Welp, so much so for what the previous hours hyped me up. I thought I would at least gain an acquaintance. But at the rate everything's going, looks like that will be nothing but a distant dream.

Poor her though. She must have been so deprived of his attention that she resorted to such foolish decisions.

Still, such an event that arose from a lack of interaction just seems inconceivable, no matter which angle we look at. Think, we're talking about Lucas. The claim would have been far more credible if the person in question was anyone except him.

Oh, well. Whatever the truth is, it's not my place to be in. Hence, I set my sights on heading home without giving it any further thought.

That was the original plan. Until Natalia decided to randomly surprise me from behind in an effort to replace my poker face. It did work, and when I confronted her about it, she responded by inviting me to a shopping spree.

Which led me to this current situation. A mere observer from the faraway distance as the wife of a multi-millionaire struggled to select the best dress that would make her even more gorgeous. My mistake, I was supposed to be a companion. However, it seems I wasn't up to the task. After all, my financial status cannot even hope to stand equally with hers. It will only look even more pathetic.

There was no point in hiding it. Therefore, I explicitly informed Natalia of my affliction. To my great dismay, she nonchalantly waved it off. It didn't impress me either when she told me not to sweat it; that she'll take care of everything without questions. As if shopping sprees won't always consume more than what is necessary. A gesture that subtly reminded me of her offspring. Though it appears that his image might have originated from his father's side.

We eventually came to an agreement that she'd shoulder all the finances. A matter she herself brought forth to make up for the impromptu trip. But that did not serve as sufficient preparation for what lay in wait at our destination. It was then that I realized my assumptions were far too insipid. If only I had allowed a large margin of error in my computations, perhaps the overwhelming reality would not have met my soul with so much force.

My presumptions included us spending the afternoon in a bonggacious mall. But it did not include us literally paying every designer store a visit. And in every designer store, Natalia made sure to at least buy five items— minimum. There isn't a maximum amount. This means it could exceed numbers I can't even begin to fathom.

What's even more surprising is that not a single cent has accompanied her today. All it took was one swipe of a single piece of plastic for her to buy everything she desired. Nothing was too expensive, not even the whole store.

As I watched from the sidelines, she motioned me to come closer. Upon obliging, she held out a dress with an intricate geometrical design.

"My dear son has mentioned a few times that nothing interests you except Math and that you'll quickly turn your heels if it's Trigonometry," Natalia gleefully professed. "So maybe any clothing that speaks Math would have you delighted?"

No, I'm actually a minimalist. Everything in my possession has little to no design.

"Excuse me," she gestured to the saleslady with a smile, "are there any clothes that have geometric designs here?"

Too late.

And that's the story of how I now own a bunch of clothes that don't fit with the rest of my wardrobe.

It honestly baffled me. How can Natalia overpower me so much that everything she says instantly makes me nod? Is this the power of extroverts? Did I underestimate it too much? Is there an existing method to escape this predicament?

"Oh, that's right, I forgot." She snapped her fingers loudly amidst all the shopping bags wrapped around her arms. It quickly cracked through my daydreams and brought me back to reality. "You released the official version of Rekindling the Lost Fire three days ago, right?"

"Everyone was raving about it! My phone wouldn't stop ringing!" Natalia exclaimed. "Until now, I'd still get notified of their chapter-by-chapter tweets. It really forced me to turn my phone to silent mode!"

A small smile formed on my lips, "Yeah, it was my first time writing a duology, so I was constantly anxious that it was gonna suck. Thankfully, my editors were very helpful."

She laughed and patted me on the back, "Don't worry, it all worked out well, and the book came out as spectacular as always! I bet you had fun writing the scene wherein Georgia discovered her friend was just imaginary. You've always been such a sadistic author."

"Well, I can't seem to write a book that isn't filled with tragedy. They always come out as cringe." A nervous chuckle came out of me.

"Are you sure that isn't because you're so void of happiness that it feels weird to write something you're greatly unfamiliar with?"

Wow, that one hit hard. But she might be right, just that I'm not certain about that.

"I-I... actually don't know." My gaze immediately hit the ground. Even years wouldn't change the fact that I was still running away from everything. "Nor do I have the luxury to find out."

"I see," said Natalia as she looked away.

Ever since my banishment  — an event that conveniently happened the moment my age became fifteen — the only person that stayed with me through thick or thin was my own shadow. No one else. Even life itself continuously tried to bring me down. Of course. Why wouldn't it? After all, the real world doesn't discriminate, and even a naive little girl isn't entitled to a shred of mercy.

But not a single piece of me wanted to go back to the life I already left behind.

Therefore, it didn't matter what methods I had to resort to, so long as I would bask in the light once again. Even if it meant constantly grasping straws. Even if meant constantly walking through thin ice. Even if it meant constantly pulling strings. So long as I wouldn't go back to the darkness after finally getting out.

In the pursuit of doing just that, one debt stacked up over another until it became too much to handle. Stocks and the few savings I was able to accumulate from my part-time jobs, side hustles, scholarships, and profits made from my writing career were able to help me reduce them little by little. Actually, living frugally and embracing minimalism were the biggest factors in making progress. Not like there were other choices though.

Sometimes I wish I was born into a wealthy family too.

Imagine sleeping in a room ten times the size of an average apartment without even working for it.

"Eliza?"

Imagine waking up in the morning and never having to worry about what to eat for dinner.

"Eliza!"

Imagine failing a test without having to be anxious about how this would leave a dent in your future.

"Earth to Eliza! Eliiizaaa!" It was only when Natalia shook my shoulders that I came back to my senses. She looks at me with a worried expression, "What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

I rocked my head, "Was just lost in my thoughts for a moment." Staring too long at my food was probably not a good idea, especially since the current setting is a restaurant. It was my companion's idea for the last itinerary. Perhaps to finally wrap things up.

"Seem to be deep ones," she remarked. "Sorry for keeping you for a few hours. How about we head home now?"

"Ah, yes. About time."

Natalia's perspective of a shopping spree fitted way too much within my expectations that it bothered me. Every designer shop was visited; not a single one was left out. Sure enough, she was also carrying heaps of bags. Bags that cost greater than my annual income.

God, I'm jealous.

The day was supposed to have ended when we proceeded to get up and pay the check. And what should have awaited me once we were out in the open street was a straight path toward my apartment. However, it should have crossed my mind already, considering how this day started. That it wouldn't end the way I had anticipated it.

What lay ahead of me was not a straight path toward my apartment. Tsk. Don't these so-called '"bad girls" have a better hobby than stalking?

One glance from the leader was more than enough to send the message. They needed me alone. Else, there would be consequences. Not that I disagree, dragging Natalia into this wouldn't make sense. So I said my farewell.

She smiled and waved, "Well then, take care of yourself. Goodbye!"

How ironic. That was the least likely to happen from here on.

Q: I'm thinking about adding more Eliza + Natalia scenes in the editing phase. What do you think would be a good one?

Author's Notes commented inline here ➵