---- By the time Asher woke up, it was already four in the ---- afternoon. The weather was beautiful and sunny. Asher looked down from the second-floor window and saw Thalia in the courtyard, eyes half-closed, contentedly basking in the sun. The man''s lips unconsciously curved into a smile. For some reason, seeing Thalia sunbathing reminded him of a small turtle poking its head out to soak up the sun ona rock. It was quite adorable.
After returning from New York, Thalia and Asher''s rtionship underwent a subtle change. Mainly, Thalia''s attitude toward Asher had shifted. She was no longer cold and asionally sarcastic as before. Though they hadn''t officially reconciled, there was now an unmistakable hint of intimacy between them. Even Lucia noticed there was something between them. ---- That afternoon, Lucia came to Thalia''sw firm.
In the office, Charlotte was preparing tea for herself whilementing acidly, "Come clean. What happened between you and Asher? You used to be so cold to him, and now you two are making eyes at each other?" Thaliaughed, giving her an exasperated look. "What ''making eyes"? Stop spreading rumors." "Hmph, I''ve seen it several times now," Lucia muttered. "You used to look at him with ice in your eyes. Now it''s different-your eyes sparkle like stars.
Are you two rekindling your old me?" Thaliapletely dodged the question: "Il take that as apliment about my pretty eyes." "Don''t change the subject. Tell me honestly, did something happen between you two?" As she spoke, Lucia suddenly covered her mouth, eyes widening. "You two, you didn''t... did you?" "..." Thalia was speechless. "Miss Schulz, did you forget we''re supposed to be rivals? Is this how you interrogate yourpetition?
''Did something happen?'' What exactly are you implying? What kind of thoughts are running through your ---- head?" "Thinking about Asher, of course. What else?" Lucia mumbled. "Are you treating me as a rival or a friend?" Thalia looked at Lucia with amusement. "You''re questioning me like a detective interviewing a suspect, but it sounds more like something a best friend would do." "What''s that term?" Lucia tilted her head. "Frenemies, that''s it.
We''re frenemies-rivals plus friends." Thalia couldn''t helpughing. "Miss Schulz, that''s not exactly what ''frenemies'' means." Rivals plus friends-who had ever heard of such a thing? "Tdon''t care," Lucia huffed. "I want to be with Asher and be his number one, but I also want to be good friends with you, my number two." Thalia joked back: "Miss Schulz, you can''t have your cake and eat it too. How can you want both?" Lucia cocked her head,pletely unapologetic. "You already said I''ma princess. What''s wrong with being a little demanding?"