7: Best Friend

Chapter 7

Best Friend

***

POV: Lia Salvador

It’s been two weeks.

Two freaking weeks after my wedding with Renz.

I already moved out of my apartment and lived with him in his small, simple house.

Well, he is disguising himself as a construction worker anyway. I don’t even know why he is doing all of that.

However, that is beyond the point.

It’s been two f*cking weeks, and it seems like I haven’t got a husband.

I don’t know whether he is just busy or he is avoiding me.

This setup is already draining my brain cells.

I purse my lips together into a thin line.

For some reason, would it be good enough to have this kind of situation now? It would be better that we don’t have anything to do with each other – like strangers.

However, a huge part of me just wouldn’t let me think that way.

Especially my heart.

I swallow hard.

“Hey! You are early today…” Cali points out – as she enters the café.

I try to give her a small smile.

“Well, I woke up early so…” I trail off – didn’t know what to say more.

But Cali seems not to notice a thing.

She chuckles at me.

“Well, it’s a big day today. We have a huge order coming up.” 

The entire day passed by quickly.

I don’t even find myself being so hungry – just when I see food on the tray. My stomach began growling.

Cali even laughed at me.

“The wedding is extravagant and romantic…” Cali commented dreamily – as we took our lunch.

Then, she looks at me with her wide, hopeful, dark brown eyes.

“I wonder… You haven’t talked about it yet!” Cali uttered excitedly.

I pretend not to know about it. So, I look at her innocently.

“Talk about what?” I retorted back.

Cali beamed at me.

“Oh, come on! You haven’t told me about your story with Renz! Even about your wedding! So, how was it?” She said eagerly.

I don’t know what to say.

Firstly, there is nothing to say.

And secondly, it is not as if I married for love.

I swallow hard.

Cali eyed me hopefully – and so I breathed discreetly.

Then, I give her a small smile.

“Oh, spill it now. I am so excited and-”

I don’t know whether I will breathe smoothly until our alarm rings – ending our lunch break – and finally realizing that I have already escaped Cali’s questions.

Finally, the day ended – without Cali trying to ask me more questions about my relationship with Renz.

It was exhausting enough and her questions were making me more dog-tired.

I was about to take the route home when I realized that Renz might not be home yet. And I would simply be alone again.

I decided to go to a restaurant and eat there instead.

Besides, it is just some blocks away. The sun hasn't set yet – and even so, the streetlights are working just fine.

It might take my half’s monthly salary, but I don’t care.

Being alone in the house is making me feel so suffocated.

I have to think and it would be better if I am at a different place.

Besides, I sometimes treat myself here.

And so, the employees already knew me.

I stopped at the door – El Restaurante de Viajes, as it is written on the top of the establishment and so was the small podium where the waitress stood.

“Good evening, Ma’am. Do you have a reservation?” The waitress inquired while her eyes sticked to her papers.

Then, her eyes lifted at me – eventually recognizing me. She gave me a warm smile.

“Oh, Lia. You’re here… Same table?” She asked courteously.

I gave her an earnest smile.

“If it is available…” I replied kindly.

She nodded at me – and guided me to the farthest part of the restaurant.

The place is still magnificent and peaceful. The plants scattered in the restaurant creates a sense of privacy and serenity.

“Same order, Merida.” I told the waitress – which immediately obliged.

I was about to look at the glass – overlooking the vast backyard of the restaurant when some called my name.

“Aurelia?”

I froze on the spot – upon hearing that name.

My hands began trembling – but I almost breathed heavily when I saw Eina, my best friend and cousin.

She is looking at me with her forehead creased – as if trying to make sure that it was me.

I smiled at her warmly.

Her mouth forms a huge ‘O’ – as she takes the chair in front of me.

“H-How are you? I almost… didn’t recognize you. If it wasn’t for…” Eina uttered absentmindedly.

Eina is a distant relative.

My parents just wouldn’t want to do it with her family. And it was because of the fact that Eina’s family wasn’t that elite enough – as my parents described them.

However, that made us even grew closer. She is the only one who would always support me – whatever happens, she always got my back and so do I.

And I wouldn’t be surprised that she discovered me behind my disguise right now. I have done this disguise once when we were still studying – especially when I wanted to get out of our house and breathe.

And now, she found me.

“How are you?”

It might be a short and simple question – but Eina knew what hides behind those words.

Eina let out a deep sigh – as she leaned on her chair.

She crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked at me seriously.

“Stop that… I know that you are not asking about me.” Eina scoffed and stared at me directly.

“They are in chaos and still trying to find you. I might add… They are livid.” She added seriously.

I let out a deep sigh.

I knew that this might happen.

Besides, it took me years to hide from them already.

And hoping that it will continue that way.

However, thinking about them now – was giving me a headache.

I unconsciously held my temples as I let out a deep exhale.

But Eina stared at me with her eyes wide.

“You… What the heck, Aurelia?!” She tried to hush down her voice – but that made me almost jump out of my chair.

“You got married?!” Eina uttered unbelievingly – making my heart start beating wildly inside my chest.