First time going back to the orphanage after losing the one reason that made her excited to be there was painstaking. On her way to the office, she passed by all the spots that used to be Praxeda's favorites. Oh, how she missed that girl.
"You have a visitor.", said the nanny as soon as she ran into River in the hallway.
"Who is it?", River asked,
"Some self-absorbed girl.",
Mh, she needed no more info. Instantly the answer painted itself. She looked at the watch and it was approaching 9 am. She smiled, smelling the yummy scent of victory.
Ilham closed the last magazine and threw it back on the table when River walked in. The office wasn't very spacious, and the million files in the cabinets caused it to be soundproof, an advantage. River carefully paved her way to the desk and sat. Ilham was a patient bird. She watched her settle down first. An elegant behavior I might add.
"Good morning.", finally River said it first.
"Is it?", Ilham asked, her lips curved into a perfect wistful smile.
"Is it what?",
"A good morning.",
"So far, yeah.",
She nodded, "Good job. No person has ever made me so distressed that I went to see them first thing. But you managed to crack my foundation. Good job. I'll give you that.",
"Care to clarify?",
"I heard you got attacked 2 days ago.",
"Yeah.",
Ilham stared straight into her eyes like a ray, "Why did you lie?",
"Did I?",
"It's just me and you here. You can quit the act and confront me head on.",
"You're here because?", River asked, ignoring what's been said.
"You threatened me, Scott asked, you denied. The attack 2 days ago, I had nothing to do with it and you know it but you lied. What the hell do you think you're doing? You think you're some smart kid?",
"I never said you ordered the attack. Who told you such a thing?",
Ilham huffed. Her blood was boiling. She was so furious that the thought of ripping River apart limb by limb didn't sound so bad.
"You don't know me, River. You don't know who we are. You have no idea what I'm capable of.", she told her, "So, I'm warning you; Stop these shenanigans before it's too late.",
River shrugged, "I don't know what you're talking about.",
"Is that right? Playing dumb till the end, aren't ya?",
"Can you just leave me alone? I'm just a poor orphan enjoying the blessings being poured on me by the Hareeks. Just let me be. I have more important things to worry about.",
"I wish that was honest. Just so you know, I'm not the CEO of 3 companies because I get fooled easily. Have fun playing your little game. But when it's my turn, it won't be pretty.",
"Are you trying to scare me?",
"I'm just talking.",
Ilham grabbed her bag and rose to attention. She gave River one last look before she exited the office in slow motion. River caught her breath. She was standing too close to the fire and almost got burned. She knew she had to be vigilant. There was no space for mistakes.
…
"Talk to me.", said Freya as soon as she answered the call.
Ylle's heart thumped. Dark circles and messy hair was now her signature look. She hadn't slept an inch the previous night, only thinking of ways to trampoline her back to college the coming semester.
"Hey. Whatcha doing?", she asked, nervously biting her nails.
"Nothing yet. Just getting ready to go check out some office spaces.", Freya replied,
"Office spaces for what?",
"I'm going to open a fashion house.",
"What about college?",
"I'm dropping out.",
"The fuck!",
Freya chuckled, "It can't be that shocking.",
"It is.",
"Well, irreversible.", she stated, "So what's up? What's the important thing you want to talk to me about?",
Ylle was already dispirited, but there was no other time, "My dad got sacked yesterday.",
"What? Why? He's so diligent.",
"I know. Apparently his company wants to hire the younger generation since they've been working there for decades.",
"Still, firing them? I mean, that was a shitty move.",
"I know. But as you know, it's my dad who supports the whole family. But after this, he can only do too much.",
"What do you mean?",
Ylle exhaled sharply, "He asked me to postpone going to college until he figures this out.",
"Ow, that's heavy.", Freya sighed. She knew how much Ylle loved school, "So what have you decided?",
"I can't postpone my studies. You know me. I'm trying to find a way to get money to pay for this coming semester. That's why I called you, to ask for a monetary favor.",
Freya was briefly quiet, then, "I don't think I can do much for you.",
"What do you mean? Your family is worth billions.",
"Didn't I tell you? My family and I aren't in the right state now. I told them what I wanted and they kind of cut me off. Now Tina is responsible for all my financial needs.",
"Can't you just tell them that I need that money and then I'll pay them back?",
"I'm still trying to convince them to trust my plans. I can't add you on top of that. They won't take me seriously.",
But it never made sense to Ylle. Freya had always spoiled her friends with gifts and full paid trips hence it made them see her as an endless well of cash. They never understood that she had to beg her dad for all those luxuries. It was better then but worse now since Tina took the responsibility of following up on all her spendings. One mishap and all her cards could be frozen. She was walking on thin ice.
"I know you can help me. Just do it.", said Ylle, madly, commanding.
"I'm going to ignore your tone because I know you're stressed out. But don't make me feel guilty about this. We're both in sticky situations _",
"You can't compare your problem to mine.", Ylle blurted out angrily, "My dad is fired and I'm suffering because of it. You can go to college anytime you want. Your dad will never get sacked unless he quits. Your problem is self-made. Mine is not.",
"Girl, calm the fuck down. I can't figure out why you called me. Maybe you need someone to blame, but newsflash, I'm not the one who fired your dad.",
"You're just a show-off, Freya. When it comes time to actually help your friends, you bail on them. You're a coward and a fake.",
Ylle quickly hung up and threw her phone on the pillow. She was very looking forward to it, but it all exploded in her face. Now what was she going to do?
***