A month had passed since I'd arrived at the academy, and I felt like I was finally starting to understand the rules of this game. Andy had been a constant source of guidance, sharing her knowledge and experience with me. She was a walking encyclopaedia of everything I needed to know about navigating this world of wealth and privilege.
We were both sprawled on our beds, the afternoon sun filtering through the window, casting long shadows across the room. Andy, lost in a book, suddenly looked up, her eyes meeting mine.
"Lara, can I ask you something?" she asked, her fingers nervously twisting a strand of her hair.
"Is it personal?" I asked, a playful smile curving my lips.
A secret smile flickered across Andy's face, and I couldn't help but mirror it.
"It's not my habit to ask personal questions," she replied, shaking her head.
"That's my line!" I laughed, feeling a wave of lightheartedness wash over me.
For a moment, we both laughed, the tension easing. Then Andy's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. "Can I know your opinion about same-sex relationships?" she asked, her gaze intense.
I stared at her, absorbing her question. "Is that a serious question?" I asked, my voice laced with confusion.
"Yes," she said, her eyes unwavering. "But if you're not comfortable with it, don't answer."
She returned to her book, but I couldn't shake the feeling that she was waiting for my response.
"What's the difference between a normal relationship and a same-sex relationship?" I asked, my voice filled with genuine curiosity.
Andy slowly lowered her book, her face a mask of surprise. "Are you saying that same-sex relationships aren't normal?" she asked, her voice a touch colder than usual.
"That's not what I meant, Andy," I said, my voice rising in defense. "Don't get me wrong, okay? But I've never been in a relationship, so I don't know how to answer your question."
A smirk played on Andy's lips, and her eyes held a glint of amusement. "The first person you fall in love with is lucky," she said, her voice a low murmur.
I shrugged, my mind still grappling with her question. Then, a thought struck me. "How about you, Andy? What's your opinion on same-sex relationships?" I asked, my gaze locked on hers.
Andy took a deep breath, her eyes reflecting a mixture of thoughtfulness and uncertainty. "It's not required that if you're a woman, you can only love men, right?" she said, her voice soft. "But of course, religion teaches differently. They uphold the idea that women are only for men and vice versa."
"So, what's your point?" I asked, eager to hear her thoughts.
"I'm not against religious beliefs, but I'm not in favour of them either," she replied, her eyes distant. "It's not about what society dictates or what religion says. It's about who you love."
"So, what's your point?" I pressed, unable to contain my curiosity.
Andy raised an eyebrow, her gaze meeting mine. "Why such a hurry, Lara?" she asked, a playful smile teasing her lips.
I was taken aback. She had noticed my eagerness and my desire to know her answer. "I just want to know your answer," I said, my voice a little breathless.
"Well, um..." she said, her fingers nervously tapping against her book. "I'm open to the possibilities that I can love a woman." She stared at me, her eyes searching mine.
"How?" I asked, my mind struggling to grasp the concept. "I mean, we both know that in the families we grew up in, we need to have a family to be able to pass on the business."
"Why do you think that being in a same-sex relationship can't build a family?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of challenge.
"How can they do that?" I questioned, my mind swirling with confusion. "What about getting pregnant?"
This time, Andy stood up, her eyes fixed on me. She walked towards me, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Do you want to know how they do that, Lara?" she asked, her gaze lingering on my lips.
"Ho...how?" I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Why won't we try it?" she said, her voice a playful whisper.
My eyes widened in shock, and I instinctively pushed her away. Thank goodness she didn't fall. Instead of getting angry, I heard her burst out laughing.
"You should've seen the look on your face, Lara," she said, her laughter echoing in the room.
"What do you think you're doing?" I exclaimed, clutching my chest. "You almost gave me a heart attack."
"Oh, my bad, Lara! I'm sorry, I was just teasing you," she said, her laughter subsiding.
"Dear Lord! I never imagined myself falling in love with a woman," I said, my voice filled with a mixture of disbelief and fear. "I always dreamed of having a happy and perfect family, Andy."
The laughter died in Andy's eyes, her face becoming unreadable. She returned to her side of the room, picking up her book.
"Andy? Why the sudden change of mood? Did I say something you didn't like?" I asked, my voice laced with worry.
She looked at me and offered a smile, but I knew it was fake. "Good luck with your dream of having a perfect family. I wish you all the best," she said, her voice distant.
"But let me remind you that there's no perfect family," she continued, her voice regaining its usual firmness. "Even your family isn't perfect. It's just a matter of accepting your partner's flaws and continuing to live. That's how the world we live in works, Lara."
"How do you know all of this when you're not even married?" I asked, trying to contradict her. "You're just a girl, Andy. You don't know anything about real life."
"I'm good at observing what happens around me," she replied, her eyes meeting mine. "Do you think wealthy families like ours are perfect? No! The more wealthy the family is, the more flaws they have. You should ask your mother what sacrifices she made to keep your family together."
"Every wife of a wealthy man has their own story to tell," she added, her voice soft but firm. "Your mother and my mother are not exceptions. They're just too good at hiding it. Only those who know how to see their souls will understand them."
I was speechless. There was a harsh reality in Andy's words, and I realised how messy my own family was. I saw what my mother had gone through to keep our family together. Andy had somehow hit a nerve, and she was right. There was no such thing as a perfect family.
A/N:
Chapter 6 onwards will be posted in a private group. PM me for more details.
