Carmilla and Mia sank into the plush cushions of the vintage couch. The air inside the house was calm, almost too calm, as if holding its breath around their conversation.
"Thanks, Mia. You know it better than anyone," Carmilla said with a faint laugh, trying to mask the weariness in her voice.
Mia smiled, but it didn't last long. Her face quickly turned somber as she leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees.
"Cam... I'm really sorry I didn't make it to Julian's burial," she said quietly, her voice thick with guilt. "I feel awful. Life's been a mess, and I— I just couldn't make it work. But that's no excuse."
Carmilla's heart squeezed at the mention of her brother. The pain never fully left. It merely tucked itself away during the day and returned with full force at night.
She gave Mia a small, understanding smile. "It's okay. I know you would've been there if you could. Julian… he always liked you."
Mia exhaled, visibly relieved, though a trace of guilt lingered in her eyes. She straightened up, pushing her curly hair behind her ears.
"So… what's been going on with you lately?" she asked, forcing a lighter tone. "How's life treating you?"
Carmilla hesitated. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve as she took a slow breath. "Life's been… interesting," she said, trying to sound casual, though the strain in her voice betrayed her.
Mia focuses her eyes towards her. "Cam, I know that look. You're not okay."
Carmilla said nothing.
"You know what? Come on. Let's get out of here," Mia said suddenly, reaching for her friend's hand. "I'm craving matcha. What about you?"
A ghost of a smile played on Carmilla's lips. "Do you even need to ask?"
The two stepped out into the warmth of the late afternoon. The sunlight wrapped around them like a soft blanket, and for a moment, Carmilla felt a little lighter.
Her jaw dropped when they approached Mia's new car parked in the driveway.
"You bought a Lamborghini?" Carmilla asked, eyes wide with disbelief.
Mia shrugged, grinning with pride. "You know I collect. Besides, she's just one of my new babies. Wait till you see the others."
Carmilla shook her head, laughing despite herself. "You're impossible."
"Now get in," Mia said, swinging open the door. "Let's get outta here."
Minutes later, they pulled up to a quiet corner café tucked between rows of flowering trees and boutique shops. The place was cozy, serene, almost untouched by the rush of the city. Inside, the soft hum of instrumental jazz filled the space as sunbeams filtered through the wide glass windows.
They took their usual spot at the back corner table, surrounded by the scent of baked pastries and roasted matcha.
Mia placed the order without asking, and soon they were both seated, warm drinks in hand.
"Okay, spill it," Mia said gently, her eyes locked on Carmilla. "You look like you're carrying the weight of the world."
Carmilla sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Her eyes met Mia's, and for a second she seemed unsure whether to continue.
"Promise you won't—"
She was cut off by the waiter arriving with their drinks.
"Here's your order, ma'am."
"Thank you," they both said in unison as the waiter nodded and walked away.
Mia took a small sip, then set her cup down. "You were saying?"
Carmilla stared into her matcha for a moment, then finally spoke. "My mom has… arranged a marriage for me."
Mia blinked. "Wait, what?"
Carmilla nodded slowly. "She wants me to marry the son of the Harrington family. It's part of some agreement Julian made before he died. He was supposed to marry into the family to save the company. Now… she wants me to take his place."
Mia sat back in her chair, stunned. "Cam… that's insane."
"I just found out when I came home,if I am to comment, she caught me off guard this time," Carmilla said, her voice soft. "Everything happened so fast. It's like I walked into someone else's life."
Mia was still trying to process it. "I've only heard of stuff like this in old dramas. I didn't think it happened in real life."
"It's all about business to her," Carmilla muttered. "She thinks this will save the company, keep the family name afloat."
Mia frowned, her tone sharp with disapproval. "So you're just a piece in her game? That's not okay. You're not a pawn, Cam."
Carmilla bristled slightly. "I never said anything about pawns."
"I did," Mia said without apology. "Because that's what it sounds like."
Carmilla's voice lowered. "I'm just trying to do what's right. For my family."
Mia stared at her friend, her eyes narrowing. "You mean what your mom thinks is right. I know your dad—he wouldn't agree with this."
Carmilla's defenses dropped, and her voice softened again. "I know you're worried about me. But I'll be okay. The Harringtons are… powerful. Wealthy. It's not the worst outcome."
Mia squinted, the name triggering something in the back of her mind.
"The Harringtons…" she whispered, more to herself than to Carmilla.
Carmilla tilted her head. "What?"
"That name sounds familiar." Mia said, her brain in thought. "Wait—yes. I remember now. Three years ago, they were under investigation for drug trafficking and a string of murders. It was all over the news. They were cleared eventually, but there was a lot of noise about a rival company trying to destroy their image."
Carmilla shrugged lightly. "It must've been just rumors. My family went through a similar thing years ago. We were innocent, but still caught in the storm."
Mia was unconvinced. "Still, that's a red flag if I've ever seen one."
Trying to shift the tone, she asked, "So when's this so-called wedding happening?"
"My mom says the mother-in-law is planning everything," Carmilla replied, a little irony in her voice.
"Whoa. Mother-in-law already? You're moving fast," Mia teased, cracking a smile. "I guess I don't need an invitation to the wedding."
They both laughed, the tension loosening between them for the first time that afternoon.