My Toyboy 55
The scene back then still played in Lilian’s head. Cynthia had once dragged her, and together, they ran through several alleys, their hands clasped tightly. That time, Cynthia gave off a cent of gardenias, which was clear and strong
Lilian could recall staring at Cynthia’s profile as the sunshine fell from above. The latter glinted in gold like an angel from the heavens. Cynthia’s grip was so tight as if she was pulling Lilin away from a devil’s den.
Later, they even went to a nearby mall, and Cynthia treated Lilian to KFC. It was Lilian’s first time dining at KFC. She ate a lot of egg tarts, and she felt that she had never tasted such delicious food before. Those tarts were all so sweet and satiating- it was finger–licking good.
Cynthia watched as Lilian savored the whole box of egg tarts, tearing up as she munched. Suddenly, Cynthia took Lilian’s hand. “Don’t be scared, Lilian. I have your back from here on out Without questioning a thing, she promised to back Lilian
In fact, Cynthia kept her word, for since then, whenever Lilian was picked on in school, Cynthia would go all out to confront the bully. She even helped Lilian apply for free hostel accommodation so that Lilian could take refuge from her crazy mother for some time.
Plus, Cynthia would share with Lilian any good stuff she had, even getting the latter luxurious birthday gifts. Cynthia thought she had been a devoted friend, even more than Naomi who grew up with her. That explained her pain and hatred when Lilian backstabbed her.
“Lilian, what’s all this supposed to mean? Cynthia felt her heart aching upon thinking about the past. An icy, sarcastic smirk then played on her lips. To this day, I still don’t get it. Why did you snatch Filip from me? Why must you resort to such despicable means?”
Should Lilian really carry a torch for Filip and compete fairly, Cynthia would not give a hoot even if Lilian tried to win the man over openly. What Cynthia could not stand was the person she treated sincerely setting her up, framing her, and stabbing her in the back.
Came Lilian’s truthful answer, “I’m jealous of you, that’s why. I’m jealous when you two stroll along the field hand–in–hand; jealous when he gets in line just to buy you breakfast every morning: jealous when you hug each other and chatter away. He’s bright and dashing, and you, radiant and cheerful–a match made in heaven.”
Lilian’s gaze changed to one of cruelty as she added, “But I’m just jealous. You were like leaves and petals bathing in the sun while I was left rooted deep beneath the ground, never seeing the light of day. The only thing left for me was to endure the darkness and the gnawing of pests and rodents. Day and night, the jealousy’s making me nuts”
Little did Cynthia expect Lilian, who had been following them the whole time, to have been in that state of mind. Cynthia fell silent before she eventually said her piece.
“You were feeling inferior. Everybody’s got a seed to sow. In every seed lies a choice–to blossom into flowers or to take root in soils. No doubt you’re miserable, Lilian, but many in this universe had it worse. Is everybody gonna betray their closest friends like you
did simply because they’re jealous of their friends doing well? How’s this any different from the viper in The Farmer and the Viper‘ story?” was her speech.
Sadness inundated Cynthia. She continued, “When you got good grades and were accepted to a renowned university, no longer were you the helpless Lilian, always manipulated by your mom and unable to retaliate. You had already embarked on the road to a brighter future and could’ve also bathed in the sun, yet you chose to go down the darkest path. You forwent sincerity, betrayed our friendship. Your life’s still shrouded by darkness, shackled to pretentious acts, only this time, you chose it yourself.”
A long sigh escaped Cynthia as she beheld Lilian. “It’s pointless to tell you that now. I don’t regret being nice to you. Losing me as a friend, it’s your loss, not mine.”
Cynthia had let go of the past, not wanting to have anything more to do with Lilian. Forget the hatred, the last thing she wished for was to waste more time and energy on Lilian. No sooner had she tried to leave than Lilian grabbed her arm. There’s no escaping me, Cynthia, not now, not ever”
Wheeling around. Cynthin thought of shaking off Lilian’s hand. Before she even mustered her strength, though, Lilian fell backward and tumbled down the steps.
“Ah, it hurts! My baby! Cynthia, why did you push me?” shouted Lilian with hands on her stomach.
Cynthia’s brows twitched as a sense of foreboding manifested in her heart. Almost at the same time, a parade of people. swarmed in. Right in front of the crowd was Shirley.
you shouldn’t
“Why did you push Lilian down, Cynthia? She’s carrying a baby know you have a prejudice against her, bur have hurt her baby, Is it because Filip fathered the baby that you can’t stand it?” questioned Shirley, raining down on Cynthia one accusation after another. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
In a heartbeat, Cynthia realized that she had walked into Lilian and Shirley’s trap. She expected Shirley to give her a hard time but thought that Shirley had achieved her goal when the Jones family adopted Lilian. Never did Cynthia anticipate such a scheme waiting for her. The pair’s viciousness was beyond her imagination.
Cynthia was surrounded by a crowd. The others in the banquet hall also heard the noise and came over. Filip, too, dashed right over upon hearing Lilian’s voice. Squeezing through the crowd, he saw Lillian lying on the floor with her hands covering her tummy, looking royally painful.
At that juncture, Cynthia was standing on the stairs, seemingly indifferent. The people around started pointing fingers at her. and blamed her for pushing Lilian down.
Filip wasted no time to think as he hurriedly stepped forward and helped Lilian up. “Are you okay, Lilian? I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Fm fine, Filip. It doesn’t hurt so much anymore, but… but… Lilian still covered her belly, appearing to be on the brink of breaking down in tears. She looked up at Cynthia, tears welling up in her eyes. “But I don’t know why Cynthia pushed me. It must be that she still can’t stand our baby.”
Lilian began to cry. I can’t live if anything happens to the baby, Filip. Luckily, God blessed me, but I’m so scared because she still won’t let me off the hook. This is not the first time. She buried her head in Filip’s embrace and sobbed.
Filip regarded Cynthia with rage in his eyes. Lifting a finger and pointing at Cynthia, he furned, “You’re so evil, Cynthia!”