Chapter 41: 41

Zara’s POV

“So he brought you from school to your house and he put you to bed?” Bella asked, and I could practically hear the smirk in her voice through the phone.

My face burned instantly. “ it not in the way you’re thinking,” I rushed to clarify. “I was fully dressed. He just made sure I got home safely.”

“Ouch,” she murmured, clearly entertained.

I sighed and sank onto my bed.

“What am I supposed to do, Bella? I completely embarrassed myself in front of a Lycarr,” I whispered, pressing my fingers to my temple again. God I can't believe how uncomfortable he must have felt because of my foolishness.

“You were drunk,” she said quickly. “You can’t blame yourself for anything that happened like that. I’m sure Darius understands.”

There was a pause before she added, a little less confidently, “Besides… it’s not like you were trying to impress him.”

I stayed quiet because that was the problem.

I was really trying to impress him.

I chewed the inside of my cheek and internally groaned. I just couldn’t tell her that Darius wasn’t just some powerful stranger everyone thought he was but he was my boss and the only man I couldn’t afford to mess things up with him because I really need that job.

“I guess,” I muttered, though even I didn’t believe it even bella sighed.

“We don’t have school today, do you have tutoring?”

“No,” I said. “ I'm off duty today.”

“Perfect,” she chirped immediately. “We’re going out, girl’s day.”

Let's go shopping and also go for sight seeing.

I groaned. “Bella, I don’t have money for shopping.”

“Then we won’t shop seriously,” she said. “We’ll just walk around, eat, look at things. I just want to hang out with you.”

“You saw me yesterday.”

“That’s not the same,” she shot back. “I want normal time with you no stress and no school.”

I hesitated then I finally gave in. “Fine.”

Her excitement practically crackled through the phone. “I’ll pick you up in an hour!”

By the time I finished getting ready, the hour had already slipped away and Bella’s car was outside before I even checked the mirror one last time.

I grabbed my bag and hurried out, she waved the moment I slid into the passenger seat, already smiling like she hadn’t just emotionally pressured me into leaving the house.

“Hey,” she said brightly. “Hey,” I replied already fastening my seatbelt.

As she pulled away, the city slowly came into view. “How’s your mom?” she asked after a moment and my smile faded a little.

“The same,” I admitted. “Since my father was taken away… she’s not herself. I think she’s depressed, but I don’t know how to fix it.”

Bella nodded softly. “He was her mate, right?”

I swallowed. “Yeah, her true mate.”

That alone said everything and there was nothing else to explain.

Just pain that didn’t fade. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly and I forced a small shrug. “It is what it is.”

We let the silence sit for a moment before Bella shifted the mood.

“So,” she said, glancing at me, “shopping plan. My sister’s birthday is coming up.”

That immediately pulled me out of my thoughts, her sister Sapphire or as the world knew her, Sasa.

A luxury icon, a model and a woman who didn’t just walk into rooms rather she owned them.

“Penthouse party,” Bella added. “Big, flashy, expensive. I need a dress and a gift.”

“That sounds like your sister,” I muttered.

“Exactly,” she sighed. “Everything she touches turns into a spectacle.”

There was something in her tone like admiration mixed with something sharper, maybe envy.

She hid it well, but I could still hear it.

Bella linked her arm with mine as we stepped out into the busy city street. “And,” she added quickly, “you’re coming with me.”

I stopped. “Bella.....”

“No excuses,” she interrupted. “You’re coming.”

“I told you I don’t have....”

“We’re not talking about money,” she cut in. “We’re talking about you not disappearing into your own head again.”

I frowned but she wasn’t done speaking.

“And I’m also finding you an outfit.”

I immediately shook my head. “No, absolutely not.”

The last thing on my mind right now is going to shop for an expensive outfit I may not wear more than once and with my father in prison and my mom in depression, shopping is not something I should consider at the moment.

“Zara,” she said firmly, dragging me forward, “you’re coming to that party whether you like it or not.”

We kept arguing until we finally reached the shopping more, I can't believe she actually dragged me here.

I opened my mouth to argue again but stopped because someone was walking out of the boutique ahead and everything in me froze.

“Elara?” Bella whispered beside me and my stomach tightened instantly, I'm was seriously wishing she wouldn't turn and see me but luck wasn't on my side today.

She turned and smiled. “Zara?” she called out warmly, already walking toward us and my heart sank.

I didn't want to make friends with her especially because she stole my fiance unknowingly and she's Darius daughter, she seems like a sweet soul but I can't help the feelings I have towards her and just like that whatever peace I had managed to build this morning… was about to shatter all over again.