The Black Swan Behind (Beauty of Fire)

Chapter 45: The Heart Attitude

“Usually, the treatments my mom does at the salon take a pretty long time. If you want to go home, don’t hesitate to say it, Emma. I’m used to waiting for my mom like this.” Poppy said uncomfortably to Emma, ??as she stepped out of the salon’s glass door. Then, they stopped at a nearby cafe for coffee and waffles which Poppy thought were very good.

“You don’t need to feel reticent to me, Poppy. Just relax.. Besides, I also don’t have anything else to do today. I feel happy to have friends while walking in the mall like this. By the way, why don’t you have the self-care like your mama?” asked Emma.

“She’s too talkative. I usually go to the salon with my other girl friends. Do you know Britney? She usually comes with us too.” Poppy answered.

“Britney? Oh.. The girl with the blond hair?”

Poppy nodded, “That’s right. She’s in ballet class too. You can come with us too if you like salon treatments. We have a good favourite salon.”

“Oh, thank you. Of course, I’d like to come, if you have time. Maybe we could take Kathy along too.” She answered. Poppy nodded with a smile.

Then Emma cleared her throat because she wanted to ask something more serious, but tried to keep things as relaxed as they were now, “By the way.. About the incident in the cafeteria last time.. Were you all right?” she asked. But seeing Poppy becoming silent, made her continue, “I was worried because you didn’t come to ballet class after that, even though you said you would. Sorry.. I didn’t mean to interfere in your business.” She explained quickly.

.....

Poppy shook her head, “It’s okay, Emma. I’m even thank you for bothering to worry about me.” She gave a thin smile. But Emma could see a tired look there. “I’m fine, Emma. Sorry, my boyfriend and his friends made you guys uncomfortable. I’m really feeling bad good for Kathy.”

“Poppy.. Are you sure Donny is a nice guy? I mean.. He never said anything bad to you as he said to Kathy, right?” Emma asked cautiously.

“He.. treats me well, Emma.” The girl lifted her face and smiled, “You don’t have to worry. I’m happy with Donny.”

Emma knew the girl in front of her was lying. But what could she do if Poppy said that she was fine? Even in the law world, if the victim consciously does not want to admit that he had experienced a crime, the criminal will be free from punishment.

“Emma.” Called Poppy.

“Yes?” Emma answered quickly.

“A girl like you has a bright future. You are beautiful, brave, and independent.” She said suddenly.

Emma shook her head briefly, “What are you talking about? You too have a bright future, Poppy. You are beautiful too. All women have their own unique beauty.”

Poppy smiled, “You’re right. But I’m seriously telling you, Emma. You have to achieve that dream you told me about and stay away from anything that will get you into trouble. Be friends with good people.”

“You have to achieve your dreams too, Poppy. Don’t you love ballet as much as I do? Even, you don’t just love it, but you’re really talented in it too.”

“I don’t know if those two things will suffice, Emma. I think I’m going to disappoint a lot of people.” Poppy answered unsurely.

Emma frowned, “It’s better to disappoint others than disappoint yourself. If you have a dream, then you have to try to reach it, no matter what the obstacles. In that way.. at least you won’t regret you never tried..” Emma explained.

Regret for never trying was something Emma had always been afraid of. It became the reason why she decided to leave her father’s palace.

“I know.” Poppy smiled. But that smile disappeared in a single breath. “In life, we regret a lot of things. Even before regretting never trying, a person can regret the decisions they had made in the past.”

Emma frowned, “Poppy.. Did something happen? You can tell me anything. Who knows if I can help, right?” She asked worriedly.

Poppy shook her head again, “No Emma. You’re not going to be able to help me. This.. is beyond my control... neither are you. We’re not strong enough.”

“Not strong enough?” Emma repeated. She didn’t know what kind of strong that Poppy meant. Was it meant not powerful enough? Or what? But Emma felt she had no right to ask any further. Because Poppy seemed reluctant to explain to her in more detail.

There were two possible reasons why Poppy was behaving this way. First, she thought Emma was not close enough to her. Secondly, the problem she meant was too big.

“Sorry, I confused you, didn’t I..?” Poppy chuckled. She seemed to get carried away by Emma’s demeanour which made her feel comfortable. Even though at first, Poppy had intended to stay away from Emma because of the problems she was facing.

Emma smiled sadly, “No problem.. But I’m serious, Poppy. If you need help or just a friend to lean on, I have plenty of time.” she replied with a little laugh to lighten the mood among them.

“Thanks Emma. But I’ll try to manage it out myself.” She answered. “Oh.. Can I ask you just one thing for help?”

“Sure. What is it?” Emma answered excitedly.

“Please don’t go near my boyfriend, Donny. Honestly, I’m a bit jealous.” She pretended to whisper before chuckling with an awkward face.

“Huh? Eum.. S-sure.” Answered Emma. She was a little surprised by Poppy’s request. After all, why would she be around a disgusting guy like Donny?

Poppy smiled kindly, “Thanks for being such a good friend to me Emma. I wish I had known you earlier.”

‘Maybe, I wouldn’t end up like this..’ She continued in her heart.

***

“Right. What should I do after this?” Emma read three sheets of paper with a wireless earphone plugged into her left ear.

“Just sign the receipt. And make sure the bike is what you ordered.” Jonas answered from the other line.

Emma nodded, then did as Jonas instructed. After checking various things, the two men who delivered the motorbike Emma ordered finally left her house with their big truck.

“Huft.. Why this just small affair could make me tired?” Huge steam formed in front of her mouth as soon as she sighed.

Maybe in Handway City, it was only Emma who ordered a sportbike in this cold winter. But the girl really needed a motorbike right now.

She brushed her smooth hand on the motorbike body that still smelled of the factory aroma. The colour is dark black as if the motorcycle could blend with the darkness of the night road. Emma really liked the shape of the bike’s headlight which was like an eagle’s eye. With a speed of 1103 cc, of course, it could help Emma run from the pursuit of the thugs who would try to catch her.

“And the most important things..” Emma said by taking a rectangular metal plate and sticking it on the motorbike police license plate number. She smiled with satisfaction because the fake number plate could stick well on the real one.

“Don’t worry, Roger. I’ll beat them to a pulp.” She muttered.

***

It was very hard for Roger’s feet to step in today. He felt like a prisoner walking towards his own execution chamber.

Life was so hard for Roger and it was getting harder and harder by the day. He didn’t know since when exactly his life turned so miserable like this. He even forgot the last time he had laughed like when he was a child.

Losing the love of his life, being a victim of bullying, having a family that felt like a stranger, and being a money bag for the bastards on campus. And now, he had to keep going even though he knew that a group of torturers were waiting to extort his money.

Fear made Roger still have to go to college even though he was feeling very down.

The guy sat in his chair. The class condition was still very quiet. As usual, Roger would come to class long before class started. It was his habit to arrive much earlier to wherever he was going. Roger didn’t like being late. He hated being late.

Not long after, the figure of a girl he knew entered the classroom door. Roger immediately looked down. Meeting Emma was something he didn’t want to face right now. He knew how troublesome the girl who seemed to always want to interfere in his affairs was.

“Hey, Roger!” Greeted Emma by sticking her ass on the chair next to him. “It’s not usual you’re sitting in this row,” she said, noticing that they were sitting in the back row.

Roger chuckled, ‘I purposely moved far away to avoid you.’ he said in his heart. But it seemed like wherever he moved, Emma would always find an opportunity to sit beside him.

“You didn’t come in yesterday. Would you like to borrow my notes?” asked Emma.

Roger shook his head, “No, thanks.”

While waiting for class to start, the two of them didn’t speak to each other. Emma was confused about how to open a conversation with Roger. The man was too quiet. He just kept ignoring Emma.

“Hey, Emma!” Called Brian and Lary who had just arrived, as they passed their seats.

Emma didn’t answer but still gave a slight smile. She couldn’t understand how shameless the two guys were. It was as if they had amnesia so they forgot what happened in the cafeteria last time.

Roger lowered his head even more as the two bullies passed. Indeed, being around Emma would bring him closer to trouble. He didn’t know when she would leave him.

“Uh.. I forgot to buy a drink.” Emma complained as she opened her bag. Right after many seconds later, the lecturer had entered the class. “Oh, unlucky me..” She mumbled softly.

Suddenly, just after a glimpse, she found a bottle of cold water was perched on her table. Emma immediately turned her face to Roger with a questioning look.

“It’s a new one. I haven’t opened it at all. You can see the lid seal is still there.” Roger said without looking at Emma’s face.

Roger could ignore Emma with all his might. However, it was the attitude of a reflection of his kind heart that made Emma never leave him. And Roger could never resist doing those things.

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