Chapter 17: Self Respect

"Please sit here," the nurse pointed towards the chair in Dr. Kyree's office. Helia and Lianna walked over to the chair and quietly sat down and waited patiently for the doctor to arrive. After some time Dr. Kyree entered the room wearing white gown and masks and came to attend to her. 

"Here, doctor the x-ray," the nurse 

 handed her a plastic file containing an x-ray and explained to Dr. Kyree.

"Removing my teeth isn't necessary. I am totally fine," Helia spoke and tried to convince the doctor.

"No, doctor this isn't the first time she is dealing with the tooth pain," Lianna informed the doctor. Helia has been dealing with the tooth pain for a long time. She had been using a pain killer to relieve the pain but this time pain was severe. 

"Miss Helia, can you see that your tooth condition is worsening and it started damaging others too. Dr Kyree said calmly. "If you insist on keeping this tooth then it will only damage others.

Helia sighed heavily and sat in silence while Dr. Kyree placed the x-ray in front of her. 

"Are you afraid?" he asked with raised eyebrows. Helia quickly retorted with a chuckle.

"Why would I be scared of this? I am not a child," Helia replied, trying to sound brave and confident. Dr. Kyree smirked, although he was wearing a mask, Helia could see that smirk forming on his face. 

"Nurse take her to the operating room," Dr Kyree ordered. The nurse nodded and led Helia away from the room. 

After a short time Helia came out of the operating room her right hand was supporting her right cheek while her other hand held on to the nurse that had led her out.

"Thank you, nurse" Lianna thanked the nurse before supporting her friend to sit down on a vacant bench.

"How are you feeling?" Lianna asked as she examined her friend, she looked pale and worn out.

"A bit dizzy maybe?" Helia offered a weak smile and sat down on the bench.

"Is there anything you want to eat or drink?" Lianna asked. Helia shook her head no and rested her head against the wall, resting her elbows on the arms of the bench, closing her eyes as she tried to fight the dizziness.

"Didn't you have to go back to your mother house today? You should go," Helia suggested after a few minutes of silence.

"Right now you are important, I can't leave you here," Lianna responded. Helia opened her eyes and frowned at Lianna,

"No, you have to go, or else Rachael will think she won," Helia said in a serious tone. Lianna didn't look convinced. She didn't have the courage to face them again. She didn't have the courage to see them together. 

"Lianna never compromise on self respect for anyone. They don't deserve your respect," Helia added, sounding more angry than worried.

"What will happen? Will it change the outcomes?" Lianna asked, trying to reason with her friend.

"No, it will not but at least it will show that you are not a weak person. No one is going to save you, it is you who can save yourself," Helia advised her friend to stop being stubborn. It was getting tiring to argue with Lianna about this matter. Her head was already dizzy because of the anesthesia and couldn't stand the argument anymore.

"Now go," Helia urged, pushing Lianna gently towards the hallway that leads to the exit. Lianna complied, taking another step she turned around and gave her friend a reassuring smile. Helia only waved her friend to go and leave her alone.

.....

Lianna stood in front of the Harris Villa and stared blankly at the villa before her. The house to where she doesn't belong. Not even 7 years ago nor today. She was just an extra piece that her mother brought with her when she got married for the second time. With a heavy heart she pushed open the gate. She made her way towards the hallway, on her way she was greeted by the maids who were busy preparing for the dinner. It was a special night for the princess of the Harris family. 

"Your mother is waiting in the lounge area," a maid told her in a soft voice. Lianna nodded in response and went straight to the living room. There she spotted her mother who was smiling brightly at the guests. Her mother was happy, she looked happy without her daughter. 

"Lianna you are here," her mother finally noticed her presence. She approached her daughter and embraced her. Lianna stepped back to dodge her embrace. She could see her mother's smile fading. 

"Welcome home! Lianna," her stepfather greeted and then returned his attention to his daughter and her so-called boyfriend, no correction her ex-boyfriend. Rachael brought Rafael to home for dinner introducing him as her boyfriend. 

"Meet Rafael," her mother said gesturing towards the brown haired male sitting next to her Rachel. 

"I know, we have met before," Lianna said with a tight smile. She tried her best to remain calm and composed. 

"Yes, I wanted my sister's approval first. If she approve of him are not," Rachel tried to change the tide to her direction. She knows if her father gets to know about the situation she will be done for. 

"Rachael is right, I like him," Lianna admitted, looking him straight in the eye. Rafael choked on the juice that he just took a sip of.

"Are you okay?" Lianna's father asked him 

 concerned. Rafael coughed awkwardly and cleared his throat.

"Lianna come with me to set the table," her mother grasped her arm and dragged her towards the kitchen to lighten up the atmosphere.

"You knew it? Didn't you?" Lianna asked, removing her mother's grasp of her hand. 

"About what?" she asked, avoiding her gaze pretending not to know what she was talking about.

"Oh please don't play stupid with me mum. You know very well what I'm talking about. Don't try to lie with me!" Lianna exclaimed frustratedly. 

"Lianna, I am doing this for your own good," her mother tried to convince her. She has been saying this for seven years. 

"Aren't you tired of telling me this is for my own good?" Lianna retorted, running her finger through her hair with frustration.

"I am your mum, I know what is best for you," She tried to explain but Lianna scoffed and rolled her eyes at her statement.

"For seven years you have been playing the role of Mrs Harris but never once have you played the role of my mother. You are just atoning for the sin you committed seven years ago. And I am the constant reminder of your sin," Lianna asserted her voice cracking in between, tears forming in her eyes.

"Why do your words always hurt me so deeply? Your words burn my wound. Can't we just have a normal talk?" her mother asked with raised brows, tears coming out of her eyes. Lianna knew she was hurting her mother but she had no other choice. They can never go back to where they once were. They were once a happy family. But now, things have changed. She is not just her mother, she has her own family now. while Lianna was just a chapter in her life, just a so-called chapter.

"Everytime we talk, I feel like I'm reliving the same painful memories, mum," Lianna said, her voice filled with anger and pain. She has been hurting too much lately. She felt numb and hollow. This feeling was something she has been feeling ever since everything went downhill seven years ago. 

"I have lost my appetite. Enjoy your meal," Lianna excused herself and hurriedly made her way out of the harris villa.