Chapter 133 Her success
As Anabelle walked out of the office the cool evening air felt gentle against her face.
The city lights twinkled like little stars and she couldn’t stop smiling. Her steps were swift and her heart felt light. She took out her phone and called Fred.
He heard the second ring. He said “Hey, what's that smile in your voice?”
“I want to share something important with you.” she said
“You seem excited,” he said. “What is it?”
“I will tell you face-to-face.” She said “Are you home?”
“Yes, I just returned from work,”he said.
“I’ll be over” she said.
“All right, move quickly. I'll place an order, " he declared.
She said “All right see you soon.”
She flagged a cab as the call came to an end. She was constantly grinning when she was reflected in the window.
“I did it,” she muttered to herself.
The hallway of Fred's apartment was filled with the aroma of food when she arrived. Quickly she knocked. Fred, still in his casual shirt, opened the door.
He said “You ran here didn't you?”
“Perhaps” she remarked laughing.
“Come in," he said.
Then she entered.
Pizza pasta and two glasses were already on the table. “You ordered my favorite.” she said
He remarked “I thought this was good news.”
She turned to him leaving her bag on the couch. “I got promoted, Fred!”
His eyes were wide as he froze for a moment. “What?...You?” he inquired.
“I got promoted! Senior Executive Manager!” she exclaimed
Fred’s lips fell over. “You mean it?” he inquired.
“Yes” she said “I was called into Judes office this morning.”
“Wow Anabelle! That’s amazing! You did it!” he said.
Her voice was tremulous with laughter. “I still find it hard to believe. I earned it. Fred, I worked so hard” she said.
“You did, I'm sure of it.” He said “You deserve all of it.”
“When he called I thought I was in trouble.”
He laughed, “You worry too much all the time.”
She said “I know but it's true! My heart was pounding when I walked in.”
He smiled. “Now look at you, a glowing manager.”
She proudly declared “Senior manager.”
He held up his glass. He said “To Anabelle the woman who never gives up.”
She raised her glass in laughter as well. She said “To Fred who never stopped believing in me.”
They took a sip and clinked glasses. There was a lot of laughter in the warm room.
“So please tell me everything. How did that happen?” he inquired.
She took a seat next to him on the couch. He informed me that he had been “observing my work.” She remarked “He said my performance stood out. Naturally it did.”
He remarked “You’ve been handling the tasks of three people.”
“I assumed he was unaware,” she remarked.
“You don't realize how much bosses observe,” he said.
“He even instructed me to begin the following week. I’ll have a new team and office.” she gushed
“Anna, that is huge. You’re making great progress” he remarked.
Her smile was a gentle one.
“I feel as though I’m dreaming.” She remarked “I kept waiting for someone to pinch me.”
“Want me to do it?” he mockingly inquired.
She chuckled and shook her head. “Thank you,” she replied.
Fred moved in closer. “You have all my admiration. I'm very proud” he said.
Her smile softened into a softer one. “Thank you Fred,” she said. “You’ve been there through it all.”
“You put in all the effort. Nevertheless you paid attention to my late-night gripes.” He joked
“I was inspired by you,” she said.
He laughed heartily.
With the city lights flickering through the window they sat in silence for a while. The air between them felt warm and calm.
Subsequently she spoke once more.”You know what I've been thinking?”
“What?” he inquired.
“I want to get my own apartment.” she said with a fulfilled smile.
His eyes flickered.
“Really?” he inquired.
“Now is the moment. Now that I have enough saved up I can finally afford it thanks to this promotion” she remarked.
He remarked, “That’s a big move.”
“I'd like my own place. I have my own home” she remarked.
He grinned slowly. “That sounds like the Anabelle I know,” he said.
“I’ve always dreamed about it, Fred. A small apartment, a car and my peace” she said.
He said “You deserve that peace.Where would you like to stay?”
“Perhaps a peaceful location near the company. I don't want to be killed by traffic every morning” she remarked.
“That's shrewd. But you will require assistance with moving” he stated.
“I’ll give you a call first.”She said
He grinned.
“That would be an honor,” he said.
She sighed contentedly and leaned back. “It feels like everything is starting to come together,” she said.
“It’s about time,” he said.
She looked at him with a playful smile. “You sound like you’ve been waiting for me to grow up,” she said.
“I’ve been watching you grow for years,” he said.
She laughed and remarked, “That sounds old.”
“But you’re smiling,” he said.
“Because it’s sweet,” she said.
He laughed softly. “You should see yourself right now. You look so happy” he said.
“I am happy. For the first time in a long time” she said.
“You worked hard for this feeling,” he said.
“I did. And I won’t waste it” she said.
“I know you won't,” he said.
They started laughing in between bites. They seemed to have waited too long for this tranquility as the night seemed effortless.
“So” he said “When are you going to buy the car?”
“Maybe next month.” She said “I want something simple, maybe blue.”
“I can already picture you driving a blue car,” he said.
“Yes I do.” She said “There will be no more buses and rainy waits.”
“That comfort is yours to earn,” he said.
“I’ll see to it,” she said.
He leaned back, studying her face. “You look different” he said
“How?” she asked.
“More confident. Like someone who knows where she’s going” he said.
She smiled. “That’s exactly how I feel,” she said.
Fred’s eyes softened. “I’m proud of the woman you’re becoming,” he said.
Her throat tightened a little. “Thank you. I don’t think I’d be this strong without your support” she said.
“I didn’t do much,” he said.
“You did more than you think,” she said.
He reached out, brushing stray hair from her face.
“Keep shining Anabelle. Don’t let anyone dim it” he said.
“I won’t. Not anymore” she said.
The clock ticked softly in the background.
She leaned back against the couch, her heart full. The pizza box sat half-open, forgotten as they talked about plans and dreams—her apartment, her car, the new job and the future she could finally touch.
“Goodnight Manager Anabelle,” he said.
She smiled her voice light. “Goodnight Fred,” she said.
For the first time she felt completely in charge of her life—strong, free and ready for everything ahead.