Chapter Thirty-Three: Friendship First

Eliora's POV

The rustling sound came from the tall trees around the beach joined with the beach waves and cool breeze.

I walked around the beach anxiously searching for Jennifer.

As usual, the beach was full with plenty of people playing at the side of the ocean, surfing and swimming while others tan.

"Eliora." A very familiar voice calls from behind and I desperately turned.

It was Jennifer. The one I have been yearning to see.

"Jenny" I called sadly.

Guilty conscience started eating me up, again.

Jennifer and I sat on the long beach chair with Tropicana orange juice in the middle of us. We remain silent avoiding each other's gaze.

"I'm really sorry, Jenny. I have wronged you" I said apologetically.

"It's not your fault, Liora" Jennifer finally turned to me.

"Don't say that Jenny, I screwed your man and broke your trust. I deserve hatred from you, you're making me feel awful for not hating me" I said sadly surprise.

I can't believe after what I did to her, she's still taking my side and being nice to me. This is just too painful and surreal.

"Remember what I told you" Jennifer asked anxiously and I turn to her.

"What?" I asked holding a confuse glare.

"You're the first friendship I've ever had and if there's anything that wants to come between us, I'll let it go... It wasn't just a mere word. I truly mean it" Jennifer said softly and I stare at her, confused.

"What do you mean?" I asked cryptically.

"What I mean is that I'm choosing friendship over emotional desire. I love Romans so much but I also can't bear to loose the only girl friend I've ever had. I ended things with Romans and I don't care if you both fall in love... What I care about is that, as long as we will be friends forever... then I don't have a problem. You're like a sister I have never had" Jennifer said through her sniffle, tears gathered around her eyelids.

"You're... You're..." I stuttered in astonishment.

I lost the right words to say. I was helpless.

"I'm fuckingly serious" Jennifer said teasingly and I laughed slightly.

"Why are you doing this Jenny? You're letting go of love for my sake... This is too much" I said in disbelieve.

"That's what true friendship is like. It was really a hard decision for me to make though but I realized a day without you... was like hell. I missed you even when I'm so angry with you, I always listen to your voicemails but I couldn't send any reply... Eliora, I've gotten so addicted to you and sometimes I ask myself... Have I suddenly become a lesbian?" Jennifer said lovingly in a sad tone.

I couldn't believe someone like this exist. Who would reject a hot billionaire for the sake of some fucking friendship... If it were for me, I'd think it twice.

"Jenny, I'll never hurt you again" I said crying like a baby, I fell into her embrace.

"Can we not lie to ourselves again?" Jennifer asked anxiously, her eyes were slowly becoming watery.

"I swear I won't lie, cheat or break your trust again. I'd love you like a sister and take you as you take me" I said softly.

"Best friend forever?" Jennifer asked lovingly.

"Forever and ever" I smiled happily.

"You're so nice Jenny, I still can't believe this" I sniffles and Jenny gradually clean the tears off my face.

"Don't feel guilty sis. As long as you're happy, I'm happy" Jennifer gives me an assuring smile.

"Thank you so much sis. I owe you a million time" I said.

"And you will definitely pay for it" Jennifer said vividly.

"What do you mean?" I asked frantically.

"We are going for swimming tomorrow, Sunday and Romans will be coming too" Jennifer informed happily.

"What the fuck! But you two?..." I asked abstractly.

"Don't worry. I and Romans are cool now" Jennifer said.

"What do you expect me to do then?" I asked shyly.

"Go get your man darling. Don't delay" Jennifer said persuasively.

"And... What about you?" I asked sadly.

"There are lot of good man on the street, I'll find mine someday" Jennifer said convincingly.

"You definitely will" I assured.

Romans POV

Let's fast forward to recent time.

Lot has been happening since my last encounter with Eliora and Jennifer's rage.

My parents were so mad at me that they extended their vacation taking extra five years, the Aniston family were disappointed on me and also pressured me to give Jennifer a second chance, hopefully they didn't involve the media and their daughter, Jennifer surprised everyone.

Jennifer called me into the conference room at the R- Industry, Italy branch.

"What is it?" I asked after we have taken our sits.

"Do you love Eliora out of pity or for love? I mean, I can set up a good blind date for her" Jennifer asked rhetorically.

"Sorry to hurt you but yes. I really do love Eliora" I said bluntly in a polite tone.

"Promise me you won't hurt her again... if I release her to you" Jennifer said like a grim reaper.

"What's all this? I'm never going to hurt Eliora, I won't" I said confidently.

"Romans, I have eighty percent power to push through with our marriage but I don't want to live my forever with someone who doesn't cherish me" Jennifer started sadly.

"I'm doing this for the sake of Eliora. I really like her so much and for a best friend, I don't know if she had drugged me with some antidote to make me sound strange and stupid. I'm letting you go, I'm calling off our marriage for the sake of Eliora. As long as she's happy, I'm happy. I just hope you won't hurt her the second time" Jennifer added sternly.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked cryptically.

No woman on earth have ever rejected me. Some would consider being the second wife but she's just ending everything... It's unusual. No woman would let go of a wealthy handsome man like me in the name of "girly" relationship, it sounds childish.

"I'm doing this because Eliora is the sister I never had. I really like her and I see myself fighting for her happiness" Jennifer said lovingly.

"And what about you, will you be happy seeing me with her?" I asked nervously.

"Of course I will be. Not getting married to you doesn't make us enemies ... It's not as if we had any sexual acts during these years" Jennifer teased.

"I'm sorry" I smirked sadly.

"Romans, don't worry about me. I'll definitely find a man better than you. He will love me and never seek for a second choice. You just hold the diamond in front of you very tight before you lose it.. again" Jennifer advised softly.

"I don't know if I should be thanking you or apologizing" I laughed at myself.

"It's alright" Jennifer smiled.

"But can I ask you a question?" Jennifer asked anxiously.

"What?" I raised a brow.

"Have you ever loved me.. even once, all these years?" Jennifer asked nervously.

"No. I didn't. I only take you as a family and friend" I said sadly.

"It's alright" Jennifer smiled again but her eyes held sadness.

"How will you explain to your parents and the media especially" I asked anxiously.

"This is your time to pay" Jennifer winked.

"What do you mean?" I asked shooting her a suspicious stare.

"Let's call it off live. You'll lose lot of investors but it doesn't matter, as long as you stay with the love of your life forever" Jennifer said convincingly.

"You're too smart" I said mockingly.

"You made me do it" Jennifer rolled her eyes fringing annoyance.

"Where do we start from?" I asked anxiously.

"Make the calls first" Jennifer suggested.