Rella stretched languidly on the king sized bed turning her face away from the sun streaming through the window. The thought of having to face her reality one more day made her want to bury herself but there's nothing she could do about it except be brave and face each day with courage. It's not everyday that one gets stuck with a husband who can't stand your guts.
Her phone vibrated on the the night stand, she picked it up to see her mom's number flash on the screen. Rella rolled her eyes before she received the call.
"You wouldn't guess what's happened."
"Good morning to you too mom."
That was it straight to the point no 'Rella good morning or how are you' as much as her mother's nonchalance pains her heart Rella is beginning to learn to shake it off. The woman cares about no one but herself.
"What have you got in your bingo card today?"
"Don't be rude. Your party last night was such a success it has become the talk of town. I went to have breakfast with Marie Skye and the women spoke very highly of you. I am so proud of you baby."
"Except it isn't actually me."Rella reminded her it seems she forgot.
" Who cares really, both of you are my daughters anyway."
Rella shook her head in disbelief.
" I have to go mom. " Rella said finally and cut the call amidst Evie's protest.
Rella sighed pressing a finger to her forehead. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand and realised it was a quarter after ten in the morning. She'd woken up late. She remembered the party last night and how exhausted she'd been that she'd fallen asleep on the balcony but she had no memory of making it to bed. She dug into her memories of last night and still came up with nothing she was pretty sure she slept on the chaise lounge on the balcony but who brought her to bed?
Dismissing the thought she got out of bed brushed her teeth took a shower and wore a blue faded jeans with a white blouse and then she went downstairs.
" Good morning madam."
" Good morning Henry."she glanced around. " Is Stefan home? "
" No he left really early for the hotel. Would you like to have breakfast on the patio or would you like it brought up to your room? " Henry asked.
" The dinning room will be perfect." Rella smiled at him.
She was having a meal alone again and she couldn't complain.
After breakfast Rella strolled through the grounds but soon got bored.
"I will have Collin take you around the city Mr Diamond was very firm in his instructions to let the chauffeur take you anywhere you want to go."
Well at least he seemed to care even just a little bit. Rella thought with a little satisfaction inspite of herself.
The chauffeur was decked in a black suit crisp white shirt and black tie with dark shades he was more of a bodyguard than a chauffeur to be honest and he was every bit as buff as they come.
"Hello Madam my name is Collin Cranes it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Nice to meet you Collin.
She grabbed her leopard print scarf before they left. Rella stopped by the mall to get a few toys and did a bit of window shopping before she told the chauffeur to take her to Grace and Mercy orphanage.
Rella loved children she'd done many volunteer works when she was away and it was one of the most freeing moments of her life. If Ryan didn't break her heart none of the situation she's in right now would have even happened.
"Welcome Mrs. Diamond we weren't expecting you at all." The Matron, Maisy Phillips, a slender woman in her forties greeted Rella.
"Please call me Re..Cindy." she almost bit her tongue at her little slip. " I hope I am not an inconvenience?"
" Oh no, not at all it's a pleasure to have you visit the children would be thrilled."
Maisy led her through a small corridor to her office while Collin remained with the car." Please have a seat. It is such an honour to have you here." The Matron gushed over her and stared at her so openly it made Rella uncomfortable. " I didn't know you were one of our sponsors, your sister Rella however has been a constant."
Rella laughed uneasily.
" That woman is heaven sent have you seen our new nursery she commissioned that." The woman looked so proud as she ranted off about Rella that it made Rella wish she could see the same pride in her mother's eyes for doing something so selfless and not for marrying a billionaire and saving the family business.
"Your mother must be so proud to have such wonderful, selfless daughters."
Rella almost snorted.
"Can I see the children?" She said suddenly changing the subject.
"Of course. Come with me." They both stood up almost at the same time but Rella's cell phone began to ring just then.
"Give me a moment I have to take this call."
"Sure." The Matron said and left Rella in her office to give her privacy.
"Van what is wrong?" Rella listened to her friend on the other end of the phone and when the call ended she met the Matron in the hall. "I am so sorry an urgent matter came up I must go."
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that but do visit sometime."
"I will." Rella smiled while her heart pounded mercilessly across her ribs. "Oh before I forget I have gifts for the children in the car."
They took out the presents she got from the mall and the Matron kissed her on both cheeks before she got in the car and raced to her friend.
"I'm so sorry best friend." Rella hugged her friend allowing her to have a good cry on her shoulders while she patted her back. "It's okay we're all here for you."
After a while Van pulled back and wiped her eyes thoroughly, she knew it wouldn't do her no good to continue to blame herself for her father's death, there was no way he could possibly know what awful thing she did. It's already been done and there was nothing she could do about it, returning the money was the first step in ridding herself of the guilt eating away at her guts.
"Thank you Rella this means so much to me."
Rella squeezed her hand in reasurrance and Van knew she was truly blessed. The two of them have been friends right from middle school and their bond had only become stronger as the years went by in spite of their difference in status, they knew each other so well which was why Van could almost immediately sense that something was bothering her friend.
"I know you think you can't share your troubles with me considering the circumstance but I want you to know that you can always count on me." Van told Rella who grimaced at having been caught.
"I should've known that I wouldn't be able to hide anything from you."
" We are soulmates remember, I can always tell when something's bothering you." Hopefully, Rella couldn't tell if something else was bothering Van. Thoughts of what happened between her and Jake Calloway twisted its way up her guts but Van made sure to squelch it, she didn't want the conversation to focus on her too much so Rella wouldn't know there was something going on.
" But your father's death is more important we can always talk about me as much as you want."
"How was the party last night?"
"It went better than I expected actually."
" Have you heard anything from Cindy yet?"
" Unfortunately no."
Van sqeezed her fingers. Rella knew her friend was using her to escape the tragedy so she didn't tell her to drop the subject instead they talked more about Cindy and Rella's marriage and Rella ended up pulling her in a comforting embrace and Van started to cry again and this time she was inconsolable.