"By the way, Althea," Melanie said behind her. "Hmm?" Althea put back her son's ID on the counter and looked back. "What?" "Charlotte..." She hesitated. "Is your friend, right?" Althea laughed and pretended to think while leaning on the counter. "Hmm? Friends?" She turned to Kai and jokingly asked. "Are Mommy and Charlotte friends? What do you think, Kai?" Kai also turned to look at her and thought, his blue eyes were sinking in the depth of the ocean. Then he said truthfully. "No." "What?" Althea dragged on the question in amusement. "Why do you say so?" Kai said with a serious expression. "Charlotte said that you don't have friends. So, I think you're not friends with her too." "..." Both Melanie and Althea stared at him in silence before the former let out laughter that annoyed the latter. "What are you laughing at?" Althea yelled at Melanie in annoyance. Melanie just shook her head and didn't say anything about it. "Ah," Melanie suddenly had a realization that stopped her
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT; Party Night (2) -- A ding rang, indicating that Althea had already arrived. She raised her head and looked at the opening door of the elevator. No one was with her in the elevator, so she fluidly went out from the elevator shaft. After stepping out, the lights of the massive room of the hotel blinded her. She almost squinted her eyes. Soft and small murmurs entered her ears. There was also a clanging of plates and glasses. Althea surveyed the area and noticed that the place wasn't as crowded as she thought it would be. Maybe only selected ones are welcome here. Althea shrugged at the thought. An attendant approached her with a polite smile. "May I see your invitation, ma'am?" Althea halted and opened her purse, then handed the invitation to her. The attendant looked at it briefly before showing another smile. "Thank you. Please have a pleasant evening." Althea watched her walk away and attend to the other guest. No one noticed her arrival, since none of
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE; Party Night (3) -- The three watched them in silence until the lone woman talked. "Hey, you said she's wearing a party gown, right? Since she's not here, there's only one place she's in." "... Where?" Aaron asked. "On the floor directly below us," the woman laughed. "So, who's ready for the show?" 'Show? What show?' Dave asked himself. 'But whatever it is, I'm pretty sure it's not good since April's making it.' Aaron didn't say anything, he just silently watched the two who had just come in and instantly became the center of attraction. April ignored the two after saying that and looked at the two that were sticking together like a goddamn glue. No, it was Sheryl who was sticking at the other like gum. The sight of her clinging to him like how she used to do during their college times makes her blood slowly boil. To think that she saw her as a true friend during their college days, but when she saw her snatching Tyler when Althea and him were still togeth
CHAPTER FIFTY: A familiar face -- Dave leans on the table while looking at the dancing crowd in the center, casually sipping the alcohol he has in his hand. His head was bobbing along to the music that was airing on the air. His eyes caught Aaron who was walking towards him. He straightened his back and placed the glass of alcohol back on the table. He looked behind Aaron and saw that she was not there. He asked curiously asked. “Where is April?” She was with him just a while ago. She dragged Aaron to somewhere Dave knew nothing about and was excluded from the topic they were talking about. Aaron was silent for a moment before opening his mouth. “She ran off after saying she had to prepare for the surprise.” “What surprise?” Dave asked again. The feeling of being left out was suffocating. If only they included him in their discussion, too, he would not be asking questions. Aaron, aware of what was going on inside his mind, shook his head and replied with helplessness in his vo
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE:The Beginning--In this world, many people have similar features as others despite having no blood relation at all, so seeing someone familiar is not uncommon- but it is not common either. So, seeing a person that is oddly familiar to her, Althea was not even disturbed. What disturbs her is the way she looks at her and her smile. She was pretty, she cannot deny that. She has this milky white and as shiny and smooth as crystal ball skin that a renowned dermatologist tended, it even glows since she was wearing a red backless and sleeveless party dress. She had plumped her red lip, giving it a bouncy appearance, and her hair was gorgeously tied with loose strands. She screams the aura of a goddess with wealth.Yes, again, she is pretty. And she looks smart. And feisty. But then again, why is a beauty looking at her like she was a cow who was being guided towards the butchery? Althea had no clue at all.They were just staring at each other in silence until Althea coul
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO:All Eyes---Meanwhile…It was already evening, and the people in the shop were having dinner. It was only Becca, Jack, Kai, and Melanie. The shop was already closed for a while, but Jack did not go home. He decided to stay to eat with them.“Hmm!” He moaned in delight. “Your cooking is superb, Melanie! I would like to stay for dinner again next time.”Melanie almost choked on her food and looked at the guy who was still chowing down the food like a hungry wolf who had not eaten anything for the past few months. Then she shrugged her shoulders and said nonchalantly, “It is just mac and cheese, and some fried chicken, but thank you.”Jack shook his head. “No- don’t ever underestimate the power of cheese and chicken.” Becca nodded at his statement while stuffing herself with Melanie’s fried chicken wings. She just loves the tenderness of the meat and its aroma. Its hunger-inducing and its sweetness with a hint of spiciness was good. Melanie just nodded and said her th
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE:Hostages--There is one thing that Althea hates the most ever since she was young. And it was unnecessary attention.In her younger years, she was constantly inside their home or their backyard, tending the garden. She sometimes helps with their shop and does deliveries, but talking and interacting with others more than that? No, she cannot remember doing that. But for the past two years, she learned how to socialize and talk with others. It was good for her, said her doctor. It was good talking with older people and strangers, but people from the past? She has to think twice before even making eye contact with them.Standing in front of a room that is full of familiar faces, Althea can feel her chest tightening and her breathing become ragged. Feeling their stares and gazes directed at her, she can feel herself drowning with hatred and disgust. It was as if she traveled back through time, 7 years ago.Although this is a high school reunion and 7 years ago was t
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR:Left Behind--Bomb?April paled after hearing the phrase. Even Tyler furrowed his brows. Dave looked at Aaron and the latter was thinking deeply. Sheryl gripped Tyler’s arm tightly and said, “Is that so? Then we should get going to the safe room. But—is that sturdy enough to protect us from exploding bombs?”April glared at her, “Do you think our building is made with cheap materials? Unless it’s nuclear, of course, it will withstand it.”Sheryl glared back, “If you’re that proud of your hotel, why did those even enter here?”April looked at her in disappointment, “Ha! You were pretty smart when we were in high school but for some reason, your personality and intelligence decreased at an alarming rate during college. Did you not hear what this guy said earlier? They killed the guards.” She snorted and rolled her eyes; absolute disgust was lacing her stares and voice. “Stupid. What can humans do with guns? Evade them in a super lightning speed like superheroes?”“Yo