Talk Of The Town ✔️

26

They were right on time.

Anya stiffened, one hand in her black tracksuit's pocket and the other holding a steaming mug of chai latte. Giving her a gentle nod, Mona opened the door and welcomed them into her home.

They were all huddled in jeans, fleece, beanies, and scarves. Noah and Taylor took their beanies off, shuffling their hair. Mona has regulated the temperature of the flat to be warm enough.

"Please, have a seat and make yourselves comfortable. I'll bring tea and breakfast."

Sean hesitated before sitting on the couch. Kiara joined him after removing her trench coat and beanie. Noah leaned against a plain wall, crossing his arms beneath his chest while Taylor approached her.

"Hi," she greeted.

"Hi," Anya responded, experiencing the same awkwardness.

"Can you show me?"

Anya handed her phone and waited for her reaction. Kiara got up and snatched it from Taylor's hand, scrolling. Under any other circumstances, Anya would have rebuked. For now, she let it go.

"Connaught Water," she shouted. "You had me drive you there, and you didn't tell me."

"I'm sorry."

"You should be. We all look up to you. When a problem arises, you turn to your family or friends for help. You don't kick everyone out and act like a dumbass."

Massaging between her eyebrows with a single finger, Anya admitted, "I did what I thought would be right."

"Anya, you should-"

"Breakfast is here," Mona announced in her cheery voice, interrupting Kiara's probable monologue.

Everybody took a place on the couch, grabbing either a croissant or the scrambled eggs toast. Anya continued drinking her chai latte.

"The croissant is flaky and buttery," Taylor complimented. "Where did you buy it?"

"Thanks, it's from the coffee shop downstairs, Latte Life. Try their seasonal Christmas chocolate cake. It's perfection."

Taylor then turned to her and asked, "You're not going to eat anything?"

"I already ate before you guys arrived. I had to take a pill."

"Are you ill?" Kiara asked, bringing all the attention to her now.

"No"

Mona continued, "The past few days have messed up her appetite. The stress, depression, and unnecessary gossiping have taken a toll on her. That's why she is taking pills. She'll be fine soon."

"I'm sorry," Noah said.

"It's not your fault," Anya stated at once.

"It is in a way."

Anya placed some loose hair behind her ear. They all continued to eat in silence. There has never been any awkwardness amongst them before.

Mona took everything back to the kitchen with Anya's help, and they began what they'd been discussing. Anya let her take the platform.

"Okay, these past days have been challenging. Trust and relationship got severed. We have called you guys here because we need your help to expose Love Venom. Today, she has blackmailed Anya. The next day, it can be Taylor, Kiara, Noah, Sean or even me. This blackmailing needs to stop once and for all."