Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

*Always and forever*

"I can't believe you didn't tell me what happened. I kept calling but you weren't answering your phone, I was scared to shit!" Hannah cried out as she perched at the edge of the Queen size bed. Janice was sitting upright on the silky royal golden bed, propped up by pillows.

"I was unconscious for a while. My father was greatly distressed. I'm sorry to have made you worry. But I'm doing fine now." She yawned and stretched.

Mr Briggs, the chauffeur had picked them up at the hospital and took them home. By the time they arrived, it was already a quarter past 11 pm. When they got home, her father helped her to the bedroom.

Sleep had evaded her last night. she glanced at the clock, It was 4 am! She kept tossing on the bed pleading for sleep to come but it didn't. With tired eyes, she stared at the ceiling lost in the whirlpool of emotions, replaying the events of that day. Before she realized it, sleep crept up on her.

She yawned and stretched again. The dark circles under her eyes were prominent.

"I'd wager you didn't sleep well last night. What's wrong?" Hannah said as she reached out and stroked Janice's hands.

Janice tucked her messy blonde hair behind her ear and fiddled with the hem of her satin night dress. A complex emotion stirred in her heart. She bit her lower lip nervously. She'd find out sooner or later so there's no point keeping the truth from her best friend. Hannah would be so mad at her for going back to drugs.

Hannah gently placed her hands around her back as she edged closer. "You can tell me anything remember?"

Janice shut her eyes for some moments before she spoke.

"I went back to being a doper." The words fell out like a block of ice on Hannah's shoulders. Her grey orbs dilated with shock at her confession.

"W-why Jane?! After all these years? I-I thought you would change!" She bewailed.

"I'm sorry Hannah. I tried but I couldn't quit it. I went sober for years but when he vanished, I-I was empty inside again. Nonetheless, my mother's death left an indelible mark in my heart but... I thought he made me alive again and I... couldn't handle the emotions churning inside of me!" She said, training her imploring eyes on Hannah's.

Hannah sucked in a great deal of air through her pointy nostrils and released it loudly. It seems like Janice no longer trusts her to even tell her this from the onset. They are best friends since way back with no secrets between them. Ever since this Drake dude came into the picture, everything is gradually changing for Janice.

She forced a smile at Janice. "Did your Dad know?"

Janice nodded slowly and in response, Hannah shook her head. Pain panged in her stomach.

"And how is your old man taking it? Did he ask you directly?"

"He confirmed from the doctor's report. I saw it in his eyes-that distressed look but he never asked me directly. Yesterday was...very emotional and sad. I cried, telling him how sorry I was but... We have not had time to sit down and have a long talk about this yet"

"I didn't expect you would keep a secret Jane, what happened to the " no secrets till we die" promise?"

"I'm sorry Hannah, I didn't mean to"

"It's because of Drake right? What's so special about him anyway that made you go back to drugs?" Hannah inquired with her brows rising furiously.

"Drake really? You also have your reservations about him too?!" She cast an incredulous look and rolled her eyes at her.

"I just feel it's kinda weird how he disappeared like that and then suddenly shows up and now you're hurt?"

"It's an accident, Hannah! What the hell are you insinuating? He saved me."

"You have never taken any guy seriously until now. But really Jane, do you think he feels anything for you? And besides, I'm trying not to sound negative here but let's face the fact, do you think your father will eventually approve of your..." Thing" if I should call it so. Don't get me wrong, I'm willing to support you if that's what makes you happy."

She got a point though. Would father approve? Wait a minute. Approve what exactly? What are they? She wondered. Right, Just fuck buddies. Drake hadn't confessed to having any feelings for her even when they had sex a couple of times.

He probably sees her as someone to just shag with. Or is this karma getting at her? For all these years she messed around, treating guys like objects of boredom.

Breaking her line of thoughts, Hannah nestled her hand around Janice's neck and pressed her head against her face. The faint scent of her expensive perfume tingled her nose."follow your heart, Jane and I'm always here to support you. Always and forever." She said as she jutted out her pinky finger at her to which Janice did the same.

"Always and forever." She said firmly.

Hannah gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

Janice returned the squeeze with a breezy smile on her face.

"How about you? Who's your newfound love? After your French sweetheart, Lucien cheated on you?" Janice arched her brows curiously at her friend and poked at her teasingly.

Hannah swatted her hands off her with a smirk on her face.

"Lucien was a veritable Casanova and a total jerk. He thought decorating my lawn with expensive flowers and buying me cars and designer bags will make me run to his arms after all he's done! I was a big fool to have believed him! I don't wanna see that bastard's face ever again!" She burned with anger as her face contorted in disgust at the mention of that Devil that brought hell into her life. Well, it's been three years and in the past. And she intended it to remain so.

"Urgghhhh! As if my day is not ruined enough. For the love of God Jane, don't make me remember that asshole." She groaned.

A sarcastic snicker slipped from Janice's lips like a stifled hiccup.

"Oh no, you don't!" Hannah swiftly pinned her friend to the bed, hovering over her with a leery smile on her face as she began pummeling light blows on her friend's stomach.

this made Janice giggle sheepishly."Okay, I'm sorry!"

The panting Hannah retracted and scowled at her."Right, you're are!"

"But I was asking you who your newfound lover was and not about Lucian..or could it be... You never stopped thinking about him and what could have been?" By reflex, she covered her belly with her hands.

A burst of raspy laughter escaped Hannah's lips.

"Oh gosh, Jane! Yes, I did think about what could have been but that was in the past now. And as for a newfound lover...."

Hazel eyes piercing grey eyes with brows rising.

"I don't have one. But my boss has been giving me the lecherous look lately. He's no different from Lucien considering the girls fawning over him. But I feel nothing for him."

Janice clicked her tongue.

"Alright, it's just a mere infatuation. It will blow over I promise!" She retorted.

"That's how it all begins"

"I'd wring my neck if I will end up in his bed!"

"I will have your words for it. I will help you snap that cute little neck of yours when the time comes." Janice said as her lips curved into a mischievous smile.

The girls giggled heartily.

"You reek girl!" Hannah hurled the pillow at her.

She sniffed her armpits and grimaced. She didn't have the time to bathe since yesterday after the incident.

"You bet! Why don't you help me scrub my back like old times?" She implored as she pushed the protesting Hannah to the bathroom.