"Mom I can't breathe." Rella protested under Evie's tight embrace.
" I'm so sorry, it's been quite a while since I've been able to that." Her mom apologised pulling back a fraction. " I got carried away."
Rella's lips twitched as she struggled to hold back a smile. It felt so good to feel her mother's arms around her after so long. Rella had thought it was pointless to remain angry at her parents, Evie Cortes can be unbearable at times, manipulative even but she's still family and family stick by each other's side no matter what. Things might still be a tad bit awkward between them but she was glad to have taken the first step.
"Hi dad." Her father pulled her in a momentary hug, he looked older than the last time she saw him but still handsome nonetheless.
"I'm glad you could make it." He said. "Now your mother can stop losing sleep over you."
"As if you were any better." Her mom remarked. She turned to Rella then and said, "What about Stefan I thought he'll be joining us too?"
"He's away on a business trip, he won't be back for a few days."
Dinner was as she remembered, light hearted, full of fun banter even though her mom hates it when they have conversations over dinner, she simply got used to it.
"By the way, have you gotten any invitation from the White Rose?" her mom asked after they retired to the living room for coffee. Her father took his to the study and told them to call him when they need him.
"What is that?"
"Oh don't tell me you haven't heard of the most prestigious committee of society women dedicated to charitable causes."
" Yeah, no I haven't heard of them at all and why should an invitation from them matter? "
" My word you are a piece of work. Tsk." Evie said shaking her head at Rella who was still confused as to what interest these women have in her.
" Being one of the White Rose is the most coveted titles in the society these women are the movers and shakers they can seemingly make anything happen at their whim. I'm surprised you haven't gotten an invitation yet considering you're married into one of the most influential families in the city."
Rella scrunched up her nose. Great, the last thing she needed is to be in the company of those snobbish society women who use charity to show off.
" I am not interested in wearing silks and satins to parade myself in front of society just cause i am married to Stefan Diamond."
" You simply cannot refuse a White Rose invitation, to do that will get you blacklisted and shunned forever besides what they do is for a good cause and I know how much you enjoy all those charitable deeds. "
" Those were different because they were anonymous and I love anonymity. " Rella protested.
" You can't escape it it is your legacy as a Diamond Bride seeing as Catherine Diamond was one of their pioneers."
Rella almost choked on her coffee.
" Catherine Diamond as in Stefan Diamond?"
" Yes. His mother, God rest her soul. "
Unbelievable! She groaned. Now she can't come up with an excuse to reject them even if she wants to. But on the bright side Stefan might feel proud of her. She thought.
"It has always been one of my life long dreams to be a part of the White Rose or even have one of my daughters be one of them I can't believe it's you who will fulfill this dream."
Rella rolled her eyes at her mother's over enthusiasm Evie Cortes has always been an ambitious woman.
"How's the search for Cindy coming along?"
" It's promising." Was her mother's vague reply. She sipped her coffee and looked away.
" What do you mean? "
" I do believe your sister doesn't want to be found. You know how she is… " her mother looked uncomfortable all of a sudden. Rella scrunched up her brows, there was something her mom wasn't telling her and she isn't sure what.
" So you found nothing, not even a trace? "
" To tell you the truth," she said setting her coffee mug on the coffee table. "The private investigator we hired caught her trail in the French Riviera, it's the only lead we have in months and even that's turned cold."
French Riviera. Rella mused, Cindy must really be having the time of her life, she might not even have any intention of coming back at all. She should've said so to save Rella all that headache.
A loud crash that seemed to have come from upstairs interrupted her train of thoughts
"What is that?" She shot to her feet.
"Probably a cat." Her mom said. "I'll go and have a look."
But they don't have a cat.
Rella watched her mom scurry upstairs confused and suspicious. She waited a few more minutes but her mom still wasn't back yet. Rella started upstairs, went past her former bedroom before she head voices across the hall which happened to be Cindy's bedroom.
The door opened as soon as Rella got close and her mom emerged.
"Good heavens you scared me." Her mom exclaimed.
Rella's eyes narrowed, "Who were you talking to?"
"No one."
"I heard you talking to someone." Rella insisted.
"You must be mistaken."
Rella went past her into the room expecting to find someone but it was empty except for the lamp that was smashed. She could've sworn she heard her talking to someone.
"The neighbour's cat must've got in through the window." Her mom tried to explain but Rella wasn't sure she believed her.
"I think I should get going." Rella said eventually. "I'll go say goodbye to dad."
"Sure." With one last worried look at the closed door behind her, Evie Cortes followed her daughter down the hall.