Tailor my heart

Chapter three

Hailey's POV

The ride back home was silent and filled with tranquility.

I sat in the bus, middle row to be precise and plugged my earphones in. My thought drifted to Mr Kolton again. There was something about him, something so difficult that I couldn't pinpoint just yet. It was quite elusive.

Although he had this domineering and surly attitude, I found myself intrigued by his talent for fashion.

The bus screeched to a halt, breaking my train of thought. I looked up to see if I had arrived at my destination. When I saw I wasn't, my thought consumed me again.

Mr Kolton surprised me today. I thought he meant I was fired when he yelled at me to get the hell out of his office. But I was wrong.

He came back after that meeting and asked what his next schedule was. A little calmer this time.

People scrambling to get off the bus, distracted my thoughts again. By the time, they had all alighted, the bus began to move. This was one major problem I had with taking the bus, one cannot have that absolute desired peace, except if you're alone.

I sighed, switching the song on my playlist from 'about damn time' by lizzo to As it was, by Harry styles.

Those two were literally among my short list of favourite artist. Their songs always found a way in elevating my mood and relaxing my mind.

°

°

°

On getting to my own destination, I alighted the bus and walked solemnly into my neighborhood. Everywhere was oddly quiet and not a single person in sight. Could something be going on?

I checked my time, roughly six-thirty in the evening and Albany was this quiet? I found it unusual and unsettling.

Around this time, I was supposed to be hearing the bakery's erratic sound of engine as it filled the neighborhood with a disturbing noise. People ought to be walking in and out, either going to the market a few yards from my street or returning back from work.

I immediately increased my pace.

My mind was racing so fast as I went deeper and deeper into my street. The only noise I could hear was my stilletos slapping against the tarred floor at each step I took. Then I stopped, pulling them off at once.

I held the heels to my chest, and I adjusted my bag on my shoulder. My mind kept on racing until I arrived home.

I scrambled for the keys. My hand shaky as I struggled to insert them into the keyhole.

Meanwhile, an almost inaudible noise erupted from the other end of the door. Soon, the door flung open, revealing my mom with concern and fear scripted all over her face.

"Hailey!" Her once puzzled face filled with excitement at once. And she pulled me inside while I kicked the door shut behind me.

"How have you been, mom?"

My nerves began to calm and the fear that surged through my entire body some moment ago was replaced with tiredness.

"Fine." She replied, studying me as we walked hand in hand into the living room. "But you don't look fine."

I nodded.

That was one thing I loved about my mom, she was very observant and quick to pinpoint when something was really wrong.

"Why, you don't like the job?" She asked, pulling me to sit on the sofa and her gaze rested solely on me.

I sighed. "The CEO is a total douchebag, mom."

"I don't understand, do you mind explaining?"

I inhaled deeply then released it with a loud gush. "He is rude, arrogant and condescending, mom. Not considering the fact that today was my first day, he yelled at me. And he is not much older than I am."

My mom took my hand in hers. "Hailey, look at me."

I slowly raised my head to meet her gaze.

"No one said it is going to be easy, but you have to keep pushing real hard. Soon you'd be very used to it and what you are going through now would seem more like a piece of cake. Do you understand?"

I nodded slowly.

"Good, I prepared dinner. Go, take your bath while I set the table." She instructed.

I was about to stand up, releasing my hands from hers when an incoming video call distracted the both of us. It was Diane, my elder sister.

Mom quickly pressed on the receive button, both of us ecstatic as Diane's face filled our screen.

"Hi." Her sweet voice greeted.

Diane was in London. Nine years back, she had gained a full scholarship ride to the prestigious imperial college london, to study medicine. Since then, she'd only visit once or twice a year, mostly during Christmas and Easter.

Diane was my age when she relocated to London and I was only fourteen. I remembered crying my eyes out, begging her not to go. But it was clearly a huge life changing situation for her and she couldn't bare to loose such an opportunity.

I was glad she did though. Plus, she was a medical doctor now, working for a renowned hospital in London.

"How have you been?" Mom asked her, grinning ear to ear.

"I've been very very fine, mom. Though work has been very hectic." She replied.

"Funny how the both of you are complaining about work at the same time." Mom stated.

Diane's attention suddenly drifted to me. Her lips curved into a sweet smile, revealing the set of dimples plastered to each side of her cheeks. "Oh my goodness! Hailey you got a job?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Wow! That's good news." She beamed sweetly. "Where is it?"

"You remembered that fashion company I'd always talk about whenever we were coming back from school?" I asked.

Diane paused for a while. After what seemed like forever, she snapped her fingers. " How could I forget? You would always rant about how much you love fashion designing and couldn't wait to let the world see your styles. I guess it was kurtom or something?"

"Kolton." I corrected.

"Congrats Hailey, you have really come a long way." Her green eyes which reminded me of the ocean in Hawaii, twinkles as she spoke. "I also have good news to share."

Mom, who had been quiet, listening to our little conversation, finally spoke up. "Really? Let's hear it."

"Chill, mom." Diane raised up her right hand, revealing the cute little diamond ring on her finger. "Shawn proposed to me."

We both jumped, squealing in ecstasy at the disclosure of Diane's news. Shawn was a good guy. Although I had met him twice when he followed my sister down here to celebrate with us. I must say he complimented my sister a lot. Shawn was just what Diane needed. He seemed calm, respectful, loving plus I must add that he was so handsome too.

"I'm happy for you, Diane." I said, sincerely.

"Thank you."

"Congratulations, Diane. Make sure to bring him home this Christmas." Mom instructed.

"Of course, mom."

I studied Diane through the screen. She was getting prettier by the day, for a reason quite obvious to me. When it came down to looks, Diane was totally different from me. She had a long black hair while my hair was blonde. She had this green eyes that reminded you of the ocean, but my blue ones did of the sky. She had a full pouty lips that accentuated her cheeks, while I had thin lips. She also had those dimples, that made me jealous each time I watched her laugh. She looked so much like Dad, and I took after mom. But we were both very pretty.

"Come with a baby!" I chided, jokingly.

"Oh, Hailey! Stop it. We have to get married first."

"I know, I know.. ... I'm just joking." I laughed then picked up the biscuit mom had been eating from the table and shove the last piece into my mouth.

Mom stood to her feet. "I'm gonna leave you guys to chat. I'd like to set the table for dinner." Having said that, she walked straight into the kitchen.

After mom had left us to discuss, Diane moved so close to the screen and whispered. "I want to hear every single details about your new workplace. Is there any cute guy there?"

I rolled my eyes at her. "Relax, Diane. It's my first day."

She nodded. "True though, but I'd like you to get a boyfriend. So all four of us can go on a date in December."

I rolled my eyes again. "I will have a boyfriend at the right time, Diane. It's not like I could order a boyfriend online or something."

Diane laughed at my silly remark. "Oh!" She turned away from me to pick her ringing phone. "Work calls, bye Hailey." With that, Diane ended the video call and the screen turned pitch black.

Without wasting time, I ran towards the kitchen to meet my mom. " What did you cook?"

My mom shoved a boiled potato into my mouth, it wasn't too hot nor too cold. Melting perfectly into my mouth, I savoured the taste and swallowed it afterward.

Despite all that had happened, today was still a good day.