Destiny's POV
"Are you okay, Des?" Daria asked when she couldn't take my silence anymore. I was only playing with my spaghetti with my fork by turning it around without taking it into my mouth.
I had spaced out countless times since I returned from my job hunting. Emma's treachery tormented me.
"I am fine," I weakly responded as I put down my fork, raised my head, and looked at her.
"Your eyes are clouded with pain mixed with anger. If I could only take your pain, I would take it in a heartbeat." She declared, and even if I felt so down, Daria was giving me enough strength to hold on by giving me her motherly love.
"I knew food would always lighten up your mood, and I am sorry if this is all we have; I am trying to help you save." She added, and I stood up and put my arm around her shoulders.
"You don't need to apologize to me, Daria. The food was great. But you were right, I wasn't okay." I responded, and her face softened as she looked at me with the same tenderness I used to get from her growing up.
She aged, and I just realized that by now, and I felt guilty that I hung out with her less these days, unlike when I was in high school. I got so busy with my internship and relationship with Red that I forgot to be with her in my free time.
But I knew Daria was always there for me in the shadow, helping me with anything she could. She is my secret hero, and every time my stepmom and step-sister plan something sinister against me, she will try to stop them with anything she can, and she always gets punished because of me.
Daria didn't mind even if she got hurt just to protect me.
"Of course, I knew you weren't okay. How could you be okay when everyone you thought loved you betrayed you in the most agonizing way." She responded.
"I just couldn't believe Emma was part of their game. It makes me furious, and it hurts me that my best friend, whom I considered my sister, also double-crossed me." I declared, and Daria's mouth hung open for a long time as she stared at me after I told her what happened to my best friend.
"I never saw that coming; I am certain she wasn't envious of you," Daria said after a long silence as she put her fork on the side of her plate.
"Me too, but Emma was their accomplice. I wasn't a believer that love could make someone crazy. But now I do." I replied.
"I never thought she was in love with Lucas since she never confided with me about it, and it hurts me to the core. I am her best friend, and she didn't trust me." I added as I massaged my temple.
"You are the only one who remained faithful to me, Daria. If you are part of it, just tell me, and I will listen to your reason for having to do it. I will surely forgive you." I continued, and her pupils dilated as she looked at me with horror on her face.
"How could you say such silly things, Destiny? You know I will never do that to you, even if they kill me." She responded, and her answer warmed my heart.
"You have to promise me, Daria, if your life is threatened because of me, just sell me out. Don't dare to be a hero. I don't know how to take it if something happens to you." I said, and her face softened.
"I am sorry, but I can't promise you that, Destiny." She responded, and it breaks my heart.
"I don't want anything to happen to you," I mumbled.
"Don't worry, they can't harm me." She replied, sounding so brave, but I knew she was afraid too. She was trying to look brave for me.
"I must see Lucas; I needed some answers." I declared.
"Just be careful; we don't know what your stepmother and Carmie were planning this time. I am sure they hired someone to monitor your movements even if you already moved out from your father's house." Daria warned me.
"They will never rest until you leave this place," she added.
"I know, but I will not give them the satisfaction of winning; I am my mother's daughter, and I have to fight them no matter how hard it would be. I need to endure everything." I responded.
"If there was one person who could help you, it is not Lucas." She stated.
"And who do you think can help me, Daria?" I asked.
"Red," she responded, and I half laughed.
"Of all people, all you can think is Red?" I asked, unable to believe Daria would say his name, knowing he broke my heart into a million pieces.
I wanted to forget about Red, but he was constantly in my head, no matter how I tried to shut my mind. He had always been a part of my life, and it was so hard to forget about him, but he shattered my heart and allowed me to hit hard bottom instead of pulling me up.
"He is now an attorney, and your father adored him. I am sure he only slept with your step-sister because he was hurt and humiliated. Your enemies made him believe you were Lucas's mistress." Daria said.
"You can't blame him, Des. If you were in his shoes, I am sure you feel the same way." She added.
"Yes, but if he cared and loved me, he could have given me the benefit of the doubt, and he must know that since he is a lawyer," I replied, and Daria fell silent.
I got tired from walking the entire day, plus the news about Emma worsened my day. I slept without taking a bath or changing into my pajamas.
I woke up the following day at the same time before my alarm clock could buzz. After showering, I quickly put on my white blouse with a ruffled neckline and black pencil-cut skirt.
I smiled as I made my way to our cute dining hall and smelled the aroma of coffee wafting in the air. I felt guilty that Daria had to wake up early to prepare breakfast.
"You don't need to do this anymore, Daria. I can't pay you yet for your services. From now on, I will cook and do all the chores." I declared, and she put her hands on her hips and looked at me.
"You don't even know how to light the stove," she replied with amusement.
"Of course I can," I responded, frowning at her as I continued squeezing the excess water from my hair using the bath towel.
"Come on, Destiny. I knew you so well. Besides, who says I will accept any compensation from you?" She asked.
"I am doing this for free and out of love. You can start paying me when you find a job, and that would be our deal: take it or leave it. Because whatever you say, I will stick with you." Daria added, and I came closer to her and hugged her tight.
"I don't know what to say, but thank you. I know I will be so lost without you, Daria. And you are right, I know nothing about chores, but it is about time you have to teach me those things." I said after I let her go.
"Okay, but one at a time. You are going job hunting, and I know how tiring it can be." She replied, putting the pouch egg and vegetable stir fry on my plate, and I ate my food heartily.
After I finished drinking my coffee, I bid Daria goodbye, and she wished me good luck.
I waited for the bus at the designated bus stop with other commuters so busy with their phones. Taking a taxi every day could be so expensive. I needed to save, or all my jewelry would end up at the pawnshop.
I was disappointed that no one called me after I handed in my application letter yesterday, but I have to wait; maybe the HR personnel will call me this week. I needed to exercise extra patience, especially now that I was stripped by my enemies of everything I had.
Carmen and Carmie took everything away from me, including my father and my boyfriend, and they made my best friend their accomplice. And right now, as I carry the pain of their betrayal, I can no longer tell which hurts me the most.
I planned to go somewhere today; I won't let this day end without talking to Lucas. I needed some answers, and I hated him for ruining Emma's life.
I stopped near his building. Getting off the bus in a hurry, I pulled out my sunglasses from my shoulder bag and put them on before I walked towards the main door.
Lucas was an architech, and his family owned the biggest construction company in the country.
"What a surprise, Destiny! I never expected you to visit me after that incident!" He exclaimed, beaming at me right after I got inside his office.
"How could you afford to smile like that after you ruined my life." I hissed as I walked closer to his table.
"Whoah! I hate fighting!" Lucas responded as he raised his hands in the air. He adjusted his tie before he stood up, put his hands in his pocket, and looked at me with the same intensity he used to give me, which always made Red mad.
"You can talk without shouting at me, sweetheart," he said with lust written all over his face, and I loathe him even more.
"I am not here to talk with you in a nice way, Lucas; you don't deserve it, and I am not your sweetheart," I replied sternly, and he just laughed.
"Well, your future depends on me now," he answered, tapping his fingers on his table.
"I am the only one who can help you, Destiny," he added as she slowly walked towards me.
"I don't need your help; it is too late for that now; my father kicked me out of our house," I responded, curling my fists.
"Then, why are you here, Destiny? What do you want?" He asked, searching my eyes.
"How dare you use Emma. She is innocent and a good person; how could you ruin her? Why did you impregnate her, Lucas?" I asked, trying to control the anger in my voice.
His face darkened as he closed the distance between us in a split second.
"You want to know the truth, Destiny? You might not take it; it would be too much for you to handle, sweetheart." He said as he cupped my face. I tried to get away from him, but he was fast, and his hands were on my waist in an instant, putting me in place.
I tried to kick him, but to no avail. He is well built and so strong.
"If you came here to ask for my help, I will not hesitate to do anything for you, Destiny, but in one condition." He added.
"No!" I snarled at him.
"I can talk to your father and tell him everything; your stepmom and step-sister will be gone from your life forever; all you have to do is sleep with me, be my mistress for one month, Destiny!" Lucas added, and I spat on his face, making him roar angrily.
"Don't make me more angry with you, Destiny, or you will lose your chance to get back what you have, your inheritance and your father's affection." He continued dragging me to the wall.
"Let me go! I don't need your help!" I cried out, trying to use all my strength against him, but Lucas was too strong and carried me as if I weighed nothing.
I felt so helpless, groaning in pain as he took advantage of my weakness, and Lucas propelled and pressed my body into the hard wall using his muscular hands.