Billionaire's Badass Bride

Chapter 3

_ The Internship _

Amira sits on the green grass.

So close to Mom's tombstone.

I kneel beside her, placing the flowers on top of the stone.

Staring at the stone, I pull my sister close. I'm wondering if Mom is watching over us up there. Wondering if she's proud of the women we've become after all these years.

I was twelve when my mother died. It's been nine years since the ordeal struck but her death still feels like it happened yesterday. The wounds are still so fresh. The grief is still so raw and naked. And every time during her anniversary, it's an ugly reminder that she is gone forever. That we will never see her again. I feel like she left with a big piece of my heart. Now an empty space is left there that no one will ever fill.

I wish she was here. With us. But because I know that's impossible, I often find myself wishing that I could just forget it and move on.

I know it's a selfish thing to say but maybe forgetting will make it hurt less. Remembering is so painful. That's why I loathe death anniversaries.

Lonah took us in and treated us like her children when Mom died. She loved us and cared for us and we never lacked. She even paid for school fees and was always present for every school function.

It took me a long time to start calling her 'Mom'. Amira just calls her Lonah. She refuses to call her Mom.

And even though she's such a sweet and kind parent to Amira and I, I still can't move on from Mom.

Lonah joins us a few minutes later. She's holding a bouquet, dressed in a black dress. She sits on the grass, next to me and places the flowers on top of the stone.

"Sorry I'm late, kids," she says softly, hugging the both of us.

"I still miss her so much." Amira cries. "So damn much!"

"I miss my best friend too," says Lonah. "There is not a day that passes by and I don't wish that she was still here with us. There's a lot of things she's missed out on and it breaks my heart. Things that we used to look forward to. And now she's not here to share them with me."

Mom and Lonah were high-school best friends. They were so close that they did everything together. After high school, they even went to the same college and were roommates.

Sometimes she cries when she reminisces on those days. Those long gone days...

My mom was very lucky to have Lonah as her best friend. I don't know where we would have ended up if she didn't taken us in after her sudden death.

After sharing a few moments of silence, we decide to leave.

I sit in the driver's seat when we climb into Mom's car.

Through the rearview mirror, I can't help but notice how dull and pale Amira is. She seems to be deep in thought. Distant.

"Baby? Are you okay?" Mom asks her.

She plasters a smile.

"I'm fine, Lonah."

"How is Darren?" She asks again.

"He's fine. He couldn't make it because he had to be at work." My sister explains, looking out the window.

"And your honeymoon?"

"Lonah? I need some silence. Please?"

I throw a sharp glare her way.

"Amira?"

She rolls her eyes.

"What have I done now, Saint Terra!"

"You are being rude to her!" I snap. "She just asked about your honeymoon. You should apologise."

Mom rubs my back gently.

"Okay girls. That's enough. It's fine."

"No! It's not fine, Mom! Amira keeps disrespecting you and dismissing you. Insteading of calling her out, you keep ignoring it and shrugging it off like it's nothing! And I'm so tired of watching it!"

My sister scowls at me.

She turns to Mom with a fake smile.

"I'm sorry, Mom. My honeymoon was great. And my husband was great. Oh, the visit to our dead mother was great too. Any more questions?"

Mom shrugs.

"No, I'm sorry. You must be exhausted."

"Happy now, Terra?"

I just scowl at her and brush it off. I can't believe Mom keeps letting her get away with this.

Amira huffs, looking guilty.

"Sorry, Lonah. My honeymoon was great. I'm just exhausted, that's all. Plus, Mom's anniversary brings back everything and it-"

Mom beams.

"It's fine, baby. I understand."

****

The class has been a big yawn today.

I couldn't wait for it to end.

I sigh in relief as Mrs Duff packs her big books in her briefcase and leaves.

Just before we leave, an ear-splitting scream stops me that second.

Aimee.

Her face is full of horror and shock like she just saw a ghost.

I look down at her white dress. Gum is stuck on her ass. She's screaming in disbelief.

"Poor thing," Dee scoffs. "The designer dress must cost a fortune."

I turn to look at Dee, giggling and making faces. She did this to Aimee without a doubt! You can see the satisfaction and victory on her face.

Ren tries to help Aimee but she storms out of the room angrily, panting and fuming.

"Whoever did that, It's not funny!" He barks at the class.

Yeah, that's not funny.

And sadly, it's his best friend that did that. I can bet on my Mom's grave that Dee pulled that sick prank on her because she hates her.

Dee chuckles.

"Yeah! I agree with you, Ren. it's not funny at all!"

****

At the cafeteria, Ren keeps staring at Dalia suspiciously and silently until she shoots at him.

"What?"

"Is it you?" He demands. "Did you do it?"

I sip on my hot tea, waiting for the drama to unfold.

Dee chews on her chips and asks with a sick smile.

"Do what?"

"That stupid prank on Aimee?"

"Why would I do something so horrendous?"

"Because you hate her."

She stays silent, giggling and making stupid faces.

"f**k! It's you! Why would you do something like that, Dee? That's just so low of you!"

She grunts.

"It's not a big deal, okay? I admit it. I just don't like that bitch."

"You don't like that b***h. Or you don't like me f*****g that b***h!"

"Oh please! Do you think this is about you, Ren? I don't care who you bang as long as it's not me or Terra, bro! And as long as it's not on our couch."

He glares at her.

"Don't pull stupid pranks on Aimee. What if you get into trouble? It will be a load of work getting you out, you know?"

She gushes.

"Awwwww!!! That's so sweet of you!"

Ren blushes. "Shut the f**k up! I mean it! Stop getting yourself in trouble. I hate it!"

"I love you too." She blows him kisses.

I told you they are in love. A lot of love.

And also in denial! A lot of denial.

****

The weekend is here.

The following week, we're supposed to begin our internship.

I still haven't gotten an email back and it's a little discouraging. I've applied in a number of companies but still, no response.

Ren and Dee got their letters and they'll be working in the same company. I'm a little jealous that they get to work at the same place.

As for me, I want to work a bit far from home and school. I want to be an intern in a new town and meet new people.

"You know, you don't have to go so far away from home." Dee suggests as she stirs the beef stew.

Still doing the dishes, I spin to look at her.

"I haven't even gotten a single email back."

"I pray that you don't!"

"Shut up, Dee!"

"I mean it, Dee! You'll be two continents away. I f*****g hate missing people and you know that."

I shrug.

"It's not like I'm going forever, Dee. It's just three months. Only three months."

"Promise you'll be coming over on weekends."

"Promise."

But I'm pretty sure I'll be choosing sleep over driving for miles. I have a bad habit of cancelling plans just to sleep in.

Ren swings the door open, carrying a bag of groceries and a bottle of wine.

"Your sweet slave is back, queens!"

He packs the groceries in the fridge and raises the bottle of wine. He grins and shrieks in excitement.

"It's a celebration!"

"What's the occasion?" I ask.

"Make a guess!!!"

"Aimee is dead?" Dee grins.

"You wish!" He rolls his eyes. "We'll be interns next week, guys! We've been looking forward to this moment and it's finally here! And we are doing it together! How cool is that!"

"Ummm, Ren?" I clear my throat. "I still don't have a-"

"Oh, yeah." Ren frowns. "Sucks for you. Guess the wine is just for the two of us then."

"Not funny, asshole."

I show him the middle finger.

Ren sighs and moves closer to me. He helps finish up with the dishes.

He turns to look at me.

"Worrying is stupid. You'll obviously get a spot in one of the companies. Sucks to admit but you're so smart. Even smarter than me. And not to forget. Luck loves you, loser."

I look up at him and smile, wishing I could believe him.

My phone buzzes in the pockets of my jeans.

I dry my hands using the table cloth and fish out my phone.

I drop the phone the second I see the email.

Ren and Dee stare at me in surprise.

"YOU GOT IT?" Dee screams.

I nod, still in disbelief.

Ren fakes a frown.

"Why didn't I think of making a bet with this loser?"

As my friends laugh and pour the wine, I'm still frozen in shock.

I got the internship!

I. Got. It.

****