A bad friend

As soon as her face was shielded in her unwanted hug with Olivia, Laila's smile was instantly wiped from her face and she was thinking how Olivia's last sentence couldn't have been closer to the truth. A bad friend indeed. Better yet, she wasn't even a bad friend, as that would still mean that she was in a way a friend. No, in Olivia's case, she wasn't a friend at all.

At the same time, Olivia was busy glaring and cursing. The wheels in her scheming head were spinning. 'Why did that wretched woman come here again? Didn't I get rid of her? She was gone for so long. It is just like her, the pest that she is, to be coming back into our lives when I am so close to getting what I want. I can't let her ruin things with her influence. I must find out what she is planning." and she was looking for the questions to ask that would reveal what Maria had come here for.

After releasing her from the hug, Olivia asked Laila, "So, do you know why she came to visit all of a sudden? What does she hope to achieve by coming here and staying at your house for so long?" Laila had already expected these questions to come from Olivia and had prepared a suitable answer that should keep her satisfied. As Maria had said, she only revealed half-truths and mixed it with a clear doubt in her belief of Maria's success after the end of this trip.

After shrugging her shoulders Laila said, "I honestly don't know what she hopes to achieve by coming here. I don't think there is much of a chance of us getting back to where we used to be. For that too much has happened and too much damage has occurred. I assume that she too can't be expecting for that to happen as that would require me to do something I can't. No, I know she knows that I can't just forgive and forget all that has been said and done between three of us. But I want to at least give her a chance to state her case and work out our differences. After all, we used to be great friends and she stood by me through some tough times. Plus, our parents are close as well. So, if we can at least make it so we can be civil with each other, these two weeks will be worth it."

Apparently Laila's words had helped and Olivia was feeling sorry for Laila for having to spend two weeks with Maria and was no longer feeling worried for what her arrival could mean for herself. "Oh my dear, poor, Laila. That sounds like such a tough thing to do. You are a better woman than I am for being so forgiving and for being able to open your house for someone who has treated both you and me so terribly. You are a good daughter for keeping your parents' feelings into consideration. Maybe not as good of a daughter or friend as me but a good daughter nonetheless. Since you have a lot on your plate I shall leave you to it for today but if you need me to help show her her place or talk to Noah to help get rid of her, you just say the word and I'll come to your rescue."

Laila was truly amused by the irony in Olivia's words and in her blindness for the truth. She was happy that Olivia had been so easily persuaded and didn't want to ruin that by poking fun at her words and potentially aggravating Olivia. So, she held her true feelings back and grabbed Olivia's hand with a smile before saying, "Thank you for being so understanding. I will let you know if I can't get out of this situation by myself. Sorry in advance if I don't see you much during these next couple of days. I will need to put my full focus in this. I am sure you understand that as my very good friend."

Olivia smiled a bit wryly and replied with a simple, "Of course.", before excusing herself. "Well, I should be going then. I can't keep you from your guests for too long. I shall call to check up on you in a few days. Good luck." After that the big door was opened and closed once more and Olivia had finally left.

On each side of the door, they dropped their masks and voiced their true feelings. With Olivia feeling vexed and cursing as she bit her nails. Though Laila's answers had made her feel some sense of relief, there was still plenty to bother her about today's situation. Not just Maria's arrival but also her missing out on Noah's arrival and getting bad information on his whereabouts. How could she not have known that he had arranged for Maria to arrive? How had he come home without her being informed about his leaving the office? With so many people in her pocket and so many means to her disposal, how was still not able to get ahead of one little pregnant woman?