Rainé stared at the cup of coffee in front of her absentmindedly, her thoughts drifting back and forth to different scenario of her life.
Somehow the beautiful scene from the huge glass windows didn't catch her eyes and her hands fiddled with the little napkin in front of her. The sun was setting and the deep sky was painted with a shade of orange and red hue casting a marvelous view towards the city of New York.
She took a deep sigh and massaged her temples softly. She could sense that things would never remain the same from now onwards. She didn't plan for it neither did she want it but everything just happened all of a sudden and she could already feel herself regretting the actions she would take in the future. Whatever step she was going to take, she couldn't even muster up the courage to take a peek.
Staring at her phone, she remembered that she had to make a decision about deciding to move in with him. It's not like she had a choice though, he already made it clear and she couldn't bring herself to refute his decisions. She had already spoken to her mother and gave her the excuse of living with Nicole and her mother agreed and now it was time to assure herself that everything was going to be fine.
"If you're not going to tell me everything that's keeping you in this state then I might actually reconsider the fact that I am your best friend."
Nicole's words broke her out of her chain of thoughts and she rose her head to meet with a pair of blue eyes casting a warm, doting smile like a mother confronting her teenage daughter and her heart warmed up a bit.
She didn't utter a single word but rather shifted her gaze towards the window and watched as the setting sun painted the sky like brightly colored canvas.
She spent the whole day shopping with Nicole and she was really grateful because it got her mind distracted for a while but after their whole shopping spree, her anxiety kicked in again with no restraints.
"Nicole..." she began with a soft voice and Nicole fixed a soft gaze on her.
"What do you usually do... when... when your head gets clouded with so many thoughts?"
"Simple," Nicole declared, "I would go to a party," she flashed a big smile and continued. "Which is why my dear friend, I decided to take you to Pristine Hills alongside with me so you can let go of every single thing that's bothering you." She patted Rainé's soft brown hair and her dashing smile never left her face for once.
Rainé's frantic heart calmed down a bit and she was about to take a sip out of her coffee when her phone chimed, indicating a message. She put down her coffee and picked up her phone with trembling fingers as she could already guess who it was and its content.
Nicole glanced at her friend for a while and lowered her head with a small smile on her lips before taking a soft sip from her civet coffee.
Rainé stared at the message on her phone and as expected, her speculations were correct. It was him.
'I hope you've been able to clear your mind now. I'm waiting for you outside, Rainé.'
She read the message inwardly and her deep gaze lingered on it for a while before she raised her head to look at Nicole.
Nicole smiled knowingly, "I know your boyfriend whom you refuse to tell me about is here to pick you up."
Rainé didn't reply but just looked away quietly. Somewhere in her heart, she could feel a tinge of guilt bubbling in her. She knew it was wrong to keep her friend in the dark and considering the way Nicole was calm and collected about it, her guilt only intensified the more.
Rainé turned towards her and nodded slightly before looking away again completely missing the knowing gaze that Nicole have her.
Nicole stood up quietly and walked towards the counter to pay the bill.
Few moments later, she returned and they both took slow strides out of the café.
Their steps immediately came to a halt when a black sedan pulled in front of them.