Black Rose [Regulus Black]

13 - ridiculous ideas & murderous cults

"-and then," the short-haired woman in front of her gasped out, her chest heaving as she passionately spoke. "He got down on one knee and said, 'Petunia, I want to spend my entire life with you.' The ring was so huge, I could see my reflection in it!"

Most of the women in the party sighed, cast dreamy looks at the enormous gem Petunia Evans (about to be Dursley) rocked on her ring finger. A few, however, discreetly rolled their eyes and looked at the head of the table with pity.

Classic Petunia, always wanting the scraps of attention.

Alessandra took another sip of the wine, sending a reassuring smile towards her friend beside her. She and Chelsea Booker had known each other for a long time now. Chelsea's family used to come by the orphanage and give them presents, and they soon became playmates and the best of friends.

"What about you, Alessandra?" Petunia asked coldly, and the women of the so-called high society also directed their mistrustful gazes towards her. "What have you accomplished so far?"

Alessandra held her head high, not wanting to give them the satisfaction of seeing her cower. "I hardly think I need to make Chelsea's birthday lunch about me, Petunia, not all of us constantly seek validation for attention."

Petunia gasped, her face turning an ugly shade of mauve. "I beg your pardon? You're just bitter that you have nothing big to brag about, as opposed to the rest of the ladies in this room."

Oh, how Alessandra wanted to bash her head in. Unfortunately, the only thing holding her back from doing so was her childhood friend, and she didn't want to mess things up for Chelsea. The Bookers and the Evans had been on good terms for a long time, and she didn't want to ruin it just because she couldn't keep a hold of her temper.

However, she couldn't help but dole out a small inflammatory remark. "Bold words coming from the woman who doesn't truly have anything big in her life, if you all know what I mean."

Giggles erupted around the table and Alessandra herself suppressed a smile at how quickly they all turned on each other.

Friendship at its finest, indeed.

"Cake!" Lena exclaimed, trying to diffuse the situation. "What's a birthday party without a cake, right?"

And so the finely dressed waiters brought out the scrumptious two-layered cake, and Alessandra's eyes absent-mindedly drifted over the candles spelling '20' on the topmost layer. Despite the sweet delicacy sitting in front of her, a bitter feeling rose up in her throat.

Petunia was right.

What had she accomplished anyways? She was nearing twenty soon and hadn't really done anything important. She burnt herself out working two jobs with minimal pay, and hadn't really made any advances in her career. She got promoted, and now had to greet visitors, record reservations and make bills, but it just wasn't enough.

And her love life, that was a steaming mess. It was completely non-existent, with Regulus taking whatever hope she had in her heart. Had she fallen too easily? She suspected that she had, for it felt like he hadn't reciprocated her feelings. It wasn't love, definitely not, but she definitely felt some attraction.

She watched all the women in front of her, imagining how easy their lives must have been. They had a mother who braided their hair and told them tales of love and hope, a father who gave them toys and food with nothing expected in return, and a comfortable house with bedrooms as large as her own house.

It was unfair. She deserved it too. Why did she get to be the misfit whose parents abandoned her for some dumb reason?

It wasn't fair.