Chapter 25

It was already midnight when I arrived home. The guards didn't expect to see me that night. Nobody told them I was coming home, and I meant not to tell anyone. All I wanted when I arrived was to lie on my soft, comfy bed and sleep without any noise or disturbance, but I knew very well that wouldn't be possible because my heart was still breaking so much. I climbed the stairs after telling the guard to leave my luggage—it didn't matter where. I was already too exhausted to think about my belongings. Every single time I remember what happened on the island, it pierces me in the heart. It hurts to be so jealous of Pretzel. Elyana was so loved, and the twins cared so much about her. I thought leaving England was the best decision I'd made—I thought being with the second family I knew would make me happy again, but look at what happened. That night, I fell asleep in tears. The pain inside me was more significant than what Lucas gave me. I fell asleep, and I didn't notice what time it was. When I opened my eyes, all I saw was bright morning light. My eyes and body felt heavy. My stomach hurts, but remembering I didn't eat dinner made sense. It was already 9:35 in the morning; I was starving but too lazy to get something to eat. At that same time, I heard knocks on the door. I heard whispers, and it seemed they were arguing behind the door. I got curious. I walked to the door, walking barefoot, moving like a zombie. I was still wearing the same dress I wore when I came home. They were like bees—buzzing. "Are you sure she's here?" "Pedro said she arrived last night. He even carried her luggage and left it downstairs." "Are you sure? Maybe he was just dreaming last night. Madam didn't even call to tell us her daughter would be coming." 'I'm positive she's here. I saw the luggage downstairs, and that's the same one she took when she left last time." 'Oh my! We would be in trouble if we were all asleep last night!" All of them seemed scared. The way they talked was almost whispering, but I could hear them because they were right in front of the door, and my ears were near. It confused me why they sounded frightened. I wouldn't even get mad because they weren't around when I came last night. From the voices I heard, it looked like there were more than two people outside, and when I opened the door, I confirmed all the maids were there, and their lips were wide open when they saw me in front of them. "M-Miss Elyana?" they asked in unison. It seemed they saw a ghost in broad daylight. Aside from their mouth, even their eyes "It's like you've seen a ghost," I said, holding back my laughter. Because they looked so animated, I suddenly forgot I was in a bad mood. The fact that they were so close in height made me chuckle. Their heights were noticeably close to one another. They were also wearing the same uniform and had the same body type—chubby. Asking if that was the height requirement crossed my mind, but I stopped myself. They looked like dwarfs; then they were seven. The scene reminded me of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves—the part where the elves found out there was a human inside their house. "What's the matter, and why are you all here?" I inquired. They exchanged glances, pushing each other to speak up. 'T-There's somebody outside looking for you, Miss Elyana." Finally, one of them had the guts. 'Who is it?" 'We don't know who, Miss. He said he's your best friend," the same maid answered me. I frowned. Looking at the maid intently while thinking about who it could be. I only had one known best friend, and remembering him made me raise an eyebrow in front of the seven maids. 'Tell him I'm not here. Make an excuse so he would leave immediately," I ordered and closed the door right after. As I closed the door, my chest tightened with anger. I took a deep breath and blew out the air forcefully to relax even for a bit. I closed my eyes and remained standing while leaning on the door. There was a notification from my phone. It took me a few minutes before I decided to check it. I found two messages, and both came from Felicity. [I know you're mad because of what happened yesterday. I'm sorry, girl!] [I'm not the only one who wants to apologize to you, Mom, Lea, and Felix, who are guilty of everything. Mom invited you to the house for lunch, and don't worry, Felix won't be there.] Surprisingly, he was nice to me again, and they wanted to apologize. I suddenly thought about my parents. I knew they had something to do with it because they were the last people I talked to yesterday. I planned to go to their place to clear my name, but I suddenly thought of not going anymore. I didn't do anything terrible to them, and I wasn't the one who should put down my ego. If they wanted to apologize, they should be the ones to come and visit me. I didn't answer his message. I left my phone on the bed and went to the restroom. I bathed, did my thing, and dressed up for that morning. Starving, and the pain in my stomach was getting worse. That's why I went to the kitchen to see what to eat. "M-Miss Elyana, I was…about to return to your room to ask…what you want to eat today," the cook said when we met on the stairs. She could hardly look me straight in the eyes and was even stammering. Until then, I still didn't know the names of all the maids in the mansion, but I knew who the cook was because she was the healthiest and the oldest. 'What do we have?" I inquired. 'Honestly, Miss, our food stock has run out. We can't serve you a delicious breakfast," she said shyly. "That's all! Alright, let's go grocery shopping today. Isn't there anything in the fridge? Even eggs? Bread?" "There are still eggs, Miss," she immediately answered, and her face lit up. "Just an egg, boil it, and toast me some bread with butter," I requested and smiled. She rushed back to the kitchen. I was left standing on the stairs when I suddenly felt something warm between my thighs. I knew it would be coming. The pain in my stomach was not only because it was empty. I turned around and hurried back to the room, but before I even got to the top step of the stairs, a maid suddenly appeared just to tell the same person looking for me was still outside. "W-Who?" I asked loudly as my eyebrows met. I heard a commotion from outside, and a familiar figure entered the house. 'I knew you were here!" he exclaimed. 'Come with us, Sir!" The guard ordered and forcefully pulled Felicity away, but it seemed that gay was stronger than him. 'No! Don't touch me! Elyana is my friend. Ask her!" He struggled. 'Leave him here. He won't try to do something that will harm anyone," I sarcastically uttered while looking intently into him. The guard hesitantly obeyed and left. "What brings you here?" I asked when the guard was gone, trying not to show any emotions. "I came to apologize to you personally, girl. I'm sorry for what happened yesterday. Felix already admitted his mistake, and on behalf of him, I'm here to reconcile with you," he explained. I saw the sincerity in his eyes, but I wanted Felix himself to apologize in front of me because he was the one who accused and put everyone in that mess, but knowing how cowardly he was—I wasn't sure of it. "Where is your brother, and you're the one who came here?" I asked. "He's still in Bora right now. He'll try to propose to Pretzel by this day. That's why he couldn't come back yet." Hearing that almost killed me. My chest had a piercing pain, but I tried to wash it away. "T-That's good then," I commented, stuttering because I wasn't prepared for that news. Felicity seemed so happy about it.