Chapter 54: Friends.

"Who really are you?" Maya asked, her voice soft but direct, searching Dua’s face for answers.

Lena and Jay also looked at Dua expectantly as they awaited her answer.

A wave of panic washed over Dua. Sharing the truth about her marriage to Steven felt too risky; trust hadn't been fully established yet.

She looked at her friends, who were all waiting for her response, and realized dodging the question wouldn’t work. “Both,” she answered.

“What?” they chorused, confusion written all over their faces.

“I’m both Diane and Dua,” she clarified, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

“So why are you back in school with a different name? You already graduated,” Jay questioned, skepticism clouding his tone.

“Because… I wanted to live as a different person for a while,” Dua replied, the words coming out faster than she could form them. “But it seems that plan fell apart—everyone's figured out who I am,” she added with an awkward laugh.

“Your friends are back in school too! They’re in an advanced class,” Lena informed her.

“And they’re coming this way now,” Maya said, glancing over Dua’s shoulder.

Lena and Jay turned to see two striking figures strutting towards them, exuding wealth and confidence.

“Diane, you’re back in school and you didn’t tell us? It’s like we don’t even know you anymore,” one of the ladies, Sesi, said, her tone tinged with reproach.

“And you ditched us for these… low lives,” the other, Bella, sneered, her gaze dripping with disdain as she sized up Dua’s friends.

“Hey!” Jay shot up from his seat, fire igniting in his eyes.

“Excuse me! You will not speak to us that way!” Lena echoed, standing defiantly beside him.

Bella scoffed, crossing her arms. “And what are you going to do about it?”

Dua finally stood up and faced them, her  arms crossed, her voice steady. “Do not refer to them as ‘low lives,’” she asserted, meeting Bella’s gaze head-on.

“But that’s what they are!” Bella exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief. “Wait… are you seriously defending them?”

"Of course, they're my friends," Dua replied calmly, though tension threaded her words.

"And us?" Sesi challenged, her eyes searching for reassurance.

"You're also my friends," Dua affirmed, her tone steady, yet cool.

"No, you can't be our friends and still associate with… them," Bella protested, her disdain evident.

"You're no different from them!" Dua shot back, her composure unwavering.

"Diane!" Sesi called.

"You’re nothing without your family’s influence," Dua retorted with a scoff, causing Bella to storm off in a huff.

Sesi's disappointment lingered in the air as she followed suit, leaving Dua alone with her friends. She turned back to face them, seeing the surprised expressions on their faces.

"You let them go for us?" Lena asked, shock softening her features.

Dua took a sip of her drink, relaxing into her seat. "Don't worry, they'll come back. I’m not just the daughter of the Sierre family; I'm Steven Levi's wife. I'm important to them. They won’t want to lose me."

"You know, I never thought you’d actually be this nice. They say Diane is rude, spoiled, and sassy, but you’re... different," Jay remarked, his tone curious.

"They're right; Diane and Dua are two different people with different personalities," Dua acknowledged with a smile.

"So, do you like... switch modes?” Maya asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You got it," Dua winked, clicking her tongue playfully.

"Okay, what class do we have next?" Jay redirected, and they fell into a discussion about their schedule.

Dua took a moment to breathe, silently congratulating herself for defusing the situation.

"I heard the professor for our next class is tough," Lena said, eliciting a chorus of moans from her friends.

"But there’s a bright side: they say he’s fair," she insisted, trying to lift the mood.

"How’s that a bright side?" Maya shot her a playful glare.

"Because we’ll learn a lot,” Lena replied with optimism.

"You're crazy," Dua shook her head, half-laughing at Lena’s unwavering positivity.

“Oh, c'mon, it'll be fun,” Lena chuckled, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Dua felt a wave of warmth wash over her as she listened to the chatter around her. It felt refreshing to be immersed in their plans and excitement. “Funny how I thought I’d be bored and lonely going back to school. But this feels… different,” she unconsciously blurted out.

“Different is good,” Maya replied, flashing a bright smile. “It’s like a reset button for you.”

“And we’ll always be here for you,” Lena added, her gaze reassuring, while Jay shot her a playful wink.

Dua smiled, her heart swelling with contentment at the camaraderie surrounding her. As they walked toward the classroom for their next lecture, she glanced back, half-expecting to see Sesi and Bella lurking. But it was only the sounds of campus life filling the air—students laughing, birds chirping in the trees, and the distant hum of music from a nearby café.

“Hey,” Jay said, breaking her reverie, “you really stood up for us back there. We appreciate it.”

“Yeah, it was super brave!” Lena chimed in, admiration glinting in her eyes.

Dua shrugged, trying to downplay the moment. “I just couldn’t let them talk to you that way. Friends stick together, right?”

The group entered the classroom and quickly settled into their seats as the professor walked in. With a reputation for being strict, he commanded attention and ensured there was no room for mischief in his classroom.

After two hours of rigorous lectures, students began to gather their belongings, preparing to leave.

"That was one tough lecture," Jay remarked, rubbing his neck and stretching.

"Totally," Maya agreed, rolling her eyes in jest.

As they exited the class, Dua’s phone beeped with a text from Mark: “We’re still expecting you.”

“You guys got any plans for today?” Lena inquired, a hint of hope in her voice.

“I heard there’ll be a football match this afternoon,” Maya answered.

“So, we should go watch?” Jay chimed in, enthusiasm evident in his expression.

"I can't, I have to go now," Dua replied, a twinge of regret tightening her chest.

Dua felt the weight of her friends’ disappointed gazes as they lingered at the threshold of fun. A part of her yearned to join them for the match, to immerse herself in the laughter and thrill of being with friends. But the other part—the side burdened by her responsibilities—held her back.

“Really? You’re not going to hang out with us?” Maya’s voice was laced with concern, breaking through Dua’s thoughts.

“I wish I could,” Dua said, attempting to muster a light smile. “But, you know… family stuff.” She hoped that sounded convincing enough.

Jay raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on his face. “Family stuff? You mean back to the Sierre family drama?”

“It’s not drama, exactly… Just some important matters we need to discuss. You know how my parents can be.” Dua fidgeted with her phone.

“Dua, you don’t always have to cater to their expectations,” Lena encouraged, her wide eyes brimming with sincerity. “They can handle a day without you.”

“I know,” Dua replied gently, her voice softening. “But I also have responsibilities. And I really want to keep the peace. Trust me, it’s best this way.”

Maya bit her lip but nodded in understanding. “Okay, we’ll save a seat for you at the match. Just don’t be a stranger, alright?”

With a tight embrace, Dua was enveloped in warmth from her friends. “I promise I won’t. I’ll be back before you know it,” she said, trying to infuse confidence into her words.

As she walked away, relieved yet guilty, she found herself torn between two worlds: the carefree student life and the weighty obligations of being Steven’s wife.

Once she arrived at the Sierre duplex, she inhaled deeply, preparing herself for what lay ahead. "Time for some drama."

Entering the living room, she noticed the family already gathered, as if they had been awaiting her arrival with bated breath.

Dua strode over to an empty couch, plopping herself down. “Nice! For once, I wasn’t the one waiting,” she quipped, surveying their expectant faces.

“How are you?” Mark asked, concern evident in his tone.

“Like you care,” Dua scoffed, crossing her arms defensively.

“I do care, Di. I’m your elder brother,” Mark replied, his expression softening.

Dua rolled her eyes. “The account details?”

“You got the money?” Sandra interjected, surprise coloring her voice.

“I knew she would,” Mark beamed, pride shining in his eyes as he handed Dua the account details. She quickly completed the transaction, her fingers flying over the screen of her phone.

Just a minute later, Bob's phone beeped, signaling the transaction was a success. “Good,” he said, a hint of approval creeping into his voice. “What about the file?”

“I couldn’t get it,” Dua replied.

“You couldn’t get it, or you’re refusing to get it?” Bob's hard stare bored into her.

“That’s my choice to make,” she sang defiantly, but the weight of the room shifted.

“That's not a choice for you to make!” Bob raised his voice.

“Looks like you all don’t need my help anymore,” Dua sang again.

“No, we do, please. Don’t mind Dad; you know how he is.” Mark interjected, trying to bridge the growing divide.

“Next thing you need to do is convince that devil to become the Mafia Lord,” Bob commanded, leveling a serious look at her.

“Why?” Dua responded nonchalantly, a small smirk playing at her lips.

“Because you don’t have a choice,” Bob replied, his tone brokering no argument.

“What will I gain from all this?” Dua asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Nothing,” Bob answered coldly, and Dua scoffed, disbelief mixing with annoyance.

“Gosh, why did Diane have to be born into this kind of family? Now I’m stuck dealing with all their bullsht,” Dua hissed in frustration.

“You are Diane. Why do you keep saying weird things?” Mark asked, concern etching deeper lines into his face.

“I’m being who you all desperately want me to be, not who I am,” she retorted.

“So, back to business. What do I gain from this?” She crossed her arms, challenging the validity of their offer.

“You gain the position of the Mafia Lordess,” Mark responded, his tone unwavering. “You’ll be next in power after your husband becomes the Mafia Lord. We’re doing this entirely for you.”

“And what do you all get?” Dua pressed, skepticism coloring her words.

“Nothing. We’re doing this for you, Di,” Mark insisted, earnestness shining through his frustration.

Dua scoffed, raising an eyebrow. “And why would you go through all this trouble just for my gain?”

“You’re going to do this, Diane, whether you want to or not!” Mark snapped, the tension in the room escalating with his anger.

“Yeah? That’s rich. A snake can’t give birth to a donkey,” Dua shot back, her eyes narrowing at the implication of family loyalty.

“Di…” Sandra’s gentle voice broke through the heat of the moment. Dua turned, meeting Sandra's tear-filled gaze. “Please, help us,” she pleaded, her vulnerability tugging at Dua’s heartstrings. For a fleeting moment, her resolve softened.

But before the warmth could settle, Dua shook her head, regaining her composure. “It won’t work. I won’t let you bewitch me with your charms,” she responded, her voice firm as she rose from the couch.

With an elegant gesture, Dua wore her glasses, the movement almost symbolic of her steeling herself against their persistent pleas. “Until you’re all ready to come clean with me, this business is over,” she declared.

“Let me know when you’re ready,” she added with a smirk, an air of confident defiance wrapping around her as she strode out of the house.

As she stepped outside, the air greeted her like a refreshing slap of freedom. Just as she took a breath of relief, her phone rang.

“Hi,” she answered.

“Come to the hospital now,” Steven’s voice resonated on the other end, laced with urgency.