The pair went into the cafeteria and through Sabrina's ID they got themselves plates of food. They chose a table way at the corner with a nicer and clearer view of everyone and everything.
"So, how does it feel?" Lessin asked.
"It's nothing like boarding school." Sabrina responded, "This freedom is intoxicating."
"Try not to misuse it. You can do anything, but it doesn't mean you should."
"I'll keep that in mind but do send me a reminder every morning. That way I won't forget."
"Sure thing."
The food was hands down the best cafeteria food Lessin had ever tried. Her curiosity was very much cured, and she was very satisfied.
"Is my sister still dating Zabron?" Sabrina asked.
Lessin shrugged. She was really clueless, "I have no idea. I haven't been home ever since I moved back to the hostel."
"Oh."
"Why? Did she tell you something?"
"Like what?"
"Like they had a fight or something."
Sabrina shook her head, disagreeing, "No. She said they're cool."
"That's good to hear."
"Really?"
"Yeah. He and I deserve happiness, and Bella makes him happy. I love that for him."
"When I grow up, I want to be just like you."
Lessin laughed at the comment. Sabrina was a year younger than her. It made it funny.
…
Ylle had become familiar with a number of sounds while living with River and Freya, and the most common sound was Scott's car. It was currently 8 pm, the usual time River came back home from classes and spending a few hours at the orphanage. But it had been a week or so that Scott's been her chauffeur.
River came in after Scott left. She expected to find the girls in the living room, as usual, but this day Freya wasn't home yet. It was just Ylle with her laptop.
"Next time invite him in." said Ylle, meaning Scott.
"I always do. He keeps refusing." River sat down to take off her shoes.
"Do we make him nervous?"
"I think so." she scoffed, "He's kind of shy."
Ylle bit her pen as she studied River's body language. And in the process, she noticed a little lipstick smudge at the corner of her lips. It was faded. It seemed she had tried to fix it before going inside, but Ylle's eyes were as sharp as the eagle's.
"You kissed him, didn't you?" she asked knowingly.
River was surprised, but also impressed, "How did you know?"
"You left some evidence."
"Oh."
"Why? Are you dating him now?"
"What? No."
"You just kissed him."
"It was just a moment. I was getting my bag from the backseat. As I was coming back, our faces were inches close and it just happened, then we stopped."
"You're lying to me, but okay."
River chuckled as she shook her head, "If I knew my mom, I'd say you're acting just like her. Please be my friend."
"I am your friend, but it doesn't mean I love you less. I'm scared for you."
"Don't be. I got this."
"Stop cooking war with these people, River Remington."
"I can't."
"It won't bring Praxeda back."
"But it'll save so many kids like her in the future. These people won't stop. Sacrificing innocent children is how they stay in power."
"I know, but it's just you, a single person."
"I'm not alone. My guides are with me, plus the spirits of all the sacrificed children before Praxeda and her too. I will achieve my revenge."
"How?"
What River didn't know was that Ylle's phone that was on the table facing down was currently on recorder, recording their conversation to the cherry. That was all Ilham wanted. Maybe if she got it, she'd leave Ylle alone for good. A win-win.
"How are you going to do it? What's your plan?" Ylle kept grilling her.
River finished taking off the shoes and sat up straight now. "How did you manage to pay for this semester, Ylle?" she asked too.
"I told you. My dad took a loan." Ylle lied.
River sucked her teeth, "You see, it's very hard for me to believe that." she got up, "Once you give me a more believable answer, I'll tell you my plan."
River walked away from the living room, but a few steps away she paused and looked back at her again.
"Ylle, you know I love you, right? And I'll never judge you if you tell me the truth."
"I know." she nodded.
"So, you'll tell me who you fucked to get the bag, right?"
"Bitch!"
River walked away laughing. Once Ylle made sure that River was gone, she picked up her phone and canceled the recording. Getting River's confession was going to be a challenge, so it seemed.
***