The bus came to a screeching stop right in front of the apartment complex. Stella quickly stepped down, the street was quite not filled with much people as the sun had begun to set. Stella made her way to the door.
Reaching for the Keypad, her fingers froze mid air a she came to a halt.
"My passcode is that bastards birthday, Stella muttered , the irritation clear on her face. "I should change this now, she quickly changed it before she stepped inside. The moment she stepped inside, she was immediately hit the past memory's of what had happened here in her past life. Michael and Rachel, in this house on her bed, she couldn't control her chest as it rose and fell with rage all she could think of were those two.
She turned to look around the room but something on the varsity drawer caught her attention. two framed pictures . One of her and Michael and the other was her and Rachel .It was then she realized that she had never let anyone get close to her in her past life. Michael and Rachel were the only people she could call her friends.
Next to the two pictures was a stuffed toy, she remembered that Rachel had given her that toy as a gift.
" TA-DA!! you said you liked the stuffed animal, so I got one for you and me. Let's have it as our friendship item, what do you think?? Rachel said back then, with the sweetest smile. In fact , I love everything you love, Stella. Best friends for life!!"
"HA..... I didn't think that meant you'd love the same man too." Stella said as she thought back. It was strange when she thought about it. All the guys I liked, crushed on or any who showed interest in me, would always end up asking Rachel out.
"I never thought anything of it, but I think about it I'm sure it isn't JUST a coincidence. I have no intention of digging up the past. I have more pressing matters at hand. Stella thought while rummaging through her drawer."
"Found it", Stella said as she pulled out a bank book from the dresser. I need more money Stella said as she looked inside the bank book. I have fourteen thousand dollars as condolence money I received from Dad's funeral and Seven thousand dollars in deposit for my house. But I owe the bank Twenty five thousand dollars. "
"I wish I had memorized some lottery ticket numbers from my past life.....I should start by paying off my debt and save some money. But how would I get the money."
"MICHAEL" I could use him, he was really interested in investing and it was around this time that his investment stocks soared in my past life. I could stick close to him and know what exactly he invested in and if I do the same I should be able to get my investment back and clear up my debt."
Hmm?? Stella's attention was drawn to her pocket when she felt the vibration of her phone, she pulled it out to see an unread message from Michael." Stella, I really want to talk to you. I'LL pick up some stir fried rice after work let's meet up at the lounge in front of your place." She read the message and found it weird, because Michael always made it clear how much he disliked stir fried rice, was he doing this for her." Stella thought. It didn't matter anyway because she had already made up her mind.
"I should find a new place and move out immediately, but first thing is first . I need to put an end to this relationship once and for all". Stella said to her self.
Back at the office........"Seriously what's going on with her, I have never see her act this way before, Michael thought. Even to the point of giving me one word replies. she never did this in the past , she would always be so obsessed with me. I would drop a short message and she would reply with an epistle".
"So why did she suddenly get an attitude" .Michael thought as he starred at the reply Stella had sent him about agreeing to meet up.
He didn't know that Rachel was just observing him from the side and noticed his face all scrunched up , she knew the look on his face had something to do with Stella. She didn't want him thinking about Stella. She tore a sticky paper and started scribbling on it.
Michael's attention was caught when he noticed Rachel sticking a paper on his desk, accompanied with a warm smile. "Mr. Michael, please cheer up ,I know you are sad because of Stella ,but it's ok, we are meeting up this night to have a good time, I don't like seeing you sad, so please put a smile on that handsome face." After reading the message he quickly looked at Rachel who passed him a bright smile with a wink, he couldn't help but smile back at her.
"Rachel is such an angel, she always put's a smile on my face, unlike Stella, I wish she was more like Rachel. Everything would be instantly better." Hmm...I should probably go downstairs and clean up my car. Stella is use to it, but I can't have Rachel ride in a dirty car. Unlike Rachel, Stella would have never tried to cheer me up just now. I wish she was more like Rachel." Michael thought.
......".Oh my God, all my clothes are hideous, everything in my closet is so tacky ,old and ugly. What was I even wearing back then"?? Did I even wear any makeup back then?? No wonder it was so easy for Rachel to get together with every guy I was interested in. Well at least I have great skin. Stella said while rummaging through her closet. While rummaging through the closet a light blue dress had caught her attention. She had gotten it a long time ago but never wore it because Rachel told her it looked to small on her and would bring in bad crowd, so she never thought to wear it. But now that she thought about it, this must have been one of the only pretty outfit's she had, that must be why Rachel was always against it." Stella thought.
"she never wanted me to look good and would always make it sound like she was giving me advice. " What a snake, how was I so blind not to notice.
..........Stella glanced at her phone, and it was already some minute's past six and Michael was no where to be found. She had been waiting in the lounge for almost Thirty minute's but he still hadn't showed up.
She could hear the sound of the door as it burst open and she looked up to see Michael but was thrown off guard by the person trailing behind him.
"Of course" He brought Rachel with him, her face lit up with her ever irritating smile. Rachel clapped her hands together in delight, "Surprise I'm here too, and guess what" Drinks are on me tonight!! Rachel said as she beamed with delight.
"Oh Rachel I didn't know you were coming", Stella said ,trying not to sound rude. "Well that's why it's a surprise" Rachel quickly said , trying not to feel weird.
"I Suggested she tag along, after all she is your bestfriend and I assumed you would like her company." Michael said. Hope your feeling better now?
"Yeah, Stella replied, I had a slight stomach ache earlier, but I'm fine now."
"Oh no it must have been really bad, for you to have thrown that tantrum like that earlier, well Thank God your feeling much better and back to your normal self, Rachel said with a sarcastic tone and an innocent smile.
Stella could tell that Rachel meant to insult her and act innocent, and at the same time trying to make it look like she was caring and worried about her, But she didn't care.
"So why did you guys arrive late, I know there was no extra work and we were meant to close early today." Stella asked.
"Well, Rachel was really stressed with work , but she still came along and thought she'd help cheer you up and she even brought up the idea of stopping and getting you some fish, since you like them so much. Isn't she so thoughtful and caring, Michael smiled at Rachel, while praising her, like that was all he knew.
"You give me too much credit, Mr. Michael. Rachel said . I wanted to come. I mean...that's what friends are for right"? She was talking to Stella, but kept smiling sheepishly at Michael.
"Any one would look at them and think, Oh what a cute couple,.... more like what a bunch of hypocrites. "Stella thought, I never even liked fish, I only ate it Because Rachel would always force me or persuade me, saying it was better for me.
They continued chatting, but it was mostly Rachel talking about herself or trying to bring up past incident that happened in high school that were embarrassing to Stella.
"Wow , I honestly had no ideas you guys were so close, since you are both so different. I was surprised when I first heard you were friends." Michael said.
"Well Stella didn't really have any friends growing up, except me , so she would always hang out with me, we were actually same height then but not anymore. I'm still so small and not tall ,sometimes I get Jealous of Stella, with how tall and big she has gotten. Rachel said.
Just then the broth soup Rachel ordered during the conversation had arrived." Excuse me ma'am ,please where should I drop this", the waiter asked........." Over here is fine" Rachel answered, pointing at a free spot in front of Stella.
Stella was quick to clear the table for the broth soup, but before the waiter could drop it on the table, she stumbled and the bowl fell from her hand, making the hot soup to pour on the back of Stella's palm.
Arghhh, Stella let out a low cry. A-Are you okay, Stella?! Michael quickly asked as he tried to reach for her hand. Let me see, I hope it doesn't leave a scar-, But Stella quickly slapped his hand away, it's fine.
"Oh, my Gosh!! I'm sorry, Miss...! Let me get you some ice and ointment!!" The waiter cried out before running back into the kitchen.
I'm going to go to the restroom, I'd be right back," Stella said to Rachel and Michael, before heading in the direction of the restroom.