissed the top of my head

- Thanks. Your support is the best.

- For you always.

- If you want, you can help me with dinner.

- I will let you shine today. After all, you have to learn, too.

- Well, you can teach me.

- I would love to. You will cook, and I will eat.

- That won't happen, mister.

- At least I tried.

- Yes, you did. Go and get changed. I will finish here.

- Ok, thanks.

I finished the dinner and let Luke help me set the table. My parents were in their room. I still haven't told him I met his parents in the store. I don't think he will like it. On the other side, nothing happened. We talked for less than five minutes. Miss Adams didn't have time to greet me. Well, in her way. I'm glad that I stopped paying attention to her. I called my parents, and we sat to eat. Hopefully, they will like my food. It's not as good as my boyfriend's, but I tried my best.

- Good job, Abby. The food is delicious. - Luke said

- Thanks, but you cook better.

- No, I don't. I only cook more often.

- That is enough. You have more practice than me.

- Ok, we'll use the weekend to practice cooking.

- I like the plan.

- Luke is right. The food is good. - mom said

- Thank you. Dad, do you like it? I made it.

- It's good.

- Did something happen? You look worried.

- I'm fine.

- Ok. Luke, I have to tell you something.

- What did you do?

- Nothing. I saw your parents at the grocery store.

- Ok, next question. What did she do?

- Again. Nothing. We talked for less than five minutes.

- Abby, please be honest.

- I am. She didn't say anything. We didn't have time.

- If you say so.

- Don't you trust me?

- I do, but I know you like to hide these things from me so I won't get mad.

- Yes, but that is not the case. I promise.

- Ok, ok.

- You need to talk with her.

- I know, but I don't want to do it. She will keep telling me the same things as always. I'll never be good enough in her eyes.

- That's not true. I'm sure she has a reason she is treating you like that.

- It doesn't matter. I don't want to see her.

- Your dad feels guilty.

- He should be.

- Luke.

- It's true. He was never on my side since I went to middle school. No matter what she said, he agreed with her.

- Maybe he wanted to keep her. I don't know.

- She can't go anywhere else, but he is too dumb to see it.

- What if she does it?

- What do you mean?

- She might have nowhere else to go but can go to a hotel.

- That's her problem. I don't want to talk about this.

- But.

- That's it, Abby. Please don't insist.

- Ok, I'm sorry.

- I know.

Like and I cleaned the table. I told my mom and dad to rest. It was visible he wasn't in the mood. I asked my mom, but she didn't tell me anything. I thought it might be because of the house, but my mom said he didn't talk with the workers today. When we finished, we walked to our room. He laid on the bed, and I snuggled.

- What?

- Nothing.

- I know you. What do you want?

- Well, I might want something. - I said and kissed him

- Is it what I think it is?

- No.

- Then what is it?

- For you to don't move.

- Why?

- Because I have warmed my place. You will make me cold. - I said, and he laughed

- Ok, princess. I won't move.

- Thanks.

- Except when I got to the bathroom.

- Luke.

- I can't pee here.

- Buy diapers.

- I am not a baby or an old man.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am.

- We'll see, shall we?

- Why do I love you?

- Because I am perfect.

- Yes, you are. - he said and kissed me

The rest of the night we spent talking. I tried to talk about his parents, but he cut me off. We'll do it one at a time. First, we'll solve the drama between him and my dad. Later, we can move on to his mom. At least she doesn't want me to do anything. That doesn't mean I will give up on her. I'm sure she treats us like that because she is hurt. The question is how. Maybe something has happened in the past. Even if I ask her, I know she won't tell me. This woman is stubborn. Well, we have something in common. I want to give her a chance when she is ready to talk. I hope that this will happen soon.