When stars align

Exposed

Fairy lights flicker softly around the room.

The air is thick with unspoken emotions.

**Anna sits cross-legged on the bed, in her oversized hoodie, clutching a mug of cold tea she hasn’t touched. Jasmine , her best friend since high school, is sprawled beside her with a half-empty tub of ice cream between them.

**Jasmine spoke up after a pause

“So, let me get this straight. He *knew* they were setting him up... and didn’t tell you until after they *finalized* the match?”

**Anna nods feeling numb. “Yep. Families have already exchanged sweets and everything.

**Jasmine nods her head in understanding. “And this fiancée—does she know about you?”

**Anna Responded ”No idea. Don’t even know her name. It’s like I got erased before she even entered the picture”.

Jasmine huffs, scooping another bite of ice cream.

**Jessica contemplated for a while. “Okay. So what’s the plan? Are we crying it out for a week and listening to sad playlists... or are we going full Bollywood revenge arc?” She asked teasingly

Anna smiles faintly. “I don’t know if I want revenge. I just... want my dignity back”.

Jessica answered “Then we start there”.

Anna sits up straighter, now in planning mode.

Jessica (CONT’D) “You show up to his engagement, if you’re feeling brave. Look like an absolute goddess. Say nothing. Just smile like *you* dodged the bullet.”

Anna laughs bitterly “That’s cruel”.

Jessica responded. “No, babe. That’s *evolution*. And after that, we move on. Reclaim your life. No waiting, no "what ifs." We plan your freedom party, not his wedding”.

Anna stares ahead for a moment, then meets Jessica’s eyes.

Anna then said. “Do You think I’ll be okay?”

Jessica answered with enthusiasm. “You’re Brianna Castles. You survived your dad’s snoring, that math teacher who hated joy, and three years of ups and downs in your relationship with Emmanuel.

(pauses)

You’ll do more than okay. You’ll *rise*.”

Anna finally lets out a real laugh, leaning into Jessica’s shoulder.

Anna raises up her head and said. “Let’s make a list. Everything I want to do now that I’m not stuck waiting on someone else’s timeline”.

Jessica decided to tell all she knew “well he told me about it all and we have some evidence against the girl and she’s actually someone you know” she said looking into Anna’s eye.

Anna looked at her confused “ what are you saying,Jess”.

Jessica continued “ the girl name is Claudia Bernard” she answered.

Anna was surprised “ Claudia? The same girl he says she boasts about her fathers wealth when they were in high school?” She asked.

Jessica could finally breath “ yes it’s her” she replied.

Anna understood the situation clearly. “ the girl is only playing smart, she definitely liked him when they were in school but never showed it because she thought he was poor and now that she knows him well she wants to be his wife” she explained

Jessica laughed “ you analyzed it already” she said

Anna smiles at her “ now let’s plan and stop being weak” she said.

Jasmine got curious and asked her. “Would you let him know you’re back?.”

She nodded her head in disapproval. “No way, I think the whole travel thing was planned by her.”

Jasmine was confused. “How do you mean planned by her?”.

Anna rolled her eyes at her. “Cmon jass, don’t he dumb. The chairman came to Zanzibar and was surprised to see me there, then he called his son and I was sent back home without query or being sacked.” She explained .

Jasmine gasped. “Was that what you meant when you said it’s a conspiracy?.’ She asked.

She nodded her head in approval. “Yes it is”.

She sighed. “That’s crazy”.

Brianna stood up and walked to her. “I know,and I need your help.”

Jasmine looked up at her like she was crazy. “What do you want me to do?” She asked

Brianna smiled at her. “You’re a computer expert and a social butterfly, I want you to dig up about the girl and let’s see what we cab do for her”.

Jasmine smiles back at her, understanding what she meant. “Is that just it?” She asked

Anna took a deep breath and replied. “It’s just for now. We’ll know the next step later.”

Few minutes later

Jasmine look at her with a devilish smile. “There are some news about her but it’s incomplete.”

Anna stared at the computer and gave her friend a thumbs up. “How do we get the full details?. Especially the child s*x news and school scandals?”

They pondered for a few minutes then Jasmine beams with a smile. “We’ll get to know her enemies?”

Anna looked at her confused. “Do you mean we should act separated?”

Jasmine shook her head. “Not necessarily, we could act backstabbing” she winked .

Anna was still confused. “Explain to me”.

Jasmine crossed her leg and poised elegantly. “You know that if we act like we only fought then they won’t really be interested in talking to us cause they’ll think we’ll come back together. But if we act backstabbing each other then they’ll believe us.”

Anna was very happy with the plan. “That’s true. And you know there are many people who’ll be envious of our relationship. Some of the might even know a lot about our pet.”

Jasmine nodded. “ I think pet is the word we should use for her, even is someone eavesdrop on us,the person would never understand what’s going on.”

Anna hugged her tightly. “Thank goodness I chose a smart bestie.”