DIVA'S POV
I rolled over on my bed and opened my eyes, a loud lazy yawn followed. I glanced quickly at the wall clock, 7am already, stretching my hand to the bedside table, I picked up my phone and sat up on the bed, leaning my back on the headboard.
Yesterday was so Intense, I felt so bad when Dan's ex-girlfriend was begging him and couldn't stop crying. What she did to him was really terrible but it's through that means we got together again after many years. It's something to be thankful for, I'm glad I was able to reconcile them together.
I looked sideways at the two little ones still sleeping on the bed beside me. They insisted on sleeping in my own room since day one. Candy would return soon and I know Alex would miss her badly, both are almost inseparable now, the few days they've spent here made them grow fond of and attached to each other, extremely. I smiled and returned my eyes to my phone. My smile widened when I scrolled through my phone and came upon yet another fans group created in our name. 'D2 fans all over the world' was the name of the group. And I thought it was crazy when Tania first said it, it's actually nice, my sweetheart and I are namesakes and not only that, my stage name also starts with 'D' so it clicked.
I was busy admiring several posts and photos of us when a notification beeped in my second phone. I quickly picked it up from behind the pillow were I mistakenly left it last night and stared through.
Oops! the dance competition has been postponed till two months and some days time all thanks to the funders of the program. Isn't that too far? well maybe they have a reason for doing so. Not withstanding, the girls and I would continue to practice and update our fans with our latest moves till then. I dropped the phone on the bed and continued with the previous. A gentle knock on the door interrupted me...
"Who's it?" I called out.
"It's Genny Miss, there's a package for you and your morning coffee is ready." She said.
"Oh come in." I replied and the door opened and she walked in smiling with a bouquet of red roses in her hand and another maid brought in the tray containing my coffee. The girl dropped it, bowed gently and walked out.
"Here Miss." Genny said handling the bouquet to me. I smiled thinking it was Dan that sent it.
"Who sent this?" I asked as I collected the bouquet and sniffed in the lovely scent of the fresh roses.
"Uhmm I don't know, a delivery guy brought it in just now." She said.
"Okay thanks Genny, please wake the kids up and prepare Alexis for school." I said still sniffing the flowers.
"Alright Miss, I'll do that." She said with a bow then ran to the other side of the bed to wake them up, Candy might insist on following Alex today also, she's free to do that.
I stared down at the bouquet In my hands. Red roses are my favorite flowers and seems the person who sent this knows that, so who did? I saw the little note at a side of the bouquet so I picked it up and was about opening it when Nia barged in still on her pyjamas like me.
"Elle, we only have today to complete the necessary....." She paused on seeing me. "Wow look at that!" She said smilingly and hopped on my bed gleefully. "Did Dan sent this?" She said snatching the bouquet and sniffing in it's alluring scent. She also likes roses, afterall her name is Rosalie, Lol. But truthfully Nia's lips were deep red naturally just like a red rose, she's blessed with very long black hair, pure white skin and lovely sea blue eyes with a beautiful face.
"I don't know who sent it, I was about to check when you came in." I said and she raised her head and stared at me.
"What?!"
"Yeah yeah, let's see from this piece." I said waving the note to her face.
"Isn't that coffee getting cold?" She asked looking at the tray on the stool beside me.
"Oh no! My coffee," I hastily picked it up and took a sip. Perfect! Just the way I like em. I looked at my hand and discovered the note was gone. I looked at Nia and she was grinning as she read through.
"You tricky little thing! Now read it aloud." I said hitting her slightly.
"Ok mom." She laughed and began reading.
*Dear Elle*
I'm really sorry for my words and actions last time. I must admit, I am so stupid for saying those words to you. I hope you can still forgive me. From now on, I will think first before saying or doing anything that may hurt others. I really want you back as my friend again, I promise I'll never repeat such again. I miss my friendship with you Danielle please forgive me and give me another chance
............your friend Jade
"Wow!" I mouthed. I've forgiven Jade already, he just doesn't know that. I know he must have felt pretty terrible all this while.
"You've forgiven him right? why not call, text or see him? You've punished him enough." Nia said and I smiled.
"I'll do that!" I said in mock whisper and we laughed. "Now give me back my baquet, I'll preserve those fresh babies in a vase." I said and she chuckled.
"You saw the news about the dance right?" Nia asked.
"Yeah I did. So what's left in the preparation process?" I asked while gently fondling the bouquet.
"The hired hands would come in tomorrow, when everyone is out_aside the house workers and they'll carry out the decorations in the garden as planned, they'll also work on the hiding spots for the guests and finally they'll quickly bring in the supplies and set it all before we return. Lia would definitely be so surprised and happy. Right now she's not suspecting anything and even if she is, she's not thinking it'll be here." She said in a low voice.
"That's true, the dresses are ready right?" I asked her as I took in the last sip of my coffee and dropped the empty cup.
"Zelda would bring them in later in the evening as discreet as possible." She said and I smiled.
"Lia would definitely be surprised..." I noticed she was looking sideways at the kids. They were awake now and Genny just walked out of the shower.
"Good morning black Diva and Rosy." Alex greeted rubbing her sleepy eyes. I smiled.
"Good morning Elle and Rosy." Candy said. She's used to calling me Elle like her sister.
"Morning sweethearts, come give me a hug." I said opening my arms wide. They giggled as they climbed my bed and I hugged them laughingly. Tania smiled.
"Genny please get someone to preserve this in a vase." She said picking up the bouquet from beside me and giving it to Genny.
"Alright Miss Rosy. Alexis your warm bath is ready, I'll go ready your breakfast and lunch box." She said walking away.
"Ready mine too, I'll go with Alex today also." Candy said with a cute pout. We laughed, I was expecting that...
"I'll do that also." Genny smiled and walked out.
"Awwnn won't you guys hug me too." Nia said poutingly and they laughed and jumped on her. She hugged them and laughed.
"Awnn so cute." She ruffled their hair and they laughed.
"Alright cuties, go bath so you won't be late to school." I said and they both ran into the bathroom. I smiled as I looked at them before turning back to Nia.
"Where's Lia?"
"She was dressing up for school before I came here. She's got an 8am lecture." She said. I looked at the wall clock.
"It's 7:35am, she'll be done by now. What about Kim?"
"Having a morning chat with her sweetheart." She said with a knowing smile, I laughed.
"I should call my sweetheart too, I'll send a text to Jade, I'll meet him in school. Did you call Carl?" I said.
"I did more than that," she said smirkingly.
"Nia what did you do? Where's he?"
"Oh, preparing breakfast for me." She said innocently.
"Tania!!"
"Whattt?" She drawled.
"You made Carl run up here as early as this in a winter morning?" I said unbelievably.
"Well yesss and winter's almost over." She said grinningly.
"What happened to Ma'am Alicia's cooking?"
"I wanted Carl's tasty toasted bread. Besides it's not up to a week yet." She said smugly. I shook my head smilingly.
"Tania!"
"Yes Mommy?"
"You need help." I said and she chuckled.
"We all do sweetie, now get off that bed and let's go prepare for school, we've got a long day ahead." She said pulling off my duvet and I chuckled.
LUCIA'S POV
I was helping Johnny pack up while we await his mom and probably his dad but his sister was here now and they were discussing about something. I think she finally met Dan yesterday.
When I ran to him yesterday for help, he wisely told me what to do and I'm sure doing it very soon. I picked up the last piece of clothing and folded it carefully before dropping it in his backpack. Yeah, I know how to arrange stuffs, I'm not that lazy not to....
"...honestly I don't know how to explain how a person's eyes could be so beautiful and yet laced with such powerful aura. I felt so intimidated when she looked at me, I couldn't keep my eyes on hers for long!" Goldie was saying to John as he chuckled.
And I thought I was the only one feeling that way...
"You've got to be kidding me!" He laughed. "I haven't met her in person but I've seen her from quite a distance before. She's said to be extremely nice and yet so fearless and bold." John said with a smile as he watched me. I was zipping up his bag already.
"She is extremely nice Elvin! She was the one that persuaded Dan to forgive me completely and the most surprising thing was that she hugged me and even invited me to her best friend's surprise birthday party. Don't say a word to anyone, you know it's a surprise party for the celebrant, the surprise would be ruined if the rumors spread." She cautioned him.
Danielle's truly nice, imagine inviting your boyfriend's ex-girlfriend to the birthday party of your bestfriend, when there are chances that she might still have feelings for him?! Hmm, I'll never risk that! Not a bit!
Well, she knows Goldie can't or won't dare to try anything stupid. Danielle's something else, she's always prepared for whatever. Trust me, I've been there so I know...
"Wow! That's really kind of her but are you going?" John asked. I sat down on his bed beside him and placed the bag on my laps as I watched them converse. He smiled and took my hand in his, entwining our fingers. I smiled back at him.
"Well I'm not sure. It's really not necessary right? Or..." She looked at me and I raised my brows in confusion.
"Sister In-law would you mind going with me?" My eyes widened. What?!! "afterall you know a lot about her, you'll help me fit in and besides I don't wanna go there and feel off, you understand what I mean?" She added.
"Ahh, uhmm..." I looked at John, he smiled. "that won't be necessary Goldie, you see Diva and I...well we realllyyy aren't....uhm close. Besides you were invited to the event alone not with me or..."
"But can't I bring someone along? I can right?" She said and I shook my head negatively. She doesn't understand, I haven't apologized to her yet, so the air between us both is obviously still not clear. Going there when I wasn't invited...well you know what would happen at such a circumstance.
"Lucia please, the idols...Jay and Roe are obviously still pissed at me, I'm yet to apologize to them, I just need comp..."
"Elvira let her be. She won't be able to go with you, you were the one invited and it's really not necessary for you to go if you choose not to." John came to my rescue.
How would I explain my presence to the DSD girls without getting peers of eyes on me?? I wouldn't dare.
"How can I turn down such an honor?! I'll be meeting all the DSD girls and a whole lot of their celebrity friends and that's..." She was saying.
"That's always been the problem with you Elvira. Fame! And yet you are never satisfied no matter how much more famous you get!" John said bitterly and she shut up. I caressed his hand gently before turning my eyes to my ringing phone.
From the special ringtone I set, I already know who it was...
Why can't she just stop bothering me? I've forgotten about her already! She should do same and stop bothering me!
I don't appreciate friendship with a girl as her anymore! I'm trying to change here not drown myself In more dirts...
I rolled my eyes away after cutting the call. Goldie was talking, I thought she kept quiet earlier?
"Well, I might still honour her invitation, I'll use that as an opportunity to see the idols and apologize again, I want them as my friends again. I'll also see Lee Jung's girlfriend and say hi." She said with a smile. John just rolled his eyes away.
Or see Daniel again...I said In my mind.

NARRATIVE
Right at the heart of New York City stood the famous VK PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY amongst several other industries. At the thirteenth floor of the building, in a large office sat a woman in her early fourthies, Vera Edgar but popularly known as Vera Wood because of her marital status although her husband died years ago. She's no doubt the CEO of the company, as her late husband, Kendal Wood left it in her care as his next of kin...
Vera stared into space in deep thought, her worst nightmare might occur soon if the right actions are not properly taken. Her life's deepest secrets which she have kept hidden for so many years might come slap her in the face at any moment if she doesn't act fast...
Her attention was diverted to the large TV, an advertisement on Ariel's Jewelries was going on and as Vera stared at the beautiful Elizabeth Scott in the advert promo, her expression clouded to that of pure contempt.
'Bitch! You're the reason I'm like this...' She muttered through gritted teeth. She let out a malicious hiss and switched the TV channel to entertainment and sports, ignoring the piles of files that lay on her desk waiting to be touched.
Images from many years ago at her early years in Oxford University, flooded her memory and she picked up her lit cigarette stick from the ashtray and continued with it from where she stopped...
FLASHBACKS;
She walked with fast beating heart towards the pillar by which her friend and crush right from highschool lean on, staring with such beautiful smile down at someone. She needed no one to tell her who he was looking at, none other than the popular Elizabeth Roland who was walking across the basketball field, laughing over something with her friends as all the boys swoon and ogle at her. Elizabeth wasn't just the most popular girl on campus, she was also awarded the most beautiful girl too in recent times. Vera couldn't help other but admit to herself that Elizabeth was truly a beauty, most surprising thing was that she was still single and had turned down many guys who'd asked her out right from her first year in Oxford, what she was waiting for? Many couldn't help but wonder, including Vera herself.
Vera knew she had to profess her long time hidden feelings to Tim right away before someone else takes him. Because she's noticed ever since Tim set his eyes on Miss popular, just last month when he newly got in Oxford University, he's never stopped staring at her just like the rest of the guys. Tim was the first child and only son of Scott Leonard, one of the most popular business men in America, so he was no doubt very popular in Oxford aside that, he was gorgeous, extremely good-looking with perfect features.
Vera fell in love with him right from the first day she met him as a new student during high school, he was kind and had shown her around the school as the senior prefect. Soon they became friends and Vera couldn't stop herself from getting attracted to him, she was aware he was a very serious minded student who's got no time for girls as he had told her. Tim never saw her as more than just a friend, neither did she ever profess her feelings to him. She did well in hiding them because she was afraid of ruining their friendship, and she was also relaxed because he was never close to any other girl the way he was close to her, she was relaxed because she thought he'll always be like that and since there wasn't any girl in the picture, she don't have to rush things. She was very happy when Tim transferred to this Uni last month and she discovered he was still single. Well so she thought until one fateful day, she and Tim were walking by his faculty hallway when miss popular walked by, she noticed the intense exchange of looks by both of them and she also noticed the strange connection that passed between them when they'd seen and stared at each other. Since that day, Vera noticed Tim never stopped staring at Elizabeth and neither did she.
As she approached Tim right now, Vera hoped he was still the single serious minded student she once knew, who got no time for girls.
"Tim?" She called on reaching him.
"Ah, hello Vera." He said without looking at her. His eyes were still fixed on the approaching Elizabeth. Vera swallowed nothing and smiled.
"Uhmm Tim, there's...there's something I want to tell you." She said amidst her stuttering. This time, Tim turned and looked at her.
"Is there any problem? Anything I can help you with?" He asked concerned.
"No. I just wanted to say something really important." Vera said while nervously playing with her fingers.
"Okayyyy, I'm listening." Tim drawled.
"Tim I...I like..." She raised her head to look at him. His expression urged her to continue.
"I really like you!" She dropped the bombshell and watched him quietly for his reaction. His face was a mix of shock and confusion.
"I like you too Vera." She smiled. "You're my very good friend." He said and her smile dropped.
"No Tim! Not that way." She said and his eyes widened. "I've liked you from that first day we met during highschool, I'm sorry I took so long to tell you, I was scared of ruining our friendship but now I can't hold it in anymore. I really really like you Tim." She said it all and after a moment of silence, Tim swallowed and said to her in the calmest way possible. As he opened his mouth to talk, she feared the worst...
"It's too late Vera. I'm sorry. I like someone else already." Vera felt like her world was crumbling when he said that. She swallowed painfully and composed her self not to break down in his presence.
"I'm really sorry Vera, we can always still be friends." Tim said again. She nodded slowly, unable to talk and he patted her shoulder gently, before walking away.
Tears filled her eyes as she turned and saw the direction he took, same way as Elizabeth Roland.
She shook her head in self pity, promising not to give up already but to try more harder. She can't let over fours years of liking someone go to waste that way, she'll try and make sure she still gets him as hers or make him regret choosing someone else over her. All her life she's only loved one Man and that's him, Timothy Scott.
"Vera I've been looking all over for you. Are you okay?" A guy named Kendal said as he ran over and saw her tears.
"Of course I'm not Okay. Go away!!" She yelled dropping her water bottle on purpose and stomping away.
PRESENTLY
The knock on her office door jolted her back to the present. The cigarette stick had burned off already, she dropped the leftover piece on the ashtray on her desk.

"Come in!" She said and the door opened and her PA walked in.
"Sorry to bother you ma'am, but Evan called to say his flight was delayed. He said he won't be able to make it today again because he had been scheduled with his colleagues for an important operation. He'll be available in at least a week." He said bowing lowly.
"What?!!" Vera shrieked, standing up immediately.
"I'm sorry ma'am but that's what he said." He said head still bowed.
"That's too far Bruno! That's a lot of time and it's too risky..."
"Ma'am?!" Bruno said looking up at her puzzled.
"Nevermind Bruno. You may leave." She said dismissively.
"Yes ma'am." He turned around and walked out.
She began to pace up and down worriedly.
A week's time is a whole lot of time to get her in panic.
"Relax Vera. A week's time isn't that bad. She's been in DSD for closely a month now and no one suspects a thing. Afterall, everyone believes the child died. That's okay, don't raise suspicion to them, if not you'll be exposed. Relax! Evan would come and explain it all to you!!" She advised herself before letting out a malicious laughter...