Chapter 14 - Are you getting married?

Alani used to visit Pheia at their house once or twice a week. But because Maiden is now in Pheia's body and with her unfriendly nature, it is extremely difficult for her to be friends with anyone. Especially with Alani because she didn't know her in the first place. And she wasn't used to having a 'friend' since she was a kid.

Who wants to be friends with her-- an heir showing only cold emotions? Especially after her parents died and were trained under her uncle Brook.

That's why it was her mom who takes the initiative to personally invite Alani into their house for dinner.

Alani arrives at 5 in the afternoon. They greeted her more formally than they used to be with Pheia but thankfully she doesn't ask any further.

Once dinner is set, they take their seat, and Alani noticed something is different, that was what they actually planned to. They wanted Alani to feel something peculiar because they doesn't know how to approach and say to her what is their true motives.

What Alani noticed was an additional plate at Joan's side. "Mrs. Caliber, you seem to have another guest?", she asked. Joan and Pheia looked at each other. Joan nods at Pheia while Alani was puzzled by their nonverbal communication.

After a bit of pause, Pheia said, "Alani, I know these past few days, we didn't interact with each other that's why I wanted to apologize to you. I'm sorry if I am not your best friend anymore. I am sorry if you feel that I left you alone. I'm sorry if I made you feel disappointed about our friendship."

This is true, Maiden felt terrible knowing that they were like sisters with Pheia. And eventually, after she entered Pheia's body, she acted --- no, it's not an act, it's what she really is - who she really is as if Alani was just a nobody to her. This is quite true since she is not Pheia. And the ones she has to be affectionate to were only towards her mom and nobody else.

Although, she felt guilty because she knew how it feels like you've lost someone important to you because she also did. It was a very painful thing. A depressing matter that she has gone through from her first lifetime. But she couldn't do anything about their friendship today, since she didn't know what friendship really means. For her, friendship was like a business partner, looking only at benefits and nothing more. So she didn't know what to feel and how to express a so-called friend to her friend should.

She look at Alani, and what she found was her teary eyes. Alani shakes her head, "No, Pheia. Although, I find it peculiar at first and... and I am a bit upset...", she said with her tone that was more like a whisper. "but.. but I know you have your reasons. So you don't need to apologize.", she abruptly added while her hands were gestured to a stop. She stares at me with her tantalizing and crying eyes -a thoughtful eyes, Pheia can surely determine. With that expression, Pheia can decipher what Alani was saying to her. It was as if she was saying that she is okay and she can absolutely wait until they can go over it again.

Maiden sighed inwardly, I envy this Pheia. She has such a very nice best friend that I never once had.

She sighed again, reminiscing her boring life back then. It was a sunny day in April, a lot of her classmates in middle school were planning to have a field trip. All of them participated but she did not. One afternoon, someone approached her and asked if she wanted to join. They are used to her not hanging out at any of their rendezvous. But what she answered made every one of them, not even an inch, approached her ever again.

She shouted at the person and said, they do not deserve to approach her and not even to be near her because they are just little pests who will try to take advantage of her. Although inside, she was dying to be friends with them. She wants to be friends with anyone. But she just can't. She just can't because she is afraid to be taken advantage of. Because she entirely believes in her Uncle Brook's lies. He instilled in her head that she was above others, he instilled in her that she doesn't have to trust anyone, and she doesn't need anyone, except him.

Pheia smiled bitterly inside her thoughts.

What a naive girl she is!

As a kid of high IQ, she hasn't even recognized and analyzed her uncle's foul teachings and deceptive lies. And it made her have a low EQ. A low EQ resulted in having no one beside her. Not even a close acquaintance.

While she was very busy attending Martial Arts lessons, entrepreneurship and business administration lessons, and interning at her own company. Kids the same as her age were enjoying their childhood and teenage life.

Every day, she felt tired and envious of her classmates. They can live a normal life while she was busy concerning her businesses.

And that left her being alone.

But it doesn't matter now. Now, she just has to live here in this lifetime, out of any insecurities and jealousy. Besides, she has her mom beside her.

While Pheia was in my stupor, she didn't know that Alani was staring at her. Still waiting for her response or whatever.

She immediately smiled and said thank you. Alani hugged her and she reluctantly hugged her back.

She was not so much of a touchy person, especially to those she considered not a family but who wouldn't want to let this opportunity to start anew. To start having a real-life, with friends and family. After the reluctance, she really hugged her as much as she could give.

It's good to have a friend.

She, then continued, "Alani, the second thing I want you to know is that there is something we hide from everyone to know. This is a secret that might harm your life, our life. At first, we don't like you to get involved in this mess but we need your help." Pheia stare at her and she stared back at her confusedly, "But please Alani, I beg you, whatever you will know in here, just leave it in here." she said to her but she continued, "No, no, you don't have to leave it here but please cooperate with us."

"Ahmm... Can you please get straight to the point? It makes me confused and it's so creepy." She said while touching her arms, gesturing as if her goosebumps suddenly rises in creeps. "We'll tell you but please promise me, you will never mention this to anyone, even your family, your friend,d or even to Alira." Pheia stared at Alani's eyes pleadingly. Alani was shocked at first but then she sighed and said, "Okay, I promise. I will not tell even a single soul. Whatever I will know in here will be hidden in the depth of my heart." She promises while raising her right hand and crosses her heart. Pheia looked at her mom, satisfied, and then she knock on the table with three consecutive big knocks.

Prince Steel slowly walks out of the stairs and into the dining table. Alani was dumbfounded and suddenly said, "Are you getting married Pheia?"