"You guys should just stop talking already, having a boyfriend is not exactly a big deal" Rhea voiced.
It's been over an hour and her bestfriend and brother are still busy using her love life as the topic of their discussion. She had gone upstairs to her room for a while before returning back to still meet them deliberating.
"Shush! we are checking out what wedding dress suits you best" Claire answered and Daniel nodded vigorously. The two had their faces glued to their phone.
"What!" Rhea paused and stared at the two in disbelief.
"Yes, we need to act fast. You know it is not everyday you get a boyfriend and especially the one you love so much" Claire responded still not sparing Rhea a glance.
"Did I just hear something about boyfriend?"
Laura just walked in with Madeline and she had heard Claire clearly saying something about 'boyfriend'. Her interest was suddenly perked up.
The three turned to the two women who just entered and gave them a sheepish smile. Laura raised a questioning brow and stood akimbo. She was eagerly waiting for what she wanted to hear.
Claire gave Rhea a look that says 'sorry friend, but I have to do this'. Rhea in return glared at her.
"Aunt Laura, you came back so early" Claire said with an overly bright smile that nearly split her face.
"Really now?" Laura answered and Claire laughed.
"That was not a funny joke" she mumbled.
"So... what is this about boyfriend?" Laura asked.
"Actually...., Rhea has a boyfriend—"
"She does?!" Laura squeled interrupting Claire and the latter nodded in response.
"Why did you not tell me earlier?" Rhea, who is this guy? is it someone I know? Do you love him? When can I meet him....?"
"Mum!"
"Sorry dear, I am just so happy for you" Her mother responded with a small smile and Rhea smiled in return.
"Claire, what about you? Now that one of you girls have finally broken the spell of singleness, I believe there should be a development with you too" Laura said and winked at Claire who looked so confused.
"Why do I feel like I really have no idea of what My dearest Aunt is saying" Claire replied.
"Oh.. I will make you understand now. Where is your love life heading to? What is the development now?" Laura clarified.
"Aunt! You know there is no body, after all I am not as beautiful as our Rhea so let me be for now" Claire replied earning a snort from Rhea.
"Mm.... I see. Very soon then....." Laura muttered as she rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"Aunt, what are you saying?" Claire asked looking suspicious and Laura laughed. She pat Claire's shoulder and said to her.
"You will understand soon" with that, she walked away. Claire became even more curious and confused at her deliberate action. She looked at Madeline who shrugged showing that she had no idea either.
Then she turned to Daniel who only shook his head and walked away leaving only Rhea and Claire in the room.
"Do you..."
"Don't even ask, I have no idea" Rhea quickly answered before Claire could even finish the question.
Then Claire stood alone and gave her Aunt's words and suggestion a thought. 'Could it be that....? No, that is not possible". She cleared her head off the thoughts before it even developed.
********
"Just answer me with one word, do you no longer trust me?"
Sitting in his study, Eris was busy with work. He rolled up his sleeves and loosened his tie. He had the resemblance of a typical workaholic at that time.
Just when his boss was working around the clock, Taylor stood in front of him with folded arms and looked not too happy. It looks like the big boss had done a great job ignoring his tantrums once again.
"Eris! I am talking to you"Taylor said and Eris dropped his pen and raised his head.
"Do you not have work to do?" He asked
"Not until you answer my questions" Taylor responded adamantly.
"What question is it again?" Eris asked with a raised brow.
"Do you not trust me anymore?" Taylor asked and Eris only raised his brow further.
"And why should you ask that?" Eris questioned.
"Just answer!" Taylor yelled.
"Stop acting like a child" Eris answered making Taylor fume in anger. Eris noticing his mood folded his arms and said.
"I do not know why you are persistently asking me such question but only you can know how much trust I have in you. Now the I have answered you, can we get back to work?"
"No! Not yet" Taylor answered, Eris gave him a hard look saying 'you are wasting my time' and he ignored.
"How long did you plan our date?" He asked.
"Since I found out I loved her—"
"You what!" Taylor interrupted. He looked at Eris like he heard wrong.
"You heard me. Now let's get back to work" Eris said robotically like he did not just confess to being in love.
"No. No, wait... Are you being serious?" Taylor questioned.
"Do I make jokes?" He answered and Taylor ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
"Can your answers be a little bit more humane?" Taylor asked with gritted teeth.
"I believe it is you who should become smarter. Now get back to work" Eris retorted.
"I suddenly feel sorry for the lady, I hope she does not fall in love with you in return" Taylor voiced.
"She does love me too, actually she is my girlfriend. Well, soon to be fiancee" Eris responded with all seriousness.
Taylor gaped at his boss and bestfriend in disbelief.
"Eris, you are unbelievable.... Poor little miss Rhea" he mumbled.
"Can you work now? Call Audrey up, she should be ready with the things we asked of her" Eris instructed.
"Alright lover boy!" Taylor grinned and Eris glared at him. He picked his phone and hurried out of the office before he get stuck by his bestfriend's poisonous glare.
As soon as Taylor left, Eris picked his phone and dialled Rhea's number. It rang and after the second ring, the call was picked.
"Hey" he said.
Back in Rhea's home, everyone gathered together and had lunch. After lunch, Rhea and her mother left to do the dishes, Madeline left to visit an old relative of hers while Claire and Daniel discussed the latest video games.
Just in the middle of their discussion, Rhea's phone began to ring.
"Rhea, you have a call!" Claire yelled.
"Who is it?" Rhea voiced back.
Claire picked Rhea's phone and checked who was calling, she scrunched her brows in confusion and said.
"It is only a letter 'E'—"
Rhea heard this and dashed out of the kitchen. She snatched her phone from Claire and hurried upstairs.
"What the hell was that?" Claire stared at the disappearing figure of her friend in surprise. Then her surprised look morphed into a smirk. It seems she knew exactly what was going on with her friend.
Claire stood up and hurried after her bestfriend. Rhea laid on her bed as she received Eris' call, a bright smile flourished on her face and her cheeks were tainted with scarlet blush.
Unknown to her, Claire had crept behind her back and was watching her with so much amusement. She held her lips in tight thin line to hold back the barks of laugh that threatened to escape. She kept on listening to the discussions of the love birds.
"Hello" Rhea said in a small voice.
"From the way you sound, I take it as you missed me" Eris voiced from the other side of the call.
"How can you say that!" Rhea answered and her blush deepened, now she resembled an overripe tomato. Claire rolled her eyes as she watched her bestfriend behave so lovestruck.
"Are you saying you did not miss me?" he asked and Rhea went silent for a moment. It seems she found it difficult to voice her answer. A smile broke on her face as she said.
"I missed you"
Claire thought she would faint because of this side of Rhea she had never seen before. Shy and delicate.
"I missed you a lot more" Eris replied.
"Aww... don't be so cheesy" Rhea said in a small voice.
"You think I am being cheesy? I really mean what I said, I missed you every passing moment" Eris responded making Rhea blushed harder.
"Eris...." she groaned. Saying all those words, he only made her miss him more and just feel like running into arms for embrace till forever. This feeling was just so soul consuming.
"Do not worry, I will see you soon. Look forward to it" He said.
"Okay" she muttered.
"Bye for now my love" He said and ended the call.
Rhea stared at her phone for the longest time and hid her face in the pillow. She swung her legs continuous and mumbled into the pillow.
"Eris, what have you done to me... you are so far but seems so close. Is this what love feels like... I don't feel like myself anymore, what—"
"My bestfriend has fallen deep in love" Claire voiced her thoughts unknowingly.
"AHHHH!" Rhea screamed and sat up immediately. She saw that it was her bestfriend and became calm.
"What the hell are you doing here Claire!" She yelled and crossed her arms in over her chest.
"Listening to you call your love" Claire confessed and immediately, Rhea shot out of bed and rushed towards her. Claire saw the approach and dashed out of the room. Rhea followed after her and chased her around the house.