The Bound Between Us

Chapter 15

After many years, the school reunion brought everyone back together. They’d all been hustling in the real world, and now that they were all back together, it was inevitable that comparisons would be made. She used to be top of the class but look at her now. This was one of the reasons she was reluctant about attending the reunion.

Monica asked on the other end of the line, “Anastasia, you there?”

“Yep.” Anastasia snapped back to reality. “I heard you, about the reunion on Friday. We’ll see, if I have time, I’ll show up”

Monica heard Anastasia’s hesitation, so she didn’t push further and just relayed the message. After hanging up, Anastasia was lost in thought on the balcony, not even noticing when Herman had snuck up behind her. He handed her a glass of water.

“Thanks” Anastasia took the glass, clearly preoccupied.

Herman, hand in pocket, looked at her, “What’s eating you?”

Anastasia hesitated before revealing, “Monica just called, there’s a reunion next week, she asked me to attend. A teacher who was quite nice to me will

also be there”

Herman got it. “You don’t want to go, but feel like you should, so you’re torn.”

Anastasia nodded.

Herman advised, “Just follow your heart. It’s getting late, get some rest.”

Herman didn’t feel like it was his place to comment. He didn’t know Anastasia’s past. Anastasia couldn’t exactly tell him that her ex–boyfriend would be at the reunion either. It was something she had to keep bottled up.

“Right, you too, get some sleep.”

They said goodnight and went their separate ways to their rooms. Anastasia locked her door. Everything was calm that night, and all her previous worries seemed overblown. She had been over– thinking.

The next morning. Anastasia got up to make breakfast. After Herman had eaten, he left for work. She stayed home to clean and do housework. Since she didn’t run her stall the previous night, she lost a few hundred bucks, so she had to make more jewelry today, set up her stall earlier, and make up for the loss.

Herman was swamped. He had meetings as soon as he got to the company and business dinners in the evening. He couldn’t always come home for dinner. If he had to attend a business dinner, he would text Anastasia to eat without him, no need to wait.

Anastasia was busy too, making crafts during the day and setting up her stall at the Night Market at 5 p.m. in the evening. But most of the time, Herman wasn’t home when she got back. He often came back late at night, reeking of alcohol.

Anastasia would make him a breakfast to cure his hangover the next day. Seeing Herman stagger home drunk, Anastasia realized how tough it was for him to hustle in the big city. Women could find a good partner if they couldn’t support the family, but men had to provide for the family, and hold up the

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In the midst of all the hustle, the day of the reunion finally arrived. Monica called first thing in the morning to remind Anastasia.

The party started at 6 p.m. Anastasia was anxious all day. At 5 p.m., she put on a simple dress and light makeup. She couldn’t just roll up to the reunion looking like a hot mess.

At 5:30, Monica picked up Anastasia from Harmony Meadows. That was when Monica found out Anastasia had moved and was living with Herman.

“Harmony Meadows isn’t cheap, I looked it up, it’s at least a million,” Monica said. “Considering your guy’s income, it would take forty to fifty years of not eating or drinking to afford it”

Anastasia strapped in and said, “Yeah, Riverdale real estate is crazy expensive, a lot of people can’t afford it. Renting is a pretty good option. He works till late every night. Monica, don’t talk about this stuff in front of him.”

“Alright, I won’t. Ana, you be careful. He’s handsome, and he works at a big company, there are bound to be girls interested, Monica warned. “If he’s always late, you need to be on your guard.”

Anastasia laughed. “Should be fine, he gives me his whole salary, and he really is just busy”

“Sounds like a good guy, even knows to hand over the paycheck.”

Before long, they had arrived at Le Manoir Prestige, where the reunion dinner was being held.

After getting out of the car, Anastasia eyed the fancy decor of Le Manoir Prestige, swallowed hard, and asked, “Monica, are we going Dutch tonight?”

Eating here would definitely cost a pretty penny. She had just made a little money these past few days, guess that was going towards dinner.