Fiona and Chloe stepped out of the bustling mall and entered a nearby restaurant named "Come and Eat Dudo: Delicious and Famous Dessert." The aroma of freshly baked pastries and exotic spices wafted through the air as the soft hum of conversations created a cozy ambiance.
The moment they walked in, a cheerful waiter greeted them. "Welcome to Come and Eat Dudo, ladies. Follow me, and I'll take you to your table."
Fiona and Chloe followed the waiter through the restaurant's charming interior, adorned with warm wooden accents, vintage light fixtures, and an array of mouthwatering desserts displayed behind a glass counter. They were seated near the window, offering a view of the mall across the street.
Once they settled into their seats, the waiter left to fetch menus, leaving Fiona and Chloe in an awkward silence.
Fiona, ever the observant one, studied Chloe's stiff demeanor. She could feel the tension radiating from her mother-in-law, whose sharp eyes darted around, seemingly judging every detail of the restaurant.
Breaking the silence, Fiona leaned back and locked eyes with Chloe. "Mother-in-law Chloe," she began, her voice calm but edged with curiosity, "what brings you to see me after so many years?"
Chloe's lips curled into a faint sneer as she rolled her eyes. Her tone was dismissive, yet sharp. "I wasn't exactly hoping to see you, Fiona. Honestly, I thought you might have died by now. But I suppose fate had other plans."
Fiona raised an eyebrow at the blatant insult but remained unfazed. Chloe's words didn't carry the weight they once had; Fiona had grown immune to her barbs.
After a beat, Chloe continued, her voice dripping with false civility. "I'm here to visit my daughter-in-law after all this time. Isn't that what family does?"
Fiona gave her a knowing look, her lips curving into a faint, disbelieving smile. "Family," she echoed softly, the irony thick in her tone. She knew Chloe's real nature too well; the woman was as subtle as a storm.
Chloe leaned forward, her gaze narrowing. "So, Fiona," she said, her tone turning inquisitive, "you're not married yet?"
Her eyes darted to Fiona's hand, noting the absence of a wedding ring. A flicker of satisfaction crossed her face as she pounced on the observation.
"I thought by now you'd have found someone desperate enough to marry you," Chloe sneered. "But I see you're still single. What's the matter? Hoping my son will take you back? That will never happen, not while I'm alive." Her voice carried a dark, almost triumphant edge, as though she relished the idea of Fiona's supposed despair.
Fiona's eyes darkened momentarily, a flicker of old pain threatening to resurface, but she quickly pushed it aside. She wasn't the same broken woman Chloe once knew. With a deep breath, she whispered under her breath, "I don't care if Carstron comes back to me. I'm happier without him in my lives."
"What was that?" Chloe snapped, leaning closer.
Fiona straightened her posture, her expression calm but commanding. She met Chloe's gaze with a defiant smile. "I said I don't need Carstron anymore, Mother. I'm independent. I've built a life for myself. I'm beautiful, educated, and successful, qualities that could make any man fall for me. But guess what? I don't need a man to complete me."
She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a playful yet cutting tone. "With the snap of my fingers, I could have anyone I want. But marriage? It's not on my priority list right now."
Chloe's mouth fell open slightly, stunned by Fiona's confidence and the smirk that played on her lips. Before Chloe could recover, Fiona's hand slammed against the table with a loud thud, silencing the nearby diners.
All eyes turned toward their table, the hum of conversation replaced by hushed whispers. Fiona, unfazed by the attention, stood gracefully, her gaze never leaving Chloe's.
"Enjoy the rest of your day, Mother," Fiona said with a serene smile, her voice carrying a note of finality. "Oh, and try the dessert, it's delicious. Maybe it'll sweeten your sour mood."
Without another glance, Fiona walked out of the restaurant, her head held high. Satisfaction gleamed in her eyes as she made her way back toward the mall. For the first time in years, she felt truly free from the shadow of her past.
Chloe, left alone at the table, forced a strained smile as she noticed the stares of the other patrons. Her pride stung, she cleared her throat and straightened her posture, but the humiliation lingered.
She sat there, she couldn't help but wonder: How had Fiona, once so fragile, grown into someone so unshakable? What had given her this newfound strength?
★★★
Lexi and Mia hurried back to the swimsuit section of the mall, their hearts heavy with worry yet brimming with a fragile hope that Fiona might have returned. As they arrived, the once-busy area had grown quieter, with only a handful of people lingering. They sighed in unison, the weight of uncertainty settling over them.
"Let's wait here for a bit," Lexi suggested, her voice steady despite the tension in her chest. "If she doesn't show up in three hours, we'll call the police."
Mia nodded silently, and they made their way to the edge of the swimming pool, where they sat side by side, dipping their feet into the cool, shimmering water. The soothing sensation provided a momentary reprieve from their growing anxiety.
Mia swung her legs gently, watching the ripples spread across the surface. "You know," she began, her tone lighter, "a lot happened while we were running around. Let me fill you in."
She launched into an animated recounting of their chaotic search, her words tumbling over one another as she described the jewelry shop incident and the ice cream mishap.
Lexi laughed, her shoulders relaxing for the first time in hours. The sound of Mia's voice and the familiarity of their banter made her feel like they could face anything together. For a fleeting moment, the tension between them dissolved, replaced by the warm camaraderie they'd always shared.
But then, out of nowhere, a shadow fell over Mia, and Lexi's laughter faded as her eyes caught sight of an arm extending toward her friend. Her gaze followed the arm upward, her breath catching when she saw who it belonged to.
"Adrian?" Lexi whispered, a delighted smile breaking across her face.
Adrian, with his familiar grin, gently covered Mia's eyes with his hands, a playful glint in his gaze as he exchanged a knowing look with Lexi.
Mia froze mid-sentence, her voice trailing off as her world plunged into a curious mix of warmth and coolness. The scent of honey and blue rose enveloped her senses, tugging at a memory buried deep within her mind.
Her hands instinctively reached up, brushing against the invading arms. Her fingers traced the smooth skin, her brows furrowing as recognition dawned. "Soft skin… that scent… honey and blue rose… wait—" Her voice faltered as her heart raced. "The only person who smells like that is Adrian. But… could it really be?"
Slowly, almost hesitantly, she peeled the hands away from her eyes and turned around. Time seemed to slow as her gaze landed on the figure standing behind her, his confident smirk unmistakable.
"Adrian!" Mia gasped, her voice a mix of surprise and joy.
Adrian chuckled, his tone teasing as he said, "Took you long enough to figure it out. I was starting to think you'd forgotten me."
Mia shook her head, her lips curling into a smile as a wave of relief washed over her. "How could I forget someone like you?"
Lexi beamed, the sight of Adrian lighting up her face. "Adrian! It's been forever. Where have you been?"
He shrugged casually, his eyes warm as they met Lexi's. "Here and there. But I couldn't stay away for too long—I had to come back and see you two."
For the first time that day, the heavy cloud of worry lifted, replaced by the unmistakable joy of reunion. The three friends laughed and talked, their voices echoing across the poolside as they shared stories and caught up.
Yet, in the back of Lexi's mind, the thought of Fiona lingered. She glanced at the mall's entrance, hoping that soon, their small reunion would be complete.
★★★
Lexi noticed something unusual. Mia, who had been animated and chatty just moments ago, suddenly fell silent. The stillness was so unlike her that it drew Lexi's attention. She turned her head, only to see Adrian standing there, his finger pressed firmly against his lips, signaling her to stay quiet.
Lexi's brows knitted together in confusion, her lips parting slightly to ask the obvious question: What are you doing here? But Adrian's playful yet commanding gesture silenced her, leaving her intrigued.
She glanced at Mia, wondering how long it would take her friend to recognize him. The tension in the air was palpable, a quiet anticipation building as Adrian leaned closer to Mia, his hands still covering her eyes, the faintest hint of a smirk playing on his lips.
Mia's expression shifted. Her lips quivered, her breathing uneven, as if a deep sense of familiarity was dawning upon her. Then, it happened—a soft, shaky voice escaped her lips.
"Adrian?" she whispered, the name carrying a mixture of disbelief and yearning.
Her whisper turned into a shout, breaking the stillness. "Adrian! Are you here?" Her voice cracked with emotion as tears began to spill from her eyes, falling freely down her cheeks.
Adrian's hands hovered for a moment before Mia grabbed them, her fingers trembling as she pried them away from her face. The world seemed to pause as she turned, her tear-filled eyes meeting him.
"Adrian…" she choked out again, her voice trembling with a mix of joy, shock, and relief.
The sight of her tears tugged at Adrian's expression, softening his usual cocky demeanor. His smirk faded into a genuine, heartfelt smile. "Hey, Mia," he said, his voice low and warm, carrying an unspoken apology for the time they had spent apart.
Mia didn't let him say another word. Her tears flowed even harder as she flung her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. "You're here," she sobbed. "You're really here."
Adrian wrapped his arms around her, holding her as though he might disappear if he let go. "I'm here," he murmured. "I'm not going anywhere."
Lexi, watching the emotional reunion, felt her own heart swell with relief. She had so many questions—why was Adrian here? What had brought him back?—but for now, she let the moment belong to Mia.
The sounds of the mall faded into the background, the world shrinking to just the three of them. The air seemed to shift, a warmth spreading as the weight of separation and worry melted away.
Lexi smiled softly, leaning back and letting her feet swirl in the cool water again. For the first time that day, things felt a little brighter, as though the chaos of the morning had led them here for a reason. And while Fiona's absence still loomed over her, Lexi couldn't deny the spark of hope that Adrian's return ignited.