************In Claudia's Bedroom************
"Martin!"
Claudia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned closer to Aimee, almost as if she were sharing a secret. "You remember Martin, right?" she asked, her voice bubbling with joy. "He's almost done with his thesis, and he's coming to visit his godparents here. And, of course, to see me.
"Yes, you say his name almost every day," Aimee replied with a teasing smile, leaning back slightly, crossing her arms. "How could I forget?"
Claudia didn't pick up on Aimee's underlying tone as she kept rambling on with barely-contained excitement. "He's been so busy with his thesis, but he's finally coming back. I can't wait to see him! And, Aimee, you know what's crazy? He's an only child just like me! He told me that already. And we—well, we both said we love each other already. It feels like it's just meant to be
Claudia continued, her excitement growing. "And remember we met Online!? On that dating app—remember? Brimble or was it Thimble? I wasn't sure about it at first, but something about his profile just... it drew me in. And when we started talking, it was like we were just meant to find each other."
As Claudia continued on, almost gushing now, Aimee interrupted her, cutting through the excitement with a question that she knew would make her friend pause.
"What about your condition Claudia? Did you tell him yet?"
The words hung in the air for a moment. Claudia's face froze, the joy slipping from her expression like sand through fingers. Her eyes darkened as her lips pressed into a thin line. For a moment, she said nothing, and the silence between them felt thick with unspoken things.
Claudia's voice, when it finally came, was quieter, softer. "No, I didn't tell him," she admitted, her gaze dropping to the floor for a second before she met Aimee's eyes again. There was a sadness in her face that hadn't been there a moment ago, something vulnerable, something raw. "I haven't been able to. I'm not sure how to. What if it... changes things between us?" Her voice breaking
Well, you'll have to tell him eventually," Aimee said, her voice soft but firm. "It's better if he hears it from you. You don't want to keep something like that hidden, right?" She could feel the faintest twinge of something in her own chest as she spoke, but she quickly pushed it aside.
Claudia nodded slowly, her gaze still distant. "I know. But I just... I don't know how he'll react. It's a lot to take in."
Aimee leaned in slightly, her tone softening as she spoke to Claudia, who was still clearly weighed down by uncertainty. "If he truly loves you like he says," Aimee said gently, "then it shouldn't be a problem. You're beautiful, Claudia, intelligent, and any man would be lucky to be with you.
Claudia's eyes softened at Aimee's words, though the doubt still lingered beneath the surface. "But what if... what if it changes how he feels?" she asked quietly, her voice wavering. "I don't want him to pity me."
Well, I'm sure you two will work it out," Aimee said, her voice smooth. "And when the time comes to tell him, just remember—you've got everything he could ever want.
As the two ladies chatted and laughed, their conversation shifting from Martin to their memories of childhood and old inside jokes, Aimee wandered over to Claudia's closet. She knew the mansion inside and out, having spent so many hours here over the years. Today, though, as she sifted through the elegant rows of gowns, she couldn't help but feel a certain... possessiveness. Each piece of clothing, each luxurious fabric, seemed like a reminder of the life Claudia had—a life Aimee had long envied.
After a moment of searching, her fingers brushed against a sleek black body-con gown. It was just the kind of dress that always caught her eye—a little daring, with a sharp silhouette that made a statement. She held it up, eyeing it with a mix of approval and a small, calculating smile.
"This one's cute," Aimee said, turning toward Claudia with the dress in hand. "You should totally wear it."
Claudia glanced over and chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "You know I'm not much for anything that short. It's... a bit too bold for my style."
Aimee's smile grew, her eyes glinting with something that was almost playful but carried a more subtle edge. "Well, that's true, but honestly, with your leg..." she trailed off, her gaze shifting to Claudia's limp, which she'd seen so often but chose to never mention directly. "It might be better to stick to the longer gowns, don't you think? You don't want to draw too much attention to it."
Claudia's face faltered slightly at Aimee's words, a fleeting hint of discomfort crossing her expression. Aimee saw it, and her smile widened just a bit. "You've always looked amazing in those long, elegant dresses. So much more graceful."
If you really want it, I guess you can have it," she said, trying to sound nonchalant, but Aimee could hear the subtle hint of reluctance in her voice.
Aimee beamed, feeling a rush of triumph. "Thanks! You know, it'll look great on me." She winked at Claudia, the sweet, innocent smile never quite masking the satisfaction in her eyes.
Claudia shrugged with a small, forced smile. "I guess if you say so…"
As Aimee tried on the dress, she couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of victory. Another piece of Claudia's world, just a little more in her grasp.
***************** The Next Day******
The next day at the university, Aimee and Claudia were sitting outside the lecture hall, chatting about the excitement building up.
Claudia couldn't hide her enthusiasm. "I can't believe Martin is arriving today, and we're going to meet him at the airport! I'm so excited!"
Aimee smiled, her eyes lighting up with happiness for her friend. "I'm happy for you," she replied, her voice soft and sincere.
Just then, Paulo, a course mate who always seemed to be lurking at the edges of their conversations, approached Aimee. His expression was serious, almost unnervingly so. He held out a single, almost dead rose in front of her, its petals barely clinging to the stem.
"To you, Aimee," he said in an overly dramatic tone, "I offer this, a symbol of my undying affection. Will you accept it, and perhaps... my love?"
The whole class that had been gathered nearby turned to look, their eyes widening in disbelief. Then, as if on cue, a burst of laughter erupted from the group
Aimee blinked, taken aback by the bizarre display. She didn't know whether to laugh or to apologize for Paulo's apparent lack of social awareness.