Chapter 4: Caught In Between

2:00 P.M

BACK AT HOME

Me: I am home!

Ziana met me up at the door, shocked at my early arrival.

Ziana: Sis... what are you doing here so early?

Me: It's a long story girl, I think you would like to hear it from the top.

Ziana: You still remember! Of course, do share!

I took off my shoes and went to my room to change into my casual wear, then Ziana and I there ourselves on the couch and I told her my entire experience at the office today.

Ziana: I don't wish to be you sis.

Me: Please don't. Being behind the kitchen at a cafe sounds safer than the office.

Ziana: I will take your word on that sis, be careful!

Me: I am being serious Zi, never have I ever been super frustrated and annoyed to the point of giving up.

Ziana: Don't give up!

Me: Cause I won't girl - Here comes the interesting part, I guess.

Ziana: What?

Me: I just got promoted!

Ziana: What?!

Me: Yeah, Mr. Jonathan promoted me, to be the overseer of the hacking department, meaning that I won't be in the desk I have been.

Ziana: Really?! Like you are one step closer to being his PA?

Me: Am I?

Ziana: Come on sis, like it's pretty obvious.

Me: Yeah, but I wouldn't want to have such a position though. This new promotion is just the lightbulb of my year.

Ziana: So... that means you work extra hours?

Me: No!

Ziana gave me a confused expression.

Me: That means I knock off earlier than ever!

Ziana: Really?!

Me: Really!

Ziana jumped on me and I hugged her back.

Ziana: I should thank Jonathan for this.

Me: Why? I have done that already.

Ziana: Um, something tells me that you went into the office, felt unsure about the promotion because of Riana and whoever, then he said you didn't have to worry about them to which he told you about the early knockoffs and being free from the haters and then that's when you finally agreed. 

Me: Gosh Zi, are you a mind reader or something? Don't tell me you placed a spy cam on me.

Ziana: Maybe I'm a mind reader... I just know my big sis, that's all.

Me: I will thank him properly.

Ziana: That's good. I mean there's no catch so congrats and do your best as you have always been!

I hugged Ziana tightly.

Me: Aren't you the sweetest and most encouraging sis?

Ziana: That's my persona sis.

Ziana then smirked at me.

Me: What's with the smirk?

Ziana: Don't get me wrong, you surely got your promotion the right way, but...

Me: But...?

Ziana: Why do I feel like your boss... likes you?

Me: WHAT?! NO WAY!

Ziana: If you say so, but the way he cares for you, almost tried to stand up for you if you told him you were being interrogated and telling you to hold your head up high and "show the haters" like come on!

Really? I didn't see him that way. We just have a boss-employee relationship, and I have no romantic feelings towards him.

Me: I don't have any romantic interest in him.

Ziana: Yet, he likes you regardless.

Me: Ziana...

Ziana: Speaking of which, even Nathan likes you too.

Not another bombshell! I can't be tangled in a love triangle.

Could this day get any worse?

Me: Well, I kind of see Nathan - but still, I have zero interest in him.

Ziana: But still, like Jonathan, he likes you regardless.

Me: Can you reassure me and tell me it's not a love triangle?

Ziana: Unfortunately...

I lay flat on the carpet floor.

Me: My life is over.

Ziana: Not entirely! Like, keep your distance from them.

Me: Not when I am moved to a position where I will see Jonathan more and during a lunch break where I will see Nathan's face every day.

Ziana: Right... think of something.

Me: How? I will just keep my conversations with them short and brief.

Ziana: See? You got it.

Me: Thanks... I wish the ground could swallow me...

Still, in my thoughts, Zane walked in.

Me: Zane, hey.

Ziana: Hey bro!

Zane: Hey Ziana - you were not fired from work right?

Ziana: No - her boss made her knock off early.

Zane: Really?

Me: She's telling the truth... I got promoted to be the overseer of the hacking department meaning fewer working hours though.

Zane: Cool... that's great sis! Proud of ya!

Me: Thanks, bro!

Ziana: And, she is caught in a love triangle!

Me: No I am not!

Zane: Ziana. Everything. Now.

Me: Zane, I am not---

Who was I kidding? They didn't listen to a word I said.

After Ziana finished explaining, Zane turned to look at me.

Zane: Who do you like between the two? Jonathan, or Nathan?

Me: None. Trust me, I don't even feel my chest tightening when I speak of the two names.

Zane: You are so brutal, yet honest. Okay then, if you say so Liana.

Me: I don't have any love interests - trust me. 

Ziana: And you never will?

Me: Yes! I hope it sticks that way.

Before we all knew it, Alicia was inside the house.

Alicia: Hope what sticks what way?

Me: My love life. (looking at Ali) Oh, hey sis.

Alicia: Hey guys.

Zane: Welcome back.

Ziana: Hi sis!

Alicia: Caught up in an office romance?

Me: Why is today all about me?!

Ziana: Because you're Liana!

I laughed at Ziana's words.

Me: And what does me being myself have to do with all these?

Ziana: Listen - even the quiet one's life changes drastically, in a way they didn't expect. 

Me: Ha, like my life will turn out that way.

Ziana: (smirks) Never say never, sis.

I rolled my eyes at Ziana. 

Me: Oh guys, before I forget, you won't believe who in the family called me this morning.

Zane and Ziana: Who?

Before I could respond, Alicia then got an incoming call from Mom and Dad.

---ON A CALL---

Alicia: Hey Mom and Dad! How are you?

Dad: We are doing great and how are you all doing?

Mom: No one is being naught right?

Alicia: We are doing great Dad, thanks, and no Mom, no one is doing anything naughty.

Mom: That's good.

Dad: That's great. Guess what?

Alicia: What Dad?

Alicia then put the call on loudspeaker.

Dad: Uncle Henry and Aunt Hailey are back in town!

Me: That's what I was about to say, but you caught up to me Dad!

Dad: Yeah, and they are planning on visiting you guys.

The rest were shocked.

Them: UNCLE HENRY? AUNT HAILEY? THEY ARE BACK AND WANT TO VISIT???

Mom: Kids, calm down. No need to scream your lungs out.

Alicia, Zane, and Ziara calmed down.

Dad: So, what do you say? Would you like to see them again after 3 years?

Us: Yes please Dad!

Dad: Okay then, I will make sure to tell him and expect to see them soon.

Me: Thanks, Dad!

Dad: Anytime kids.

Mom: Well - it was good hearing from you kids!

Us: Same!

Mom: Bye-bye, and oh, good night for later!

Us: Good night for later Mom and Dad!

---END OF CALL---

We all looked at each other in silence before screaming, while hugging each other.

US: UNCLE HENRY AND AUNT HAILEY ARE COMING!

We then let go of one another. 

Ziana: What should we cook?

Alicia: Nothing girl! Uncle Henry spoils us with all our favorite fast foods.

Me: Couldn't have said it better.

Zane: Man, I can't wait to eat his pies!

Me: With you Zane.

I couldn't wait to see Uncle Henry and Aunt Hailey and catch up on their life in North Cybric.

I wonder when will they be coming...