With a deep, contemplative breath, Liv turned the handle of the restaurant door, allowing it to swing open as she stepped into the dimly lit space. Her eyes scanned the room, seeking familiar faces, and found her friends eagerly waving from a distant corner near a transparent door.
Inwardly mustering courage, she nodded to herself and embarked on the journey toward them, a practiced but strained smile playing on her lips. As Liv approached, Lilia and Maddie stood up, their faces radiant with genuine joy, and swiftly enveloped her in warm hugs.
"Oh my God, Liv, we are so happy you reached out!" Maddie exclaimed, her enthusiasm palpable as they disentangled from the embrace.
Liv maintained her forced smile, gazing at these two faces she hadn't encountered in what felt like an eternity. "Yeah, I've been reflecting, and I realized I was hasty in passing judgment on both of you."
Lilia shook her head empathetically. "No, no, Liv. Don't blame yourself. Your anger was justified, and taking a break was the right move. Besides, we always knew you'd come back to us in due time."
Acknowledging the awkwardness in the air, Liv offered a hesitant nod, acutely aware of the pressing reason that prompted her to summon her friends. She has a problem and she needs serious advice on it.
They settled down on the chairs and her friends proceeded to make an order.
With a casual air, Maddie delved into the menu, her inquiry woven with genuine curiosity. "So, spill the beans, Liv! What's been unfolding in your world lately? And how's your brother doing?" Her eyes flicked between Liv and the enticing options on the menu. "Hmm, this looks delicious. Waiter, I'll have this," she declared, pointing with enthusiasm.
Concern etched Lilia's features as she turned her attention to Liv. "Are you not ordering anything?" she inquired.
Liv, battling a lack of appetite, shook her head. "Just water, thanks."
Worry creased the brows of her friends as they exchanged glances. "It seems as though something is troubling you, Liv. Is there a particular matter you wished to discuss by calling us here?" Maddie probed, her words lingering in the air as the waiter departed to fulfill their order.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Liv grappled with a sense of unease before broaching the topic, "There's actually something I desperately need your advice on."
Intrigued, Lilia and Maddie leaned in, their expressions a canvas of curiosity, urging Liv to continue.
Releasing a heavy sigh, Liv delved into the troubling revelation, "There's a colleague at work, someone I genuinely care about, and she's caught in a dire situation."
Maddie, sensing the gravity of the matter, inquired, "What kind of situation are we talking about?"
"She accidentally crossed paths with a guy, a total stranger, and due to unforeseen circumstances, she's found herself ensnared in an agreement with him, and there seems to be no escape," Liv explained, her words hanging in the air like a heavy cloud of uncertainty.
Curiosity etched across Lilia's face, she probed further, "What sort of agreement are we talking about here?"
Liv hesitated briefly before delivering the weighty revelation, "A sexual agreement, Lilia. A twelve-week commitment, and she's struggling to find a way out of it," her heart pounding as she met the concerned gaze of her friends.
"Oooh, Sex? Well, that doesn't sound too terrible; I mean, it's just sex. What's the issue here? Is it because he's a stranger?" Maddie questioned with a casual tone.
"Or is he some kind of criminal? Is he unattractive or something? Hold on, does she have a boyfriend, and now she's caught in a dilemma, turning to you for advice?" Lilia bombarded Liv with a barrage of questions.
Liv shook her head, responding, "No, she willingly entered into this arrangement, and on her very first night, she discovered he was her boss."
"What?!" Maddie and Lilia exclaimed in unison.
"OMG, her boss! That elevates this situation to a whole new level, my friend!" Lilia exclaimed.
"She's doomed if he's her boss. There's no easy way out for her unless she plans on risking her job. It's a tight spot," Maddie stated, emphasizing the harsh reality of the predicament.
Liv affirmed with a nod, her heart quickening its pace against her chest. "Um, well, that's not the end of it, to be honest. The following day, she discovers the reason behind the twelve-week agreement – he's getting married afterward."
Maddie and Lilia gasped audibly, their shock rendering them momentarily speechless, oblivious even to the arrival of their order.
Undeterred, Liv continued, "And to add to the twist, his fiancee turns out to be a close friend of hers."
Maddie and Lilia, wide-eyed and dumbfounded, stared at Liv as if grappling to comprehend the unexpected turn of events. The information surpassed their expectations, leaving them in a state of disbelief.
Initially, they assumed the situation pertained to Liv herself; after all, she wouldn't reach out to them about someone else unless it was a matter of extreme significance. However, the unfolding narrative made it evident that this couldn't be Liv's predicament.
In their eyes, Liv wasn't one to subject herself to such circumstances. She wouldn't stoop to such lows.
"What should she do?" Liv inquired, a sigh escaping her as her friends lapsed into a contemplative silence.
Leaning back in her chair, Lilia observed, "This is a colossal dilemma. Your friend is in big trouble."
Maddie, concurring with a nod, added, "Absolutely. So, given all this, what course of action did she take?"
"She carried on. Strangely enough, it seems she enjoys her time with him even though she feels guilty having sex with her friend's fiancee behind her back, all while deceiving her," Liv disclosed.
"Your friend's treading on some risky ground, Liv," Maddie remarked, her tone shifting, the expression on her face now marred by a visible distaste.
"A downright cheap whore," Maddie emphasized, her face reflecting disgust.
"And a bitch!" Lilia chimed in, her features mirroring repulsion. "If she knows what's best for her, she better stop."
"For real, babe. First a stranger, then her boss, and now an almost-married man who happens to be her best friend's fiance, damn, that girl sure is playing with fire!" Maddie concluded, shaking her head in disbelief.
Liv surveyed both of them, absorbing the accusatory tone in their words. Internally, she trembled, though her friends remained oblivious to her turmoil.
"What if she can't stop? What if there are reasons beyond her control?" Liv inquired, her tone laced with discomfort.
"Whoever that person is, you'd be wise to stay away from her, Liv. You shouldn't be hanging out with such a bitch! Steer clear as if your life depends on it. She's a truly wicked soul!" Maddie cautioned.
Liv clutched her glass of water with trembling hands, downing it with a forceful gulp.
This was no help.
Instead, their words intensified the sense of self-disgust she was already dealing with.