My Mirror Image

Chapter 42

After Sieg’s comment, everyone’s attention shifted to Candice.

Alex’s statement had inadvertently embarrassed Candice, making it sound like she was eager to kiss

him.

Sieg continued to ask, “Jack is still here. Are you not going to respect Jack?”

Candice’s fingers tensed around her cup’s rim. She was about to respond when Jackson stepped in,

“Sieg, enough. Candy’s been swamped with work, and she doesn’t handle alcohol well. I’ll take her

drinks for her.”

“Exactly. We’re here to enjoy ourselves. It’s enough to just drink and be merry.”

Marc, who had been silent, now intervened to ease the tension. He filled his glass and toasted, “Jack,

I’ll join you in this one.”

With Jackson and Marc defusing the situation, Sieg backed off.

Once Jackson had downed his drinks, they moved on to another game.

Candice noticed Jackson’s neck turning red. She felt bad about it and apologized, “I’m sorry.”

The group was daring in their game, and the alcohol was strong. After Jackson’s three shots, they

persuaded him to have two more.

Squinting, he leaned back on the sofa and told Candice, “It looks like you’ll definitely have to drive me

home.”

Though the party was meant to continue late, with Jackson intoxicated, Candice left with him.

Candice steadied Jackson, preventing him from stumbling, as they passed Alex and Sonia.

She caught Sonia whispering something to Alex at a volume audible to the two of them.

After assisting Jackson into the car, Candice realized she had forgotten her phone in the private room.

Jackson, rubbing his temples in the passenger seat, retained his courteous nature despite his

inebriation. He spoke softly, “I’ll wait here; go get your phone.”

On her return to the room, she found the party even more animated.

Unnoticed in her entry, with dim lights and someone singing into a microphone, Candice, struggling

with mild night blindness, carefully navigated to her previous spot.

Then, she overheard Sieg questioning Alex, “Did you really not want to kiss Candice, or was it out of

consideration for Sonia?”

With Sonia apparently away, Sieg dared to pose such a query.

Candice, finding her phone, heard Alex’s indifferent reply. “No considerations. I simply lost interest. I’ve

grown weary of her after being with her for so long.”

She stopped breathing. She then quietly retrieved her phone before attempting to leave discreetly.

Unexpectedly, she collided with someone head-on. The person gasped and staggered back.

Marc, startled, questioned, “What are you still doing here? I thought you left?”

“I forgot my phone,” Candice explained. “It’s hard for me to see here.”

Marc, processing the situation, then asked, “Is your vision not good?”

“I have slight night blindness,” she admitted.

“Let me help you out; it’s pretty dark in here,” Marc-offered to guide Candice out.

Once outside, with Marc’s help, Candice paused at the entrance of the bar before heading back to

Jackson.

Noticing her pale expression, Jackson expressed concern. “You don’t look well. Are you okay?”

Candice shook her head and said, “I think the loudness inside is giving me a headache.”

She sounded strained. Jackson, studying her face, remained silent. He offered her a water bottle,

suggesting. Take a break before we leave.”

Candice, however, refused the water, insisting on driving him home first.

Jackson hesitated, then proposed, “It’s fine. Drive to your place instead. I can get an Uber from there.”

She hesitated and then declined, saying, “It would be too much trouble.”

Jackson, not often one to persist, countered, “It’s late, and it’s not safe for a girl to go home alone.”

Once at her place. Jackson did get an Uber. He handed her a small ceramic figurine from his car,

advising. “If you’re upset, put coins in this.”

Confused, Candice did not grasp his meaning at first.

He clarified. “It’s a trick my grandpa used, quite effective. It’s like wishing well.”

Candice went home with the figurines, placing them side by side on her desk. She pondered for a

moment before dropping a coin into it.

On Wednesday, Candice requested time off from work for Joe’s medical follow-ub.

Arriving early at the nursing home to collect him, she encountered the director, who gently reminded

her about the upcoming quarterly fees.

The nursing home’s high standards meant substantial fees. Candice calculated her finances, planning

to settle the bill on Friday.

Joe, disapproving, remarked, “I’ve always said this place is too costly. How much have you spent over

the years?”

As Candice assisted him into the car, she reassured him. “It’s fine. My job at Aether Corporation pays

well.”

After a pause, Joe inquired, “Is your mom still asking for money?”

After Candice’s parents split up, Candice’s mom uprooted and started a new family somewhere else.

Joe

Two yea

years ago, her mother suddenly reached out to her, saying her younger daughter had fallen ill and

needed a large sum of money.

Candice responded after a brief silence, “Don’t worry, I know my limits.”

Joe, limited in what he could say as her mother was his daughter, cautiously suggested,

“Maybe we can find a less expensive place, or I could move back home.”

Candice was adamantly opposed. The old man’s health was deteriorating, and he was alone.

She was preoccupied with work and just did not have time to care for him.

Reassuring the older man, she said, “Just focus on staying healthy; leave the rest to me.”

At the hospital, they discovered it was the day Sonia’s father was being discharged. He had recovered

well enough to walk with a cane.

While Candice was assisting Joe towards the elevator, they encountered Sonia helping her father exit

the elevator. Alex was not in sight.

As Candice helped Joe into the elevator, Sonia called out to her. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Candice spun around, meeting a forced grin when her eyes settled on Candice. Exhaling deeply, she

said. “Lex is in the parking lot, putting things away.”

It was clear that she wanted to show that she had not come alone and that Alex was with her.

Candice remained unmoved, grunting, “Hmm.”

Sonia’s smile disappeared as she watched Candice and Joe enter the elevator. Feeling somewhat

foolish and Intimidated by Candice’s calm demeanor, she couldn’t shake off her feelings of insecurity.

Candice returned to the workplace after ensuring that Joe’s checkup went smoothly.

Upon arrival, Kayla eagerly told her. “The photos from our team-building event are ready. Want to see

them?”

She gave the pictures a cursory look, not expecting much because they were just regular pictures.

However, Kayla was more observant. She browsed through the stack of photos and, with some

uncertainty, pulled out one, “Isn’t this you with Mr. Elysian?”