At the dinner table.
Mrs. Lily Pedro, the caretaker, had already done all of the cooking. She and her husband, Mr. Joaquin Pedro, tended well after the property.
After completing the dishes, the couple retired to their home, which was within walking distance of the villa.
The table was set up by Xena and Melody. Vera and Hela were nowhere to be seen. Melody blinked at Xena with expectancy, but she barely shrugged, driving her heart to quiver even more.
They had already reached half n hour ago. Since then Hela has locked herself in her room on the pretext of freshening up and she still hadn't come out. It was almost dinner time.
Melody had always despised brawls and verbal abuse. But the scenario at Hela's office was distinct.
Taking a deep breath, she beamed with her gooey grin and sank into her chair, sliding and sitting.
The villa was fully furnished with all wood furnishings, whether in the bedroom, kitchen, or sitting room. Except for the electrical equipment, everything was timbered. It poured apart an eccentrically exuberant and artistic vibe.
Hearing the footfall, Xena looked to the left, while Melody glanced toward the right side of the stairway. Vera emerged from the terrace after dropping her wristwatch upstairs, while Hela walked from her bedroom after 'freshening up' though she looked the same as earlier just her clothes were changed.
Vera hurried straight to the kitchen to retrieve the custard she had kept in the fridge after making it. Furthermore, it tasted even better when it was cold.
She strolled out of the kitchen, cradling a plain white casserole. The trio had already taken their places. Vera also sat on the empty chair and all prayed before starting their meal.
However, just as Hela was about to begin eating, her phone rang. Vera's eyes narrowed with contempt.
Melody noticed the unhappy look on Vera's face and whispered to Xena, "Does it going to start?"
But Xena whose sole focus was food didn't pay any heed to her nonsense.
Hela stood up and went outside to converse. Melody swallowed as she noticed the invisible tension in the dining area. It was too thick to cut with a knife with a keen edge. She nearly suffocated.
She peered at Xena, who was scooping all of the meat from the table. She desperately wanted to hit her, but she controlled herself.
Hela reappeared after a few minutes. All three of them turned to face her. She acknowledged with a nod and took her seat. Next to Xena and in front of Vera.
Vera squinted her eyes and opened her mouth to speak.
Oh no!
"Finally, the busy missy had some downtime from her hectic schedule."
Vera mocked Hela. Xena's hands came to a halt as the meat almost fell from her chopsticks because Melody was continuously tapping her foot on the floor in apprehension and she accidentally tapped on Xena's foot this time.
Xena scowled at her but oblivious to that scowl she struggled to swallow the morsel. And so, ladies and gentlemen, the verbal skirmish that Melody feared had finally started.
Mrs. Lily cooked Korean-style cuisine because Melody desired it. Furthermore, it was acceptable to others, and no one disapproved. It was like the cherry on top.
Hela completely disregarded her and continued to eat her meal. Vera's temper flared up at her unconcerned attitude. She was about to toss her rice-filled dish to the ground when Xena caught her hand.
"Don't waste the food." Xena implored and transferred all of the rice into her bowl before handing the empty container to her. "You are now free to proceed."
"…"
Vera was taken aback. Melody almost burst out laughing at the lunacy of the scenario, but she refrained herself from partaking in the rhetorical brawl and became their target. The catfights are even more horrific.
She loathed it when the four of them got into fights. Whatever the reason may be. But this time the reason was a bit serious. Though she also wanted to confront Hela but deep down in her heart she also had fear of Hela being back in her shell.
Just as they first meet and it took her almost a year to make Hela talk to her. Because Hela hated interference in her life.
"Are you deaf or dumb?"
Vera yelled angrily which brought Melody back to the present. The situation didn't look good. Hela was just staring at Vera without uttering a word. Did she...no it can't be. Her heart lurched with uneasiness.
Vera on the other hand was adamant. With Hela's silence, her temper was rising. She can't handle it any longer.
"Or do you feel so high and mighty that we are nothing more than specks of dust in your eyes, uhh?"
Vera scoffed and continued her rant.
It had been accumulating for the past six to seven months. She needed to eliminate it from her system. Hela's disappearance infuriated her at each and every gathering or meet-up. And many doubts and theories for her absence swirled about in her head.
Yet, that heartless girl didn't have a thought to tell or text her.
Suddenly, Melody almost choked up.