Heba held up a dress so that I could no longer see her. "How about this blue one?" she asked, sticking her head out from the side.

It was beautiful.

The thin straps of tiny sparkling stones would accentuate my collarbones, I imagined. It flowed down to the floor and the fabric... the fabric was what won me over already without having even tried it on.

"Wow." I commented and Heba nodded her head eagerly as if we agreed on that little word. "I need to try it on."

"Here." she handed me the dress and continued to search through the rails of dresses.

When she had contacted me last night, I had been confused at first. Not in a bad way, but I hadn't expected her to ask me if I fancied a bit of shopping.

I had only met Heba a couple of times, but each time I had had a good time and interesting conversations with her and her husband Abbas. Both were very sincere and warm-hearted people, so I had agreed to meet up with her without hesitation.

Needing a dress for the event this weekend, the shopping trip had been an excellent idea for me anyway. And I had to admit that I needed to get out of the house more often. It was nice to meet up with a friend.

I had forgotten what that was like. After all the betrayal I'd suffered in the past from my so-called best friend, it was safe to say I was traumatized. I hadn't trusted anyone as a friend after that, but Heba didn't seem like one of those women.

She was about eight years older than me, and besides, you didn't do stupid things like you used to do in college at that age. Maybe my ex-best friend had grown out of that stage too, and maybe she regretted her decisions a little.

Anyway, it was refreshing to see different faces and get to know different worlds. Abbas and Heba were so much more different than Jungkook and I, but we hit it off the same way.

"Should we get lunch and then continue shopping?" she asked after I tried on the blue dress and decided to buy it.

I checked my watch. "Oh, are you hungry already?" I asked, realizing that our late breakfast, which could actually be called brunch, was about two hours ago.

Heba pressed her lips together. "Aren't you?" she asked, sounding so innocent it was endearing. And she looked almost embarrassed.

I felt bad. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound judgmental. We had breakfast two hours ago, so I didn't even think about it."

Heba shook her head. "No, don't worry about it. I guess I still can't tell if I'm hungry or just craving certain things. I was thinking about creamy pasta. That little one increases my appetite. And my aggression."

She laughed at her own words, but I stopped in my tracks as we walked to the next store. My eyes were wide and Heba laughed even harder now when she noticed my shocked expression.

"Heba, are you..." my voice trailed off.

"Yes," she said softly now, her eyes tearing up. "I'm pregnant."

I threw my arms around her, joy washing over me. "Oh, my goodness. I'm so happy for you." She didn't show, which was why I hadn't considered it. She had to be in her first few months.

"Thank you so much," she said as we pulled back from the hug.

"How far along are you?" I asked, still overcome with different emotions. Heba and I didn't know each other too well, yet I felt excitement at the news.

But despite the smile on her lips, I felt something empty in her eyes. I wondered if I had jumped the gun and said something that might not have been appropriate.

"13 weeks," she replied quietly.

She was in her second trimester and although she wasn't showing, I had noticed a glow about her. Now I wasn't so sure about it. "I'm sorry if I'm asking something you don't want to answer. But wasn't it planned?"

"No," she said at first, and I winced at my insensitivity. But then she corrected herself. "I mean yes. It had been our plan."

Heba looped an arm through mine and we started walking. Realizing that maybe Heba needed someone to talk to honestly about it, I dared to keep asking. If she didn't want to, she didn't have to answer the question. "Had been... You guys don't want to be parents anymore?"

"We do." she sighed. Then she laughed a little sadly. "Abbas was overjoyed, he almost threw me up in the air when I told him. But I'm terrified that our happiness will end in grief. Again."

She dropped her head and watched our steps, which had synchronized. I tuned out the crowd of people in the mall around us and gave my full attention to her.

I hadn't expected such beautiful news to turn so dark in such a short space of time, but I now understood what had happened to her, and a heavy feeling settled in my stomach. My face fell as she looked up at me with sad eyes.

"I had three miscarriages and each one was harder than the last. I know it wasn't my fault, but somehow you feel responsible. It's a maternal instinct to protect it even if it's not a full life yet."

"I understand, though I don't know what it feels like," I commented cautiously. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you." she smiled. Heba drew a long breath and softness settled into her face. "I'm glad Abbas has supported me through all of this. Without him, it would have been a lot worse for me. That's why I don't want to ruin his happiness with my worries."

"I can imagine how supportive Abbas has been. But your feelings are valid too. Try to be honest with him," I suggested objectively.

"You're right. We've always been patient. And if we are meant to be parents, we will eventually be no matter how rocky the road."

"Right. And I'm sure you'll both have a wonderful rainbow baby. I'm here to support you both." I assured her, squeezing her hand. I hadn't realized she had started crying until I found her wiping away a tear.

"I'm an emotional wreck anyway. Don't make me cry in front of all these people." She laughed through her sobs and I laughed with her. I was glad she had opened up to me.

"Should we get creamy pasta now?" I asked playfully and her eyes lit up.

"Please."

An hour later, we had found a restaurant that had the exact type of pasta on the menu that Heba craved. I actually found it quite worrying how quickly she devoured her lunch.

"It's so good," she said through a mouthful. "You should have gotten a serving too."

I looked down at my salad and shook my head. I wasn't very hungry, but I didn't want to make Heba feel bad by letting her eat alone. The restaurant was very decently decorated and the conversations of the people nearby filled my ears.

Halfway through our plates, Heba's phone rang and she swallowed before answering the call. First, she said something in Arabic that I couldn't understand and then switched to English in her usual British accent.

"Really? Reva and I are at Al Di La Trattoria right now." She listened to what I assumed was her husband's answer on the other side of the line. "Yes, of course. We're waiting."

After she hung up, she turned to me again. "Was it Abbas?" I asked, dabbing my mouth with a napkin.

"Yes. He and Jungkook had a meeting and were about to grab lunch. I called them over." she said cheerfully and a weird feeling bubbled up inside me when I heard his name. "I hope you're okay with it."

I cleared my throat. "Of course." I nodded. I felt something between my teeth and took the small mirror out of my purse to check. Heba smiled at me.

After about ten minutes, footsteps approached and when I turned around, I found the two men walking towards us. Jungkook was wearing the suit he had put on this morning, the same indifferent look in his eyes as he checked the tables until he found me.

His eyelids dropped, so slightly that it was barely noticeable. He didn't smile, and yet it felt like he did. His brown eyes were so penetrating that I looked away.

"Reva, come sit next to me." Heba patted the seat next to her delightedly and I quietly agreed by simply getting up from my previous seat.

"Hello, you two." Abbas greeted us as both men arrived at our table. I greeted him back before he bent down to hug his wife.

I started to walk around the table when Jungkook and my eyes met again. It was kind of weird without any kind of greeting. Normal couples hugged or kissed each other.

But my heart fluttered when Jungkook placed a hand on my hip while he let me walk past him so I could sit next to Heba. We settled down and a waiter brought two menus.

"Should I have another?" Heba mumbled to herself.

"If you're still hungry, of course, Hayati," said Abbas, looking briefly over the menu at his wife.

There was a small blush on her cheeks, though I imagined he called her that every day. I didn't know what it meant, but it was certainly something beautiful. "Can you order the same for me as well?"

Abbas nodded with a smile as I watched their interaction. I felt eyes on me and found Jungkook staring at my face. Next, down at my salad that was now in front of him because I was previously sitting in his current spot.

"Is this yours?" he asked the obvious and passed the plate over to me after I just nodded in response. "Why didn't you order something more filling?"

"I wasn't hungry," I admitted and his gaze hardened. I rolled my eyes.

After sharing what we had done throughout the day, our friends delved into a conversation of their own. It wasn't rude or excluding because it wasn't anything private. It just showed that they found something to talk about after all.

Unlike Jungkook and me.

Something felt different about him today though. I couldn't put my finger on what it was, but I noticed it. Still, I didn't address it.

"What did you buy?" I heard Jungkook ask after a few minutes as he curiously eyed the two bags beside me.

"A dress. For the event we've been invited to this weekend," I replied, now looking at the bags myself. "And... um, nothing."

"And?" he raised his left eyebrow. I actually didn't want to tell him to piss him off because I knew how much he hated it. But also knowing that he wouldn't give up asking until I answered, I reached for my phone in my purse. I typed a quick reply.

Me:
Lingerie

When I looked up at him, he cleared his throat, now reaching for his phone in the inside pocket of his jacket. After reading the message, he looked over at me without lifting his head. His eyes were predatory and so piercing. His fingers started typing.

Jungkook:
What color?

Me:
Purple

Jungkook:
Gonna show me tonight?

Me:
You wish.

Jungkook:
I do.

I almost choked on air at the frankness of his words. I had expected a different, perhaps teasing and infuriating answer. But not this. And it annoyed me that Jungkook seemed so nonchalant as he answered the question I hadn't even heard his friend ask.

Then Abbas resumed the conversation with his wife and I watched Jungkook type again.

Jungkook:
Be on my desk when I get home.

Jungkook and I had always exchanged sexual jokes before, but I wondered why my body reacted differently today. Maybe it was because we were sitting right next to our friends or perhaps it was because Jungkook enjoyed me reacting the way he hoped I would.

Images of him pushing me down on the desk as he gripped my hips hard filled my head and I blushed until Heba's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry?" I stumbled, kicking Jungkook under the table as he chuckled under his breath.

"You seemed really absorbed in your phone. Is everything okay?" she repeated herself and I felt bad for neglecting her.

"Yes. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come across as rude." I admitted honestly without wanting to lie or reveal more.

"No, it's okay." she squeezed my hand in reassurance. "I just wanted to make sure you weren't bored."

I smiled and thanked her for her thoughtful concern. Trying to ignore Jungkook's evil grin, I noticed Abbas trying to suppress his smile. Clearly he must have seen that Jungkook had his phone out too, even if he didn't know for sure that he was texting me or what we were talking about.

Swallowing the awkwardness, we now engaged in a casual conversation that involved all of us before Jungkook and Abbas decided that they needed to continue the meeting they had put on pause. We had all finished our food, so Abbas insisted on paying and we got up together.

Heba and Abbas hugged and he went to make sure his wife and the baby were okay. I reached for my shopping bags and found Jungkook staring at me. Then he approached me. Slipped a hand around my waist. Pulled me close to him.

To outsiders, we appeared to be a couple hugging goodbye. Or Jungkook planting a kiss on my cheek. But in reality, he was whispering in my ear.

"Bent over or legs spread. You decide," he said deeply, his breath sending a shiver down my spine. "My lovely little wife."

─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────

By the time we'd done some more shopping, Heba had started to get exhausted from all the walking, so we called it a day, promising to do it again soon.

It had felt nice and I arrived at the mansion with a smile on my face. Handing the car over to one of the drivers to park, I skipped lightly up the stairs to the front door. Dinner wouldn't be served for a couple of hours and Jungkook had a few more hours of work ahead of him.

I took the stairs up to the bedroom until my steps slowed when I heard Mrs. Jeon speak. She seemed upset, which I could tell from the bite in her voice. I didn't understand what she was saying until I got closer.

She was standing in the hallway, Sophia at her side with her head hanging down. Her hands were clasped together in front of her stomach. Confusion made me draw my eyebrows together and the urge to find out what was going on made my feet move.

Sophia was family to me even if she was an employee at the end of the day. She had moved in with us a few days ago like Jungkook had suggested and the sight of her in a vulnerable state with Mrs. Jeon staring down at her maliciously triggered the feeling of protectiveness inside me.

"I know what you were trying to do," Mrs. Jeon scolded in her venomous voice, as dark as I'd ever heard it.

Mrs. Jeon could typically be very harsh, but even this was new to me. I couldn't fathom what Sophia must have done to upset her like this.

"You think you're all smart, don't you?" she continued. Sophia's shoulders shook like she was going to cry. Mrs. Jeon only had to be a few years older than her, yet Sophia seemed almost childlike because of the position they were in.

I had heard enough. "What's going on?" I asked, which actually seemed to throw them both off guard as their heads shot in my direction. Mrs. Jeon's eyes were wide like Sophia's, but unlike her, she recovered from it faster.

Looking down her nose, my mother-in-law now turned to me. "She was in my study, sneaking around."

I wasn't sneaking around. I was just trying to help the maids clean. Sophia interjected with quick hand movements. I could see the desperation in both her hands and her eyes, so I knew she wasn't lying.

Mrs. Jeon threw a disgusted look in her direction but I intervened. "I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding. Sophia isn't the type of person to dig into private things."

"I don't know her. You and Jungkook bring a stranger into my house and the first thing she does is cause trouble." she almost spat and the patience in me slowly faded into oblivion.

Still, I tried to keep my cool. "Like I said, it probably wasn't on purpose. Sophia is my guest and I'm going to make sure she doesn't invade your personal space again."

"She can't even speak. I doubt she understands," she mumbled, quietly continuing to nag, which broke the dam inside me. I would never tolerate disrespect towards my beloved.

"Mrs. Jeon, with all due respect. Sophia can hear you and everyone else very well. Just because she responds in a language you do not know doesn't mean you can belittle her. If there's something you don't like about her behavior, you tell me first. I'll berate her if necessary."

If I wasn't sure I was just imagining it, I'd bet steam was shooting out of her nose. Her eyes were so hard and her mouth tightened with anger. Even though I had always tried to treat her with respect because she was Jungkook's mother, I too reached a breaking point.

"Is that your final answer?" she asked after an eternity of attempting to intimidate me. I wouldn't twist and bend as she pleased. Not anymore.

"I think I've spoken clearly," I replied with calmness. Anger could never be fought with anger and it upset her all the more it seemed. "Sophia, you can go."

I waited until she took a few steps away from us to make sure Mrs. Jeon wouldn't catch her again after I left. Then, I headed back down the stairs to grab a cold glass of water from the kitchen.

But I didn't make it far, because after five steps, my foot slipped and I fell despite my best efforts to hold on to something until everything blacked out before my eyes.

____________________

A/N: slay Reva but kinda embarrassing she fell down the stairs afterward lmao