Chapter 7 Meeting Her Friend
855 Words
But in reality, there wasn't much for Lillian to do.
As soon as she entered the bathroom, Claude promptly shooed her out. Clearly, he had no intention of actually letting her help.
Lillian held back a laugh outside the door and feigned concern. "If your grandmother finds out you're bathing on your own, won't she be worried, Mr. Kent?"
"Shut up!"
When Claude wheeled himself out, he was already dressed in a fresh set of clothes. The shirt was fine, but his pants were messy and not as neat as before.
Lillian stepped forward to help, but he pushed her away. "Don't touch me."
Claude wheeled himself over to the bed and used the newly installed mechanism to lift himself onto it.
Lillian couldn't understand why Claude had been acting strange since their guest left.
Once he was settled in bed, Lillian decided not to dwell on his mood and moved to say goodbye.
"Where are you going?"
Claude frowned, propping himself up and staring at her intently.
"I need to go to school. I'm about to graduate."
Lillian fiddled with the pink diamond ring on her finger. 'Becoming Mrs. Kent is just a means to an end. I still have my own goals to pursue, like earning my diploma and becoming a jewelry designer. I love beautiful gemstones and love even more how they sparkle in my creations.'
Claude stared at her for a long time before finally relenting.
"Go ahead, but remember to see me when you return."
'See him when I return?'
Given Claude's sour mood, Lillian didn't ask further and left Kent Manor, feeling puzzled.
As soon as she left the castle, she spotted a black Cadillac CTS waiting for her. For the Kent family's wealth, the car was surprisingly understated.
The security guard at the door opened the car door for her. "Please, Mrs. Kent."
The back seat was spacious enough for Lillian to stretch her legs, and the minibar was stocked with freshly prepared snacks and bottles of water that cost hundreds of dollars each.
'Well, this car only looks understated.'
Lillian had already sent her graduation project to her professor via email a few days earlier. This time, she came to school just to sign some documents.
She also wanted to meet Fiona, her friend and classmate.
*****
They sat in a window booth at the Blue Secret Café near Pratt Institute, enjoying their coffee and desserts.
The afternoon light was perfect, and the café, with its blue décor, had booths surrounded by vines and flowers, offering enough privacy.
The café wasn't particularly quiet at this hour.
Fiona asked Lillian in a low voice, "You really married him? I didn't hear wrong, did I? Claude Kent, that terrifying guy?"
Lillian poked her pudding and nodded in acknowledgment.
"Wow... you've got guts." Fiona gave a thumbs-up, which Lillian swatted down annoyedly.
Lillian sighed and told Fiona about Harry and Janet and the Dawson Group's financial trouble.
"I had no choice."
Fiona was only joking. Soon, she asked Lillian with concern, "So, how has he treated you?"
Lillian hesitated. "I'm not sure... Sometimes he's okay, but other times he's cold, and I can't figure out what he's thinking."
"How about in bed? Are you two... fit?" Fiona raised an eyebrow, teasing her.
"Fiona! We're talking about serious matters!"
Lillian pinched Fiona lightly, and Fiona raised both hands while laughing.
Lillian went back to poking her pudding, sharing her plans with Fiona.
"After all, I am now Mrs. Kent, so I want to leave the Dawson family completely, build connections, and start a jewelry brand."
Fiona listened carefully and tilted her head towards Lillian. "You've thought this through, haven't you?"
"Well, I do, but I can't shake the feeling that the connections I make through the Kent family won't really belong to me. I..."
"You kind of want a divorce."
"Yes, but..."
"But you also think Claude isn't bad and want to get to know him better."
Fiona had hit the nail on the head. Lillian's ears reddened, but she felt justified enough to be honest with her friend.
"I want your advice."
Fiona shrugged and asked, "Is there any point in planning so far ahead? You once planned to marry that jerk Harry, and now look at you. You've married his cousin, Claude. You should follow your heart, dear. And don't waste your good body. Claude is definitely worth savoring more than Harry."
Lillian raised her spoon threateningly at Fiona, but Fiona just laughed and pressed it down. "Alright, just do what you want. If you want to fall in love, go for it. I'll always support you."
"Are you feeling any better after talking to me?" Fiona hugged Lillian, a bit too pleased with herself.
"Not really."
After the hug, Lillian waved goodbye.
Even though she denied it, Lillian knew she felt much more at ease.
At least she was sure she wasn't on the wrong path.
But as soon as she sat in the car heading back to Kent Manor, Lillian felt uneasy again. She still had no idea what Claude had planned for her when she returned.
- Writer
