{ IN TROUBLE }
<FOLLOWING MORNING>
Lily checked herself one last time on the mirror,then she smiled satisfied with her looks.
She grabbed her bag on the bed and dashed out of the house. On getting outside,she sighed looking at Ricky’s door which was next to her.
“Gosh… That jerk.” She huffed before walking away.
“Tanya,What are you doing here?” Ricky asked a girl who was busy grinning at him.
They were just outside his apartment.
“C’mon,Is that how to react after seeing me for years? I got your address from mum and here I am” Tanya smiled widely,she was totally all over him.
Ricky sighed.
“She can’t keep a promise at all” He muttered and Tanya hit his shoulder to make him snap back.
“I’m still here yunno” She pouted childishly.
“When did you get back?” Ricky asked.
“Yesterday,I wanted to surprise you that’s why I didn’t call” Tanya said with a smile.
She’s Ricky’s childhood friend and a senator’s daughter. She has been away from the country after thier college graduation.
Just then, Lily got there.
“Wow… The jerk has a girlfriend? And he was acting naughty with me… I can’t believe how short she look beside him. And he’s the flirty type. I doubt he’s faithful “She mumbled, looking at him with a deceitful look as she walked past him.
Ricky furrowed his brows, not understanding that look from her.
“What’s that? Who’s she?” Tanya asked, noticing the way the two looked at each other.
“Just a random human being” Ricky simply replied.
“Aaah! She’s your neighbor huh? You two don’t get along?” She asked.
“More like it” Ricky muttered.
“That’s good. If possible,don’t even talk to her at all” Tanya rolled her eyes.
“Why?”
“Nothing! I just feel she’s up to no good and she obviously doesn’t know who are you are. She’d have been rubbing herself over.. it’s really great that you don’t talk….”
“Please stop coming to see me” Ricky cut in.
“What? Are you kidding me right now?” Tanya asked with a small chuckle.
“I’m serious. We shouldn’t meet here again please….”
“Hey Ricky! Do you even remember know who I am? I’m your best friend! If you shut other people out, you can’t do the same with me!” Tanya snapped.
“I’m sorry. People changed with time,I’m no longer the Ricky you use to know!” Ricky said and Tanya blinked.
He made to close the door but Tanya stopped him.
“Yaah! Lim Jun hee!” She snapped and Ricky turned.
“Don’t ever call me that!” He spared her one last glance before closing the door.
Tanya scoffed.
“What’s this?” She muttered, looking at his retreating figure.
“No matter what you say Ricky, I will never leave you coz… I’m still in love you with you,now that I’m back,I’m never backing down untill you’re mine” She muttered and wore her glass before entering her bugatti,she drove off.
•••
<ROSES AND PETALS>
“Good morning everyone!”
“Hey Lily! Come here quickly!” Mrs Rosemary said, waving her hands.
Lily rushed to her, and getting there. She saw someone with her. A guy actually, he was wearing a face cap and a nose mask, so she couldn’t see his face properly.
“Hello” She greeted him and faced Mrs Rosemary.
“Ma’am”
“He wants a flower for his girlfriend or something. Take over” Mrs Rosemary said, tapping her back then she left.
“Hey, what do you want sir?” She asked him.
“I heard you’re very good with flowers, actually I wanna give a flower to my girlfriend but I don’t know which.” He said and Lily grinned.
“Confession of love right? I think red tulips will do” She said and began arranging the flowers he’ll need.
When she was done, she wrapped it up with a white ribbon and handed it to him.
“Here sir.” She said and the guy smiled taking it from her.
“It’s beautiful.” He said and brought out his wallet.
Lily smiled as she watched him. She suddenly blinked as stared at him. Looking at him closely, he looked familiar.
“Kris?” She called lowly and Kris stopped searching his wallet.
“Moonlight pitch? Kris! Oh my gawd!” She covered her mouth immediately.
Kris looked down.
“I’m so sorry. But it’s really you.I’m actually a fan” She said, grinning widely.
Kris simply nodded and handed her her money but she declined it.
“Keep it. Instead, give me you autograph.” She said and immediately brought out a pen and book from her bag, then she had Kris signed on it.
“A picture.Pleaseee” She pouted and Kris had no choice but to agree, she’s too cute for him to refuse.
Lily took off Kris’ cap to his dismay and took the photo.
“Than you so much!!!” She grinned, holding her phone tightly.
Krish simply nodded, and wore his face cap. He made to leave.
“Last favour please, can you send me regards to Ricky. Tell him his future wife said hi.” She said and Kris blinked.
“Future wife?”
“Well, I’m a big fan of his.” She said and Kris nodded.
“Ok.” He said and left with Lily waving at him.
Amelia and Mrs Rosemary cleared their throats behind her and she turned with a smile.
“What was that? Do you know him from somewhere?” Mrs Rosemary said.
“Yes. He’s a celebrity. Kris from MP.” She grinned and Amelia scoffed.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“I got his autograph and pic. I also sent him a message to Ricky.” She said and Rosemary chuckled.
“Wh@ťěver with your obsession. Where’s my money? Hope you collected alot from him?” Rosemary grinned.
“Ma’am… I just told you he’s a celebrity. An idol! Kris from moonlight pitch, how could I let him pay? I sold it for free to him.” Lily said and Rosemary and Amelia blinked.
“What!”
•••
<A WHILE LATER>
“How can ma’am want me to pay for the flowers?” Lily whined as she trimmed the flowers.
“How could you sell the flowers for free? Does this place look like a charity home?” Amelia asked and Lily rolled her eyes.
“Shouldn’t you be happy that an idol visited a shop, how could you collect money from him. Who knows? Tomorrow, he might bring Ricky here.” Lily grinned.
“Dream on baby girl.” Amelia said walking away.
Lily rolled her eyes.
“They’re all the same.” She muttered and her phone began ringing.
She brought it out and it was Rudy calling
“Hey crab!” She yelled the moment she picked up.
“Planning on damaging my ear drum?” Rudy said and she chuckled.
“Crab, my lucky star is really shining.” She grinned.
“What happened?”
“A member of Moonlight Pitch came to my shop today.” She said and she could hear Rudy huffed.
“I should have known that’s what you were gonna say.” He said.
“Can’t you even say something nice? My one dream is down,meeting a member from MP! Gosh! I’m so happy,today is my best day ever!!” She pouted.
“Wh@ťěver, suit yourself.” He muttered and she rolled her eyes, trying to change the cutter and phone between two hands whilst talking.
“I’m really gonna put y’all to shame when… Ah!!” She yelped as the the cutter fell from her hand and it almost touch her toes but she immediately shifted.
“Hey Lily! Are you alright?!” The call ended.
•••
“Lily! Are you alright?! Where are you?” Rudy asked worriedly, but the call ended.
Minnie watched him from the kitchen with anger burning through her,she folded her fist.
He immediately grabbed his key on the table and made to rush out but Minnie grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“Where are you going?” She asked.
“I’ll be right back babe, Lily is hurt.” He said and made to turn the doorknob.
“Lily! Lily!! Lily!!! She’s not a kid for crying out loud Rudy! Why are reacting like an overprotective brother?!” She yelled.
“I’ve got no time for your tantrums today” He said and Minnie huffed.
“Are you kidding me? Today is our anniversary and all you care about is this Lily girl! And I ask you again, who’s she to you? Coz I can see she’s not just a friend! She keeps coming in between us! You care for her more than you do with me! Why? What does she have that I don’t have?! Is she better than I am!”
“Stop babe,do we really always have to fight over Lily!”
“My answer is yes! If that’s gonna make you stop this puppy love or wh@ťěver? I’m your girlfriend and I have every right to know what’s going on through your head! If you’ll keep choosing that girl over her, then you should just break up with me first-“”
“Minnie!” Rudy yelled and Minnie glared at him.
She grabbed her bag on the couch and dashed out of his house.
Rudy sighed as the door closed. He closed his eyes.
His phone began ringing and it was Lily calling. He picked.
“Crab… Sorry, I had to attend to a customer. I’m fine.” She said and he heaved deeply.
“Okay. Take care.” He said and ended the call.
•••
<A RESTAURANT>
Lily walked into the restaurant and eye searched it, looking for Minnie. She actually got a text from her, telling her to meet her here.
She really didn’t want to come coz she and Minnie had never gotten along but then, she came on a second thought.
She saw Minnie and went to her. She pushed a chair and sat down.
“Why did you call me?” Lily asked, looking at her.
“Not even a hi. I guess we’re really enemies.” Minnie said, pouring herself a glass of wine.
She handed the wine to Lily.
“Drink.” She said.
“I have low alcohol tolerance.” Lily said and Minnie smiled.
She sipped her drink.
“How does it feel having everything all to yourself?” Minnie asked after a short silence.
“What do you mean?” Lily asked.
“Do you realize today is my one year anniversary with Rudy? But then, why do you keep interfering in our relationship? It must be fun for you” Minnie said and Lily almost cussed at her.
She regretted coming there that minute.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about Minnie. Rudy and I are just friends” Lily defended.
“Just friends my foot! Will you tell me you don’t know Rudy has feelings for you?! You sly bítch! Why can’t you just leave my boyfriend for me?! He can’t even look at me cos he’s always thinking about you! What spell have you casted on me! I need one too” Minnie yelled.
“I know you don’t know what friendship is Minnie. I doubt if you’ve even experienced love at all in your life. I and Rudy have been friends way before you even knew him! I’ll bond is somethings you can never understand! When you’re not good, you shouldn’t blame your imperfections on someone. If Rudy doesn’t love you, I wouldn’t blame him and I’ll support him, coz you’re not a better girlfriend.” Lily said and Minnie gritted.
“And if that’s all, I beg to take my leave” Lily stood up and made to walk away but Minnie grabbed her arm.
Lily exhaled and turned to her, and Minnie slapped her immediately.
Lily gasped.
“You bítch! How dare you talk back at me! Listen to me, this will be your last warning. Get the hell out of Rudy’s life! Get out!!–” Lily returned the slap.
“Ɓîtçh!!” Minnie made to slap her again but Lily caught her hand in midair.
“Putting the blame of a broken relationship on someone rather than fixing it is foolishness. The next time you raise your hand on me, trust me I’ll break every bones in your body, believe me when I say I will.” Lily said in a menancing tone.
$h00ting her a deadly glare, she dropped her hand angrily and walked out of the restaurant.
“Aaargh” Minnie rough her hair angrily and sat back breathing heavily.
•••
<NIGHT>
As Lily walked back home, the incident with Minnie played in her head.
She scoffed.
“That bítch… How dare she slap me? Ugh! What does Rudy see in her at all?” She wondered.
*Are you pretending not to know Rudy has feelings for you?*
She remembered her words.
“She’s unbelievable. Thank God I gave her a piece of my mind.” She said with a smile.
*The next time you raise your hand on me, trust me I’ll break every bones in your body, believe me when I say I will.*
“Where did that come from? Wow… Lily, dramas are really taking a tone on you.” She laughed as she walked.
Unknown to her, someone was actually watching her. He was cladded in black and wore a mask as well so his face couldn’t be seen.
Immediately, she took into a turn, entering the quiet alley that led to her house, he began following her.
“I just feel I’m getting close to my dream. Hmm.” She smiled, hugging herself.
She suddenly stopped walking as she felt like she was being followed. She turned around but saw no one.
She raised her brow. Her instinct doesn’t just act up. Anyway, she shrugged and continued walking but she heard the strange footsteps again and when she turned, she saw no one.
Fear gripped her and she began running, the strange guy chased after her. As she ran, she searched for her pepper spray in her bag. She always carried it with her wherever she was going
He caught up with her and grabbed her arm, Lily winced, spraying the spray on him.
The man groaned and left her and she continued running. The spray didn’t really take an effect on him.
He swiftly ran after her and yanked her hair. Lily screamed, she made to attack him again with the spray but he slapped it off her and pushed her roughly.
Lily yelped as she fell down, bruising her knee. The masked stranger turned to her, and began advancing towards her while she crawled backward,in fear.
.
.
.
.
.
.
To Be Continued