The Prod Woman Ch 22: The Process Of Becoming Friends, A Unexpected Phone Call! (Final)

(Molly)

Molly sat on her couch, the TV flickering in the background, but her thoughts were far from the screen. All she could think about was Travis. It was his first day of school, and the worry gnawed at her. She hoped he'd be safe, that things would go smoothly. She knew she had a lot to make up for and desperately wished Travis could see her differently, not just as the person she'd been, but as someone who cared deeply for him. But for now, she had to put those thoughts aside.

"Alright, time to get going," she said, clapping her hands together as if to shake off the anxiety. Rising from the couch, she smiled, determined to make a good impression. "I don't want to be late for my job interview."

***

(Travis)

Meanwhile, Travis stood nervously in the shadow of Gabby, the Gulliverian he had met at the station. Her presence was overwhelming, to say the least.

"So, you've already made a Gulliverian friend, huh?" Dio teased, giving Travis a playful slap on the shoulder.

"Um, I wouldn't say we're friends," Travis replied, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "We just met once."

"What?" Gabby's voice boomed as she bent down slightly, her expression exaggeratedly offended. "We're not friends?"

"Huh?" Travis looked up, surprised by her reaction. Had he hurt her feelings? "Uh, no, I didn't mean it like that," he stammered.

"Then what did you mean?" Gabby asked, raising an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing as if she were scrutinizing his every word.

"Uh, well, I just think we should get to know each other better before we call each other friends," Travis said quickly, holding up his hands defensively. The memories of his past encounters with giants flickered in his mind, and they weren't pleasant.

"Oh, so you want to get to know me, huh?" Gabby's tone turned cold, her gaze intense.

"Uhhhh..."

Then, just as suddenly, her expression softened, and she smiled brightly. "Okay!"

"Huh?" Travis was caught off guard as she knelt down, bringing her face closer to his level.

"That seems reasonable," Gabby said with a warm smile. "Let's start with introductions. My name is Gabby Thornfield, and this," she gestured to the skinny Gulliverian man with short brown hair and glasses standing nearby, "is my friend Karl Ashford."

"Hey," Karl said with a small wave, looking down at Travis.

Travis managed a slight smile as he looked up at him.

"And you are?" Gabby prompted.

"Oh, right... I'm Travis Spring," he said, snapping out of his daze.

"And I'm Dio Hawthorne," Dio added, throwing his arm over Travis's shoulder in a friendly manner.

"It's nice to meet you both," Gabby said, her smile widening.

"Well, it's nice to meet you too," Travis replied, trying to sound polite but feeling the urgency to move along. "But I think we need to get to the Lilliputian section."

Gabby's smile didn't waver. Instead, she extended her hand toward Travis. "How about I give you a ride? It'll be quicker."

Travis hesitated, his heart racing at the thought. "I thought members of different races couldn't trespass into each other's sections," he said cautiously, trying to find an excuse to avoid the offer.

Gabby chuckled softly. "Those rules are mostly for the Brobs. For Lillis and Gulliverians, they're not as strict."

"So, about that ride," she continued, inching her hand closer to Travis, who took a step back, clearly nervous.

"We'll accept your offer!" Dio interjected with enthusiasm.

Travis shot him a look of shock. "Huh?"

"Come on, Travis. It'll be fun!" Dio grinned as he nudged him forward, towards Gabby's open palm.

Gabby's eyes sparkled with amusement as she waited patiently. "Don't worry, Travis. I won't drop you," she said reassuringly.

Travis gulped, glancing between Dio and Gabby. It was clear he didn't have much of a choice. Taking a deep breath, he nodded, albeit reluctantly, and slowly stepped onto Gabby's palm.

"There you go," Gabby said softly, her voice gentle as she carefully lifted him up. "See? Not so bad, right?"

Travis didn't answer, too focused on the fact that he was now sitting in the palm of a giantess. The world below looked even smaller from this height, but despite his fears, he couldn't deny the slight thrill of it all.

***

(Molly)

Molly walked down the bustling city street, the noise of cars and chatter filling the air around her. She tried to keep her focus on the interview ahead, each step bringing her closer to the building where she hoped her future awaited. It wasn't just any job—this was her chance to start over, to rebuild her life after everything that had happened. She needed this job, not just for herself, but for Travis too. She wanted to show him that she could be someone he could rely on, someone who could take care of him and provide a stable home. The thought of finally getting back on her feet gave her a flicker of hope, one that she desperately clung to.

As she walked, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out, glancing at the screen. The number was unfamiliar, but something urged her to answer it.

"Hello?" she said, bringing the phone to her ear.

"Molly."

The voice on the other end sent a chill down her spine. "Ski?" Molly's voice wavered, a mix of surprise and dread washing over her.

"I see you're out," Ski's voice was smooth, almost too calm. "I heard the Prodigan Council decided to give you another chance. That's nice for them, I suppose. But for me? Well, let's just say I don't share their generosity."

Molly's heart sank. She had hoped to avoid this conversation, to leave the past behind and focus on the future. But here it was, confronting her when she least expected it. "Ski, I'm sorry. I really am. I know I messed up, but—"

Ski cut her off, her voice sharp and cold. "I don't want to hear your apologies, Molly. They mean nothing to me now. You think you can just move on? Start over? After what you did? No. You don't get to just walk away from this."

Molly's breath hitched. "Ski, please—"

"I'm going to make sure you pay for what you did," Ski continued, her voice laced with venom. "You might think you're getting a fresh start, but I promise you, Molly, I'll make sure you suffer. I'll make sure you lose everything, just like you made me lose everything."

Molly's grip tightened on the phone, her knuckles turning white. "Ski, don't do this. I know I hurt you, but revenge isn't going to—"

But before she could finish, the line went dead. Ski had hung up.

"Ski!" Molly shouted into the phone, but it was useless. Ski was already gone. The silence on the other end echoed in her ears, leaving her standing there on the sidewalk, her heart pounding in her chest.

She looked around, trying to steady herself, but the world seemed to blur around her. The hope she had felt just moments ago was now overshadowed by a looming sense of dread. Ski's words echoed in her mind, and all the progress she had hoped to make felt suddenly fragile, as if it could be shattered at any moment.

Taking a deep breath, Molly forced herself to keep walking. She couldn't afford to fall apart now, not with so much on the line. But as she made her way to the interview, a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that Ski's threat was more than just words, and that her past might still have the power to ruin everything she was trying to rebuild.