THE BITTER TASTE OF MEMORIES
The tension in the cottage was thick enough to suffocate, but it was interrupted by a sharp knock on the heavy door. Fay wiped her eyes quickly, pulling her professional mask back on, while Kei smoothed her linen shirt and went to answer it.
A resort staff member stood there, holding a lunch box.
"Compliments of a Ms. Sofia Vance,"
the man said with a polite bow.
"She had this flown in by private courier from the city. She insisted it be served warm to Ms. Kei Luz".
Kei took the lunch box. Her hands noticeably stiff.
As she set it on the table and lifted the lid, the aroma filled the room savory, earthy and distinctly homemade. It was a simple bowl of porridge, garnished with a few scallions and ginger.
Next to the lunch box was a small, hand-written note.
.
.
"_"
Fay stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she read the words over Kei's shoulder. The note was short, written in Sofia's elegant, sharp cursive:
"I heard the beach sun can be draining. Don't forget to take care of yourself. I've updated the 'recipe' it's no longer a biohazard, but it still works. Remember the rooftop at 2 AM? Eat up, keiko. -S."
The air in the room shifted instantly. Fay felt like she had been slapped.
"The rooftop at 2 AM?" she repeated, her voice trembling with a fresh wave of jealousy. "And she called you what? Keiko?. In a note".
Kei stared at the porridge, her expression unreadable. She didn't look disgusted, she looked… nostalgic.
"It's just a joke, Fay. It doesn't mean anything."
"A joke that costs thousands of dollars to fly to a private island?"
Fay snapped.
"She's marking her territory, Kei! She's telling me and the world that she knows the version of you that I'm not allowed to see. She's reminding you that when you were at your lowest, she was the one who fed you."
Kei picked up the spoon, looking at the steam rising from the bowl.
"She's just being Sofia. She's protective."
"No, she's in love with you!"
Fay's voice rose to a scream.
"And the worst part isn't that she loves you. The worst part is that you're letting her do this. You're standing here in a villa with me, playing 'couple' for the fans, but you're holding a note that talks about a life I wasn't invited to!"
Fay grabbed the porridge, her knuckles white. For a second, Kei thought she was going to throw it. Instead, Fay slammed it back down on the table. splashing some of the broth onto the white lace tablecloth.
.
.
"_"
"Eat it then,"
Fay whispered, her eyes burning with tears.
"Eat her 'safe' porridge. If that's what you need to feel 'home,' then go ahead. But don't you dare tell me she's just a best friend ever again."
Kei reached out, grabbing Fay's hand.
"Fay, please. I didn't ask her to send this."
"But you're not throwing it away either,"
Fay countered, pulling her hand back.
As they stood there, glaring at each other over a bowl of rice and a handwritten note, Fay's phone buzzed. The "porridge delivery" had already been spotted by the resort staff and leaked online. The internet was already losing its mind over the "Gift from the CEO," and the #KeiSofia shippers were claiming victory.
.
.
.
To the world, it was a romantic gesture from a soulmate. To Fay, it was the bitterest meal she had ever seen.