Who We Are (A Speck of Dust)

18: Day 25-4

1:30pm

Victoria wanted to ignore the call like what she did earlier. However, the scrutinizing gazes from her friends pressured her to swipe the answer button.

Saint Sherlock's voice echoed in the enclosed space. Like the past million times, she was happy they were secluded and far away from people.

Her friends looked at her expectantly. Victoria herself was bewildered at the sound of his voice. She instantly felt butterflies in her stomach and crossed her legs to stop squirming.

"Ma cherie? Comment ça va? I've been trying to call you since this morning," Sherlock said.

A lump formed in her throat and she felt very uncomfortable. Clearing her throat, she put the best smile that she could make.

"Mon amour! Je suis désolé! I've been busy the whole morning. I didn't notice your calls. I'm sorry."

They heard a relieved sigh from the other line and Victoria's heart started thumping hard against her chest.

"That's good. I'm sorry. I was just so worried when you aren't replying. Where are you?"

Before she could even speak, Cindy butted in.

"Oh my god. Are you for real?"

"Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry, I'm Cindy Wells, Victoria's bff. And you are?"

"Peverell Dane. People just call me Dane though."

Victoria's eyes widen as she heard his husky voice say his name. Something he was keen to not reveal soon. She felt her cheeks heat up at the thought that he was willing to share that information just to help her.

But then, a sudden doubt sprouted inside of her when she thought that he could have made that name up.

On the other hand, Cindy, Sally and Polly was shell-shocked at the information. The only person they knew with that name was the son of Mikael Le Blanc, the French owner of one of the premier multi-national company in the world, Peverell Dane Le Blanc.

The three exchanged nervous glances, but Cindy was not giving up. This could possibly be a faux since they all knew ole Victoria was a jealous liar since they were teens. But she knew she had to play it well and subtle.

"Are you Victoria's boyfriend?"

Victoria's hands were shaking. She forgot to tell him her name and she was worried about a slip up. A laughter came from his side and all girls flushed red. It was a delicate laugh that literally lit up something inside them. It could actually make Cindy a good person if it was not for her vindictive and jealous brain.

"Yes, I am. I think I forgot to mention that."

Poppy, failing to withstand her curiosity, asked, "Since when?"

"Since December of last year."

"So, like you guys are only together for a month?"

"Running for two months, but yeah."

Polly raised an eyebrow and Sally giggled. Cindy smirked and took a sip of her sugar-free lemonade. 

If one just strain their hearing, they could have detected the maliciousness behind Cindy's tone. It was a good thing that Victoria could and she braced herself for the impact of everything going wrong.

"When did you first two meet? What's your love story? Why haven't we seen any photos of you?"

"Hahah! Is this an interrogation or something?"

"No, not really. We're just curious since Victoria doesn't date."

"I guess my charms worked well on her, huh."

Irritated, Cindy demanded in a harsh tone. "So what is your story?"

Another chuckle was heard and Victoria was silently digging her own grave. This was the end of it. She could clearly see the blinding light of shame once they figured it out.

"Well, we met at the Oliveira twins' birthday last September. We hit it off and all that, and I knew that night, at that party, that she's it for me. I've asked her permission if I could court her and thankfully, she said yes on being my girlfriend on my birthday."

"You probably didn't see any pictures since we don't want people to know yet. Imagine the news if word ever gets out. Hahaha!"

Everyone was silent and Victoria knew that the three was captivated by her so-called boyfriend.

Step 3 - Success!

"So, this February, what are the three occasions you'll be celebrating?"

Or not. 

Cindy had a vindictive smile on her face, making her look like Cruella de Vil or some villain in your everyday Disney fairy tale. Victoria could feel the world closing up on her. If their cover didn't blow up earlier, it definitely would now.

However, without missing a beat, Sherlock, or now known as Dane, said, "Her mom's death anniversary on the 1st, her birthday on the 14th, and the golden anniversary of The Winters Group on the 28th."