Deceived Me

Chapter 11:

" Nothing. Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to get your number before I leave. Can I?"

" ...Yes."

Alice took out her phone and dialed out a string of number. In just a moment, Stella's phone rang. She saw the incoming number and smiled.

" You remember my number." She looked at Alice as she said.

Alice averted her eyes and said in a low voice.

" How could I forget?" It was the number she memories harder than she memorised her parents number when she was a child. It was the number she remembered better than her own identity. It was the number which meant everything to her.

" Alice, before going out, can I ask you something?"

" Yes. What is it?"

" I wanted to ask how have you been all these years... " Stella smiled gently at her as she asked.

Alice was stunned as she didn't expect her to ask this so she didn't reply for a moment. Finally the silence died and she looked away at the pavement where people were walking.

" I've been... Fine. I did my MBA in London. Then I came back. I made a few good friends over this time. I am now working at the company along side my father. Once I learned the ways around here, I'll completely inherit the company."

" I see. It's exactly the same as you said. Your plans worked out. The only difference is you went out of the country. Honestly, I think everything might have happened for a reason. Anyway, one last question. What do you mean by fine? And please tell me honestly."

Alice looked down at her hands. She didn't have the courage to look in her eyes even when she is telling the truth.

People say it's hard to look in the eyes when you are lying. But they don't know its much harder to look in the eyes and speak the truth. It's easier to lie instead.

" I was fine. I had a lively friend group so they took me out every now an then. I was living life. That's all."

Stella looked at Alice averting her eyes and hiding from her gaze. Her ambiguous words were enough to make her realise how she's been. She smiled mockingly at herself.

' What a game has fate played with us. Neither you were happy, nor was the one who was left behind.'

" Alice, today here in the middle of nowhere, I swear on my life, since you won't believe if I say my love. I swear on my honor, on my identity, on my life, I swear that I'll give you everything you ask of me. If you allow me, I'll make you the happiest woman in the world. I swore upon my character, that I'll even leave you if you ask me. Above myself and above the world, I'll do whatever you say if it brings you happiness. If I don't do something, it will be cause I would know you won't be happy. And if ever the day comes that I don't fulfil this promise, that shall be the last day of my life. I will never be able to live with a person I hate."

" ...Stella, stop talking about dying! I know. I'll try my best to do whatever is the best for us. I'll never harm you. I'll only do what is good for our future. No matter what it is then. Just now, you said you'd do everything I say. I want to ask you for something. Stop talking about death. Never again let that word play on your mouth. Some words hold more weight than you can ever imagine, Stella. And let's don't mention about past anymore. Let's act like it never happened. I do not want to reminisce about our past."

Stella gazed at her for a while. She didn't say anything for a while.

" ...Alright. I wont ever mention our past or anything about death. Thank you for listening to me. And sorry that I took your time. I hope you gets there in time. Goodbye, drive safely."

" Yes. Bye."

Stella turned around and walked inside the hospital. She didn't look back again. Alice waited for her to enter the hospital before driving off. While driving her thoughts wondered around what Stella said.