One Wild Night

968  Cafeteria

Lucy sat at her desk, typing away at her computer when she glanced at the clock. When she saw it was almost time for lunch, she leaned back in her chair for a moment and rang Amy's intercom.

She straightened up when she heard a knock at the door. "Come in!" Lucy called, her tone warm.

The door opened, and Amy stepped inside, "Hi, Lucy. You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, Amy. Come in, sit down." Lucy gestured toward the chair in front of her desk. Amy obliged, looking curious. "I wanted to check in with you. How have you been?"

Amy shrugged lightly. "I've been okay.  I guess," she said with a small smile.

She had not realized how easy it was to form attachments until Lucas left and now it felt like she just couldn't function without him.

Lucy nodded, understanding. "Why don't we have lunch together?" She suggested, surprising Amy.

"What?" Amy asked, and Lucy smiled.

"It's lunch hour already," Lucy pointed out.

"I know. But everyone knows you usually have lunch with the CEO in his office," Amy explained.

"That's right. But the CEO is busy today, and I have missed the food at cafeteria. Why don't we go there? Or is there somewhere else you would like to eat?" Lucy asked, and Amy shook her head.

"The Cafeteria is fine," Amy said and Lucy rose and picked up her blazer.

"Good then. Let's go for it," Lucy said as she wore it.

As they both walked out together, the rest of the team who were also leaving for lunch looked at them with interest.

"Ms Perry, can we join you? We've never had a team dinner or hangout together," one of the interns said, when they got to the cafeteria.

"I want a quiet lunch with just Amy, but now that you've mentioned it, let's arrange for a team bonding weekend soon," Lucy said, and everyone cheered happily.

As Lucy and Amy went to join the little queue for lunch, those on the queue urged Lucy to go ahead of them and get her meal, but Lucy politely declined, insisting on staying on the line like everyone else. And even when the servers asked her to go sit down so they could come take her order, she insisted that they don't worry about her.

While they were still trying to convince Lucy, Jade walked in and made her way directly to the counter, bypassing the queue to get her meal.

She paused when she saw Lucy on the line, "What are you doing here?" Jade asked with a puzzled expression.

"Submitting a business proposal," Lucy quipped and both Jade and everyone else that heard her laughed.

"I mean why are you on the queue? Come get your meal, you're making everyone uncomfortable," Jade said, remembering when Harry did something similar during her first visit to the cafeteria in the past (Chapter 304).

Lucy looked at the others on the queue and then at Amy. When Amy nodded, she sighed before going to join Jade in front while Amy remained on the queue.

"Why would they be uncomfortable, anyway?" Lucy muttered to Jade after they had been served.

"It's just human nature. They all know you to be the CEO's lady. Why would you be on the queue? Do you think they would be okay with Tom being on the queue? Back when you were an employee would have been okay with Harry standing behind you on the queue?" Jade asked, as they both took their tray to one of the tables.

Lucy laughed at the picture. "I guess not. But I think it's just messed up that doing the right thing makes everyone feel uncomfortable," Lucy said, and Jade shrugged.

"As long as I don't get to stand on any queue with my stilettos, I honestly don't care," Jade said, and Lucy laughed.

"Why are you at the cafeteria today? I thought Adolf usually brings your lunch?" Jade asked curiously.

"Yeah. I wanted to hangout with Amy today. You know, check on her," Lucy said, and Jade grinned.

"I guess you're trying to teach me how to be a better de facto sister-in-law to you," Jade said, and Lucy laughed.

"I think you've been great so far," Lucy assured her.

"How's the plan for the bridal shower coming?" Lucy asked, changing the subject.

"Oh! Aurora is sparing no expense. You girls are going to be blown away," Jade said, and Lucy giggled.

"Will Aurora mind if I bring a plus one? I'd like Amy to tag along," Lucy said, and Jade shrugged.

"I'll give you an invite for her. There is enough of everything to go round, trust me. By the time we are done, you're going to want to marry Tom just so you can throw a bridal shower, and you're going to want me to plan it all," Jade said, making Lucy laugh.

Just then Amy joined them, and immediately Jade rose, "I guess I should leave you two to enjoy your lunch. I'll join my colleagues as usual," Jade said, knowing that if she stayed, Lucy and Amy wouldn't be able to interact as much as they should.

"We will catch up later," Lucy said and smiled as she watched Jade go.

"So, I wanted to ask, do you have any plans for this weekend?" Lucy asked as they dug into their food.

Amy blinked, surprised by the question. "Oh, um... I don't really have any serious plans. I was just thinking of staying in, maybe catching up on some reading or movies."

"Staying in?" Lucy raised an eyebrow playfully. "That sounds cozy, but wouldn't you prefer a little excitement instead?" Lucy asked, not believing she was the one asking someone that question now.

Amy tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Lucy began, leaning forward with a grin. "This weekend is a friend's wedding. Sunday precisely. But we have activities lined up. Tonight is just a girls hang out. Tomorrow is the bridal shower, and Sunday is the wedding. I want you to hang out with us."

"Did Lucas put you up to this?" Amy asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

Lucy laughed softly. "He did ask me to keep an eye on you, yes, but honestly, I want you to come too. Lucas worries about you, but so do I. Plus, we haven't had the chance to hang out properly yet. What do you say?"

Amy sighed but smiled. "That sounds like a lot of activities."

"It is. But it will be fun. You missed Sonia's party last time, and you definitely shouldn't miss this. Trust me, it'll be worth it," Lucy promised.

Amy hesitated, her lips parting as if to form an excuse, but before she could, Lucy spoke again. "I'm not taking no for an answer. You need this, Amy. It'll be good to get out for a while, and I promise it won't be overwhelming. You can leave if you feel overwhelmed."

"Okay, okay. You win. I'll come," Amy conceded, thinking that it won't be a bad idea to meet new friends and hang out for a change instead of staying alone in her room thinking about mourning Miley and missing Lucas.

"Good!" Lucy clapped her hands together in satisfaction. "Text me your address, and I'll swing by on my way to pick you up."

"I will. Thanks, Lucy."

"Of course," Lucy replied. "I'm looking forward to it." Lucy was pleased that she had convinced Amy to join her for the night out.

Amy smiled, "Do you know what I just remembered?" Amy asked, and Lucy raised a brow curiously.

"No. What?"

"I remember the time you were upset because we didn't have anything negative to say about your proposed project and you thought it was because of your relationship with the CEO," Amy said, and Lucy giggled.

"That feels like such a long time ago. Why did you think of that?" Lucy asked with a wide smile.

Amy shrugged, "I don't know. It just came to mind. You don't seem to be worried about that anymore."

Lucy laughed softly, "I'm not. I've not even given that a thought in a really looooong time. I think in my mind Tom is just Tom, and my job is my job. Both are not the same. I'm competent. I didn't get the job because of our relationship. And I didn't get Tom because of the job. So, I've been keeping both separate," Lucy said and Amy smiled.

"It's nice. You both have a great relationship. And I love how he adores you," Amy said and Lucy giggled.

"Yeah. I love that too," Lucy said, and then sighed as she looked around the cafeteria.

She smiled as she remembered the first and last time she was there. The first time had been when she saw Tom talking to Anita here, and she assumed Anita was the lady he was in love with.

The last time had been the day Tom told her about Dawn and she ran out crying. Harry had brought her here to talk to her and advise her.

Lucy sighed inwardly, suddenly feeling a rush of emotions at both memories. She had done a lot of growing up since those times. Now she felt like a totally different person. The only thing that had remained constant for her was Tom's love.

After lunch they returned to the office, and just as Lucy settled back in her seat, there was another knock on the door, and Lucy was surprised to see Harry walk in.

"HaHa!" she exclaimed with a wide smile, standing up from her desk. "This is a surprise."

Harry chuckled as he walked in, "What, I can't just drop by to see my favorite cousin?"

Lucy laughed. "Of course you can. I just didn't expect it." She motioned for him to sit down. "So, what brings you by?"

Harry strolled over to one of the chairs and sat down, looking a bit more serious than usual. "It's been a while since we had a proper chat, and I just wanted to check on you."

Lucy's expression softened. "I'm fine. How about you?"

Harry exhaled. "I'm okay, I guess." He paused, glancing at the floor. "I got a call from the prison today. They told me that Sara is in a critical state."

Lucy's smile faltered. "Oh," she said softly.

"Just that her condition has deteriorated and she might not make it past this month," Harry muttered, his voice tinged with indifference.

He met Lucy's eyes. "I haven't told my Dad. I don't think I should tell him. I mean, they don't have any more business together. Candace doesn't care either. Do you think we should tell your Mom? Would she even care?"

Lucy sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I don't know. You know how complicated things are between them. How do you feel about it though?"

Harry shrugged, his gaze distant. "Honestly, I don't feel anything about it. If she dies, I think I'd prefer that. At least then, I could just accept that I don't have a mother, rather than knowing she's rotting behind bars for what she did."

Lucy didn't respond right away. She understood Harry's complicated feelings toward Sara. "I'll let my Mom know about it," Lucy said gently.

Harry nodded, his expression grateful. He shifted in his seat and cleared his throat, lightening the mood. "Enough of that, though. How's the proposal plan going?"

Lucy brightened at the change of subject, her eyes sparkling. "It's going smoothly! We're getting everything lined up, and I'm so excited. I was thinking about sending out the invitations soon, but I wanted to ask you— when do you think I should start?"

Harry smiled. "I'd say next month would be perfect. That way, the guests have plenty of time to clear their schedules and RSVP. Better to give them more notice than less."

"That's what I was thinking too," Lucy agreed.

"You can send the invitation to my office if it's ready, and I will have my secretary send them out."

"Thanks, Harry."

"Anytime," he replied, standing up.

"How are things going with Jade?" Lucy asked, and Harry chuckled.

"She said she wasn't going to marry me if I don't go for therapy, so I signed up for therapy. It's official. We all are having therapy. Have Tom sign up for one too. He needs it after all those crazy ladies he's been with," Harry said, and Lucy laughed out loud.

"I don't think so. Tom is good," Lucy assured him.

"If you say so. Don't say I didn't tell you," Harry said with a grin, "I should get going, but let me know how it goes with your Mom. And let me know if you need my help regarding the proposal, or whatever."

"I will," Lucy assured him, walking him to the door. "And thank you for stopping by. We will stop over at yours tomorrow. Candace said Aaron will be back from his gurlfriend's place by then," Lucy said with a grin and Harry chuckled.

"So he said. Let's hope he keeps to his word," he said and Lucy giggled as she watched him leave.

After the day closed behind him, she took a deep breath before dialing her mother's line to let her know that Sara was dying.