Diamond winced as the morning sunlight peeked through her window, casting its golden rays on her fair skin and making it look as though she had a light golden layer.
She hissed and used her hands to cover her face from the sunlight.
Sitting up, she just stared at nothing.
Memories of the interview flashed through her mind now that it was no longer occupied. Tanya had been a good distraction. It was one of the reasons she was thankful to have her. They had chatted almost all night, and she had forgotten her ordeal, but now it only came flooding back.
She ran her hand through her hair frustratingly.
She needed to start applying for part-time jobs. She wanted to stay busy and earn some income.
She lazily made her way to the bathroom to shower and then got dressed.
Taking her phone, she darted out of the room, looking forward to seeing Tanya, but she quickly realized that Tanya would be at work.
Her face fell as she realized that her soul-lighter wasn't around, and most of all, she was jobless. If she had a job, she wouldn't be depressed.
She sighed as she crashed on the sofa and tuned into her favorite channel.
She found a moment of comfort in the TV show before it was suddenly interrupted. The power had gone out. She sighed as she picked up her phone and decided to focus on part-time jobs.
After a few hours of scrolling, she finally applied for some part-time jobs that fit her schedule.
She was so engrossed with her phone that she didn't notice when Tanya walked in, despite the sound of the door and her footsteps.
She jerked up, feeling an arm on her shoulder. Realizing it was Tanya, she relaxed a little.
"You seem lost. Are you okay?" Tanya asked as she observed her friend.
"Um, yeah," Diamond replied as she adjusted herself.
"OMG, you look pale. Have you eaten?" Tanya asked with concern.
"No."
"Why? What have you been doing?"
"Just applying for part-time jobs, nothing much," Diamond said nonchalantly.
"That doesn't mean you should neglect your health. You could get an ulcer, you know?"
She took a quick glance at Diamond, who was now staring at nothing, and continued speaking when she got no response.
"I know it isn't easy for you. Yes, you are frustrated, devastated, and tired, but it's just a passing phase. You will get through this. The Diamond I know will always shine through her situation."
Diamond managed a weak smile upon hearing those words.
"Those words were beautiful. Thanks.
What would I do without you?" she said, her mood lightening a bit.
"A lot," Tanya said as she sat on the sofa.
"So how was your day?" Diamond asked.
"Good. How was yours? Oh, I shouldn't ask — the answer is clear," Tanya said sarcastically.
"Haha, very funny," Diamond said ironically.
"Well, now that I'm here, it'll definitely be better," Tanya said as she got up. "Let me prepare something for you to eat." She said and darted out of the living room.
She came back a few minutes later with a tray of food and placed it on the center table before waking up her friend, who had fallen asleep.
"Diamond, Diamond," she called as she gently tapped Diamond.
"Mmm," Diamond mumbled as she stirred in her sleep, before opening her eyes.
"Come and eat," Tanya said as she finally got her friend's attention.
Diamond sat up sluggishly and rubbed her eyes gently. It took a while for her to regain consciousness as she yawned and stretched. She then reached for the food on the table and began to eat.
She tried her best to eat as much as possible. She didn't have an appetite, but she didn't want Tanya to lecture her.
"I'm okay," she said, pushups the food away.
"You can't be okay," Tanya scolded. "You didn't even eat half of the food."
Diamond just made a face like she was going to die and was about to snuggle into the couch to sleep when Tanya grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her up.
"Hell no, you're not going to sleep."
Diamond groaned and then sat up like an overfed baby.
"Please, spare me the torture," Diamond said in a strained voice.
"We're going shopping."
"I'm not interested," Diamond said in a lazy tone.
"Not like you have an option, darling. I'm going to change, and by the time I'm back..." Tanya squinted her eyes at Diamond, leaving her words hanging.
Diamond raised her hands up in surrender.
"Good," Tanya said as she stormed upstairs.
She came back a few minutes later wearing a red dress.
"It seems like someone's dressed to impress."
"Purr!," Tanya said as she swirled while Diamond just rolled her eyes.
"We're off," Tanya said as she motioned for Diamond.
"The house..." Her words were left hanging as she was abruptly interrupted by Tanya.
"Yeah, yeah, I've taken care of it."
Diamond, left with no other excuse, fell silent as she made her way outside.
Seeing that Tanya hadn't ordered a cab, she waved in an attempt to stop a taxi when she heard Tanya speak.
"We are walking."
"Alright," Diamond said. After all, she did enjoy a good walk. She guessed it was also part of Tanya's scheme — she knew she loved walking; it helps clear her head and relax.
She smiled at how much her friend knew about her.
They chatted as they walked down to a boutique nearby.
Diamond was surprised at how much her mood had lightened. She soon forgot about the interview and was her cheerful self again.
They finally arrived at the boutique after a long walk. Their eyes lit up in awe as they took in the sight of the boutique.
It was a glamorous and posh boutique.
"Are you sure we can afford the clothes here?" Diamond whispered into Tanya's ear.
"Chill, I've got us," Tanya said with confidence.
They quickly scoured around in search of chic outfits, grabbing every outfit that instantly caught their eye.
After a long moment of browsing the boutique, they finally met at the spot where they had agreed to meet.
"That's a lot," Diamond pointed out on seeing the hanger of clothes that filled Tanya's hands.
"Speaking of outfits," Tanya said as her gaze settled on the hanger of clothes in Diamond's hand.
"Uh," Diamond stammered. "But yours is still more."
"I'll choose to believe that," Tanya said.
They both assessed each other's clothes, selecting a few they didn't fancy before calling over one of the attendants.
"We'll be taking these," Tanya said as she pointed to the separately stacked clothes.
The attendant swiftly put them in two separate bags that were branded with the boutique's name before telling them the price.
"It costs five hundred bucks."
Diamond's eyes widened in shock upon hearing the price. Her gaze quickly darted to Tanya, who was as surprised as she was.
"Seriously?" she asked in shock. "There must be a discount or something."
"No, madam, we had our annual discount last month," the attendant said with a warm smile.
"If so, we can at least negotiate the price. How about two hundred bucks?"
The attendant shook her head disapprovingly before she spoke in a calm voice.
"Four hundred bucks is the last price, madam."
"Considering that we are regular customers who consistently patronize this boutique," Tanya lied, "don't you think it would be rather ungrateful and unfair to treat us like outcasts?"
The attendant, firm in her decision, began to stutter nervously.
Tanya, seeing her situation, now took advantage of it.
"Two hundred is our final offer."
"Um, four hundred is the best I can do, madam."
"Okay, three hundred," Tanya said with finality.
"Um, okay," the attendant said hesitantly before finally agreeing. She packed it up and handed it to them as Tanya began to make the transfer.
"Done," Tanya said, holding up her phone to show the attendant the receipt.
The attendant quickly confirmed the payment as she received the alert.
Diamond and Tanya picked up the bags and began to leave.
Once they were out, Diamond, who had been holding back her questions, finally let them all out.
"OMG, babe, how did you do that?"
"Just one of my many talents," Tanya smirked playfully.
"And about the regular customer stunt," Diamond laughed as she recalled that part.
Tanya laughed, also recalling the moment.
"I figured that since they do shifts, they won't be able to recall some customers' faces, and I decided to take advantage of that.
"How clever of you; maybe you could teach me a few tricks."
"Sure," Tanya said with a chuckle.
Both girls laughed heartily as they chatted about a few things.
They arrived at their home sooner than they anticipated.
They both went upstairs to freshen up before dinner.
Their conversation still continued until it was time to go to bed.
They sluggishly went up to their rooms, feeling like the moment didn't have to end.
Diamond snuggled into her bed and was quickly carried away by sleep.