Self

Chapter 21

After grabbing a bite for lunch, Rainie was all pumped up with two tickets in hand for the dolphin show, eager to share the experience with Yara.

They wove through the bustling crowd to the sanctuary of the animal performance hall in the southwest. Inside, the chill of the air conditioning was a welcome reprieve from the blistering heat outside. -it was like stepping into another world.

Yara was not all that into animal shows, but Rainie was a total

dolphin fanatic. When it came time for audience participation, she passed her camera to Yara, asking for a favor to snap some pictures.

Rainie’s infectious grin eventually got to Yara, who could not help but

crack a smile.

Thirty minutes flew by, and as the show wrapped up, Yara handed her bag to Rainie, mentioning she needed to hit the restroom.

Just around the corner, she bumped into Xandra at the sinks.

Yara hesitated briefly before brushing past her and beelining for a

stall.

When she emerged, Xandra was still there, as if she had been waiting just for her.

Yara played it cool, focusing on washing her hands as the tap echoed

in the tense silence.

Their eyes met in the mirror–a fleeting, indifferent glance from Yara while Xandra offered a sly smile, her eyes flicking down to the half- hidden bracelet on her wrist. “Yara, fancy running into you here.”

Yara did not bite.

24

Undeterred, Xandra asked, “How have you been holding up lately?”

With a nonchalant smile, Yara replied, “I’ve been alright.”

Xandra’s gaze lingered, probing, trying to determine if Yara’s serenity was just for show.

After a brief pause, Xandra’s smile widened. “Really? Adjusting to life after leaving the villa must be tough, huh?”

Yara said, “Don’t worry about me.”

“I guess I owe you one, for real,” Xandra said, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. With her angelic, childlike face, she looked like the picture of innocence, totally heart–tugging. “If you hadn’t stepped back, I might not have Yale all to myself right now.”

Yara stood there, letting the water run as she carefully rinsed the suds from her hands.

She scrubbed from the backs of her hands right down to her fingertips, thorough and absorbed in the task.

“You saw the balloon extravaganza earlier, didn’t you? Today’s my birthday, and that was Yale’s big surprise for me.” Xandra’s mouth. quirked upward in a smile as she casually lifted her hand.

“Oh, and check this out–Yale’s birthday present for me. Pretty, huh?”

“He said my hands are soft and fair, perfect for this bracelet. He told me he just wanted to kiss them.”

Her voice trailed off as she blushed, her eyes sparkling.

Yara’s gaze fell on the designer logo on the bracelet as Xandra turned

her wrist. It all clicked.

That day at the jewelry store–Yale was picking out Xandra’s birthday

present.

She shut off the water, her nails digging into her palm–a sharp reminder to snap out of it. She forced a wry smile. “Really? Well, congrats.”

Then, she walked away.

Rainie was by the exit, giving Yara a wave as she spotted her.

“You still hungry? You’re looking kind of pale,” she said.

Yara massaged her temples, feeling wiped out. “Rainie, I think I’m ready to head home.”

“But it’s only three! We’ve barely been here a few hours,” Rainie said, her eyes widening as she clung to Yara’s arm. “Hang out with me a little longer, will you? I just got us in line on the app.”

She fluttered her eyelashes. “It’s the new must–see at the cinema city -the Haunted Town.”

Yara gave her a look. “Since when are you not scared of ghosts?”

Rainie was always quick on her feet, whether nailing it at work or rocking her personal life. However, if she were thrown into a room- with heights or ghosts, she would go white as a sheet at the mere whisper of a scary movie.

“But you’re not scared! With you by my side, I’d feel completely safe.”

Yara did not know what to say.

They ended up going anyway.

At the haunted house entrance…

“Let’s see your e–ticket.”

Rainie whipped out her phone, zapped it at the checkpoint, and with a beep, they were in.