Icy Clear Pendant

Two days later ~

"Today is my birthday, Laura," Jessica announced.

"Happy Birthday, Jes," Laura said plainly as she walked towards the main door.

"Laura!" Jessica yelled at Laura to stop her.

"What is it?" Laura looked at Jessica in confusion.

"Nothing…" Jessica yelled back. She then walked over to the couch and sat down. Laura smiled at her action. She slowly walked toward Jessica and squatted down.

"Why does my birthday girl look upset?" asked Laura, holding Jessica's hand.

"Laura... you don't love me anymore. You just forgot my birthday, and you were harsh to me." Tears appeared in Jessica's eyes. Laura chuckled while watching Jessica, who was acting like a kid. Immediately she pulled a box and placed it in Jessica's hand.

"This is for my cute, gorgeous auntie." Laura kissed Jessica's cheeks. Quickly, Jessica hugged Laura.

"Thank you, Laura. I thought you forgot about it," Jessica mumbled.

"No… How can I forget your birthday? Jess… you are my mother. You are the reason that I am strong enough today. Thank you, Jess, for protecting me all these years from evil hands," said Laura. Jessica smiled, yet tears rolled out of her eyes.

"Okay… No more crying. Let's celebrate your birthday after we come back from the cafe." Laura wiped her tears. Jessica nodded her head.

Soon after Laura left, Jessica opened the box. She smiled widely, seeing a beautiful custom-made diamond and ruby-finished necklace. Jessica, being a jewellery lover, loved the unique set. She gazed at the hallway where Laura had walked out.

"Laura… I will give you a gift soon. I won't allow you to go back to that monster Ralph… I will do whatever I can to stop you," Jessica smirked and pulled out her phone. She typed a text message and pressed the send button.

"Now, the game begins." Jessica smiled widely, thinking about her plan.

****

Laura rushed to her apartment in the evening as Jessica, who was eager to celebrate her birthday, made several phone calls.

"Jess, what's the hurry?" Laura screamed as she entered the living room. She glanced at the well-decorated home. Laura was surprised to notice the arrangement that Jessica made to celebrate her birthday.

"Laura… Change your dress and be fast. "I am so eager to cut the cake," Jessica said happily. Laura rolled her eyes, noticing Jessica's excitement.

"What's this, Jess?" Laura tried to comprehend the situation, but Jessica intervened to stop her thinking.

"Laura... who knows, maybe this is my last birthday that we are celebrating in this world. So I thought to celebrate it as I wish." Jessica conveyed her thoughts without raising Laura's suspicion. Nodding her head, Laura moved to her room.

After 20 minutes, Laura appeared wearing a black-coloured sleeveless deep-neck frock with white floral prints on it. She also wore the necklace because she missed her mother. Jessica scanned Laura and smiled contentedly.

"Let's cut the cake," Laura announced herself as soon as she reached the dinner table.

"Wait… I will get some wine." Jessica excused herself and moved to the wine cabinet. Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Who is that?" Murmured Laura.

"Laura… It's Stella… I invited her too… Please open the door." Shouted Jessica. Laura rolled her eyes. Indeed, Jessica planned to celebrate her birthday lavishly.

Laura opened the door to greet Stella but was surprised to see Grey standing in front of her with a cute, wide smile on his lips. He was holding a bouquet full of pink roses. Grey smiled widely, noticing her shocked face. He took a step back and moved his gaze to get a good look at Laura. But then he noticed the ice-clear locket he was looking for shining in blue. Immediately, he gazed at her in surprise. Laura, who sensed his gaze on the locket, hurriedly grabbed the locket inside her palm.

"Hey Man… Move away from our way." The sudden voice of Xavier startled them. They gazed at Xavier and Stella, who was standing behind Grey.

"Xavier…" Laura gazed at Xavier in disbelief. She noticed Stella's annoyed face with Xavier's presence.

"Hi, Laura… Nice to meet you," Xavier mumbled as he moved in, leaving Laura stunned.

"Beautiful… Happy Birthday…This is for you." Xavier took out a small box from his coat and handed it to Jessica who walked into the living room.

"Ohh… Xavi… No need for all of these... Your presence is what I wished for... I am happy that you guys came." Jessica hugged Xavier.

"Happy Birthday, Jess!" Grey walked to her and handed her the bouquet.

"Thank you, Grey," Jessica said immediately, and she hugged Grey.

Laura clenched her fist, watching the scene. Laura understood why Jessica was too excited to celebrate her birthday. Jessica even invited Grey, which shocked Laura.

"Happy Birthday, Jess," Stella too handed a gift box.

"Thank you, Stella. Come in. Let's cut the cake." Jessica said and gazed at Laura.

"Laura, come inside. Why are you standing there alone?" Jessica smiled at Laura, who was still at the door. Immediately, Laura glared at Jessica. Everyone could feel that Laura was not appreciating their arrival. Especially Grey could feel it. But he ignored her glare and focused on her locket. It was the same locket, but the icy clear pendant was now looking blue, which confused Grey. Noticing Grey's gaze at her neck, Laura hurried behind Jessica. Soon they cut the cake and settled down for dinner.

Laura didn't intend to look at Grey. She concentrated on her food. Yet Grey was fully concentrated on Laura. Meanwhile, Xavier's eyes kept on staring at Stella. At some point, Stella smirked at Xavier while holding a fork in her hand. Immediately, Xavier averted his eye from her and turned to Laura.

"Laura… You look thin... Why don't you try some steak?" Xavier placed a steak on her plate. Immediately, Laura glared at him. Xavier chuckled.

"Laura, you are the same as we were in school. Your anger, your glare... Even that icy clear pendant... you didn't remove it." Xavier said with a smile, staring at her.

"No. It's blue." Grey peered at the pendant immediately. Laura and Jessica widen their eyes in shock.

"What?" Xavier gazed at Grey in confusion.

"I mean the pendant... It is blue." Grey expressed his view.

"What!!! Grey… Did you hit your head somewhere? It's white, not blue." Blinked Xavier. Grey gazed at everyone. Even Stella was shocked to hear Grey.

"Hey man… Don't tell me you have night blindness. It's white. Look at it." Xavier said seriously, pointing to Laura.

"Jessica, you are the one who created all these problems here. Sort it out!" yelled Laura in her mind.

"Laura, calm down… I will do something." Jessica hurriedly replied in her mind.

"Grey… what's these… It was an icy clear pendant... You just had a hallucination," said Jessica. Immediately Grey denied it. "No," he said, and he gazed at Laura. But suddenly he frowned at the pendant which was not blue. It was not shining in blue now. It was icy clear, as he saw in his dream. He stared at her in disbelief.

*****