I took a sip of my coffee as I flipped the pages of the file in front of me. We were getting a new client today, I was supposed to meet them fifteen minutes ago.

My work here was to write down the history of the client. It was mostly questions related to their hobbies, personal life, relationships, etc. Sometimes, the client would happily answer them but many times they would be hesitant and would try changing the topic.

I obviously wanted to become a therapist, but this was the first step and so I did it very gladly.

I heard a faint knock on my door and asked whoever it was to come in. The doorknob turned and a girl wearing a beige dress with her hair tied into a tidy braid entered.

"You must be Aubrey." I cheerfully asked.

But she just nodded her head in return. I gestured her to have a seat and she obeyed.

"So Aubrey, how are you doing today?" I asked her with the same jolly tone.

"I'm doing okay. Thank you for asking." She shyly replied.

"Tell me something about your life?" I questioned as I took my notepad and pen out of the drawer.

Aubrey started answering all the questions I asked. Apparently, she was living with her parents who adored her very much but didn't have many friends. She was considered to be a loner and everyone bullied her.

It came to a point where the jocks used to touch her inappropriately. When she talked with her teacher about this, he just took more advantage of her by raping her.

My heart sank when she told me this. Of course, she would talk about it with Dr. Cruz more in detail and she will give her the proper help needed. I just had to note down the reason of her being here along with a few other details.

When my work was done, I gave her an apologetic smile and opened the door for her. She nodded at me once again before leaving me alone in my small office.

My office was a small room which smelled of rosewood. It only fitted a desk and a chair. There was very less walking or moving space left in the room. But, I liked it because it was my office. There was a sense of accomplishment because at first I started without an office.

After keeping all the other client's file in, I took Aubrey's file in my hand and went to Dr. Cruz's office to hand it to her, so that she could read it before actually meeting her.

"Hi, Dr. Cruz!" I greeted her.

"Oh, hey Valerie. Did you interview the new client?" She asked me.

"Her name is Aubrey and she was raped by one of her school teacher. It's very sad. She is super sensitive and shy. I don't think she'll open up quickly." I reported and kept the file on her desk.

"Thank you. Good work. I think you can take this day off. There is nothing else that you have to do here today, so why don't you get some rest." She told me.

Dr. Cruz was a sharp looking woman in her early 30's. She was very calm and intelligent. Her hair were a lighter shade of blonder and they complimented her ocean blue eyes very well.

"Thank you so much." I smiled and left.

I gathered up my things and exited the office. The immediate sound of cars passing by and people walking around filled my ears. It was almost noon but the New York streets were still busy. Back in Maplebirch, everything would be very quiet at this time of the day.

I decided to stop by the grocery store and buy some things for tonight's dinner. Instead of having refrigerated food, I thought of having something cooked.

I shopped for the ingredients of tacos. It was the very first dish that I learnt and not to brag, but I made delicious tacos.

After paying the cashier, I walked back home since it was only a fifteen minute walk. I greeted Teddy, our doorman once again and climbed up the stairs. Our apartment was on the third floor but instead of the elevator, I preferred the stairs because that was the only workout that I did.

I dug into my pocket for the keys and unlocked the door. But, while I as unlocking someone from behind me cleared the throat, making me turn around.

I looked around to see a man with hazel hair and greenish blue eyes, sitting on the stairs with a small duffel bag with him. His face carried a sad expression and his body posture was slumped which hinted that he was hurting.

"Derek?" I called out his name which made him smile.

Derek got up and went in for a hug. I wrapped my arms around his neck and closed my eyes to sink in the warm feeling.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, breaking the hug and stepping inside the apartment.

"I wanted to see you. I have some news actually." His deep but soft voice replied.

"Oh please, make yourself comfortable." I told him with excitement oozing off of my body.

Derek McAllister was Rosalind's brother. He was a big brother to me and Brianna too. He always protected us if anyone bullied us and was our knight in shining armour. We were very close with him too because we've had plenty of sleepovers at Rosalind's place. Having somebody visit me back from town gave me abundant joy and happiness.

He kept his duffel bag neatly next to the shoe stand and sat on the couch.

"Do you need anything to drink or to eat. I was making myself tacos and if you-"

"I have to tell you something." He said, his tone was dead serious.

"What is it Derek? You do look very tensed." I said, sitting next to him.

"Rosalind...she is...umm...she is dead." He finally spoke.

My breathe hitched and my heart skipped a beat. Rosalind was my best friend. She was the most important part of my life. I always imagined her being the maid of honour at my wedding.

"What?" I whispered, unable to speak.

"Yes. Mom and dad were out of town and when I returned back from the office nobody opened the door. So, I thought maybe she was in the washroom and used the spare key. But after some time, when I went to check her room, she was lying on the floor, motionless." He sniffed but then continued again. "I rushed towards her and moved her, but she wasn't breathing. I called 911 and an ambulance came. We rushed her to the hospital but the doctor said she was already dead."

"How did she die?" I asked.

"There was poison in her system. The cops said that it was suicide because there was no other solid evidence to point it out as a murder."

"Rosalind was a happy person. There is no way she killed herself." I defended her. It was true, Rosalind McAllister was an angel in disguise. She was the perfect daughter, the perfect friend and the perfect sister. There was no way she could have killed herself. She was murdered. Well, at least that is what I wanted to think.

It was easy for other people to be envious of her. She had everything. Wealth, friends and a perfect boyfriend. We all were a part of her little bubble. Hours ago, I claimed this day to be the best. But, it was fascinating how a single news could change the day into an exact opposite one. Now, this day was filled with sorrow.

"I know, but that's what they said. Her drink was poisoned, so they searched the entire house and found a bottle from the refrigerator, next to the juice. It was emptied. There was no other fingerprint except for hers on the bottle." He said.

I put my arm around Derek and rested my head on his shoulder. He held me by the waist and started to cry. I wanted to let the tears free too, but I couldn't.

For some reason, I held myself accountable. I could have saved her. But I didn't. I didn't because I was too selfish to acknowledge that her life was in danger. I was such a terrible friend.

"NO." I yelled and looked at Derek. "I refuse to believe it."

How could I accept that Rosalind was dead? What was I supposed to do now? I couldn't even apologise.

"I'm sorry Valerie." He alone, his voice was very low pitched. "Mom wanted to call you and invite you to the funeral, but knowing how close you were with her, I thought you deserved to know in person."

"Does Brianna know?" I asked him.

"No. I came here first." He said.

"Come on. Let's go." I said and got up.

Derek gave me a confused look but got up from the couch anyway.

"Where are we going?"

"We are going to see Brianna."

Hello Angels!!

I'm back with a new chapter. I know, I know, I'm updating very slow.

My main focus is on my other novel at the moment, but I also wanted to write this chapter.

I promise the updates would be more regular from next month. Well, I don't actually promise, but I'll do my best.

So, stay tuned and don't forget to vote, comment and share :)