Sanders furrowed his eyebrows when he heard Adriana had gone back to New York just for a small thing.

It confused him.

"That woman does nothing without a reason, investigate again. And... make sure she and Noah Preston didn't meet." He ordered his assistant.

With a sigh, he rubbed his temple and stood up. Putting on his lab coat and walked towards a table full of beakers and chemicals.

He was currently working on a new poison, one deadlier than his previous one, but he was still trying to figure it out.

He wanted it to be lethal, the most dangerous in the world.

As he did his work, he couldn't help but think back to the time he met her.

He was heading back home with his prescription from the pharmacy. He had passed by an alley; it was dark, and he halted his footsteps when he heard a gunshot.

He entered the alley and saw someone running from the scene.

He heard a groan, and he turned on the flashback of his phone.

There she was in a corner, holding her bleeding shoulder.

The guy's work was sloppy. There was a security camera at the end of the alley where he exited, and he hadn't even killed his victim.

What a complete idiot.

If the streets weren't so empty he would have been caught.

Did he think he shot her in the heart? She only has a bullet in her shoulder, she'll live.

He watched her struggle, but she didn't react to the pain. It quite surprised him, a normal person wouldn't be so calm.

She then turned to look at him. For a second it stunned him.

She looked young, really young. And yet she had this fierceness to her glare. It was the eyes of a lioness.

He smiled and turned off his flashlight, walking past her. Waiting to see if she would beg for help.

When he heard nothing, he furrowed his eyebrows.

Someone with that determination would just accept their death?

"Aren't you going to ask for my help?"

"If you wanted to help...." She paused, holding back a painful scream.

"Y-you would have done it already." She finished.

"You don't seem bothered by that."

"It's not new to me."

Everyone walked away from her. Even civilians who had watched her car flip didn't bat an eyelid to help her. She didn't want to hope for any kindness, anyway.

This was already the second time they try to kill her. After she gave birth to the twins, they were enraged. How could she still be alive right?

Now she needed to really die. If not Briana won't stop looking after her.

The b*tch is crazy which is why she needed to fake her death ASAP.

But she didn't know how...

To the people who know her, she died in a car accident but for Briana, she should die tonight.

Sanders turned around and watched her bravely stand up and walk, suing her on the wall to support herself.

It really stunned him.

He watched her until she made it to the other end. She then picked up the phone on the floor and dialed 911, asking for help.

She then fell back on the ground and closed her eyes.

Not a single tear.

Not one.

She simply took all the pain and didn't complain once.

"What do you want?" He asked.

She didn't answer and pretended he wasn't there.

"If you only had one second left to live and you would want to do something, what would it be?" He asked again.

"Kill." She replied.

"Torture."

"Revenge."

"Now f*ck off."

Her answers were perfect.

Chuckling, he walked up to her and ripped a part of her shirt, using it to tie up her shoulder, trying to stop the bleeding.

"15 more minutes and you will die." He warned her when she tried to struggle off him.

He then carefully picked her up and carried her to his apartment, which was near to there.

Only 3 minutes away.

She was losing her consciousness and didn't have enough strength to complain. He knew that.

He treated her wound, and he gave her a place to stay that night.

When she woke up again, he made her an offer.

"Help me fake my death. Help me disappear." She bargained.

And that's when it happened.

He turned a normal girl, with a thirst for revenge into someone unstoppable.

She had everything he needed.

The determination.

The bravery.

And she learned fast.

Fast

From knives, guns, poison to killing, acting, and threatening.

He wasn't sure, but he thought he hadn't really taught her those things. All he did was give her the supplies she needed, the resources she sought, and she easily caught on.

Is this what pain and heartbreak do to a girl?

One day he turned to her and asked, "Did someone break your heart? Are you trying to kill them in return?"

It wouldn't be surprising if some rich guy played her. A normal girl wouldn't be able to avenge herself easily.

"No," She answered flatly.

Their conversations were always like this. He would ask questions and she would give no proper answers.

Despite the silence between them, they made use of each other.

When she was ready, he introduced her to everyone else.

That's when he found out she and Simon knew each other.

Even though she trained with him, and she would always go home early, she did a fantastic job.

He never knew why until she found out she had a son.

Things got more interesting from then on.

With nobody's help, she adapted to her new life.

Her routine was simple and strict.

School.

Her child.

Training.

Her career.

Her identity.

The backbone of her future.

Her child.

Her child.

Her child.

It was like watching her juggle. All of those things at once.

And she was ambitious.

She wanted full protection; she wanted her name erased from everywhere and any records about her kid.

He then watched her plant a seed.

The name of the seed was Justine.

"One day, it will blossom into a beautiful flower." She told him when he asked her why she did that.

And she was right. That flower had grown into a beautiful tree outside their training ground in California.

Yes, they did not stay in New York for long.

3 months in California led to the next few years in Paris.

She then planted a new tree.

"Adriana, she was dead, but I will bring her back to life."

She was always numb and quiet.

Any insults sent her way were ignored.

She was too quiet. It was obvious she was in pain on the inside, but she kept it all in. She was good, fantastic at masking her emotions.

"What did they do to you?"

"Nothing you need to know."

"I will help you." He offered.

"What do you want in return?"

"Your loyalty." He replied.

"Ha, funny." She shook her head.

He pursed his lips.

"Do you not have a sense of loyalty, Alyssa Novak?" He asked, calling her by her actual birth name.

"I don't like that name quit it."

"And I do, but not to you. To me." She replied, turning around and leaving him speechless once again.

After that, it continued.

Until all his interest and amusement towards her turned into an attraction.

She was obviously very conflicted about it but he didn't give up.

That... until she found out something she shouldn't have.

"Do you want to back out now?" He asked her.

"I can't." She replied.

"You have quite a talent for finding out things you shouldn't." He chuckled.

"I'm also very talented at using it against other people." She answered.

"Would you like to see?"

"You can't. You will lose everything once you turn on me."

"Except... I already knew who you were the moment I saw you. Which means what you gave me is what I wanted you to give me." Her lips curled upwards, watching his usual arrogance crumble.

"What?"

"You heard me. Sanders, you have nothing on me. But I...I have you at the tip of my fingers."

"It's just that you are still useful."

.....

Sanders sighed.

To this day, he doesn't know how she knew about him. Did she get shot back there on purpose?

If she did, why?

How did she even get information as someone as powerful as him?

That was simply not possible.

There must have been someone behind her!

His first thought...

She's a spy.

But no.

He soon found out the only person behind Adriana Price is none other than—

Adriana Price.

He too had been entangled in her plans, her schemes.

Everything was always planned ahead by her.

Everything.

The thing that you least expect to be related to her turns out to be something she created.

Distractions, pawns, fools.... all of them. She doesn't hesitate to use, attack, protect and destroy.

For sure.

He had not meant such a person before.

She's one of a kind, a kind that was similar to him.

And he planned to make her his.

Except.... that wasn't working out too well.

He didn't know how to approach her. She's too closed off, and she hates him.

The only time he probably harmed her is that day he poisoned her. But it frustrated him.

Pictures of her leaving Noah's hotel room were already making his blood boil.

Why is it she finds him so hateful?

They are two of one kind.

Malicious and selfish. Vicious and scheming.

Villains.

He didn't understand. What she found out about him was not even that terrible, anyway.

So why?

That question seemed like it would be forever unanswered

Anyway, things were at least not horrible.

They support each other via business, weapons, and manpower.

They need each other.

And no matter how hard she tries to pretend that she will get rid of him one day, he knew it would never happen.

He was obviously the one that worked so hard to find a lost girl in the system.

Aria was difficult to find. The girl was so hidden and hard to track down.

Something he knows Adriana is grateful for, even if she doesn't admit it.

And there are many things they need to work on.

Together.

He knew it.

_____

"You're are going to testify for my son, you hear me? Tell them none of those things are true!"

"Excuse me?" Caroline narrowed her eyes at the boldness of the woman in front of her.

Her ex-husband's mother glared at her.

"What makes you think I will do that for a f*cking animal?"

"Watch your mouth, you little b*tch." She lifted her hand to slap her but was stopped midair.

Caroline tightened her grip around the woman's hand and raised an eyebrow. "Did you just try to hit me? Do you know what happened to the last person who raised their hand at me?" She asked.

"Le-"

Before the woman could speak, Caroline interrupted.

"Oh wait, that's your son. He's currently detained and will face the consequences of his actions."

"You did this! I knew it you wanted to take everything from my son the moment you met him!"

THUD

The woman fell to the ground

"Your son did this to himself and he deserves every bit of it. He really is a son of a b*tch. Like mother like son, I guess." Caroline rubbed her hand.

Just a few weeks ago, she wouldn't have dared raise her voice at her mother-in-law.

She would walk into their house like she was the owner and watch her son treat his wife like sh*t and she would do nothing about it.

'You're his wife! You should be obedient to him.'

'You brought this upon yourself.'

All of that bullsh*t would go through Caroline's ears. At some point, she believed it.

But now she just wanted to choke everyone who was there and watched her get tortured.

"You posted all those fake news! And now you dare to accuse my son and insult me?" Her face turned red in anger and she stood up, launching herself onto Caroline one more time.

Caroline held her hand again and slammed her into the wall beside them. Holding her hands behind her back, she tightened them.

"Let me go!" She screamed in shock.

She had not realized how much Caroline had changed until now.

Caroline wasn't always like this. But when she got married, they forced her to succumb to her husband. It was a nightmare, and they pushed her into a corner every time she tried to step up for herself.

Her relationship with Adriana was never good even though they would train together often since her superior is friends with Sanders.

After hurting her feelings all those years ago, she didn't have the guts to speak to her.

That was until Adriana found out about her abuse and did the thing Adriana always does.

Strike a deal...and use the people around them.

Honestly, she didn't hesitate to say yes.

She was too shocked at herself.

And...

....it was shocking, really.

Someone like her working for the government and yet being abused by her husband. Shouldn't she know better?

Is she f*cking stupid?

But this was for her parents, of course!

Caroline knew it would upset her parents to lose all the things they gained from the marriage.

Now she was done. She would not tolerate any kind of disrespect, insult, or bullying. If they want to bite her, she would bite back.

As simple as that.

"Fake? Do you think all those things are fake? You yourself told me that is normal for men to look for other sexual partners outside their marriage. Don't you remember? But your son looked for one your age. I watched it with my own very eyes, and I stayed quiet as you asked. Do you remember that?" Caroline pulled her arms down again, making her scream.

"Disgusting, isn't he?"

"Your son is a f*cking trash."

"Shut up! You know nothing. You just want to make up things about him."

"Oh, do I? Tell me, did you sleep with your son too? I wouldn't be surprised, I mean he seems to take an interest in an old woman." Caroline chuckled.

Looking at the horror on the woman's face, Caroline smirked.

"Oh yes, I read a report somewhere about how obsessed your son was with you when he was younger. It seems it's his nature to like old hags." Caroline let go of her.

This seemed to be enough for the woman to realize the news was not fake at all.

Caroline smiled at herself. A pleasant feeling filled up her chest and she tightened her fist.

She was proud of herself, so proud she could jump off a cliff and enjoy the adrenaline of it.

"Yeah, I shouldn't think of doing that." She mumbled to herself with a laugh.

She was no longer Mrs. Ru, or whatever.

She was Caroline Novak and she would remind them all of who she is.

She would definitely put them all in her places.

And she would prove to herself that her parents and their opinion are bullsh*t.

She looked down at her phone and sighed, looking at her brother's call.

She had not been in contact with her family in a long time, they must want to meet her after the news.

Caroline would always wonder how crazy the Novak's would go when they know of Alyssa Novak's existence.

Oh...

But that's a story for another time.

____

Ugh, I'm so proud of my little Caroline.

She was able to finally stand up for herself.

>.<

P.S I'm really sorry for the long wait :(

But I'm feeling better....so more updates coming soon lol :D

Stay safe~

[6/6]

It was almost dinnertime in Blue Rose Villa.

Adriana was feeling great.

"Pfft-" Adriana who was still home was in her bathtub with a glass of champagne in her hand laughed out loud.

What? Today had been a fantastic one!

She couldn't get over Mrs. Brooklyn's priceless expression. It was just so hilarious.

A few hours earlier:

Mrs. Brooklyn's hands were shaking, and she had no other way to calm herself down than to dig her nails into her own skin.

"Hey! You have a visitor." Her guard told her.

He then led her to an unfamiliar room—cuffed, of course.

She now had the name of a criminal.

Rumors said her husband was doing everything in his power to get her out, but she knew better than to believe in those lies. Her husband is probably celebrating right now.

She knew this because the guards took any chance they needed to taunt her.

The only hope, the only light she has right now is who she expected to see in the room.

She smiled as soon as she entered.

That smile faded when she noticed there was no one in the room.

She took her seat and waited anxiously.

The guard left, and she looked to the door, hoping her daughter would walk into it soon.

Instead, she heard heels clicking. A very familiar-looking woman, wearing a white beading off-shoulder ruched bodycon dress and had a purse in her hands.

Her hair had beautiful curls falling on her back, and she had colored her lips in red. A beautiful red that made her plump lips stand out.

The woman was sophisticated, elegant, and beautiful. She watched the woman take a seat in front of her with a small, calm expression.

Looking at how she was dressed, Mrs. Brooklyn could hear the clothes and accessories scream 'expensive' at her.

She frowned, "Did my daughter send you? Are you my lawyer?"

"Ha! No, you got me all wrong." Adriana crossed her legs and crossed her arms, staring at Mrs. Brooklyn's eyes without saying a word.

Silence.

Complete silence.

Mrs. Brooklyn awkwardly waited for the woman to say something.

"Pfft... I'm sorry. I... It's just so funny. It's like I'm having deja vu, looking at you in handcuffs. I always dreamed of this day, so maybe that's why."

Looking at how confused she looked, Adriana's mouth turned into an 'O'.

So she didn't recognize her as Adriana Price? Hmm, this would be so interesting.

She was planning to tell her she was paying for her daughter's sin, but that would be no fun. She would have to figure it out on her own with the hints she will receive. Right now she would reveal something else instead.

In the past, Mrs. Brooklyn and Adriana had 3 encounters. This is probably why she didn't recognize her.

One was when she and Noah got married. She had short hair back then, and her face was less mature.

The second was on Briana's birthday. They didn't have any conversation and only greeted each other.

And the third... well, she would remind Mrs. Brooklyn of that third meeting right now.

"Oh, so you don't remember me?" Adriana hummed.

"Who are you?" Lina Brooklyn asked, more confused than ever.

"February 14, 10:55 P. M. valentine's day. In the back of Little Flower cafe coney island. You were caught having sexual relations with a minor by a worker. As soon as you saw the phone in her hand, you misunderstood and thought she had taken a picture of both of you."

Mrs. Brooklyn's eyes turned wide at that dark memory of hers.

"You immediately panicked and-"

"No! Stop!"

"You panicked and grabbed her by the hair. You then forced her to give you her phone but when she refused, you bashed her head against a pole and left her this scar right here." Adriana placed her elbows on the table and touched the not so noticeable scar on her forehead.

"Please stop!" Mrs. Brooklyn covered her ears and yelled.

"She threatened to report you to the police. Once again you misunderstood thinking she would expose your little affair. But she just wanted you to get in trouble for the violence against her. Once again panicking, you dragged her to a side of the beach and pushed down a dangerous space full of sharp rocks."

"You pushed her into the water and when she tried to get up you-"

"Can you stop? Please, I- I didn't mean to. I'm sorry!"

"You fucking drowned her." Adriana continued.

"Or that's what you thought, right? She met you again at her own wedding, she wanted to report you so badly but- it was your word against an orphan girl. Only an idiot would try." Adriana calmly continued to smile.

"I'm sorry…" She lowered her head, tears flooding down her cheeks and her body trembling.

It scared Lina Brooklyn. She had enough crimes on her list; she didn't need one more.

"Did you know that she still has pictures of the injuries you cost her? She still has the hospital records and…. she still has a recording of the conversation you and your lover had about how there were no cameras in the area."

"About how the body was never found…."

Adriana sighed. "How many times do I need to fake my death for you all to leave me alone? You know, after the second time I wanted to make a new life for myself, but there you came and send someone to pierce a bullet through my heart."

"Do you have any idea how angry that makes me?"

"How many fucking times should I swallow all the wrongs Brooklyn had given me?"

Before she even realized it, Adriana was already across the table, holding Mrs. Brooklyn's neck in her hand and choking her mercilessly.

Looking at the woman gasping for breath below her, Adriana didn't even flinch.

"I can't kill you…. what a pity. You still have a use for me." Letting go of her, Adriana pushed her to the ground.

Kicking the chair aside, she watched Lina Brooklyn cover herself with her arms, still trembling in fear. No words could come out of her mouth, and she was too pale and completely frozen.

Looking down at the woman in silence, Adriana's lips twitched.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She finally spoke.

"I just wanted a peaceful life and had such a simple dream. I wanted to graduate, marry with the love of my life. A career woman is what I wanted to be. Being an orphan was hard. I was constantly fucked over by people like you. God, how I hated rich people."

"Do you know why the world is so fucked up? Because of people like you. You deserve every bit of pain that's coming your way."

"Y-you can't do this. You're in a police station." The woman gathered her courage.

A roar of laughter escaped Adriana's lips.

She stepped on the woman's hand and crushed her fingers.

Her painful screams should have reached the ears of the guards, but no one came inside.

"Why do you think no one has come inside yet?" She asked.

Lina gulped.

"Isn't this what your kind does. Bribe and kill your way out of shit?"

"But don't worry…." Kneeling beside her, she grabbed her chin and lifted it.

"I'm going to exterminate every single one of you. Including your daughter of course."

'Ah, such a long speech! But did it work?' Adriana wondered inwardly... Her mood differed completely from the one she was showing on the outside.

Yes, it was all an act.

Duh.

"No. Not my daughter. Do what you want with me, but please spare my daughter! She's different!"

Adriana raised an eyebrow at that.

Sure she is.

She's way worse.

Anyway….

"I can do that…" Adriana tilted her head and shrugged.

"But…. it's going to cost you."

"What.... what do I do?"

"You admit it. All of it, except the fact that you tried to drown me, okay? Well, keep that to ourselves." For now.

"Yes! Yes!" She nodded her head furiously.

"Ay! You're so pathetic. I'm kidding, obviously."

Looking at how Lina Brooklyn's expression changed, Adriana burst out in a round of laughter.

She walked towards the other end of the room and wiped her hands with a tissue.

"How disgusting."

'That face is priceless... I wish I could frame it.' She thought to herself.

Taking deep breaths in Lina knelt, and she lowered her head. "I beg you! Please, I will do anything."

Adriana turned around and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, how truly pathetic." She uttered humorlessly.

"Fine, since you got on your knees, I'll let it slide. But I want you to admit everything to your daughter. Tell her the truth about her family about your relationship with your husband."

"I can't-"

"Oh....it's fine! The deal is over then!"

"No, I will do it! As long as she stays alive and well, I will do it!" Lina Brooklyn was sure this woman was behind it all. She couldn't take her chances.

"Nice." Adriana flashed her a charming smile and rubbed her hands with hand sanitizer.

"Sorry, you're just... dirty." She continued smiling.

"Well, Mrs. Lina Brooklyn, you got yourself a deal. Enjoy your time in prison." Adriana picked up her purse and left.

Lina heard the conversation between Adriana and the guards since the door was left open and her body trembled.

"Clean her up. Don't let her daughter see her unless she looks in a perfectly excellent condition. And... make sure she has a fun time in prison."

"Yes, boss."

The guards then walked inside and took her to a nurse where her injuries were covered up and they prepared her to meet her daughter and to confess everything she had done.

Except drowning an orphan girl outside a cafe….

That...

Adriana didn't want the fun to end too quickly. And so she had prepared another awesome speech to give on the day of Mrs. Brooklyn's trial.

She had so much worse prepared for them.

Look how much effort they put in trying to kill her!

Shouldn't she return the favor?

Leaving that room was hard for Adriana. She just wanted to strangle Mrs.Brooklyn already!

Even before she got involved with Noah they were already targeting her.

All of the pent-up anger was starting to making her impatient.

She wanted them to suffer, now!

*****

Finishing her bath, Adriana put on a bathrobe and dried her hair with a towel.

Looking at the silver gift box on her nightstand, she furrowed her eyebrows.

She was planning to give it to Aria after dinner, but that wasn't fair for James. Coming up with a better idea, she fetched her phone and bit her lip.

"The more favors I ask, the more shameless I get."

With a deep sigh, she dialed Noah's number and nervously paced around her room.

"I swear if you hang-"

[What are you going to do?]

She swallowed when his voice reached her ears.

"I need a favor." She stated in a neutral tone.

[Just one?]

She pursed her lips and hesitated before answering. "I won't ask for much."

[This is the third? Fourth favor? You repaid none of them.] He replied.

After talking with Weston, he came back to work. Initially, he was going to work from home so that he could continue his investigations at the same time.

But after hearing the huge possibility that Aria might be his, he wanted to bury his thoughts with work.

It was just so hard.

How could this woman talk to him with no guilt?

He might not know what happened in the past, but remembering the incident at school with Aria, it felt too cruel.

Still, he remained calm and patient, knowing she's protecting their daughter.

Their daughter.

Even that was hard to process.

'I just don't want to get my hopes up for nothing.'

And as if he wasn't struggling enough, she called him.

He was too patient with her, and it was becoming a problem.

"It's important."

[How important?]

"Very."

[I'll help.]

"Than-" She was about to thank him until she heard what he had to say next.

[But it depends.]

Narrowing her eyes, she asked, "On what?"

[I don't know, how do you plan to repay me? As I mentioned, this isn't the only favor you have asked from me.]

Sitting down on the bed, Adriana took a deep breath in.

"What do you want?" She asked.

[Sorry, what?]

Groaning, she rephrased her words.

"What can I help you with?" She uttered in a sweet tone.

Standing up again, she started looking for some clothes to wear.

[I'm not sure, what can you offer.]

She wanted to roll her eyes. He was definitely playing her!

After putting her underwear on, she pulled up a simple light blue dress.

"Can you please get straight to the point?"

[One call.]

"We are already on a call…."

[One call a day.]

"..." No! She's supposed to be ignoring him! If this weren't for the sake of their son, she wouldn't have even called.

Noah smirked at her silence.

[Not from you, I don't want to talk to you.] He added.

Adriana's silence was loud.

LOUD LOUD VERY EXTREMELY LOUD

[One call a day from Aria. That's all I ask, and I will forget your past debts. The payment for this favor I will collect later.]

'Businessman at his finest.' She thought.

"Deal…. and for the record, I don't want to talk to you either."

Noah pursed his lips, suppressing a laugh.

[Did you like the roses?] He asked.

"Yes, I loved them so much they went straight to the trash." Adriana smiled sarcastically and rolled her eyes.

[Hmm, what is it I can help you with?]

"There's this watch. Connects with someone's home and it serves for safety as well. I want it, but I need you to sing your name on the back of it. I know there's only 5 in stock right now and it's your latest technology but I seriously need it."

This watch was much more than what she described, but she wasn't going to get into details. She knew Noah would understand as soon as he heard her.

[The watch or my signature? You could have just asked for an autograph.] He mumbled.

"..." Does he think he's funny? All of the things she said, this is what he assumes?

"I'm going to send you an image of what I want to be engraved behind it."

She wouldn't be asking if she had the right connections to get it herself. This watch was not even on the market yet. She only knew about it because she did investigations on Noah's conglomerate and Preston Group.

[Should I ask how you know about this watch?]

She could hear the clicking of his pen from the other end of the call and she pursed her lips.

Putting the phone on speaker and down on the table, she wrote what she needed and took a picture before sending it to him.

"CAN you do it?"

[I can. I need a guarantee on your part though.]

"How the hell am I-"

"Dearest mommy! Food is ready~" Aria burst the door open with an enormous smile and her mouth covered in chocolate.

Adriana faced palmed and immediately walked up to her.

It was stupid of her not to hang up, but just looking at Aria's mouth made her pick up some wipes from her drawer and clean her up.

"Thank you, mommy."

"Aria?"

Adriana stilled.

Aria's eyes lit up. "Is it uncle Noah?" She asked.

Adriana nodded.

"Do you want to talk to him?"

"Hmmm." Aria nodded her head.

Sighing, Adriana picked up her phone. And texted him.

.....

[Don't mention your gift.]

[Why not?]

[Just do as I say.]

[Are you jealous? Did you not like yours.]

[Shut it.]

.....

She then passed Aria the phone.

Sitting on her mommy's bed, Aria removed the speaker and started talking to her uncle Noah.

The more Noah heard her say, 'uncle Noah', the worse he felt.

Will he remain an 'uncle' forever?

As she brushed her hair, Adriana's eyes would always find her way to Aria.

She was giggling and talking with a bright smile.

At some point, she watched Aria's uncontrollable laughter. It seems Noah had told her something hilarious.

A sad smile lingered on her lips.

She had to pretend that Noah had sent James a gift as well.

Even if it was her who planned it all, but anyway... she didn't want her son to feel left out.

This whole situation was driving her crazy because Aria and James don't deserve this.

____

Dress:

"Aria Price!"

Adriana's yell was loud enough to echo through the entire second floor of Blue Rose villa.

James's eyes widened in shock and he walked into Aria's room.

"What did you do?" He asked, watching her take out all of her toys from the toy storage box.

She pushed all the toys under her bed and then use one of her pillows to cover her head, now that she was inside the box.

"Shh, don't tell her I'm here," Aria warned him and continued to hide.

James' facepalmed mentally.

He then ran inside his room.

Sitting in his playing area, he organized all of his legos and cleaned up any sort of noticeable mess in his room. He cleaned his bed, closet, floor, and even his desk.

He needed to make sure that if Aria got in trouble, he wouldn't either.

After all, when their mother is mad, she notices every single little thing. Nothing goes unnoticeable.

He then walked out of his room to clean up the mess he had made in the living room with his toys. When his mother found him, he was picking out the last toy.

"Where's Aria?" Adriana asked.

"I don't know mommy." He responded.

Adriana narrowed her eyes at the floor and then turned around.

"There's one more under the couch." She told him and ran up the stairs.

James gulped and quickly put away the toy under the couch.

They had finished eating dinner, and Adriana had gone back to her room only to find one of her nightgowns missing. There was no one else in this house who could have taken it other than Aria. She wasn't mad, she just wanted to know why she had not returned it yet, and why she was running around the house with it.

"I'm not playing games with you Aria! Come out!"

Finally reaching Aria's room, which she had already checked before but had not found her, she noticed the change in the toy box.

She walked towards it and lifted the pillow. Aria with her head buried in her legs had her eyes tightly shut.

"Seriously?" Adriana raised a brow.

"You don't see me," Aria whispered to herself, hoping it would come true.

"Come out."

Aria sighed, and with a pout, she came out of the toy box.

Looking at her daughter up and down as she fidgeted with the robe on her, Adriana sighed deeply.

"Why didn't you put it back?"

"It makes me look like a princess. I just wanted to wear it for a few more minutes." Aria placed her hands behind her neck, biting her lip. She had asked Adriana for it about an hour ago, but she had promised to put it back before bedtime.

Aria had panicked because she had immediately fallen in love with the robe.

"You're not wrong." Adriana raised an eyebrow, looking down at her.

"Right?!" Aria's eyes lit up but then she lowered her head when her mother returned serious again.

"Put it back or else you'll dirty it."

"Just 5 more minutes!" She begged.

"No, not five more minutes, you can't be dragging it around the house. I mean, these are for sleep Aria."

"But you wear yours around the house sometimes." Aria insisted.

"That's because mine actually fits me and doesn't fall below my knees," Adriana replied, looking at how obviously oversized it was for a 6-year-old.

With a sigh, Aria walked towards her mirror and twirled around with it one last time before removing it and returning it.

"I'm sorry mommy, I won't make promises I won't keep anymore." Aria then sighed exaggeratedly and walked back to her bed as she dropped her shoulders, looking extremely devastated.

Adriana didn't know if it was appropriate for her to laugh in this situation.

Why did kids always feel the need to look extremely disappointed just to convince their parents of letting them have something?

Sighing again, Aria pulled her blanket over her and turned around, curling into a ball.

Another sigh escaped her lips.

"Fine, but you can only wear it during your sleep."

"Really?" Jumping out of the blanket, Adriana stood on her bed, grinning from ear to ear.

"Yes," Adriana replied, placing it on top of her counter.

"Only while you're in your room, if I see you walking with it around the house, I will take it."

"Okay, thank you, mommy. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Jumping up and down in excitement, Aria thanked her repeatedly.

"Alright enough, now get those toys out from your bed," Adriana told her before leaving the room.

Walking down the stairs, Adriana heard the front door open.

Seeing who it was, she then continued.

"Whoa, you don't have to look like a freaking goddess every time you do something you know?" Cristy's voice entered her ears.

'Oh, it's the flattery voice.' Adriana noted.

This means one thing and one thing only; she needs something.

Walking towards Adriana Cristy extended her hand like a gentleman and when Adriana received it she kissed the back of it and walked her down.

"I firmly believe if elegance were a person it would be you."

"Alright, what do you want?" Adriana cringed.

"*Gasp* I'm offended\, m'lady."

Receiving Adriana's hard stare, Cristy laughed nervously. "Okay, look, I really don't remember what I came here for but if you give me a few more minutes to think about it-"

"A few minutes later I will not have the same generosity." Adriana cut her off.

"Fine, fine, I just need 2 billion dollars."

"Pardon? Are you trying to end my title as a self-made billionaire?"

"Oh, c'mon 2 billion is like 2 potatoes to you."

"I will not hand over 2 billion so nonchalantly, what do you take me for?"

"You once told me if you could measure your time in money, it would be 2 billion dollars. So please I just need 3 hours from you." Cristy begged.

"I rather give you 2 billion dollars instead," Adriana replied, sitting down on the couch.

Cristy groaned in frustration.

"Please!"

"The last blind date I will ever ask you to replace me in, promise."

Once she heard 'blind date' Adriana immediately stood up and walked towards her study room.

Confused, Cristy followed her.

She then watched Adriana sign a check and hand it to her.

"Now leave."

Cristy blinked, staring at the 2 billion signed check.

"W-what? You'd rather give away 2 billion than help me? I'm really hurt. What kind of friend are you? Humph." Ripping the check into pieces and throwing it in the trash, Cristy sat on the couch, crossing her arms.

Adriana sighed and took her seat.

"I don't do blind dates. If there's any way to meet the worst partners in this world, it would be a blind date."

"Are you speaking from experience?"

"I've watched you cry over 500 guys you met through blind dates. I think that's the perfect example to back up my claim." Adriana insisted.

"You're exaggerating some of them were really nice."

"You mean the ones who sent you flowers and chocolates while secretly stalking you? Or the one who threatened to post your nudes?" Adriana raised an eyebrow.

"Hey! First, they were not nudes, just sexy pictures, and second I posted them before he could! That's a power move, give me credit."

"Right, like the one guy who catfished you and turned out to be a 70-year-old man."

"Or the one who proposed to you an hour after he met you? In fact, didn't he turn out to be another obsessive stalker?!"

"That's it! Stop it! I've heard enough." Cristy's face turned sour remembering all of that.

"Damn it! It's not like your love life's any better."

Folding her arms on the desk elegantly, Adriana's lips curled upwards. "Better than yours for sure."

Cristy's lips twitched and picked up a cookie from the snacks on the coffee table, she sighed.

She then smirked and leaned back on the couch.

"Your first boyfriend was a rich playboy from the suburbs who dumped you for Rachel, that red-headed bitch. The second, was a really sweet guy but then he started ghosting you and you even went weeks without seeing or speaking with him, it was so dry that you had to break it off."

"Your third boyfriend said he was of humble background and he created a whole freaking identity and by the way, he turned out to be the son of the mayor which BY THE WAY was already engaged."

"Your fourth boyfriend was your coworker who you broke up with because of how controlling he was! The following day he tried to assault you!"

"And guess what? All of their names started with a J!"

"And last but not least, Noah Preston, the closest man you've actually had a healthy relationship with, ended in a tragic divorce!"

Finally, letting all of that off her chest, Cristy glanced at Adriana.

"Still better than yours!" Adriana glared at her.

"Name one successful relationship you've had!" She added.

"Thomas." Cristy grinned in victory.

"Oh, please, it would only count as successful if you hadn't lost feelings for him 6 months into the relationship!" Adriana countered.

"Greatest sex I've ever had!" Cristy defended herself, standing up and shouting.

"And the best you'll ever get!" Adriana shouted, getting up as well.

"Well, at least I'll have sex unlike you who isn't attracted to anyone else aside from her ex-husband!"

"Hah! Let me remind you the only man you've ever truly loved married your cousin!"

Cristy gasped.

"At least, I can walk out of my house without wondering if my ex-husband's best friend will try to murder me!"

Adriana opened and closed her mouth. She then pursued her lips.

"Maybe, but at least I didn't get engaged to my cousin's ex to get revenge and then backed out last minute, in the middle of walking down the aisle!"

Cristy pursed her lips in response.

"You're so mean."

"You're one to speak."

Cristy pouted and placed down the coke. She then walked around Adriana's desk and hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry for saying that."

"I'm sorry too," Adriana whispered back.

"kinds of..." She added jokingly.

Cristy pinched her shoulder in response.

"The blind date is who my father is forcing me to marry. I really don't want to meet him."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm traumatized, I'm done with blind dates."

"Why else?" Adriana asked.

"He's a model I did a photoshoot with once, he's a total asshole. I rather jump off a building than marry him."

"Okay, I'll go."

"Really?" Cristy's face lit up.

"Mhmm."

"I love you!" She then hugged Adriana tighter.

Hugging her back Adriana answered, "I know."

"Can't you at least say it back?" Cristy complained.

"ich liebe dich."

"What? Can't you speak a language I understand?!" Her complaints continued.

"Is that German?" She asked.

"Please say it again!"

Rolling her eyes, Adriana repeated her words.

"Aha!" Cristy smirked when her translator went off.

'I love you.' was the translation.

"I ich liebe dich you too." Cristy told her.

"Ooo, can you teach me?"

Pushing her off her Adriana sat back down.

"I don't know how." She responded.

"You just spoke it!"

"Just one phrase, I'm not fluent in it."

"Didn't you study lots of languages in high school?! How did you not learn German?"

"I was too lazy to continue, mandarin was hard enough."

"I see. I didn't know you could be lazy." Cristy mumbled, sitting back down on the couch.

"If I allowed myself to be lazy, I wouldn't be making over 100 million a day," Adriana replied.

Cristy gulped.

"Damn you! How does a designer get to be so rich, anyway?"

"I'm not just a designer Cristy. I'm a businesswoman. And I have a handful of companies-"

"Alright, stop bragging."

"I'm just encouraging you to work harder. You can't trust your future on that shitty family of yours."

"Yeah…" A regretful expression then made its way on Cristy's face as she looked at the trash can.

"I should have taken the 2 billion." She pouted.

"Your loss." Adriana rubbed salt on her wound.

"By the way, my favorite speech from you is the one you did in London fashion week. Play it at your upcoming fashion show. I think it will do great for your image."

"I did a lot of speeches in London, be more specific."

"Your words of 'success' and how someone at your age became so successful. Best speech ever, most iconic!" Christy explained.

"Oh, that one. You just saved me from creating a new one! Thank you."

"See, I'm pretty useful." Cristy chuckled.

"Suuure."

"Excuse me?!" Cristy placed her hand on her chest, offended.

"I'm joking. Send me the details about your blind date." Adriana told her and opened her laptop.

"You need a break. You got out of the hospital not too long ago."

"I took a break," Adriana replied.

"Yeah, right."

"We should go on a vacation of some sort. I've been working hard, every day I'm one step closer to being as rich as you."

"Each day? More like each decade."

Cristy choked on her saliva.

"You're really so mean. Can you take one second to not roast me?"

"That's what best friends are for!"

Pouting again Cristy fell silent.

"I don't want to model anymore." She suddenly uttered.

Adriana paused, her fingertips leaving her keyboard.

"So suddenly?"

"Yes, I don't think it makes me happy anymore."

"You've always said it's your greatest passion."

"I said that because my mom wanted me to be a doctor. I simply wanted to go against her. Sure it was fun for a while but not anymore."

"What do you want to do then?"

"I don't know. I'm still trying to figure it out."

"Tell me when you do." Adriana nodded.

"Yup." Picking up another cookie, Cristy accommodated herself on the couch and looked up at the ceiling.

"Do you ever regret it?" She asked.

When she didn't hear a response she specified, "Sacrificing your peace and happiness just for revenge?"

"I am happy."

"Suuuure. You know you could have raised your children away from here, not needing to work so hard. After all, everyone thought you were dead. And I could have supported you. Baby, I could have even married you."

"You would make a horrible wife, no thank you." Adriana rejected.

She then took a deep breath in. "The wound in my heart is too deep for that Cristy. I can't let go, and as unhealthy as that might sound, I don't think I will ever be at peace knowing the person who destroyed my life can breathe peacefully."

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense, but that's not what I mean."

"Then what do you mean?"

"You used to be so freaking optimistic and you would say that being remorseful and keeping grudges for too long was unhealthy and letting it go was the way you could be truly happy."

"I'm allowed to change my mind, aren't I?"

"Hmm, but still. It's like you became a different person."

"Maybe because the person you knew was a facade," Adriana replied.

"Hmm?" Cristy lifted her head, looking at Adriana and meeting her eyes.

"I thought I could be happy and at peace if I returned evil with kindness. I thought smiling every morning was the way to go. Not once did I show how offended, hurt, or betrayed I felt to people. I was the perfect friend, the perfect lover, the perfect student. Perfection is what I strived to be. I never allowed myself to get emotional or to have a bad day."

"I was so used to receiving rejection and hatred that I became a people pleaser."

"And now if I want to be petty, if I want to laugh and if I want to scream, I can do it. I feel like I can do anything, I'm so light I could literally fly."

"You're my idol." Cristy blurted out, stunned.

"I felt that way once. Remember the time I dragged you to the roof of my apartment door and just screamed out all of my problems, and caused a crowd downstairs to start applauding and cheering me on?"

"And that's why you're my idol," Adriana replied.

"Huh? How? If failure were a person, it would be me."

"If strength, determination, and impulsiveness were people, they would be you."

"Gosh, damn it. You're actually complimenting me!" Cristy wiped away her nonexistent tears.

'Impulsive' was actually a compliment to someone like Cristy who had done nothing but make the perfect decision for her parents, and basically lived for them.

"Now you're just being dramatic."

"Nuuu! Please continue, I'm listening."

The moment continued with Adriana describing all of Cristy's excellent traits and how they make her an amazing person. Yes, Adriana sounded like a robot repeating everything, but Cristy was content and that's all that mattered to Adriana.

______

Did you know you can send FREE Valentine's day cards to kids in St. Jude Children's hospital?

It doesn't take much of your time to share a few words of kindness!

Visit Stjude.org

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Author's Note:

This chapter is dedicated to Adriana and Cristy's friendship.

Stay safe!