Chapter 2 : Very Ironic
After parting ways with Barbara at the restaurant, Lorence went straight home. She didn't have anything scheduled after this. She was free. She could rest. She would think about Barbara's problem later. There was still time, although not much.
There were no more client appointments for a while, and that made Florence feel a little happy and relieved. Lately, she has felt very busy. Her time was only dedicated to working hard. Florence needed a moment of solace.
That afternoon, while driving home, Florence spoke to her sister on the phone. "I'm currently on the road, why?" she asked while focusing on driving after her sister asked where Florence's current position was.
"I'm at your house right now."
"What?" Florence gasped slightly. Frowning, she asked, "Why were you there?"
"I just wanted to drop by for a while, but you weren't home. By the way, are you on your way out or on your way home?"
"I'm on my way home. I'll probably be there in fifteen minutes."
"Thank goodness. I'll wait for you."
"Okay."
Florence sped up her car to get home as soon as possible. She felt sorry if her sister had to wait for her outside the house. And a few minutes later, when Florence finally arrived, the woman parked her car carefully. From inside the car, she could see her sister just standing up.
Florence smiled and waved to her sister as she got out of the car. She walked quickly over to her sister.
"Hey, sorry for keeping you waiting," Florence said. They hugged for a moment.
"It's okay, not a long time."
"Come on, we better go inside." Florence reached into her bag and took out the house key. Her steps were followed by her sister.
Her sister's arrival at her house did not surprise Florence at all. They met often. Her sister often went to her house. It just so happened that today Florence had some free time. It was the perfect time.
"Would you like something to drink? Your favorite mango juice, perhaps? Or would you like something else? Coffee or tea?" offered Florence once inside the house.
"Flo, I'm not your important guest or your client who will be giving you a lot of money. No need to bother, thank you," Jess replied as she positioned herself on the sofa.
"You're my sister. You're special, you know that?" Florence laughed for a moment before sitting next to Jess.
Jess chuckled. "Yeah, I know, but you don't have to treat me special every time I come here. I can make my own drinks later, right now, I don't want anything."
"Fine, whatever you want."
Jess nodded briefly. "Where were you?"
"I think you've guessed it yourself." Florence smiled at the end of her sentence.
"You met your umpteenth client. Yes, my guess can't be wrong. Isn't it?"
There was a low chuckle from Florence's lips. "You know me."
"I don't know why there is such a strange job in the world. Especially when it's you, the person closest to me. I don't even know how you can do this. I think it's ridiculous."
If you think that Jess looks down on Florence's labor, you're wrong. She really appreciates the work that Florence is currently doing. She supports her. It's just that Jess is still sometimes confused as to why Florence is good at doing things like that, inserting herself into other people's love stories and helping them find a way out.
"That's my specialty," Florence said. "What's more, I love doing it. I'm not burdened by it. I'm happy. And it's not a silly job like you think, you're not right," she adds.
Jess sighed softly. One more thing, she was also sometimes confused and felt strange herself because Florence never failed to help her clients. She always managed to make those who came to her exclaim in satisfaction as their love stories blossomed again. That's thanks to Florence. That's what made her name soar, people were talking about her. Florence's business was booming and doing well. And her schedule was getting busier.
"I support you, and I'm happy if you're happy too. I'm your sister, but I'm sorry. You can't be angry because, as of this moment, I'm not interested in using your services. I don't need that."
That was strange. Even though Florence had a job helping people who were having trouble with their romance, Jess had never once asked Florence for help. Not once. Not even until this moment.
Florence looked at her sister's face with a smile. "I'm sure you'll need it someday. If that happens, I would be very happy. I can help you. And you want to know the positive side?"
"What?" Jess's round eyes blinked.
"You don't have to pay me. Everything is free. You can ask me for help anytime."
"I'm not interested in that."
"Well, I'm certainly not forcing you. You just need to remember that I'll always be there for you, Jess. I'm ready to help you if you have any problems. Don't hesitate to talk to me and ask for help. Do you understand?"
"I know. You're the best. You're my only family left right now, but my relationship with Ron is fine. So, I don't need to use your service, even if it's free."
In fact, Jess didn't even ask Florence for help when she met Ron, and they ended up having a sweet relationship. Ron was her college friend, and they liked each other so much that they decided to get together.
Florence liked Ron. He was a responsible man and loved Jess very much. And when they finally got married two years ago, Florence approved of them. Florence entrusted Jess to Ron completely. Their relationship was fine until now. And that makes Florence relieved. Jess didn't choose the wrong husband. And that's right, Jess did that on her own without Florence's intervention. Florence only gave a brief direction for Jess to be careful and always happy.
"I consider that a good achievement," said Florence, until finally she looked down and stared at Jess's growing belly. Yes, that's right, Jess was pregnant at the moment. "How have your days been lately? Are you doing well?"
"Sure. There are no serious problems. I'm happy. It's just that I've been feeling lonely lately. Ron has been working late, so he always comes home late at night. And by the time he gets home, he's tired and ready for bed." Jess paused her sentence for a moment to take a deep breath. "I'm not mad about it, I understand it. Ron works hard for me too, for our little baby. So... Yeah, I'm fine. That's why I came here, I was bored at home. By the way, I'm not intruding on your time, am I?"
"Oh my God, of course not. I'm free right now. I don't have any appointments with clients. You are free here. Do whatever you want here. Make yourself at home. I'll be with you. You don't have to feel alone, I'll always be by your side, Jess. You still have me, you have to remember that."
They clasped each other's hands tightly. Jess was grateful to have Florence. She was reliable and the best-only sister. Especially now that it was just the two of them. Their parents have passed away. Florence doesn't want to lose Jess, and neither does Jess, who is not willing to let Florence go too far from her life. They love each other in their own way. Although there are many differences between them, both of them can fill each other's gaps and shortcomings.
"It's good that you have some free time right now, but I would like to advise you a little not to be too hard on yourself."
"I know that, thank you for reminding me. I know what's best for me."
"Flo, it's not like that."
"I know what you mean."
Jess shook her head. "No, I mean, you don't have to take on a lot of clients. You don't have to take them all. You have to pick and choose your clients. Don't put yourself in a difficult position, Flo. That's all my advice, I hope you're listening."
"I am listening. And I know. Yes, I understand about that, but you don't have to worry, I'm fine so far. I don't mind. I'm happy living my life. I'm proud of the job I have now. Thank you, you're really understanding and a very sweet sister."
"One more thing, don't overwork yourself. You don't want to get tired and fall ill just because you're working too hard."
"There's nothing to worry about. I'm not tired, I accept them all because I'm capable. I believe in myself. I can do it." Florence rubbed her sister's arm. She continued more seriously, "And more importantly, I'm happy living this part of my life. Trust me, Jess. If you're happy doing your job, you'll enjoy it. You won't be burdened at all. The point is, I know what's best for myself. And I'm glad that you understand me, it means a lot."
"Alright, I understand."
"Thank you."
"How about your client today? Did anything give you a hard time?"
Florence shrugged her shoulders. "The usual. I'm not too burdened. I only met with one client today. I did dedicate my time today to slowing down a bit since I've been receiving a lot of clients lately. I'm a little tired, I need a short break."
"That's exactly what I want." Lucy squealed loudly. "You really need to take a break. You took the right step. In fact, it might even be better if you took a few days of vacation or maybe a week or two. Or even a month? Yes! You should do it."
Florence grimaced, then she shook her head. "No, I won't do that."
Jess just let out a long sigh without arguing anymore. She knew that it was pointless. Florence would never comply with her request. She knew her too well. Even though Jess was currently screaming and begging, Florence wouldn't give in to what Jess wanted because she was too firm in her stance.
"Are you still single at this moment? Do you already have a boyfriend? Or a man you have a crush on? Tell me now, I want to know that."
The question made Florence immediately turn her face away.
"Hey, why are you so quiet? Don't tell me you're still content to be alone?"
"Jess, I'm not in the mood to talk about this." Florence immediately rose to her feet and stomped away with quick, wide strides.
"You're always avoiding this topic."
Florence made no reply. She continued to walk away without any intention of replying to Jess.
Jess could only stare at Florence's departure with a strange look on her face. This was the strangest thing about Florence, according to Jess.
How ironic! Florence is so good at interfering with and solving other people's love stories, while in her own love story, she doesn't even have one.
Things that really made Jess very confused.