*BAM!*
Ashton:... Ow.
Leah: Four.
Ashton: Hmm?
I lift my head to look at Leah. She sighs.
Leah: This is the fourth time you've banged your head on the table since we came to the realtor's office. Do you plan on telling me what's wrong?
Ah, that's right. After that conversation with Troy, my mind has been a complete mess. I finally gathered enough courage to look at Claire's Friends'Book posts only to find out that she was indeed engaged to him. I tried convincing myself that I was only over thinking things; I mean they could be genuinely engaged as well, but when I recall Claire's expression when I saw her yesterday with him, her face devoid of any affection, it doesn't add up. I look up at the ceiling.
Ashton: How do you feel about no feelings involved relationships?
Leah: As in contractual relationships?
Ashton: Yeah, something like that.
Leah: Well, I think it's not that bad.
Ashton: What?
I blink in surprise.
Leah: If no feelings are involved, nobody gets hurt. It's a win-win situation for both parties. You generally see these kind of things in big families; like marrying for financial gain. But... I prefer romantic relationships.
Ashton: Huh, you look like you speak with experience. Is there someone you have romantic feelings for?
I smirk at her.
Leah: Eh?! H-how can you ask me something like so nonchalantly?!
She flushes bright red.
Ashton: Woah, easy there. As your cousin, I have the right to ask.
Leah:... You're not my cousin y'know.
She looks away and her face clouds up. She seems to take her identity as my aunt's adopted daughter really seriously these days. My aunt, Caroline Beckett, can't conceive and was left by her husband for the same. Drowning in all the grief and sorrow, she adopted Leah when she was 8 years old as her parents passed away; I was 14 at the time.
And since my parents had always wanted a daughter as well, they handled all of Leah's educational expenses. They also put me in charge of tutoring her. All those years of tutoring were when we became so close that I would share all sorts of things with her including... all things about Claire.
Since she was so indebted to my parents, she decided to pay them back keeping an eye on me secretly as my manager as soon as she turned 20 but, I found out about it shortly after.
Ashton: Then as your boss.
Leah:... Fine. There IS someone I really like.
Her cheeks turn pink.
Ashton: Really?! Is he in the city or overseas?
Leah:... He's here.
Ashton: Omigod, my little girl has all grown up.
I pretend to wipe my tears.
Leah: Who are you calling a 'little girl'?!
She smacks my arm. Just then, the realtor enters the room.
Realtor: I'm so sorry, something came up.
Ashton: No problem! So, about the place we spoke about....
Realtor: It's all ready, you can move in tomorrow if you want. Here are the keys.
He hands me two pairs of keys.
Ashton: Really?! Thanks a lot!
The villa I purchased looked SO elegant and modern, I just HAD to have it once I saw the ad. I leave the realtor's office with a spring in my step.
Leah: That certainly cheered you up.
Ashton: Of course it did!
While I'm fantasizing about my life in my new house, I get an email on my phone.
I open it to see an invitation. They're hosting a highschool reunion! I wasn't able to attend it last time since I was overseas but now I can! I bet Drake and Louis would come too; I haven't met them in such a long time! perhaps ''she'll'' come too. I put my phone back in my pocket and head for my interview with the person in question....