The best-friend

Chapter Two

Becca’s eyes widened in disbelief the moment she traced her friend’s gaze landing on the TV.

“Hell no! Emily,” she said in disapproval, immediately reading her friend’s mind.

“No, what?” Emily asked.

“I won’t let you go to your ex for help,” Becca said, crossing her arms.

“You won’t let me help you, but you’re willing to go to your ex for money?”

“I don’t mean Richard, dummy,” Emily said, taking a sip of her wine as she turned her attention back to the TV.

“Then who? Who else is connected to Williams Enterprise?” Becca asked curiously.

“Vanessa!” Emily responded, peeling her eyes from the TV and now staring at her friend.

“His wife? Are you crazy?” Becca asked, startled.

“The bitch who stole your man?” She moved closer to Emily. “Are you drunk already?” she asked, eyeing her friend.

“What? No,” Emily scoffed, dangling the half-empty bottle of wine in Becca’s face. “We’re still on our first bottle. How can I be drunk?”

“Well, you keep saying nonsense. Normal people would know better than to go to their ex’s wife for help.”

“She’s not just Williams’s wife, you know,” Emily said as she picked up her phone and scrolled through her photos. She stopped at one particular picture that held a lot of memories.

“See.” Emily pointed the picture at Becca’s face. The image showed Emily and Vanessa hugging each other and smiling sheepishly on their second trip to Dubai during their college years, a trip solely sponsored by Vanessa’s wealthy parents.

Bringing the phone to her view, Emily traced her fingers over the image. “And besides, it wasn’t their fault they got married.” She sighed heavily, her shoulders dropping as she remembered the painful past.

Williams and Vanessa’s parents had been friends for as long as she could remember, so it was no surprise that Vanessa’s parents insisted she marry Richard Williams, the family’s first and only son.

Not even when Richard protested that he had no feelings for Vanessa and would only love her did they change their minds.

Both families insisted on their children’s union regardless of whatever feelings were involved. Richard had tried to be stubborn, but his father, Mr. Williams, proved to be a strong match, threatening to strip Richard of his inheritance and give it to his younger sister if he refused to marry Vanessa.

“Hey, don’t start thinking about the past, sweetie,” Becca’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

Emily lifted her head, her eyes glistening with tears. “I’m okay. She was my best friend once, Becca,” she wiped her eyes, forcing a small smile.

She placed her hand over Becca’s and added, “I’m sure she’ll want to help if I tell her what I’m going through.”

“And besides, she doesn’t even need the money. They’re billionaires,” Emily concluded, plastering a smile on her face.

“I just really need your support, okay? I know you’re worried about me, but trust me, I have no intention of involving Richard in this.”

“What’s the worst that could happen anyway?” Emily scoffed.

Becca nodded, squeezing Emily’s hand tightly. “I’m here for you, no matter what decision you make,” she said with a reassuring smile.

Seeing Becca’s smile was all the motivation Emily needed. She immediately flipped through her contact list and dialed Vanessa’s number.

After the third ring, Emily was sure Vanessa wouldn’t pick up. Until the line suddenly came alive with Vanessa’s voice on the other end.

“Hey, girl,” Vanessa answered cheerfully.

Shocked at how excited Vanessa sounded, Emily decided to match her energy.

“Hey, Vanney,” she said, calling her by her old nickname.

“Vanney? I haven’t heard anyone call me that in a long time,” Vanessa chuckled. “How have you been, Emily? Long time.”

“Yeah… Do you remember how you always encouraged me to come to you for anything I needed help with, especially money problems?” Emily asked nervously.

“Yeah, sweetie, money is not a problem. What’s up?” Vanessa replied.

Emily nodded, even though she knew Vanessa couldn’t see her. Cold sweat formed at her hairline. Glancing over at Becca, who was busy on her phone, she tried to calm herself by taking deep breaths.

“Hello? Emily, are you there?” Vanessa’s voice sliced through her anxious state.

“Yes, sorry. I’m just having difficulty forming the words, but… I do need your help,” Emily admitted, shaking anxiously, instantly catching Becca’s attention.

“It’s okay. You can tell me anything. Just because we drifted apart over the years doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have your back,” Vanessa said calmly, bringing a slight smile to Emily’s face.

“And I’ll do everything in my power to help you,” she concluded.

Feeling Becca’s gaze drilling into her, Emily shifted anxiously.

She took a deep breath and began explaining how she had been scammed and needed money to pay off her mortgage.

After finishing, she waited a few seconds for Vanessa’s response.

“Oh, Emily! I didn’t know you had money problems,” Vanessa responded sympathetically. “To the extent of losing your house?”

Emily twisted her lips, imagining the pitiful look Vanessa probably had on her face. She hated asking for help but had her back against the wall and couldn’t risk losing her home because of pride.

“Yes, life has been tough lately, but I promise to pay back everything,” Emily said, not wanting to sound like a freeloader. “This is only a loan, and I will pay you back every cent.”

Turning her face toward Becca, she anxiously awaited Vanessa’s response.

Becca now had her nose buried in a bag of chips, the rustling sound making Emily’s ears burn.

After what seemed like forever, Vanessa finally responded.

“Hmmm, that’s a pretty huge amount, Emily,” she said.

Emily’s stomach sank.

“But…” Vanessa continued.

“I’ll give it some thought and get back to you. After all, we’re old friends,” Vanessa said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

Not considering Vanessa’s tone, Emily thanked her and told her she’d await her response before ending the call.

“What did she say?” Becca’s voice echoed as Emily put her phone down.

Taking slow breaths to calm her already tense body, she sat down.

“Nothing interesting. Just that she’ll get back to me,” Emily said blankly. “I don’t want to get my hopes up, you know. What if it doesn’t work out?” she asked sadly, straightening the blankets lying over them.

Becca sighed heavily as she lay closer to her. “Maybe it’s for the best, Emily. I honestly don’t like the idea of asking your ex’s wife for money, regardless of whatever friendship you guys had in the past.”

“It doesn’t matter. If she doesn’t call back by tomorrow, I’ll figure something else out,” Emily said, biting her lower lip to fight back tears.

“I don’t trust her. Besides, we’ll find a way. Tomorrow might hold new opportunities,” Becca said between yawns as she turned onto her side, falling asleep.

Emily smiled, always trusting her best friend to see the silver lining in everything.

“Good night, sweetheart. Thanks for everything,” Emily whispered softly. Becca’s soft snores filled the room as if on cue.

However, sleep was the last thing on Emily’s mind. She adjusted her position, her head swirling with thoughts, no matter how hard she tried to push them away. Tears rolled down her cheeks as the reality of losing her family home sank in.

The vibration of her phone pulled her from her thoughts.

Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Vanessa’s name on the screen.

With shaky fingers, she tapped the message open.

“Meet me at Café Majesty at noon. Let’s talk. It’s important.”

Emily stared at the message, unable to express the pain in the pit of her stomach.