FORTUNE: A FREENBECKY STORY

Chapter 42 💄

Just then Nam emerged at the entrance. "Namy!" Noey shouted
Nam caught sight of the group and smiled. Behind her was a tall woman in a black dress with red lipstick. Nam walked over to join them in the queue.

"Heidi, what are you doing here? You didn't tell me you were coming too!" Noey said
"Yeah 😅, P'Nam invited me last minute" Heidi replied
Noey stared at Nam.

"Well, it's nice to see you again Heidi" Noey said
"Yes, Happy Birthday Noey!" Heidi exclaimed
"Thank you."

"Hi Freen" Heidi said softly
"Hello" Freen replied

Everyone noticed Heidi's voice when she address Freen was considerably softer and more affectionate. Including Becky and Baitoey who were just in earshot of the conversation.

"Uh, P'Nam can I speak to you for a second" Noey said firmly.
Noey pulled Nam away from the group.
"What is it?" Nam said
She already knew what Noey was going to say but was playing dumb.

"P'Nam, why did you invite Heidi?" Noey asked
"Why? Can't she come?" Nam said
"Nam. I know what you're up to." Noey said
"What? She's our friend too" Nam said
"You hardly know her" Noey said
"I know her better than that Becky girl. I'm not letting her anywhere near Freen. Look, I'm just trying to help our friend get over her heartbreak." Nam said

Noey sighed
"Nam. Freen doesn't need to flirt with her childhood crush in order to get over heartbreak. She needs closure. Whatever that looks like" Noey said
"I don't agree" Nam said crossing her arms
"Nam." Noey said
"Noey" Nam said

They were in a standoff.

Becky and Baitoey arrived at the front of the queue. They served them food and they quickly sat down.

While Becky was eating Baitoey noticed how quiet Becky was. Baitoey knew exactly why but had no idea how to cheer Becky up. She felt it would be better not to impose.

When they were done eating the dance floor opened up and Baitoey leaped at the chance to let her hair down. She beckoned Becky but didn't want to insist too much.

Becky sat at their table staring at Freen. Freen was sat on a table with Noey, Nam, Heng and Heidi who sat uncomfortably close to her. Becky could tell that Heidi was attracted to Freen and every time she would catch Heidi touch Freen's hand, rest her hand on her shoulder or help her fill her glass Becky felt more and more jealous.

Becky understood that she had no right to feel jealous but it didn't change the fact that she did. This was the woman she had fallen in love with. The woman she had realised that she could not lose. The person she shared first experiences with. It was the first time she had loved anyone, the first person she had sex with, the first person she'd ever experience jealousy for and the first person she had even heard I love you from romantically.

As Becky continued to steal glances at Freen she began to feel intrusive. Freen had still not even so much as glanced at her since she walked into the hall.

Suddenly Becky's view was obstructed by a man who had stood right in front of her eye-line to Freen. 

"Becky right?" Heng said stretching out his hand to shake Becky.
Becky looked up till her eyes met Heng's hand.
Becky stood up to greet.
"Uh Hi, yes Becky. And you're P'Heng right?" Becky said
"Freen's older brother" Heng said
"Yes, I've met you before." Becky explained
"I remember" Heng mused
"Urmmm.. how can I help?" Becky blurted out nervously
"You keep glancing over at my sister" Heng said
"Uh yeah" Becky replied
"You've broken her heart more than once I heard" Heng stated

Becky's head bowed as she admitted her wrong.
Heng scoffed
"Funny. I came over here to warn you but now that I've met you, I can see in your eyes how much pain you're in." Heng continued
"I'm sorry. I know how much I've hurt Freen" Becky explained
"I can see you still love her. And I know she still loves you" Heng interrupted

Becky looked up hoping for a moment but quickly sobered up.
"I don't think that's true" Becky said
"It is.... But make no mistake, my sister is very good at sacrificing what she wants for what is best for her" Heng replied

Becky's eyes turned up as if she understood exactly what Heng meant by that. Like she had experienced it already.
"I don't know if this will make a difference but I want you to know that I love Freen more than I've ever loved anyone in my life. It took me a long time to admit that to myself but I know that it's the realest truth." Becky said
"So why did you hurt her?" Heng asked
"You will probably never be able to understand me when I say this but it was life or death" Becky explained

Heng looked at Becky's utterly serious expression and laughed
"I believe you." Heng confirmed

Tears began to stream from Becky's  eyes
"Really?" Becky asked
"Yes. And you know what? I'm going to help you. If there's anyone that deserves happiness in this world it's my sister Freen and I still remember the way she looked at you that day at the fundraiser. She looked at you like you were the essence of love itself" Heng stated
"Do you really think I can win her back?" Becky asked

Heng took a step back and raised his hand to his chin.
"Honestly, I don't know. My sister is quite hard when she wants to be and she is an expert at suppressing her feelings but I'd love to at least try to help her choose love over duty. Even if it's just this one time." Heng explained
"Love over duty?" Becky asked
"Here, put your number in" Heng said handing Becky his phone.

"Hengy!" Baitoey exclaimed
"Oh hey!" Heng replied nervously
"Oh yeah, you two know each other" Baitoey said
"Ha, yeah, Heng. Sorry about last time. I wasn't myself. Don't worry, I'm not going to get in the way of Freen and Becky. She's head over heels in love with Freen. I never stood a chance😅" Baitoey laughed
Heng laughed nervously too.

"Are you ready to go yet?" Baitoey asked turning to Becky
Becky popped her head to the side to peek at Freen one last time.
"Yeah, let's go." Becky replied
"Get home safe!" Heng said

When Becky arrived home she ran up to her room and washed up. When she was ready for bed she sat up in the bed with her back against the headboard and called out, "Marlin!"