Warmth Of A Friend
Annabelle squinted at the figure standing before her, feeling a strange mix of familiarity and disbelief. “Who… who are you?” she asked, voice barely above a whisper.
The girl smiled, her blonde hair catching the light. “It’s me, Annabelle. Emilia.”
Annabelle’s jaw dropped, her eyes widening as she stepped closer. “What? Emilia, is it really you?” she asked, her heartbeat quickening.
“Yes, it’s really me,” Emilia said with a warm smile, and without another word, she pulled Annabelle into a tight hug.
Annabelle closed her eyes, breathing in the faint, comforting scent of vanilla that she remembered so well. “Oh my gosh, Emilia. I’ve missed you so much,” she murmured, holding on tightly.
“I’ve missed you too,” Emilia replied softly, her voice muffled against Annabelle’s shoulder.
They pulled back, and Annabelle searched Emilia’s face, feeling a rush of emotions all at once. “What happened? You just vanished after high school. No one knew where you went.”
Emilia’s smile faded a little. “It’s… a long story,” she said, looking away briefly before meeting Annabelle’s eyes again. “But don’t worry about it. I’m here now.”
Annabelle nodded slowly, sensing that Emilia didn’t want to dive into the details just yet. “Alright,” she said. “Are you studying here too?”
“Yeah, I am,” Emilia replied with a nod, glancing at the watch on her wrist. “But I’m in a bit of a rush. Let’s catch up properly tomorrow?”
Annabelle’s face brightened. “Yes, definitely.”
“Where’s your phone? I can give you my number.” Emilia said.
Annabelle bit her lip, looking embarrassed. “It’s… it’s broken,” she lied quickly, hoping Emilia wouldn’t notice.
“But I have a pen and paper. You can write your number here.” She added.
Emilia laughed but nodded her head. Annabelle quickly pulled out a small notebook from her bag and gave it to Emilia, she scribbled her number on a small piece of paper and handed it back to Annabelle with a grin. “There you go.”
Annabelle took it, slipping it carefully into her pocket. They hugged again, the warmth of Emilia’s embrace filling her with a happiness she hadn’t felt in a long time. When they finally pulled away, Emilia gave her a little wave before disappearing down the hallway.
As Annabelle left the school gates, she spotted a man waiting by the side of the road. He was dressed head to toe in black, his face serious and watchful. Annabelle felt a chill run down her spine, but she immediately recognized him as one of Riccardo’s men.
Without a word, he gestured to the sleek black car parked behind him. Annabelle followed, slipping into the backseat, and the driver shut the door before taking his place at the wheel.
Annabelle gazed out the window as the car moved smoothly through the city streets. She noted the passing buildings, trying to memorize the route. She didn’t want to be dependent on someone picking her up every time she left school. This way, she’d know how to find her way back if she ever needed to.
The hum of the engine filled the silence, and Annabelle watched the city gradually shift to quieter streets lined with tall trees and fenced estates. The city’s vibrant colors faded into muted tones, and the buzz of people and traffic softened, leaving an almost eerie calm.
After what felt like half an hour, the car turned into the familiar gates of the Clan’s estate. As they passed through, Annabelle took a deep breath, trying to mentally prepare herself for whatever lay ahead. When the car finally stopped, she stepped out, feeling the crisp evening air brushing against her skin. She nodded to the driver before making her way up the stone path toward the entrance.
Inside, the Clan’s grand halls were dimly lit, casting soft shadows that danced across the high ceilings. This time, however, she noticed more people bustling around. A few female soldiers in uniform walked past her, their steps purposeful and sharp. Some maids carrying linens hurried across the hall, glancing at her briefly before moving on.
As she walked, she couldn’t help but feel the silent energy around her, almost like an invisible pulse running through the walls. She remembered her first day here, feeling completely out of place. Now, she was beginning to recognize the routines and faces that filled this mysterious home.
One face, however, was missing. The cold woman who had been there the first time she arrived was nowhere to be seen. Her sharp, unforgiving gaze haunted Annabelle’s memory, and a part of her was relieved not to run into her tonight.
Then there was the young maid who had recently been serving her. Annabelle glanced around, half-expecting to see her nearby, but the girl was gone too. She wondered if she’d be assigned another maid or if the girl was simply busy elsewhere.
Finally reaching her room, Annabelle let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the day settle over her. She flicked on the small lamp beside her bed, the soft yellow light casting a warm glow across the room. Kicking off her shoes, she sank onto the bed, letting the silence wash over her.
Pulling the crumpled piece of paper from her pocket, she unfolded it carefully. Emilia’s number stared back at her in bold ink, a small connection to her old life—a life that felt like a distant dream now.
A faint smile tugged at her lips. She couldn’t believe Emilia was back. So much had happened since high school, so many things she hadn’t told anyone about, and yet, here was Emilia, bringing a sliver of familiarity back into her world.
Tomorrow, she thought. Tomorrow, they’d sit down and talk properly. For now, she tucked the paper into her nightstand, deciding to let it all sink in slowly.
After changing into her nightclothes, she lay down, pulling the thick, soft blanket over her. As her eyes began to close, she could still feel Emilia’s arms around her, smell the faint scent of vanilla, and hear her laughter echoing in her mind.