Stella Patrick
Valeria went straight up to the mall with Suzy, buying a plum shaded strapless gown; they both were about to pay the bill when the cashier refused. "Sorry, ma'am. You cannot have this dress. It is pre-booked by our VIP customer." She took the gown and placed it on the counter behind her. "We can show you the rest of our collection, ma'am." Wearing a professional smile she offered her help while gesturing to another lady.
"Excuse me? Who do you think we are?" Before Valeria could say anything Suzy butted in leaning over the glass slab. "How can you ridicule us like this?" Valeria was somewhat amazed at how fast Suzy switched the scene. Suzy glared at the ladies while Valeria smiled warmly seeing her taking a stand. "You want this gown, right?" She nodded at Suzy with a bright smirk.
"We shall pay twice the original sum." Suzy suggested and gestured towards the gown behind the cashier lady. "Now shall we have the gown, please?" Giving a mocking smile with scrunched shut eyes she demanded the dress despite cleverly chosen words. The cashier looked at Valeria with pleading eyes hoping she would knock some sense in him. "Will you decide or not?" Suzy grew hyper by smashing her palms on the table.
The cashier was still contemplating and before she could move an inch someone called out from behind. "Miss Valeria?" She turned around immediately upon finding the voice familiar. Having a sharp memory had its perks for her. "Such a luck to cross paths." Valeria glanced at Stella cheerfully and spoke to her in a friendly tone. Stella approached her with a soft smile, placing her hand over the counter.
"Happy to see you here. How's life?" Stella gleefully asked as she tried to break the ice. "Um–whatever happened that day with you, miss Valeria. I am deeply apologetic for what my husband Patrick did." Her expressions were utterly displaying the guilt she contained that day. "Patrick can get out of control at times." Stella seemed unsettling with the way she added.
"It is alright, miss Stella. Patrick—has always been like that." Valeria knew that Stella was innocent in all the matter, Patrick did everything out of his hatred towards Markos. "Shall we talk somewhere else?" Valeria looked at the cashier and then towards Suzy. "Since they aren't going to let us buy this gown. We can leave." Suzy nodded and they all walked out, she flipped her hair with a pride written over her face.
Valeria took the car and offered Stella a ride towards the restaurant along with Suzy. 'Stella seems genuinely happy with us. I guess Patrick doesn't treat her well.' Valeria remarked while looking at Suzy and Stella bickering. 'Goodness! I cannot believe this woman is the same topper of our batch. Sassy, classy, bold and dominant. She looks like a timid prey in front of Patrick, terrified and shivering.'
Wondering about her life with Patrick, Valeria understood one thing that everyone's lives have changed. Finding a seat at the restaurant, Suzy and Stella warmed up already. "May I ask you something, Miss Valeria?" She inquired with hesitation while Valeria asked her not to address her like that. "Are you with Markos? I mean not to offend you in any way, Markos actually likes you. From the beginning."
"Oh yes, bo–" Valeria grabbed Suzy's hand from under the table to stop her from spilling the beans. She had planned everything and didn't want anything to fall out of the place. "Yes, Markos and I are together." Valeria smiled while Suzy became curious as to why she was prevented. "We had some misunderstandings but cleared them up. Now we are seeing each other." Stella smiled at her genuinely.
The waiter brought the coffee for all of them, sipping in peace with an exchange of information. "Are you happy, Stella? I mean in your married life?" Valeria saw her hands pausing, sweat over her temples. Meanwhile, Suzy kept on listening to their talks as she had no idea about their past. However, she couldn't contain the idea that her boss Markos Moreno and Valeria had a history.
"Apparently, I am." Stella spoke with a forced smile, her eyes were about to say the obvious truth. Valeria reached for her hand, when Stella wiped off her tear sneakily. "Patrick and I are a happy couple in front of the media. We just—never wanted the same things, I guess." Valeria could somehow feel her pain which was relatable. "For him money mattered while I desired his attention and love."
Stella grabbed the tissue and wiped her tears. "Nonetheless. We are together for our families. You know how these arrangements work." She looked at Valeria, knowing that her marriage with Castello was kind of similar stuff. "There is never a way out without shame and losing the wealth. Patrick will never set me free nor will ever touch me with a loving gaze." Suzy hugged her without knowing what else to do.
"I hope your life gets sorted out, Stella. You don't deserve this." Valeria squeezed her hand and reassured her. Stella smiled with faith and spoke to her in a whisper. "Oh and by the way, Patrick has also been invited to Castello's party. I heard them conspiring against you and Markos. I am sure you both are invited." She seemed concerned as warned her about what was happening. "Please, don't go Valeria."
"They will do nothing else but to ridicule you both. Castello isn't able to forget and move on from the incident. Patrick's party was ruined and he was put under a hefty fine too. Please, Valeria, don't go there." Stella didn't want her to be there out of generosity and concern. "You brought me here, heard me and sensed my pain. Though we have never been friends, I appreciate that. Listen to me now, alright."
Valeria smiled and tapped over her hand while Suzy was stunned. She got the gist about their relationship, past and how the ladies were connected. "I already know that, Stella." Both of them looked at Valeria, totally stunned and somewhat impressed. "I know what might happen there and that's exactly why we are going there." She had a hunch why Markos accepted the invite.