Zilia ended up waking up late and hurried for a bath. Once done, she got ready and reached downstairs only to find from a maid that Casaio had already gone to the palace.
"I see."
"Madam, I’ll set breakfast for you," the maid said politely.
"Thank you," Zilia replied and watched her leave. She returned to the bedroom and checked her phone, thinking Casaio might have left a ssage on it.
However, there was none. Though Idris’ ssage made her smile. Lowering her hand, she headed to the dining room.
After having her breakfast in quiet, Zilia thanked the maids and went outside toward the pool area. She lowered herself into the chair in a relaxed posture.
She was pulled out of her thoughts when her phone buzzed. It was an unknown number, so she was hesitating a bit to answer it. The past mories, where she used to get such calls, made her shiver. What if her forr master was the one making soone call? Cold sweat ford on her nape and forehead.
Finally, Zilia answered the call and brought the phone to her ear.
"Hello," she answered in a trembling voice.
"Hi! It’s , Alie," ca a soft voice from the other side.
"Alie?" Zilia was surprised to get a call from her.
"Yes. I took your number from Brother Casaio. I wanted to ask about Idris. I heard that he’s admitted to a school," Alie stated.
"Idris is doing fine. Yes, he’s in the school now. Thank you, Alie, for not making my brother feel alone. I truly an it," Zilia expressed her gratitude.
"I wish I could do more for him. But we couldn’t stay long in the palace," Alie murmured, missing Idris around her. They used to play gas, do paintings, or watch TV together.
"Whatever you did was more than enough, Alie. I’m truly grateful. I’ll send you Idris’s number. You can talk to him whenever you want," Zilia opined.
"That would be wonderful. Thank you."
Then, an awkward silence prevailed over them for a few seconds.
"I hope things are now going well between you and Brother Casaio," said Alie.
"I don’t know what’s in Casaio’s mind anymore. I betrayed him. He’s heartbroken, and I’ve no idea how to turn everything right between us. I don’t even know if I deserve him. I want to push myself away, but he’s not ready to leave ."
Zilia had no one around her to share things with. Now, Alie was the only person on whom she could trust even with closed eyes.
"Maybe you should forget what happened in the past," Alie suggested. "Indeed, what you did was worse. Brother Casaio had a lot of faith in his love. But given your circumstances, I think it must be difficult to choose between a man you love and the brother you had to protect. You’ve got your own struggles to deal with. It was no easy feat."
Zilia keenly listened to her, accepting that Alie was right.
"Don’t stay in guilt anymore. Make small efforts to win Brother Casaio’s heart once again. Also, build the love that brought you so far. I don’t know much about you, but you’re really strong. It’s not easy to endure sothing for ten years while knowing the fact that your bond might break soday. Consider this as a second chance from the Moon Goddess."
Zilia’s eyes brimd with tears. "Thank you, Alie. Your kind words truly brought peace to my restless heart and mind. I’ve been so confused and scared about everything. What I did was unforgivable. I didn’t know how to even make an effort anymore. But I think I know now," Zilia said, tears trickling down her cheeks.
Alie humd. "I wish the best for you. Bye." The call ended, and Zilia pulled the device away.
She wiped the tears from the back of her palms, feeling much more relieved. It felt like a heavy burden of regret, pain, and all the negative emotions was lifted from her shoulders.
~~~~
Alie lowered the phone when she heard a soft knock on the door, followed by a feminine voice.
"Madam, your sister is here," the servant told her.
Alie was quick to open the door and went downstairs. She saw that Flora was already seated on the sofa.
"Flora! How did the interview go?" she asked.
Flora promptly rose to her feet. "It was good. I couldn’t answer a few questions, but I think I gave my best."
"That ans you’ll be selected," Alie said.
"But there were better candidates than . I think I might not be selected," Flora murmured, feeling suddenly low.
"Don’t say that. The results aren’t even out," Alie stated.
"It’s a big company. Why would they choose soone like , who couldn’t even answer all the questions properly?" Flora muttered as she walked toward her sister and gently made her sit on the sofa. She sank down beside her, fiddling with her fingers. "You know... I think the interviewer knew who I was."
Alie’s brows furrowed. "What do you an?" she asked, turning slightly to face her.
Flora looked down. "He glanced at my surna and... I don’t know. He seed a bit displeased. Maybe I was just overthinking it. But the truth is, I don’t have a good image. I’ve done horrible things... to you."
"Flora," Alie said, "I don’t think the interviewer would judge you for the past. And it’s not even certain that he recognized you. Don’t jump to conclusions, okay?"
She turned toward the servant standing nearby and smiled. "Let’s eat sothing sweet. How about so apple pie?"
"Please bring us two apple pies," Alie added kindly.
The servant gave a polite nod and left for the kitchen.
A mont later, Flora leaned in and wrapped her arms around Alie tightly. Her voice trembled slightly. "You’re too kind to ..."
’I can’t even explain it to you... how so candidates recognized just by hearing my na. I’ve brought all this on myself. Being alive... it’s harder than I ever thought. But I won’t run away. I won’t leave any of you again. I have to prove it, to all of you, but most of all to you, Alie... that I’m truly using this second chance the way I should.’
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