"Happy belated birthday," Alexandra McCartney, known simply as Alex to close friends and relatives, shouted with excitement.
Chandra, who was standing at the door, had to blink twice and tell herself she wasn't really seeing things. Good Lord! Alex was right here in front of her. She couldn't believe it.
"Alex! Oh my God! You're early!" she shrieked in delight. So excited, she jumped up and down in her spot and then rushed toward her friend, her arms wide open.
Alex gripped Chan in a tight hug and said, "I know. But that's not important. What's important is you've finally turned twenty-five like the rest of us," she teased and then laughed merrily as they embraced.
Chan chuckled as they withdrew from each other's arms. "Well, yes. But let me tell you. It's not easy being the baby of the bunch." She was referring to their clan of friends since childhood: Ruby, Nikkita, Isabella, and Georgina.
The merry six had attended the same kindergarten and elementary school. Then, of course, Georgina and her family moved away to Wellington around the same time Chan's mother passed away from cancer. Two years later, Chan's family moved to Auckland because her dad had wanted a change in lifestyle. It had been then he'd met and married Amie.
Alex demanded to be shown about the apartment. "So this is your new place?"
Chan nodded, feeling more than a little embarrassed. She knew this apartment was nothing compared to Alex and her husband's massive fancy million-dollar mansion and apartments around the world. She had seen photos of them on social media, of course, in various countries: America, the UK, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and even the ones in New Zealand and here in Australia. Seeing how far Alex had come, Chan was proud of her friend and, of course, happy for her.
"Whoa! Not bad. I like it. It's cozy," Alex said, spreading her arms out as they came into the living room.
Chan shook her head. "Oh, come on. This is nothing compared to what you're used to. Getting married in a fancy hotel in New York City. And did I mention your husband is like, what, a billionaire?"
The girls sat on the sofa, and again, Alex drew Chan into her arms, hugging her tight. With Chan being the baby of their small group of very close friends, most of the girls, especially Alex and Nikki, had always treated Chan like their own younger sister and protected her because of her soft personality. But when Chan moved away with her family, they couldn't lend her their hands anymore, and they all knew how much Chan had to endure after her mother and then father passed away.
Suddenly, Chan broke. The warmth and care radiating from her friend shattered the invisible wall she'd put in place to protect herself. The strong exterior she'd always worn crumbled in an instant, and Chan felt her body shivering. A whimper escaped her lips, and tears began to brew in her eyes.
"Oh, Chan," Alex said softly. "Why do you keep doing this to yourself? I know it's hard. But hiding your problems from your family and friends, from those who care about you, isn't going to help."
Chan drew back and angrily wiped away her tears. "It's not fair, Alex. The moment you're with me, you see right through me."
"That's because you're so very easy to read," Alex said.
Chan cocked her head to one side. "You've grown, Alex," she said. "You're stronger. You've changed since the last time I saw you."
That last time was three years ago, since before Alex's father, Jacob Stewart, had been laid off from his job, since before her husband, Jayden McCartney, barged into her life and proposed she be his hired girlfriend.
Alex laughed. "Jayden makes me stronger. I've learned a lot from him."
"I'm so happy for you," Chan said.
Alex nodded. "I know I can't force it out of you, Chan. But please, when you're ready, get it out. Tell someone you trust."
When Chan simply stared at her long and hard, Alex laughed.
"What I mean is you'll know when you meet that person. The one you can share everything with."
"I'm not sure if that will ever happen, Alex," Chan said.
Alex shook her head. "Now listen here, young lady. You're not allowed to be negative."
"I'm not being negative, Alex. What I mean is maybe I'm not cut out to be someone's other half. Maybe I like being single. That's if you're talking about romance."
Alex frowned. "Yes, that is what I'm talking about. I guess me being with Jayden is so wonderful and everything, I thought it'd be the same for everyone."
"And that's why I'm happy for you. And, of course, I'm sorry I couldn't come to your wedding."
Alex said, "How many times have you told me that?"
"Many," Chan replied. "But I still feel the need to say it again right in front of you, in person."
Alex smiled. "Now that you've done it, I demand you never apologize again, ever."
Chan nodded. "I won't."