One Step at a Time

Carla felt a renewed sense of vitality after a few days of rest and the delightful moments she had shared with her girlfriend recently. However, a nagging part of her felt uneasy about going back to work. Last night, after the cheerful evening at the Bistro with the Swains, she had made a firm decision to return, despite Lisa, Ryan, and Roy expressing their concerns.

As she lay in bed, she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for the factory’s fast-paced environment—a place buzzing with energy and challenges. Yes, being pampered by her support network had its perks, but the monotony of staring at daytime television was beginning to wear her down. What had once felt like a luxury now felt more like a cage.

The only real joy in her week was seeing Lisa, though she was acutely aware that her girlfriend's demanding role at the station and the strain of the ongoing investigation meant their time together would be limited. Carla felt conflicted: she wanted to be there for Lisa, but she also craved the familiarity and excitement of her job. Would returning to work bring her the fulfillment she needed, or would it only deepen her worries about the woman she loved?

Carla lay in bed for a few more moments, gathering her thoughts as the sunlight filtered through the curtains. She swung her legs over the side, feeling the cool floor beneath her feet, a sharp contrast to the cozy warmth of her blankets. "Time to get moving," she murmured to herself, knowing she needed to shake off any lingering doubts.

As she made her way to the bathroom, she mentally prepared for the day. A quick splash of water on her face woke her up, while her toothbrush made short work of her morning routine. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and realised she needed more than just a refreshing wash; she needed a good outfit, something that would help her feel confident.

With a comfortable pair of leggings, a vibrant blouse selected and a splash of her favorite perfume to finish off, she felt a spark of excitement creep into her heart. Today would be a fresh start, or so she hoped.

Just as she was about to grab her keys from the hallway table, she heard the familiar sound of her nephew approaching, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Hey," he began, his voice laced with apprehension. "Are you really going back to work already? I thought Lisa said you needed more time to recover.”

Carla rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. “Ryan, I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine. A couple of days off is more than enough rest for me,” she replied, her tone a bit sharper than intended.

“You don’t look fine, though. You still seem pale, and you were pretty worn out last week. It feels like you’re rushing things,” Ryan pressed, concern etched on his face.

“I can handle this, okay? I love my job, and sitting around here is just making me restless,” she fired back, her stubbornness flaring.

Ryan raised an eyebrow, trying to keep the conversation light despite her tone. “Restless, sure, but don’t you think it’s better to not push yourself too hard? You have all of us supporting you, and we just want to make sure you’re okay.”

Carla softened, recognising the genuine worry in his eyes. “You’re right, I know you’re just looking out for me,” she said, her voice dropping to a gentler tone. “I’m sorry for snapping. I love you for caring, but I really do need to get back to work. It’s what I enjoy.”

“Just promise me you’ll take it easy. If you need to, call me,” Ryan replied, giving her a supportive smile.

“Of course, I promise,” she said, returning the smile, her heart swelling with affection for him. “Now, stop worrying so much!”

Ryan chuckled, the tension easing between them. “Alright, just making sure you don’t overdo it. I’ll catch you later, okay?”

As Ryan made his way into the bathroom, Carla felt a mixture of warmth and determination. She loved that Ryan cared, but deep down, she knew she was ready to take on the world again. She grabbed her bag and headed for the door, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. One step at a time, she reminded herself, embracing the day ahead.

As Carla entered the factory, she was welcomed by the familiar sounds of buzzing machines and the lively chatter of workers. Although she had her doubts about anyone else fixing the chaos left by the break-in, Sarah had reassured her that she'd handle everything and there was no need to worry. Deep down, she trusted Sarah, but the nagging feeling that the factory was her responsibility lingered; she hated the loss of control.

Shaking off her worries, Carla scanned the factory floor and felt a wave of relief wash over her as she took in the sight of everything seemingly back to normal. A smile crept across her face as she stepped into her office. There, she found Sarah hard at work, paperwork, samples, and designs sprawled across the large desk before her. Carla also noticed that all the laptops had been replaced—thanks to her quick call to the insurance company right before she had collapsed and been rushed to the hospital.

When Sarah looked up from her desk and saw Carla standing in the doorway, deep in thought, her smile was tinged with concern.

“Carla, how are you feeling? I didn’t realise you were coming back today,” Sarah said warmly.

Catching the worry in Sarah's voice, Carla tried to lighten the mood and brush aside any further anxious glances from those around her. “Oh, you know, there’s only so much Deal or No Deal I can watch,” she replied with a laugh. “I also wanted to make sure everything was alright after the break-in, but it looks like you’ve handled it all beautifully. Thank you, Sarah… for sorting everything out,” the factory owner expressed, her gratitude evident.

Carla settled into her office chair, the familiar creak echoing softly as she faced a mountain of spreadsheets on her desk. She stared at the data, her mind trying to wrap around the new orders that had come in while she was away. Numbers blurred together, and for a moment, she felt overwhelmed, but she took a deep breath, reminding herself that she was back in the driver’s seat.

After a few moments of concentration, she gathered her resolve and picked up the phone. The first client on her list was a long-time partner who always brought a sense of warmth to their conversations. As she dialed, a smile tugged at her lips, grateful for the connection.

“Hi, Mark! It’s Carla,” she said cheerfully when he answered.

“Carla! Great to hear your voice! How are you feeling?” he asked, genuine concern in his tone.

“I’m much better, thank you! Just diving back into work. I wanted to touch base about the order. It looks like we’re a bit ahead of schedule.”

Their conversation flowed easily; laughter mixed with discussions about logistics and the promise of future orders. Carla felt herself relax, the weight of control settling back onto her shoulders. She hung up feeling more invigorated than before.

Next, she called another client, a slick businessman notorious for his charming yet sleazy demeanor. He picked up with an overly enthusiastic tone.

“Carla! What a lovely surprise! How are you, gorgeous?” he purred.

She rolled her eyes, but rather than allowing his flirtation to affect her mood, she responded with an assertive tone. “I’m doing well, thanks. Let’s focus on the new order that just came through.”

They navigated through the details of the contract, Carla maintaining her professionalism despite his attempts to steer the conversation elsewhere. Each time he tried to veer into flirtation, she redirected back to business.

“I appreciate your interest in me, but let’s keep it about what truly matters—signing on the dotted line,” she said firmly, feeling a sense of empowerment with each word.

As the call wrapped up, Carla couldn’t help but chuckle. He had hoped to rattle her, but instead, she emerged victorious. With every conversation, her confidence grew, bringing with it a rush of exhilaration. She was back, and the factory was thriving.

With renewed energy, she returned to her spreadsheets, the rows of numbers beginning to make sense. She felt the rhythm of her day reestablishing itself. Carla knew that despite the chaos from her absence, the factory had weathered the storm, and she was ready to lead it into brighter days ahead.

The rest of her afternoon was a whirlwind of productive moments, meetings, and plans laid out. Each task completed felt like a small victory, one that reaffirmed her role as the heart of the factory. As she wrapped up her final call, Carla looked out over the bustling factory floor with a sense of belonging, a steady smile on her face. She was ready to tackle whatever came next, and nothing could shake her newfound resolve.

After closing down her laptop, Carla pulled out her phone, a smile lingering from the bright interactions she’d had throughout the day. She opened a new message to Lisa and typed quickly, hoping to share some of her enthusiasm.

“Hey! Just finished up at work. How was your day? xx ❤️”

Almost instantly, the phone buzzed with Lisa’s reply.

“Hey! My day was better than yesterday, thankfully! I finally gathered some evidence, but it’s not enough for a solid case yet. Still, it feels good to be making progress! How about you? Are you feeling okay going back to work so soon? xx”

Carla read the message, noting the concern woven through Lisa's words. It warmed her heart, but she also wanted to ease her girlfriend’s mind. She typed back thoughtfully, responding to both sides of the conversation.

“I’m glad to hear you’re making progress! I know it’s hard, but you’ll get there. ❤️ As for me, I had a really productive day! It felt great to be back in control, calling clients, and even handling the sleazy ones like a boss! 😂 I think jumping back in was exactly what I needed. Don’t worry about me; I’m taking it one step at a time. xx”

There was a brief pause before the reply came through.

“Good to hear! You really are amazing. Just take care of yourself, okay? I want you back in my arms in one piece! Can’t wait to hear all the juicy details about your day. 😊 xx”

Carla chuckled, her heart swelling with affection for Lisa. She quickly responded, “I missed our talks and your visit today! Let’s have a phone call tonight, and I’ll give you the full rundown. How about that? xx”

“Sounds perfect! I’ll have a bottle of wine ready. 🍷 xx”

Carla smiled, lightness washing over her at the thought of spending the evening on the phone with Lisa. “I’m just wrapping up here- about to head home, and then I’m all yours. ❤️ xx”

She set her phone down, feeling a steady warmth in her chest. Life was busy, but there was a rhythm to it now, one that felt good and—more importantly—felt shared.

As she left the factory, thoughts of their evening phone call together danced in her mind, mixing with the sense of accomplishment from her day. Carla felt balanced—juggling her responsibilities while being anchored by the love and support of her favorite person. It was the perfect way to end a day that started with uncertainty but turned into something she could be proud of.