Delphinia sat on the plush beige sofa in Valerie's cozy apartment, her legs tucked beneath her, holding a soft pillow for some comfort. The living room cozy and a little cramped, with mismatched furniture that somehow worked together. As she glanced around, she spotted framed photos of Valerie's trips hanging on the walls.
From her spot on the couch, Delphinia watched as Valerie moved around in the kitchen next door, humming softly to herself. The gentle clink of the spoon on the mug was soothing, but Delphinia's thoughts were all over the place. She looked over at her suitcase by the door, a clear reminder of the life she'd just walked away from.
Valerie walked back into the room, her dark hair tied up in a messy bun, carrying a steaming mug in her hands. Her smile was warm and natural, while Delphinia felt like she was falling apart inside. "Here you go," Valerie said, holding out the mug.
Delphinia accepted it gratefully. The heat of the ceramic seeped into her palms as she brought the tea closer. "Thank you," she murmured, her lips curling into a small, tired smile.
Valerie plopped onto the armchair across from her, curling her legs up and resting her chin on her knee. "Anytime, babe. You look like you needed it."
Delphinia took a careful sip, her eyes widening slightly as the familiar taste hit her tongue. She sighed in contentment. "Mmm… still the best tea. How do you make it taste this good every time?"
Valerie chuckled, a soft, melodic sound that filled the room. "Secret family recipe," she teased, tapping the side of her nose.
Delphinia shook her head with a smile and placed the mug on her lap, her fingers tracing the edge absently.
Valerie's expression shifted slightly, her playful grin giving way to a look of concern. She sat up straighter, tilting her head. "So…" she began cautiously, "what are you doing here, Delphinia?"
Delphinia blinked, taken aback by the question, though she should have expected it. Valerie wasn't one to tiptoe around matters. She let out a soft sigh, her gaze dropping to the mug in her hands.
"Don't take it the wrong way," Valerie said quickly, leaning forward. "I'm just wondering… why don't you go back to your family? Wouldn't that make things easier?"
Delphinia's lips twitched into a bitter smile. She let out a humorless laugh as she swirled the tea in her mug. "Why on earth would I go back there?" she asked, her voice quiet but laced with bitterness.
Valerie frowned but stayed silent, letting her friend continue.
"They don't want me there," Delphinia said, her gaze fixed on the drink. Her voice softened, and her words seemed to hang there for a moment. "They never did."
The room went quiet, with only the far-off noise of traffic to fill the space. Delphinia's thoughts drifted back to earlier in the evening when she had shown up at Valerie's doorstep, suitcase in hand. Valerie hadn't hesitated to invite her in, though Delphinia could tell the questions her friend wasn't asking.
"I couldn't stay in that house a second longer," Delphinia said, shaking her head. "And going back to my family? That's not an option. They'd only make things worse, monitoring every move I make, controlling everything I do."
Valerie's eyes softened, and she reached out to gently touch Delphinia's hand. "Hey, you don't have to explain yourself to me," she said, her voice low and comforting. "You can stay here as long as you need. I'm more than happy to have you around. Honestly, it'll be fun to finally have a roommate!"
Delphinia looked up, her eyes shimmering with tears she hadn't let fall yet. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice cracking slightly. "And… I'm sorry. I hate burdening you like this."
"Don't be ridiculous," Valerie said, gently tapping Delphinia on the shoulder. "You're not a burden. Besides, I've been dying for some company. It gets lonely in here sometimes, you know?"
Delphinia laughed softly, wiping the corner of her eye with the back of her hand. A warmth spread through her chest, a small bit of peace in all the madness.
"So," Valerie said after a moment, sitting back in her chair and crossing her arms. "What's next for you? Any plans?"
Delphinia tilted her head back, staring at the ceiling as she let out a long sigh. "Honestly? I have no idea. I want to start fresh, but first, I need to find a job."
"What kind of job?" Valerie asked, her brows furrowing.
"Anything," Delphinia said with a shrug. "As long as they'll hire me. I don't have any special skills or qualifications, so I can't be picky."
Valerie frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Don't say that," she said firmly. "You've got more going for you than most people I know. You're kind, brave, hardworking… and let's not forget how gorgeous you are."
Delphinia snorted, rolling her eyes. "Sure, because looks pay the bills."
"I'm serious!" Valerie insisted, sitting up straighter. "You've been through so much, and you're still standing. That counts for something. I'll help you find something. I'll ask around—friends, colleagues—someone's bound to know of an opening."
Delphinia's expression softened, and she gave her friend a small smile. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "But it's true. I'm not special. My father made that perfectly clear when he chose my sister as the heir and married me off to a… garbage pile like Kai."
Valerie's playful grin faltered for a moment, a flicker of anger crossing her face. She stood abruptly, clapping her hands together. "Okay, enough of that," she said brightly, her tone filled with determination.
Delphinia raised an eyebrow, confused. "What are you doing?"
Valerie turned to face her, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I know exactly what you need."
"And that is?"
"A party!" Valerie declared, grinning from ear to ear.
Delphinia stared at her, her mouth falling open slightly. "A party? Are you serious?"
"Dead serious," Valerie said, placing her hands on her hips. "You've been through hell, and you deserve a night to let loose. Forget about Kai, forget about your family, and just have some fun for once."
Delphinia shook her head, laughing softly. "You're insane."
"Maybe," Valerie said with a shrug. "But you love me for it."
Delphinia smiled, a genuine one this time. She felt a spark of excitement—small but growing. Maybe Valerie was right. Maybe a night out was exactly what she needed.
"All right," she said, raising her mug in mock toast. "Let's do it."