CHAPTER FORTY
She was done parking in no time. It was still bright and workers around would certainly catch sight of her if she carries her bag through the front.
At this, she resolved to throwing them out through the window. That didn’t take time because she barely had a lot of bags.
She took in a deep breath and made to leave, but a knock on her door interrupted her.
Her heart skipped a beat as she glanced around to ensure that there was nothing suspicious about her room.
She turned the door knob to see Tiffany’s face, poking into the room as though she already had an idea of what she was up to.
“Hi Tiffany!” Alyssa said with a wide smile, pulling her in for a warm hug and trying her possible best to appear real and normal.
“Hi Alyssa! What are you up to?” Tiffany asked as she walked into the room, looking around as though she were in search of something.
Alyssa cleared her throat and smiled calmly.
“Nothing much…are you looking for something?” She asked with a cracked voice that concealed her emotions.
Tiffany’s presence was only making her feel worse about what she was planning at the moment.
“No. Your room looks different. Did you rearrange something?” Tiffany asked and Alyssa pinched herself deeply.
How could she be so dumb not to know that Tiffany was smart and observant?
“Well, I just thought of clearing up some space”, Alyssa replied, grinning from ear to ear.
Tiffany nodded her head, finally believing what Alyssa had explained.
The emotions was becoming overwhelming and Alyssa wasn’t sure of how long she would hold up the tears welling up in her eyes.
“Are you crying?” Tiffany finally asked when she observed how red Alyssa’s eyeballs were turning.
Just then, Tiffany observed one last bag that laid very close to the window.
Apparently, Alyssa had forgotten about that one…
“Is that your bag?” Tiffany asked in surprise, wondering why a bag would suddenly leave the closet where it has been all the while.
“Well..”, Alyssa started saying, but broke into tears instead.
She couldn’t hide anymore, because the more she did, the more guilt she felt.
“Tiffany, I may not be the best friend you thought I was…, Alyssa said as her voice trailed off. She walked over to the bed and sank into it, with Tiffany following suit.
“I’m not perfect and I’m not even close to being perfect”, Alyssa continued, peering piercingly into Tiffany’s curious eyes.
“I’m not perfect either. No one is…”, Tiffany chuckled and tried to tickle Alyssa, but she didn’t move an inch.
“Alyssa. Is it so serious”, Tiffany inquired, beginning to wonder what the reason behind her friend’s mood would be.
“I didn’t just come here because I wanted to be a maid!” Alyssa said and Tiffany gazed at her, lost in thoughts.
“I’m not even a maid, neither am I supposed to be one”, Alyssa continued and this time, Tiffany’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Then, who are you?” Tiffany asked with a shaky voice, the realization of betrayal dawning right in front of her eyes.
“I’m a princess!” Alyssa explained and abruptly, Tiffany jerked up.
“I faced several torments in my kingdom. No body loved me, neither did they feel the need to care or look after me. I was treated like an outcast”, Alyssa started explaining, with her heart beating out of her chest.
She was certain that Tiffany would never look at her in the same manner again once she was with the explanation.
“I was forced to come here. I mean, with the option of getting my freedom if I…”, Alyssa gulped gulped hard as she looked up to take in Tiffany’s expression.
“Only if I bring back the the golden artifact. It is one of the greatest things the King desire at the moment. I only agreed because I want my freedom, I couldn’t stay back and continue with the torture. It was extreme!”, Alyssa whispered and Tiffany gasped in shock.
She held on to her mouth to prevent further screams from erupting from it.
“I’m here only because of that reason”, Alyssa said in conclusion, peering intently into Tiffany’s heart and holding her breath.
Tears trickled out of Alyssa’s eyes as she stared at Tiffany while awaiting her response. She was certain that she would be shattered is she lost Tiffany, but then, her heart was prepared for the worst.