How Do I Say This?

Linda was surprised to receive a letter from her friend Lilian. Usually, Lilian would just visit her, but this time she wanted Linda to meet her at a specific place in the high town at sunset. Linda felt curious and a bit concerned. Just then, Eleanor burst into the room, looking worried and out of breath.

"What's wrong? Is someone after you?" Loretta asked, and Linda stood up, wondering what was happening. Eleanor explained that she had seen a dead body on the road while coming back from the market.

"I don't know who it is, but people are saying his name is Francis. There are so many assumptions about his death." Linda's eyes widened as she turned to Loretta, who seemed shocked at the news. But Linda noticed that Loretta's behavior seemed a bit suspicious, as if she was hiding something, she also had a flashback of the burning dress.

Loretta quickly ran out of the house to see the body. Eleanor said sadly,

"If that's really Loretta's ex-husband, it's so tragic. What will happen to their children now? Loretta doesn't earn enough to sustain them." But Linda was observant and wondered why Loretta was acting so strangely. Linda knew she had to leave immediately to meet Lilian in the high town, which was hours away.

As she was about to leave, Wade arrived with Stormfire, and greeted her with a big smile. After Linda left, Wade turned to Eleanor and kissed her passionately.

"How are you?" he asked, but Eleanor just smiled back and led him inside without answering. As they sat down, Eleanor served him water, but Wade held her hand and looked into her eyes. She avoided eye contact and withdrew her hands, making Wade wonder if he had done something wrong.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked worriedly, but Eleanor didn't respond. Eleanor looked down; her eyes were fixed on a piece of fabric.

"You knew! Have you always known? How long have you known about everything?" she asked with a shaky voice. Wade was confused.

"Knew what? What are you talking about?" He asked, his brow furrowed.

"You knew about my estranged marriage, you feigned ignorance, and yet you still wanted to be with me. Why?" Her eyes welled up with tears as she raised her head to look at Wade.

"You knew I was still married, and yet you pursued me. Why would you do that?" Wade's expression softened.

"Because I love you. I've always loved you, and I will always love you…i…I didn't want to hurt you. I didn't mention it because I wanted to build trust between us…i…. wanted to earn your trust, not scare you away, or lose you again." Eleanor's eyes narrowed.

"But how did you know? And how long have you known?"

Wade took a deep breath.

"I met you once, long ago. But I had to keep my distance because you were promised to Daemon. Now that you're free, I believe it's fate. I never married, I refused to marry. We are meant to be together."

Eleanor shook her head, rubbing her neck nervously.

"This is wrong. It's a sin. I'm still married, and your family will never accept this relationship. We need to stop." Wade's heart skipped a beat, then pounded furiously.

"Eleanor…. please." he whispered. But she continued. "Your family will never approve of our relationship. It doesn't matter how we feel for each other. Our relationship is irrelevant." Wade stepped closer, his eyes burning with intensity.

"No, no. Please don't say that. I don't need their approval, or their acceptance, I only need you. I have accepted you, that's all that matters. You are mine!"

He drew her close, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"I need you in my life. Without you, I feel empty. Being with you makes me happy. Don't take that away from me, I beg you." He placed his head on hers. Linda arrived at the apartment, located between the low town and the high town, just as Lilian described in her letter. She looked around, but Lilian was nowhere to be seen.

Minutes later, Lilian arrived with baskets of fresh fruit, apologizing for the delay. Linda rolled her eyes; disliking being kept waiting.

"I don't like it when people keep me waiting." Linda said, frowning. Lilian chuckled and handed Linda an apple from the basket. Linda took a big bite, savoring the taste.

"Fruits from the high town taste quite different. They taste like luxury, and they are juicier. Do the men taste like that too?" They both laugh. Lilian smiled a little longer, but her expression quickly turned sad.

"I do not know about the men, but you are right about the fruits." Linda noticed her change in mood and asked,

"What's wrong? Is it that time of the month? You spoiled princesses can't handle anything, can you?" Lilian looked around for a chair, and they both sat down.

"You're funny," she said, before asking,

"What do you think about marriage? Do you wish to be married someday?" Linda thought for a moment before responding,

"Marriage often ruins women's lives. You serve, have children, serve, serve, serve, until you die. There is no individuality for women in marriage. There is no individuality at all for us in any form. Your whole life is centered around your father or your husband. You're like your husband's shadow. Seen but cannot be heard. I don't want such a life."

Lilian fixed her eyes on the fruit basket, looking upset.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. Linda waited for Lilian to speak, and eventually, Lilian opened up about her father wanting her to marry a man she didn't know.

"He said it will be good for the family," Lilian said. Linda asked, "But will it be good for you?"

Lilian stood up nervously,

"I've thought about it… I keep thinking about it. But I don't want it, I don't think I've ever wanted it. The idea of marriage, children, I don't think it's meant for me. But I have a duty to do my duty to my family though. Proof of my loyalty to my House."

Linda saw Lilian's sadness and decided to change the subject.

"I'm hungry, did you cook anything? Whose house is this?" Lilian looked around the building proudly.

"Mine! Women are not allowed to own properties, but I wanted one. My brother built it for me as a birthday gift, without my father's knowledge." Linda was impressed.

"I'm sorry. I don't know how to cook, but I have some ingredients in the house. I tried to cook but made a mess," Lilian said with a shy smile. Linda chucked.

"Good, let's get cooking then." Together, they started cooking, with Linda teaching Lilian how to bake bread and cut vegetables properly. The two giggled and enjoyed their time together in the kitchen. After cooking, Linda and Lilian sat down to enjoy their meal together.

They laughed and talked about happy memories of their childhood, sharing stories about their fathers. As night fell, Linda knew they couldn't return home, but Lilian reassured her that Mr. Cole covered for her. As they finished their meal, Lilian spoke softly,

"I wish Mr. Cole was my father. He is kind and loving. I think he has more love for my brother and I. Our father is different, he doesn't love us the way Mr. Cole does." Linda looked at her with concern,

"You don't have to get married if you don't want to, Lilian. Make better choices for yourself. It's your life." Lilian sighed,

"But how can I avoid it? My father makes all the decisions, and even if I ran away, where would I go? Even if I had somewhere to go, he'd find me. My brother would be worried, my mother would be unwell. I feel so trapped." Linda saw the fear in Lilian's eyes and asked,

"Why are you so scared of getting married? Your parents seem to love each other." Lilian's expression turned sad,

"I saw my father hurt my mother when I was a little girl. He strangled her and hit her with a belt. My mother said it was normal, it was love, it was part of marriage, but it didn't feel like it was. We all define love differently, but for me, I don't believe a man who loves you, who truly loves you would do that to you."

Linda's heart went out to Lilian, and she gave her a tight hug. Lilian felt safe and vulnerable in her arms, and tears began to fall. Linda consoled her, and as they separated, they locked eyes and shared a passionate kiss. After a while, Lilian stood up, looking scared and nervous,

"This is wrong! I can't do this, I'm sorry, this feels wrong. It's a sin." But Linda reassured her,

"I told you I was different. This is why I'm different. I do not find myself attracted to men. My father tried everything but nothing worked. I had to accept myself, my reality, and I think you should too." Lilian turned back to her, and they kissed again, longer and more intensely than before.

Unknowingly to them, Mr. Cole stood outside the house watching them. He shook his head in disappointment and left the two.