Akira stared at her, flabbergasted.

"How on Earth did you manage to wrangle yourself an invitation here?" Akira asked in utter surprise.

"Oh, yes, I am fine, thanks for asking", Inayah sarcastically said as she sat down. "What is for lunch?"

"Luckily for you, it's a vegetable-based risotto", Akirasaid incredulously. "Why am I even telling you this?"

Inayah placed her napkin on her lap with a flourish and signalled to an attendant. "Please, do get me some water, I'm parched".

"Inayah!" Akira said a little louder than she meant to. "Explain!"

Finally, Inayah looked at Akira and gave a cheeky smile. "Well, I did tell you to expect a surprise, didn't I?"

"A surprise as in a gift or some good news of sorts!" Akira went quiet as the steaming bowls of fragrant risotto were laid out for them. Then as the server left, she continued. "What- How?"

Inayah tapped the side of her nose conspiratorially. "A magician never reveals her secret".

Akira scowled. "Good thing you're not a magician. Explain, please".

"Well, if you insist. You see, my father pulled a few strings and I was able to come to see you", Inayah said with a wink.

"That's very vague", Akira murmured. "What about Adam?"

"We see each other every day", she replied, brushing away the name of her fiance. "Plus I cannot stay for too long, unfortunately".

"Yes, how fortunate", Akira responded with a laugh.

Inayah shot her a dirty look and took a spoonful of her risotto. "The food is nice but I would have to say our chef is better. This risotto... it tastes like a scheming, old, evil grandmother paid for it".

Akira laughed again, her mood lifted. Then her smile dropped as she remembered.

"Inayah, you have to promise not to get mad".

"Well, it depends", Inayah responded curiously.

"Inayah", Akira said, not breaking eye contact.

"Alright, fine. I promise", she sighed, eager to know.

"So, Grandmother has had me engaged". The moment those words left Akira's lips, Inayah's spoon fell out of her, falling straight back into the bowl of risotto, a splatter staining the pristine white tablecloth.

"Engaged?!" Inayah gasped. "But to whom? How? Is it a forced marriage?!"

"Calm down", Akira coaxed. "And yes, I don't really have a choice. The engagement is to William Byron".

"Oh, that evil, old witch!" Inayah exclaimed. "And you did not have a say? At all?"

"Not really", Akira winced.

"Oh, curse it all, Akira!" Inayah said, upset. "Just leave with me, now. You know you can depend on my family for everything".

Akira sighed. "I can't let her win. I cannot. Inayah, everybody insults my mother here. They have no care for her death or my fathers. Even the colour of my skin is a problem".

"That is exactly why you shouldn't be here any longer!" Inayah protested.

"No, that is exactly why I will make sure they learn their lesson", Akira replied, determined.

"Alright, gosh", Inayah sighed. "As much as it pains me to say this, I will not force you to come with me. But if you ever need a speedy escape, Father can send his jet".

Akira reached out and grasped her hand. "Thank you for trusting me, Inayah".

Inayah wiped a fake tear away, making Akira laugh. "So, I'm hearing about your evil grandmother, what about your grandfather?"

"I wouldn't know", Akira sighed. "I've never seen him".

"How?" Inayah asked, confused. "Not even once?"

"Not at all", Akira confirmed, massaging her temples. "It is weird, is it not?"

"Yes, it is-"

"Akira", a familiar voice that filled Akira with annoyance called out.

Akira turned to see her grandmother, in all furious blazing fury, staring at the two of them with contempt. Her lips were curled in distaste as she glanced up and down at Inayah and then at Inayah's scarf.

Akira felt Inayah nudge her under the table as she stood.

"Your Grace, it is an honour to meet you", Inayah said, reaching out her hand.

Grandmother scoffed and kept her hands locked with each other, completely ignoring Inayah.

"Grandmother", Akira said sweetly. "My friend, Inayah Amir. You should probably get acquainted with her".

"I don't believe that will be necessary", Grandmother frowned distastefully.

"Why not, Grandmother?" Akira laughed. "After all, she will be a bridesmaid at my wedding".

Akira glanced at Grandmother's hand which was interlocked so tightly, her gloves looked like they were about to tear.

"Her?" Grandmother said incredulously. "The bridesmaid? Don't be silly Akira, your bridesmaids have already been chosen".

"Well, why not her?" Akira demanded.

"Well, look at her!" Grandmother said aloofly. "She's not... one of us, is she?"

"According to you, neither am I".

"Regardless, she will not be your bridesmaid. The ones chosen are all from.... noble affluent backgrounds".

"Excuse me", Inayah said, indignantly. "What exactly do you think of me?"

"I think what I see". Grandmother said cruelly. "You can try to dress up all you like but we know where you really come from. Stop clinging onto my granddaughter for money".

"Oh, really?" Inayah asked. "Where am I really from? What do you know about me?"

"I can tell enough from that thing on your head".

Akira stood up too and lightly placed her spoon next to her bowl. "Grandmother, you are crossing a line", she said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, please", Grandmother scoffed. "I will not play nice to all the riff-raff your mother allowed in your life".

Grandmother gave Inayah a nasty look as if looking down at her and signalled to an attendant. "Please usher this person to the entrance please".

"Your Grace", the attendant said nervously. "Miss Inayah will be staying here for a few days".

"Don't be ridiculous, she will not be staying here", Grandmother exclaimed. "Where did you get that ludicrous idea from?"

"Your Grace, Miss Inayah is invited to the next ball".

"I know those on my list, boy", Grandmother snapped. "I do not remember seeing her".

"It's the Amir family", he explained anxiously. "She's the daughter of Sir Ahmed Amir, OBE",

Grandmother went quiet for a second and an angry blush covered her face. "An OBE?" She asked, doubtfully.

"Yes, Your Grace". The attendant swallowed, his eyes flickering to each person in the tense room.

"Well, maybe I was misled about the money leeching", Grandmother said, trying to backpedal. Akira tried to stifle a laugh. Appearances were very important for people like Grandmother and Grandmother had thought that Inayah was some sort of commoner, someone with no background or status. Grandmother had thought she could be as rude as she wanted to Inayah because Inayah was unimportant. Well, Inayah wasn't. Far from it, really. And more than Inayah's extremely influential and wealthy family, she was Akira's closest friend.

"Grandmother, you were very rude, especially to your guest, Inayah".

"Well, I suppose I might have been", Grandmother sniffled unapologetically. "This heat is terrible, I must go inside now".

Grandmother gave Inayah a last shrewd once-over and walked back inside, leaving Inayah and Akira alone.

"Oh, Inayah, I am terribly sorry-"

"I feel so bad for you, Akira", Inayah interrupted. "Gosh, what a horrible old woman! I can see how she might be ever so subtly racist to you!"

"It's not as bad as you think, I hardly see her!"

"But she is horrid, controlling and so manipulative!", Inayah continued. "Are you sure I cannot just kidnap you and return to London?!"

"No, no, Inayah", Akira laughed. "I have a plan of sorts".

"I suppose you don't plan on telling me just yet, do you?"

"No, not yet".

"What did I expect?", Inayah sighed. Then after a pause, she said, "Well, perhaps you could show me my room in the meantime?"

More to come ;)

Question for today:

Which friend group/pair is your favourite (it can be someone famous, fictional or even a historical friendship)?

Xx