The Hidden Corpse and the Ghosts Truth

(The Anderson's Mansion)

The happiness written all over Gloria's face was uncontainable. A beautiful smile spread across her lips, illuminating her eyes and making her face glow. She clasped her hands together in excitement, bouncing up and down on the couch. She was itching to reveal her words. It can be so annoying to be kept waiting, especially when you've got something important to say. She gazed around the living room, taking in the high ceilings, crystal chandelier, and plush furniture.

This is so extravagant and adorable

The living room alone was three times bigger than the room she shared with her own husband. In a fleeting moment, her eyes suddenly landed at a picture frame hung on the wall. She stared at it like she was seeing it for the first time, despite the fact that she saw it more often every time she visited. She couldn't help appreciating the loveliness of the wedding picture. It was such a prominent one among the pictures her best friend took during the occasion. Like it was fresh, the memory of Vanessa's grand wedding day flooded her mind and she could almost hear the laughter and music. Indeed, Vanessa was super excited on that day. She married her dream husband after all, even though their relationship seemed complicated.

She kind of envied her best friend. Luck seemed to be following Vanessa everywhere she went. Unlike her, Vanessa was endowed with all the riches in the world. She was well educated and had become the executive vice president of the company owned by her grandmother, who happened to be the founder as well the CEO in the Anderson Corporation. Her story could have been a perfect one if she had given birth to a child of her own, but the Almighty understood best. Even though Gloria's story was quite the opposite, she felt she still had an upper hand over her friend, Vanessa.

Gloria jolted back to reality when she spotted a young lady in an apron approaching. Her eyes fell on the tray containing a glass of fruit juice that the maid was holding.

"Good afternoon Ms. Gloria. Ma'am Vanessa said she will join you shortly," the maid smiled politely as she set the tray on the small table beside Gloria.

"Oh, thank you Beatrice," Gloria reciprocated the smile, reaching for the cold drink. It was like an answered prayer for her, given how scorching the sun was. Only the chilled drink could quench her thirst at that moment. Promptly after the maid left, she gulped the juice down her throat and quickly returned back the cup to the tray, so that her low class attitude wouldn't be noticed. Then she hastily wiped the moisture from her mouth with her palm, and rubbed off her palm against her dress.

"Gloria."

She heard Vanessa call her name while walking gracefully down the stairs.

"It's so good to see you."

In no time, she stood up and met Vanessa halfway, pulling each other close for a warm hug and exchanged a kiss on their cheeks. "Me too," she responded before resuming her seat.

"What brings you here?"

Gloria's eyes remain fixed on Vanessa as she settled beside her. Her teeth shone widely, hoping her weird attitude would bring out a sense of clue.

"Hey! What is it? You look happy," Vanessa mirrored her smile.

"Don't you notice anything different?"

"Different?"

"Yeah... Like something unusual about me."

Vanessa's confusion deepened. She studied Gloria from head to toe before giving her a clueless look. "No I don't. You look the same to me. What's this about?"

"Alright, just try guessing."

"Come on, Gloria. You know I hate guessing. Just save me the stress."

Gloria bursted out a joyful smile, "Fine... Well, I'm two weeks gone!" She thought this news of hers would trigger some kind of elation from Vanessa, but contrarily, Vanessa didn't seem happy about it. She sensed Vanessa's surprised attitude, but the silence that followed was unexplainable.

"You are pregnant too?"