Laurel P.O.V
For the first time in what felt like forever,i was sleeping peacefully,not waiting for footsteps outside my door.
No shouting.
No footsteps outside my bedroom.
No one calling my name every five minutes.
Just silence.
That morning, I slept so deeply it reminded me of being a little girl curled up beside my mother.Warm,safe and peaceful.It was the kind of sleep that wrapped around you like a soft blanket, making you forget every nightmare you'd ever survived.For the first time in a long while,i wasn't afraid.
Then...BANG!
My eyebrows twitched.
"No..." I mumbled sleepily,pulling the pillow over my head.Another loud bang echoed through the hallway.Then came a loud music,followed by an even more painful voice.
Someone was murdering a perfectly innocent song.
"Laaa la laaaa! Ooooooh! I was born to siiiing!" A horribly off-key voice echoed through the hallway.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
No...
Not her.
Please...not this early.
The singing somehow became louder.
If cats could sing after stepping on Lego bricks, they'd still sound better.
I squeezed my pillow tighter over my ears,maybe she'd go away,but she didn't.Instead,my bedroom door flew open.
I groaned into my pillow.
Who sings so early in the morning?
"There you are!" Racheal announced proudly,balancing a mountain of freshly washed laundry in her arms while her phone blasted upbeat music.She sang louder than the speaker and somehow much worse.
She twirled into my room like she was performing on stage. "La la laaaa-"
I slowly lifted my head from beneath the pillow.
She smiled brightly. "Morning!"
"What the..."
"Laurel?"
"..."
"You're awake!"
"...Unfortunately"
She ignored my miserable expression and continued singing. "LAAAAAA-"
I sat upright so quickly my hair looked like I'd fought with electricity.
"STOP!" I exploded, throwing the pillow across the room. "STOP THE FUCKING MUSIC!"
She blinked.
"My ears deserve better than this!" I yelled,trying to stay awake. "And your voice irritates me!"
There was a quick silence while she stared.
I stared.
Then she folded one arm. "My voice is beautiful"
"It's a public emergency"
"My music motivates people"
"It motivates them to leave the building" I fired back.
She gasped dramatically. "You're so rude!"
"I'm trying to sleep!"
"You've been resting for twelve hours"
"I'm recovering"
"From what?"
"From living with you" I responded with frustration.
Racheal placed both hands on her hips. "Get up from the bed, lazy head"
She simply shrugged and turned the music even louder.
I dropped back onto the mattress in defeat. "This is torture"
"No" She grinned. "This is friendship"
"I'd rather have enemies"
"I heard that!"
"I wanted you to" Realizing I had officially lost the battle, I dragged myself out of bed and stumbled my way toward the kitchen.The house was finally quiet.
Or so I thought.
Marco stood by the kitchen island drinking a glass of orange juice while speaking calmly on his phone.
"...Yes. I'll call you back later" He ended the call.
I poured myself a glass of juice before muttering under my breath,
"Why do I have to live with my enemy?"
Without looking up, Marco calmly replied, "I heard that"
"I wasn't talking to you"
"I know"
"...Good"
"...You still said it loud enough for me to hear"
I sighed dramatically. "This house is exhausting"
I finished my orange juice in one gulp before glaring at Marco.
"If either of you wakes me up like that again" I warned, pointing at Marco with my empty glass, "I'll personally donate your asshole wife to charity"
Marco laughed so hard he nearly dropped his phone. "You're all bark"
"And you're all noise" I turned to take my leave before he could reply. "I'm going to get ready"
"You'd need to get used to each other!" He called after me. "We are staying till Richardo is back!"
"Your asshole wifey singing can turn a man deaf"
I heard Marco choke on his juice behind me.
A smug smile tugged at my lips as I climbed the grand staircase toward my room.The moment I shut my bedroom door behind me,silence finally embraced me.I closed my eyes and let out a long sigh. "Peace..."
For exactly three seconds.
"LAAAAAA-" Racheal's singing echoed faintly through the hallway.
I stared at the ceiling. "...She really has no shame"
Shaking my head, I walked into the luxurious bathroom.The room looked more like a five-star spa than a bathroom.Cream-colored marble stretched from floor to ceiling.Fresh white orchids rested beside the enormous Jacuzzi.Soft golden lights reflected off the crystal mirrors, making the entire room glow with quiet elegance.The air carried the calming scent of vanilla and lavender.I slowly dipped my fingers into the warm water.
Perfect.
Without another thought, I slipped into the Jacuzzi.The warmth immediately melted away every ounce of irritation that Racheal had successfully planted into my morning.
I leaned my head against the edge and closed my eyes.
"This..." I whispered with satisfaction. "...is worth waking up for"
For several peaceful minutes, I simply soaked in the warm water,letting my mind drift.
No screaming.
No singing.
No arguments.
Just me...and silence.
Eventually, I climbed out, wrapping myself in a thick white robe.
Almost instantly, three maids entered the room with practiced efficiency. "Good morning, Miss Laurel"
One carefully dried my hair with a soft towel.Another opened an elegant wardrobe that was larger than my old bedroom.Rows upon rows of designer gowns, shoes, handbags, and jewelry filled the room.
I stared in disbelief.
"I still can't believe all of these belong to me now..."
One of the maids smiled politely. "Which dress would you like today, Miss?"
My eyes wandered until they landed on a breathtaking sapphire-blue gown.It flowed like liquid silk, shimmering softly whenever the light touched it.
"That one"
The maids exchanged approving smiles. "An excellent choice"
Within minutes, they carefully dressed me.
The fitted bodice hugged my waist perfectly before flowing into elegant layers that brushed gracefully against the floor.Tiny crystals were embroidered along the neckline, sparkling like drops of morning dew.
One maid fastened a delicate diamond bracelet around my wrist.Another clipped a pair of sapphire earrings into my ears.The last carefully styled my hair into soft waves that rested over one shoulder.
When they finally stepped aside, I turned toward the full-length mirror.
For a moment,i didn't recognize the woman staring back at me.
Gone was the frightened girl who had once survived by lying, running, and hiding.
Standing before me was someone who looked every bit like royalty.
Expensive.
Elegant.
Untouchable.
I smiled faintly at my reflection. "Not bad..."
One maid giggled.
"Miss Laurel, you'll have everyone staring today"
I smirked. "They're allowed to look"
I picked up a matching designer handbag, slipped on a pair of elegant heels, sprayed a hint of expensive perfume onto my wrists and headed downstairs.Today,i wasn't going shopping just to buy clothes.
I was going to enjoy, for the first time in a very long while...
What it felt like to simply live.
The sound of my heels echoed elegantly against the polished marble staircase as I descended into the living room.
Every step felt strangely light.
Maybe it was the beautiful dress.
Maybe it was the peaceful morning after surviving Racheal's concert from hell.
Or maybe i was finally beginning to feel at home.
The living room was as grand as ever. Sunlight streamed through the towering floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the expensive furniture in a warm golden glow.
Marco sat comfortably on one of the leather sofas, one ankle resting over the opposite knee as he spoke quietly into his phone.
"...No. Push the meeting until tomorrow"
A brief pause.
"I'll handle it personally"
He noticed me walking past but merely lifted his eyes for a second before continuing his conversation.
I wasn't about to interrupt him.
The faster I got out of this mansion...
The better.
A satisfied smile curved onto my lips as I reached the enormous front door.
Freedom.
Shopping.
Fresh air.
Finally.
My hand had barely touched the golden door handle when i heard,
"LAUREL!"
The voice practically shook the chandelier.
I froze.
Then closed my eyes.
"...Of course"
Slowly,i turned around.
"There is absolutely no reason to shout my name like the house is on fire"
Standing at the far end of the hallway was Racheal.And unfortunately,she looked stunning.
She wore a perfectly tailored black satin gown that hugged her figure beautifully while flowing gracefully over her baby bump instead of hiding it.
The elegant long sleeves were embroidered with delicate silver threads that shimmered whenever she moved.
A thin diamond belt rested just above her waist, emphasizing the gentle curve of her pregnancy.
Her long dark hair fell in soft curls over one shoulder, framing a face that glowed with effortless beauty.
Tiny diamond earrings sparkled beneath the light.
A matching black designer handbag rested elegantly on her arm.
She looked less like someone going shopping and more like someone attending a royal gala.
I frowned.
"Why do you always have to look so...expensive?"
She grinned proudly. "I learned from living with rich people"
I rolled my eyes.
"Congratulations" Without waiting for her to catch up, I turned and walked outside.
Behind me,i heard hurried footsteps.
"Laurel!"
I ignored her.
"Laurel!"
Still ignored.
"Laurellll!"
"Stop screaming!"
"I'll stop if you wait!"
"I'm not waiting"
"You are now"
Before I could reach the car,she slipped right past me and opened the rear door first.
I stared at her.
She smiled sweetly. "Ladies first"
"You are unbelievable"
"I know"
I sighed dramatically before climbing into the opposite side of the luxurious black sedan.
As far away from her as physically possible.
The driver shut the doors.
A moment later,Racheal deliberately slid across the leather seat until our shoulders almost touched.
I looked at her.
She smiled.
I moved farther away.
She moved closer.
I slid toward the window.
She slid after me.
I groaned. "Why are you following me?"
"I'm sitting"
"You're invading my personal space"
"I like your personal space"
"I don't"
She rested her chin on my shoulder.
I immediately pushed her head away. "Stay over there"
She laughed. "You're so dramatic"
"I'm protecting myself"
"From what?"
"Your clinginess"
She pouted. "I just want company"
"You have Marco"
"He's in his working hours"
"So?"
"So now I have you"
I looked at the driver through the rearview mirror. "Can you stop the car?"
The driver blinked. "Miss?"
"I'd like to walk"
Racheal burst into laughter. "You are impossible"
"And you're contagious"
The rest of the journey continued exactly the same way.
Every time I moved...
She followed.
Every time I sighed...
She laughed.
Finally, unable to endure it anymore, I turned to face her. "Why are you tagging along?"
She smiled as though I'd finally asked the question she'd been waiting for. "I also want to go shopping"
"...That's it?"
"Yes"
"No secret reason?"
"No"
"No mission?"
"No"
"You simply want to annoy me?"
"That's just a bonus" She chuckled.
I stared at her for a long moment before pointing a finger. "Stay at least two meters away from me"
She nodded obediently.
"Okay"
Exactly three seconds later,she leaned against my shoulder again.
I looked upward.
"Who am I offending in my past life?"
The driver covered his mouth, clearly trying not to laugh.
The shopping mall was breathtaking.
Towering glass walls reflected the afternoon sunlight,crystal chandeliers sparkled above polished marble floors,luxury boutiques lined both sides of the enormous corridors, each storefront displaying gowns, handbags, jewelry, and shoes worth more than I had earned in years.
I stepped out of the car first.
The instant my heels touched the ground.
I made a run for it.
"Laurel!"
I pretended not to hear.
"Laurel!"
Still nothing.
"Laurel!"
I disappeared into the nearest designer boutique.
Safe.
Or so I thought.
"There you are!"
I slowly turned around.
"...How did you find me?"
"I followed you"
"I noticed"
Within minutes,I had completely forgotten Racheal existed,my arms were filled with shopping bags.
Silk gowns.
Designer heels.
Luxury perfumes.
Diamond bracelets.
Elegant handbags.
If it sparkled,i bought it.
One sales assistant smiled politely. "Would you like to see our newest collection?"
"I'd like to see all of it"
She looked delighted.
Racheal wandered over holding up a pale blue dress.
"Laurel! This would look beautiful on you"
I barely glanced at it. "No"
"What do you mean no?"
"It's too plain"
"It's elegant!"
"It's boring"
She sighed dramatically before grabbing another dress. "What about this?"
"No"
"This one?"
"No"
"This?"
"No"
The sales assistants watched us like spectators at a tennis match.
Then our eyes landed on the same dress.
A breathtaking sapphire-blue evening gown.
We both reached for it.
Our hands collided.
"My dress" I declared.
"No"
"I saw it first"
"I touched it first"
"I blinked at it first"
"...What kind of argument is that?" I replied immediately.
"The winning kind"
Neither of us let go.
One sales assistant cautiously approached. "...We also have it in another size"
"No!" We answered together.
She quietly backed away again.
"You already bought thirty dresses" Racheal complained.
"And?"
"You don't need another one"
"I also don't need your opinion" I fired.
She folded her arms.
"I'm saving Marco's money"
"I'm spending Richardo's money"
She burst into laughter. "You'll bankrupt him"
"I highly doubt that"
Eventually,i wandered into the baby section.
Not intentionally.
I had simply been trying to escape Racheal again.
Instead,i found her standing quietly beside a shelf of tiny baby clothes.For the first time all day,she wasn't talking.She gently picked up a tiny cream-colored sweater,then a pair of ridiculously small shoes,her fingers carefully brushed over the soft fabric as a smile appeared on her face.
It wasn't loud or dramatic.
It was soft and warm.
Almost...motherly.
"I wonder if the baby will like this" She whispered.
Something inside me softened.
I watched as she carefully compared blankets, tiny hats, little socks, and stuffed animals with the concentration of someone choosing treasures.
She wasn't shopping for herself.
Every single thing was for someone she hadn't even met yet.
Without realizing it,i walked over.
I picked up a tiny pair of knitted mittens. "They're cute"
She looked at me, surprised. "You think so?"
I nodded awkwardly.
"They'll keep little hands warm"
Her smile grew wider. "I knew you'd like them"
"I never said that"
"You didn't have to"
For some strange reason,i stopped trying to run away,she stopped chasing me.And before either of us noticed,we were walking side by side through the rest of the mall, comparing dresses, laughing over ridiculous price tags, and debating whether a baby really needed five different blankets.
At some point,it no longer felt like I was shopping with someone I couldn't stand.
It felt unexpectedly like I was shopping with a sister.