Stella packed her belongings from her bedroom with a tense, focused energy, while Rika and Zack busied themselves tidying up the mess in the living room. They didn't dare interrupt Stella or Darren. Stella was aggressively tossing items into boxes rather than carefully packing them, and her expression made it clear that she wouldn't hesitate to hurl something at anyone brave enough to approach her. Meanwhile, Darren's imposing presence was enough to keep them from even considering any interference.
Darren wandered into the kitchen to grab some water, but the room felt strangely off. It was like the person who broke in has stolen most of the kitchen appliances. But he knows that not the case. The kitchen look like it was hardly use to cook anything.
Not minding he moved to open the refrigerator and was totally shocked for what he saw. Because it was crammed with all instant making food like Instant microwaveable mac and cheese cups, soups pack, frozen chicken nuggets, frozen pizza, instant Doso batter and what not.
Frowning, he checked the cupboards, only to find an even bigger collection of instant noodles, chips, pasta, and powdered milk. Shaking his head, Darren grabbed a box and started packing everything, labeling it 'Not Needed' before sealing it shut.
Once that was done, he neatly boxed the rest of the kitchen items. He ran his hand in too his hair when he was done.
Satisfied with his job he got out of the kitchen and at the same time Rika and Zack were also done with the living room. Meanwhile, Stella was at the door receiving the food delivery she made a while ago.
"let's eat " She said, shutting the door behind her.
In between Darren's phone rang. It was his assistance Oliver.
"Excuse me" he said and stepped aside to take the call.
"What is it Oliver?" Darren asked in a authorised tone.
Oliver on the other side felt terrified. He was order to postpone the meeting and not to disturb Darren for the next few hours. But something important came up and he had to call Darren. He gather his courage and inform Darren about the situation.
Stella in the meantime place the food on the table and arrange it. She glanced at Darren who now has disheveled hair unlike his previous neatly commed hair, but still his hair gave him amazing laid back look a bit more casual.
Whatever Oliver said made Darren reply, "Okay, I'll be there soon." and hung up the call.
"You are leaving ?" Stella asked nonchalantly.
"Yes," Darren replied, putting his phone down.
"Eat something before you leave". Stella said though she didn't want him here lingering around but he had help her so much, Despite her frustrations, she couldn't ignore how much he'd helped her. Hence, she could atleast ask him to eat before leaving.
"Thanks for asking, but I need to go. Something urgent came up," he replied, grabbing his coat he had placed on the sofa before heading out.
After Darren left.
Stella turned and her pair of eyes met with two eger pair of eyes...
Stella herself didn't know what to say to them. she'd have to fill Zack in from the start.
"I guess I should start from the beginning…I got patched up with my mother and father " Stella began.
"That's a good news". Zack eyes turned brighter with a wide smile on his face, happy for Stella.
"And about Darren…" Stella hesitated. "I honestly don't know how I ended up in all this.".
"What do you mean?" Zack leaned forward.
"Well, I don't have the full picture yet, but there's supposedly an arranged marriage planned between Darren and me. It hasn't been confirmed yet—I actually found out about it by accident. I didn't even know he was aware of it, too. At first, I thought I could make him dislike me. But..."
"Wait....Where are you moving to?" Zack interrupted, his ears perking up as he thought he heard Darren mention our house. At first he had brushed it off, convinced he must have misheard.
"My parents insisted on me staying at the Pearly Lealand..." Stella began.
"Nice place—" Zack started to say knowing the area was super good, but the rest of his words froze on his lips as Stella finished her sentence.
"...with Darren," she added, her tone calm yet resigned.
"What?!" Rika shrieked, her eyes widening in shock.
Stella nodded slowly. Zack and Rika were the only people she was close to, and she knew she'd have to tell them sooner or later.
"Why?" Was the only word that could leave Zack's mouth "are they forcing you into this?". He added somehow.
Before Stella could say 'no' Rika jumped in, "are they marrying you off to Darren to get benefits from your marriage?"
"What?! No!" Stella blurted out shocked at her conclusion.
"Is than Darren forcing your parents to arrange this?"
"No one is forcing anyone" Stella said firmly.
"Is he blackmailing you?"
Stella's lips twitched slightly in disbelief. She was at a loss for words at the absurdity of their theories and and stunned by the rapid questioning
Rika : is it because of the rumour of him being gay?.
Stella : What does that even have to do anything in this?
"Maybe he wants to clear the rumor with your help," Rika suggested confidently, as though she had cracked the case.
"Would you two just stop?" Stella snapped. "You're making me lose my mind. Stop reading those ridiculous novels—they're messing with your heads!"
Before they could restored and fire off another imaginative accusations the door bell rangs and Stella got up to open the door leaving the two delusional people behind her.
"....Did we go overboard?" Zack asked, glancing at Rika.
"No," Rika replied with conviction. "Stella's too soft-hearted and trusts people too easily. She needs to be more cautious."
Zack: ...…
Zack stared at her. "Right… what a unique way of showing concern." He rolled his eyes.
It was unavoidable for them to worry about Stella.