Daphne, a terminally ill girl, falls for Xavier, a wealthy playboy, at a club. As they grow closer, secrets threaten to tear them apart. Xavier's true identity is revealed, and Daphne feels betrayed. But just as all hope seems lost, Daphne's health takes a devastating turn... and her life hangs in the balance. Will Xavier's love be enough to save her?
Chapter 1 No hard feelings
"Daphne dear, are you awake? Audrey is here to see you," a calm female voice, belonging to a woman in her late forties, resounded just outside Daphne's room. Daphne's closed doors were the only obstacle preventing them from seeing each other.
Turning in her bed, Daphne reluctantly rose to sit up. She looked at the clock and sighed inwardly. "Isn't it too early to visit someone?" she thought, but she didn't let the thought linger. After all, the person in question was Audrey, her childhood friend, known for her unusual behaviour.
"Baby, are you awake?" The calm voice of Daphne's mum came again, snapping her out of her reverie. "I am, Mum. Wait a second!" Daphne replied as she unhurriedly climbed out of bed. She walked towards the closed door at a normal pace and unlocked it. Greeted by the beautiful smile of her mother, which masked her fears well, she smiled and greeted her warmly. Her mother stretched out her arms in response to welcome her in a warm embrace, and she happily accepted the invitation.
"Pardon me if I don't join in your little family moment," a rather deep sensual voice came from just behind Daphne's mum. Raising her head over her mother's shoulders, she could see well who the voice belonged to. It was Audrey. She was dressed in a white shirt and denim shorts, her long blonde hair tied up in a ponytail. She was 5'7" tall with bright hazel eyes. Audrey was more of a wild card compared to Daphne, but she was always supportive, and Daphne couldn't ask for a better friend.
"Oh, sorry, didn't see you there, " Daphne said sarcastically with a smug smile on her face. "Oh, no problem. Are you done with your 'inside life' yet?" Audrey replied, returning the smug smile and folding her hands to establish her point. Daphne scoffed and looked away in annoyance.
"Okay, young ladies, I'll leave you two to yourselves. I'll inform you when breakfast is ready. Have fun!" Daphne's mum excused herself immediately as she made her way down the stairs towards the kitchen to make breakfast. It was already heated between Daphne and Audrey, and it was solely because of Audrey's last remark. Though Daphne wasn't surprised, she wasn't too happy about what she said either.
Turning around, she walked into her room in large strides, with Audrey following. Sitting on her bed, Daphne raised one of her eyebrows inquisitively. "Don't give me that look. I know it's too early to visit, but what I'm about to tell you simply can't wait. It might just be what you need to get yourself out of this hole you've been hiding in," Audrey said with enthusiasm.
Daphne, on the other hand, wasn't too excited to hear what she had to say. "Audrey, we've spoken about this. You never listen to me, do you? I've made it clear over and over again. Don't you understand? I don't want to go outside!"
Audrey didn't reply but instead brought out her phone swiftly and started to type away. Soon she gave a satisfying smile and turned to stare at Daphne. "I'm not going to listen to anything you have to say, young lady. You've always said what you wanted to say. Now listen. I'm your best friend, and we've known each other for years. Best friends don't just chat and make trouble, but they look out for each other too. Let me look out for you, Daphne."
She was satisfied seeing that Daphne was not protesting any longer. With a pitiful look on her face, however, she lay back down on the bed, lying partially on it. Letting out an exasperated sigh, she said barely audibly, "Okay, what is it?"
"It's about your health..." Audrey started but was interrupted by Daphne almost immediately, who had a startled expression on her face. However, Audrey didn't stop this time. She continued talking, not paying Daphne any attention."It's not a complete dead end, Daphne..." she said with her eyes glued to her phone screen.
"Wait a minute, Audrey..." Daphne protested, rubbing her numb eyelids with her fingers.
"You know how Google has all the answers these days, right...?"
"Can you please listen..." Daphne managed to utter with clenched jaws, clearly suppressing her rage.
"Your fate is not yet sealed. There's this website I found. They said there's still hope for..." Audrey said determined to finish what she started.
"You're not listening to me, Audrey!"
Daphne shouted in response."Not me, you! Listen, it says here, it says there's a way..." Audrey tried to show her the phone.
"You can't keep cutting me sh..."
"There's a way you can live to forty years!" Audrey shouted persistently. "You heard right!" she continued with a calm voice. "That's like a big boom for us, right?!"
"Enough!!!!" Daphne shouted in frustration. "Enough! I have heard enough! I understand that you're trying to help, but I don't need it, at least not anymore! I don't want your help! All those solutions you have, do me a favour and keep them to yourself. I don't want to ever discuss this with you..." She continued angrily, standing up from her bed.
"I can very well see the situation I'm in, and I don't need your help to assess it. Thank you, but I'll pass! I'm the only one who can relate to what I feel, no one else and definitely not you. So please, I'm begging you in the name of God, can you stop trying and leave me alone? Can you do that? Please," she concluded, her eyes glistening with suppressed tears.
After a few moments, Audrey folded her hands and tilted her head. She gradually made to leave the room but stopped just in front of the door. Slowly, she turned back to stare at Daphne, who was currently fuming and desperately wiping the defiant tears that managed to escape her eyes. She looked away when she realised she was staring at her.
Daphne could recognize the expression on her face. She was mad, and for a moment, Daphne felt bad for raising her voice to her. That feeling, however, lasted only for a while. It was her who was going to die soon. No hard feelings, but Audrey can go ahead and do her worst.
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