Enemies by Fate, Lovers by Choice

After Luna walked out of the restaurant with her friends, she was interrogated by them while Maria continued her work, attending to the customers with her usual warmth and grace. As the evening approached, Maria's shift neared its end, and she went home.

 

While she was resting, she remembered to send her address to Luna. She lay on the couch and thought whether Luna would come alone or should bring Lilith. However, she remembered that they parted ways without a word. Based on the last time she saw Lilith, along with the lies that the man conveyed, she knew Lilith hated her.

 

Maria sighed and felt tired again. She felt sad and regretted not continuing to reach out to Lilith, but she was also suffering at that time. She's not a saint. At that time, when Lilith looked at her as if she had betrayed her, she felt hurt and disappointed by Lilith. It was the worst feeling. She needed someone at that time, but no one was there. That's why, even though Mira didn't say anything, she could feel her daughter's hatred and reluctance to get close to Luna, and she understood the reason very well.

 

Maria felt that Luna, like Mira, was innocent, but smart kids like them could sense underlying tensions. She speculated that Luna might be aware of her and Lilith's past, but appreciated Luna's considerate and polite nature. After reflecting, Maria smiled again.

 

Before making a call to Mira, Maria checked the time.

 

"Mom?" Mira answered the phone as she was getting ready for work.

 

"Have you eaten?" Maria asked.

 

Mira smiled and sat for a moment, having already finished her breakfast. "Yes, Mom. How's work?"

 

"Oh, you won't believe it. I saw Luna today, your classmate," Maria shared excitedly.

 

Mira, who had accidentally left her phone behind, finally remembered what she had forgotten.

 

"How did you two meet?" Mira inquired.

 

"She ate at the restaurant where I am working. She might know me because we look alike. Anyway, she will come here on my day off," Maria explained.

 

Mira widened her eyes, thinking, 'Since when did Mom and Luna become so close that Mom quickly invited the person she just met?'

 

"But you just met her, Mom," Mira remarked.

 

"And so? She's pretty and looks kind. Isn't she the one you met at Garden Villa?" Maria chuckled, teasing Mira.

 

Mira was speechless, but at the same time, she thought about her mother's loneliness and the importance of having visitors. 'Maybe I can trust Luna a little.'

 

"Fine, will you please send me Luna's number, Mom?" Mira relented, deciding to talk to Luna later.

 

"Okay."

 

"Mom, just send me the number. I have to go now," Mira said, then she went out and saw Vivian.

 

"Are you going to work now?" Vivian asked as soon as she saw Mira.

 

"Yes."

 

"Then, let's go together. I'm also on my way," Vivian suggested.

 

"Okay," Mira agreed.

 

Maria, who was still on the phone, listened and thought about how her daughter wouldn't easily shy away from free rides, but she didn't think it was appropriate since Vivian was her superior.

 

"Honey, is it okay to ride in your superior's car?" Maria asked, worriedly.

 

"No, Mom. Sister Vivian is not my superior outside the company, she's a friend," Mira reassured her.

 

Vivian smiled as she drove, glancing at Mira through the mirror before focusing on the highway.

 

"Alright, treat her sometime, okay?" Maria suggested.

 

"Yes, Mom."

 

"Okay, I'll be sleeping now. Take care," Maria bid her daughter goodnight.

 

"Okay, goodnight, Mom."

 

"Goodnight."

 

Mira hung up the phone and saved Luna's number that was sent by her mother.

 

Vivian, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke. "Are you getting used to it here now?"

 

Mira looked up from her phone to Vivian. "Yes, I wasn't feeling well during the first week here, maybe because of the weather."

 

"That's good. You might feel homesick later, but you will get used to it too," Vivian reassured her.

 

"I think I'm starting to feel homesick," Mira admitted.

 

"It's okay, I used to be like that too. My sister always stayed by my side back in our country and took good care of me in everything to the point that she even forgot to have her own life. So when I came here alone, I got homesick so quickly, but I endured it. Now look, I'm already used to it, and my sister will also stay with me from time to time before she does what she wants. It's much better now," Vivian shared. Even though she argues with her sister at every chance, deep inside, she's really grateful and proud of her sister because she became a mother and father to her, even though her sister was just a child too and was meant to be taken care of.

 

"You two really have a good relationship."

 

"Are you envious?"

 

"A little."

 

"Hahaha, then find someone who will take care of you too. Maybe you can find it in our company."

 

"Sister Vivian, I would rather be envious than find someone. Besides, I'm just getting started in my career."

 

"Yes, yes, yes, but still having fun from time to time isn't bad," Vivian insisted.

 

Mira just smiled and shook her head. She's really not interested in getting into a relationship. What she wants is to develop her skills, gain more knowledge, and experience. She has a big dream, and any distractions right now need to be eliminated or avoided.

 

"Geez... fine, I won't say it anymore. By the way, my sister won't come home on weekends. Can I eat at your place?"

 

"Sure, I will also treat you outside when I get my first salary."

 

"Hahaha, sure. Let's drink some wine this weekend. I have a good wine hidden we can drink it later."

 

"Okay," Mira said, nodding. She never tried alcohol before. But she knew that in the career she wanted to pursue, meeting people and attending events would be important. And sometimes, people drink at these events. So, she thought it might be good to learn how to drink a little now so she's ready for those situations in the future.