Katie took to the biggest amusent park in the city. I was fascinated as we walked around the busy pack with children laughing, playing carnival gas, and the sll of milky popcorn filled the air. I had never been to a place like this before, it looked so great.
We tried every ride, from the rollercoaster to the giant Ferris wheel, laughing and screaming so hard with each ride. I couldn’t rember the last ti I felt like this... so free and alive.
By the ti we were done, my legs were shaking, and my stomach ached from laughing so much. But Katie wasn’t done yet.
She dragged to a prominent restaurant in the city. The waiter brought the nu as soon as we sat down, and when I saw it, my jaw nearly hit the floor. "Two thousand dollars for a al of seafood? Just for one person?" I gasped, leaning closer to Katie. "Seriously?"
"Don’t worry about it," she grinned. "Just order anything you want, I have got you covered."
Katie’s parents weren’t very wealthy, though they made sure she had everything she needed. But an expensive restaurant like this? It didn’t make sense.
"Oh... I forgot to tell you. My boss was really happy with my work and gave a huge bonus. So please, just enjoy yourself. You deserve it."
I let out a sigh not wanting to argue with her. Katie had always been stubborn, she never took no for an answer. So, I ordered sothing simple. Though even a simple dish here was outrageously expensive.
When the food arrived, I finally understood the reason for the high price. It slled so good and looked very delicious. I couldn’t wait to have a taste.
"Do you like it?" Katie asked.
"It’s amazing." I nodded excitedly, taking a bit from the well-seasoned lobster.
Suddenly, the sound of a plate crashing to the ground caused to jump.
My head snapped to the direction of the noise, and my heart nearly leaped out of my chest.
Claudia?
She stood frozen near a table, her eyes widened as she stared at as if she just saw a ghost and the color drained from her face.
"Anna...?" She whispered, more to herself. "No... it can’t be... you can’t be Anna. I saw you fall..."
I stood up, gripping the edge of the table to steady myself before eting her gaze. "Surprise to see , huh?"
She shook her head and took a step back. "This isn’t real... You fell off that cliff. You’re supposed to be dead." She sounded desperate, like she was trying to convince herself.
"Well, I’m not," I said, flatly. "Sorry to disappoint you."
Soon, the shock on her face morphed into hatred, the emotion I was familiar with. "How? How are you here? How did you survive?"
I shrugged and calmly said, "Guess I was harder to kill than you thought."
She didn’t respond. Her eyes darted to my clothes, my shoes, and up to the ring on my finger. Then a cruel smile spread across her lips. "So that’s it. A sugar daddy saved you, didn’t he? That’s explain why you’re dressed like this and eating in a place like this. So rich man brought you out of the gutter."
Anger bubbled inside of . I clenched my fist to stop myself from slapping her. How dare she accused of such thing?
"You don’t know anything, Claudia."
"Oh, I know plenty," her voice rose. "You’re the sa pathetic, unwanted little girl you have always been. And now, you’re parading yourself like this? Selling yourself to so rich old n? You’re a disgrace to the family, just like your mistress mother."
I took a step closer, glaring at her. Though my mother never acted like one, I wouldn’t have Claudia insulting her in public.
"If anyone is a disgrace to the family, it’s you, Claudia. You’re the legitimate daughter. Shouldn’t you be setting the example?"
Her face burned red with rage, and for a mont, I thought she might exploded. "How dare you question my legitimacy? You have no right to talk to like that?!"
"I have every right," I snapped. "You have done nothing but look down on my entire life. But guess what, Claudia? I’m no longer that scared little girl you used to push around."
Her nose flared, before I knew it, she raised her hand to slap . But Katie was faster. She caught her wrist mid-air, holding it firmly. "Don’t even think about it," Katie said coldly, and shoved Claudia away with enough force to make her stumble.
"Who do you think you are? How dare you touch ?!!" she yelled, steadying herself.
"Soone who truly cared about Anna." Katie stated calmly and stepped in front of protectively. "And if you ever try to lay a finger on her again, I will make sure you regret it."
Claudia laughed cynically. "Now, I know who you are. You’re the sa loyal dog from high school. It’s sad that Anna’s taste of friends didn’t upgrade. Just poverty-stricken people who doesn’t belong anywhere just like her."
"Watch your mouth, Claudia. I can humor you. But don’t you ever dare talk to my friend like that."
She just rolled her eyes, brushing her fake blonde hair with her perfect fingers. "You both are pathetic." "Oh, and Anna? Since you’re bold now, let remind you of sothing."
She covered the distance between us and lowered her tone. "That necklace you care so much about, it’s in an auction house. In two weeks, it would be sold to the highest bidder. You might want to hurry if you really care."
Her words felt like a dagger piercing into my heart. My chest tightened and it was difficult to breathe properly.
She smirked, clearly pleased with my reaction. "Enjoy your little charade while it lasts." With that, she turned around and strode away.
Katie touched my arm gently, pulling back to reality. "Anna, are you okay?"
I shook my head, feeling a painful lump in my throat.
"She is going to sell it... Katie," my voice trembled. "That necklace... it’s going to be gone."
Her expression softened, but she didn’t say anything and let rant about the necklace.
"What should I do...?"
"I would have suggested your husband... but I think that’s out of option," Katie said. That was what I thought at first, that once I married Alexander, I could steal from him and get my necklace. But with how things were between us, I wouldn’t even dare.
It was silent for a while, both of us were deep in thought, and suddenly Katie’s face lit up like a ray of sunshine.
"I have an idea."
"What idea is that?" I quickly asked.
She hesitated before leaning closer to my ear and whispered.
"You could spend a night with a billionaire who would be willing to help."
I gasped and pulled away, staring at her in shock. "What?!"
Her expression remained serious.
"That’s the only way you can get that much money. Think about it, Anna."
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