Sabrina's Pov
Coral's sleek car drove its way through the iron gates, ushering us into a world I had only ever dreamt of. It was a stunning estate. A testament to wealth and privilege. The driveway alone had more grandeur than I had ever seen in my life, adorned with a breathtaking fountain filled with exotic, multi-colored fish. As we were briefly stopped by the gate guards to confirm our entry, I gazed in wonder at the sprawling property, my mind wondering at the thought of who might own such an extravagant estate. A business mogul, maybe? Coral's car rolled to a stop in the lavish parking lot, among a fleet of luxury vehicles and sleek limousines. Stepping out of the car, I was met with the sight of elegantly dressed guests strolling towards the grand estate, their evening gowns and designer suits shimmering in the fading light. As they made their way towards the party, I couldn't help but feel a bit out of place. My borrowed dress, though stunning, couldn't mask the fact that I was an imposter in this world of wealth and sophistication. Following Coral's lead into the party, I was even more awed at the luxury setting of the party. "So, what do you think?" she whispered to me as we stood by the entrance, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "It's incredible," I breathed, my voice hushed in reverence. But my gaze was drawn to a sensation I couldn't shake off. It was the weight of a hundred eyes upon me. A hush fell over the crowd, and every head turned in my direction, their whispers rippled through the room. I blinked, unsure whether it was me they were staring at or Coral or possibly someone else behind us. I glanced behind me, then to Coral's way, and back to the hundreds of eyes that were fixated on me, confirming that it was truly me whom they were staring at. I blinked again, feeling my palms turn glassy. I clutched my dress by the sides, tightening my fists together, feeling nervous and awkward. Why were they staring at me this way? Coral, seemingly oblivious to the whispers and stares that had engulfed us, smiled at me as she slid her arm over mine. "Come on," she said with a hint of lightness in her voice, "let's go mingle with some of the guests." Coral led me along with her, greeting her acquaintances, smiling and waving at them as she navigated the party with ease. Meanwhile, I trailed behind her, feeling like a sheep being led to an unknown fate. With every passing second, the stares were becoming more unsettling, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was somehow out of place. At the moment, I couldn't help but wish I had listened to my gut and declined Coral's invitation. What was it about me that had everyone's attention? Was there something on me that was causing this strange reaction? Stopping in front of a table, Coral greeted the ladies who were already staring at us, their gaze focused intently on me. They wore expressions of confusion and curiosity, except for a single girl, whose gaze seemed to dance with amusement. "Hey, Olivia. Quite late, aren't I?” Coral joked as she spoke to the girl who was staring at me with an amused look. But Olivia's attention remained fixed on me. Her eyes fixated on me or rather, on my dress. "Is that the latest Louis Vuitton? The one from the recent London fashion show?" I was stunned and I blinked as Olivia's question came. Shifting my eyes to Coral, I shot her a pleading look, hoping she would bail me out since it was her dress. But she coolly took a sip of Olivia's drink, averting her gaze from mine, leaving me to fend for myself. I swallowed hard and looked back to Olivia, mustering up whatever courage I could find. "Yes," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper, "It is." "I see. You're quite the catch, aren't you?" Olivia mused, her voice hinting at disappointment. She summoned a waiter, sipping from the drink he offered before waving him away. "So, tell me, which family do you come from?" The question hung heavy in the air, and I shifted uncomfortably, caught off guard by her inquiry. My gaze flitted between Olivia, her friends, and Coral, who seemed to be doing her best to ignore me, her finger idly tracing the rim of her wine glass. “I...” I stammered, a feeling of dread rising in my stomach. Coral’s nonchalance gave off a weird vibe. Why was she ignoring me and leaving me alone to handle this situation myself when she had practically dragged me here against my will? What was her game? I gathered my composure and turned back to Olivia. "Both of my parents are late," I admitted. “I have no family.” "Too bad," Olivia replied, the words dripping with indifference as she sipped her drink. "So, you must have a wealthy boyfriend or some rich sugar daddy funding your lifestyle, right? That dress didn't come cheap." “I don’t.” My reply seemed to throw her off balance again and she peered at the dress with renewed suspicion, her gaze boring into me. "I find it hard to believe," Her words were coated with skepticism. "How could someone without connections and money manage to get their hands on such an expensive gown? Even I, the girlfriend of one of the richest men in the country, had difficulty getting it. Are you a secret millionaire or something?" "That dress is, without a doubt, the real deal," Thankfully, Coral finally spoke up. Her eyes flickered to the dress on my body, her eyes glinting subtly in what looked like mischief. Then, she looked back at Olivia again."And if you have any doubts, well, there's one sure way to find out." At first, Olivia shot Coral an inquisitive look, and then, a second later, a ripple of realization spread across the group, as one of the girls clicked her fingers in understanding. "Jeffrey!" the girl exclaimed and then started to search into the crowd with her eyes. She caught the sight of a middle-aged man amidst the crowd and waved him over as soon as their eyes met, her voice resounding across the room. "Jeff, over here!" The man, Jeff, approached with a warm smile gracing his features. He exchanged a cordial kiss on the cheek with each of the women, Olivia included, before turning his attention to me. But then, his eyes widened with surprise and confusion, fixated on the shimmering dress that adorned my frame. He halted, his lips parting in stunned silence as if he had just seen a ghost. "Wait a minute... is that our latest design?" Olivia, eager to add fuel to the fire, introduced him with a sly grin. "Jeffery here works for Louis Vuitton as a designer, so he's quite the expert on spotting fakes." Jeffrey's gaze on me was unblinking. "Where did you get this dress? Did you purchase it directly from Louis Vuitton?" Glad for Coral's subtle nod of approval, I mustered a steady voice. "Yes," I responded. "I did." Frustration welled up within me as Jeffery continued to scrutinize my dress. The whispers and stares only intensified my irritation, making me feel like a caged animal on display for the enjoyment of these rich, self-important aristocrats. "Look, I don't understand..." I began, but Jeffery's interruption silenced my words. "I'll tell you what's going on," he said, his tone cool and measured. “The design is indeed ours. But something doesn't quite add up. "There are so many inconsistencies here. First, our customer list doesn't include your name, unless, of course, someone bought this for you. Second, the stitching on the dress is off, it's too thick." Then, without warning, he grasped the fabric and turned it inside out, his eyes searching for something. A scoff escaped his lips as he located what he was looking for. A surge of indignation coursed through me as he did that and I knocked his hand away. Jeffery retreated, his expression morphing into one of disgust. "And finally," he continued, "the label is supposed to be sewn into the arm of the dress, not the neck. You, madam, are wearing a knock-off." My heart sank as his words reverberated through the hushed crowd and a ripple of gasps and laughs fluttered through the girls. Even Coral let a smile escape her lips. My head reeled with confusion as I turned to face her. "Coral? Wh…what is going on here?" "I'm sorry, Rina," she said, her expression contorting into one of pity. "But if you couldn't afford the dress, you shouldn't have bought a fake. It's just not a good look to pretend you're one of us." One of us? What the hell was going on here? Was this some sort of joke or what? “But Coral, you…” “I'm sorry, bestie.” Coral shook her head pitifully at me while an amused look played on her lips. “But I cannot save you this time.” “Wh…wh…” I stuttered, my lips quivering as tears brimmed inside my eyes. Was this some sort of joke? What was she playing at? Was this…was this some sort of setup? Around me, I heard the whispers of everyone and the small side laughs. "It's a fake. I knew it." "She'd actually wear a fake dress to a party like this? Does she think we're stupid?" "She's utterly shameless. I'm repulsed." "She wants to be one of us so badly. What a pathetic little girl." The room seemed to spin, their words piercing my soul, leaving me wounded and exposed. My hands fumbled for the hem of the dress, longing to rip it off and free myself from the humiliation. The room spun, the laughter swirling around me ripping at my heart, cutting me to the core. I couldn't take it anymore. I clutched at the dress, turning on my heel, and fled, escaping from the cruel laughter, of the venomous words. I ran, not knowing where I was going, only that I needed to be away, far away from this humiliation. And the betrayal of my own best friend. >>>>Sabrina’s PovIt was raining now but I did not care. My legs carried me behind the building, the shadows of the structure providing a temporary respite from the deluge outside. I leaned against the cool, damp wall, allowing the rain to drench me as I slid down to the ground. Seeing that I was all alone now, I let the tears flow freely. My shoulders shook with each unstifled sob, bitter tears mingling with the raindrops on my skin.At that moment, the painful memories of my high school days came rushing through my mind. The biting comments, the ruthless teasing the reminder of my poverty and lack of family, the soul-crushing feeling of being an outcast. All of it came rushing back in vivid detail. And on days like that when I was picked on, it was Coral who stood up for me and defended me from the kids when no one else would.In the blink of an eye, the past dissolved, and I found myself thrust back into the present, a present where my trusted ally had become my betrayer. The laughter
Sabrina’s PovWhen I got home, I slept off even though I was shivering in the cold. I was woken up the next morning with Coral pushing aside the curtains, allowing the subtle bright sunlight to seep through the windows and hit my eyes. I blinked, my eyes fluttering open against the sudden intrusion of light, only to find Coral standing before me, her figure illuminated by the morning's rays.I sat up on the bed, rubbing my hands over my body from the cold of last night. I was still feeling really cold and shivering slightly.“Good morning!” Coral beamed a smile at me as our eyes met and she drew the last curtain in the mirror aside. “Did you have a wonderful sleep?”As Coral stood before me, cheerful and all smiles, my mind scrambled to make sense of the situation. Was the party from last night only a mere figment of my imagination, or perhaps a dream?The pain in my heart ached with a clarity that denied any illusion. Every moment, every twisted smile, every whispered insult from the
SABRINA'S POV All my belongings, including my books, a few clothes and jewelry fit into the only box I had. The box was a bit worn at the edges but since I can't afford to buy a better one at such a notice, it will have to do for now.Looking around the room to be sure nothing of mine was left behind, because I am pretty sure if I left anything behind, Coral will definitely throw it in the garbage. I sighed deeply as I took hold of the box and walked out of the room that I have lived in for the past two years of my life.Coral, who is sitting on the couch, watching the TV in the sitting room, continued flipping from one channel, doesn't even bother to acknowledge me as I dragged my box past her chair and opened the door. I was just about to close the door when she finally turned to me, eyes practically shooting daggers at me,“Don't ever step foot in my house again, you low life!” She spat out venomously.Not having the energy to respond to her, I quietly shut the door of her apartme
I was wrong! My day gets more shitty I thought as I ran into Greg at the staircase on my way back from the restroom and headed to the counter. Already dressed in the Cafe's stipulated dress code of blue jeans and a Kings Palace Cafe white T-shirt, I feel a bit more comfortable. I still don't get the rationale behind using a white T-shirt as a uniform for a Cafe. “Well, well well! Look who the cat got dragged in!” He drawled “Hello, Greg!” I greeted forcing a smile “You are late Rina,” he said trying to look down his nose at me For a man who is barely 5 ft 3, with a slim body build and average looks, let's just say his intimidation tactics aren't working. “I apologize for my tardiness, it won't happen again sir” adding the ‘sir’ to stroke his ego a little. “Hmmm, make sure it doesn't happen again” “It won't sir!” “Well, I heard from a little birdie that someone who looks exactly like you, was seen entering this Cafe with her luggage, that could not have been you right
Sabrina’s POV “I hope you didn't spit into the coffee cup after I turned my back” Mr Hottie said the moment I placed his order on the table.“I'm a professional sir and would never do that” I stated forcefully, already feeling annoyed.“Oh don't get yourself all riled up, I was only kidding” “With all due respect sir, that was an expensive joke that could cost me my job if someone had heard you” I hissed “You are right, that was out of line and I am sorry about that” he said, raising his hands in a gesture of peace, before picking up his coffee and taking a sip. He took a minute to savor the taste before gulping down the rest of the content in one swoop.“You make a mean cup of coffee, this tastes really good, welldone.” If he thought his commendation would ease the sting of his poor attempt to joke, he had something else coming.“Thank you, I guess.” I replied grudgingly, still a little pissed at him.“Why don't you take a seat?” He gestured to the chair across from him.“I don't
Sabrina's Pov By the time I got back home from the cafe where I worked, it was already nighttime and the only thought that ran through my head was to jump right into the shower, and eat some home-cooked dinner made by my best friend and roommate; Coral, and then fall right into sleep, while trying my best not to let the thoughts of my piling debts and student loans interfere with my rest and pull me into insomnia. I stepped through the threshold of our apartment, to be greeted by the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen. My stomach responded with a rumble, eagerly anticipating the moment that I would devour it. "Hey, Rina," Coral's warm voice called out as she walked out of the kitchen to welcome me. There was a beaming smile stretching across her face, her coffee-colored eyes twinkling with a delight that seemed to hint at something. “Hey, Coral. What's cooking?” I shamelessly allowed my appetite to take the lead. “Oh, that. I was making us some Mac and cheese for dinner bu