The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 252
Deborah, however, was in a different boat. She came from an ordinary background and had only managed to infiltrate Tamara’s circle by sheer luck. She had spent her time doing errands and playing the sidekick for Tamara.
Hearing Tamara agree, Deborah’s face lit up with surprise. “Really? Tamara, you’re the best!”
Tamara basked in Deborah’s adoring gaze, her mood soaring. She loved this feeling-being put on a pedestal, having people beg her for favors.
She looked at her glamorous reflection in the mirror, smoothing out the hem of her gown, and spoke with feigned casualness. “Since you both like Clive so much… tell you what. Next week, I’ll take you directly to his agency for a tour. I can even get him to sign autographs and take photos with you. How about that?”
“Oh my god! Really?” Deborah almost jumped with excitement. “Tamara, you spoil us too much!” Tamara pursed her lips in a smile, a gleam of triumph in her eyes. She took Deborah and Carola’s hands affectionately. “Well, you guys are my best friends. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t be this nice.”
Concert tickets were effortless for her. Offering a few small favors to make Deborah and Carola dead set on serving her? Why wouldn’t she?
Having received Tamara’s promise, Carola and Deborah were beaming. They hovered around her, eagerly arranging the train of her dress, their words getting sweeter by the second.
“Tamara, you really look like an angel in this!” Deborah carefully held up the train, her tone exaggerated yet sincere. “Milford hit the jackpot marrying you. He must have saved the world in a past life!”
Carola nodded repeatedly, her eyes shining. “Exactly! You’re beautiful, kind-hearted, and so generous to your friends. Who could possibly compare to you?”
Listening to their flattery, the corners of Tamara’s mouth lifted, and her eyes danced with pleasure. But she pretended to be modest. “Stop flattering me. Isn’t it only natural for friends to help each other?”
“That depends on whose friend it is!” Deborah interjected immediately, full of admiration. “Someone like you-great family, great personality, and so caring? There isn’t a second person like you in all of Alloy City!”
Carola quickly chimed in. “Exactly! Some people just pretend to be high and mighty, but behind your back, who knows how jealous they are of you!”
She curled her lip suggestively, clearly throwing shade at Leilani.
Hearing that, the smile in Tamara’s eyes vanished instantly. In reality, watching her wedding date with Milford draw closer, she wasn’t as calm as Carola and Deborah imagined. The thought that Leilani would be attending the wedding made her inexplicably panic.
She turned back to the mirror, admiring her perfect wedding dress. This wasn’t just her attire for the
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day; it was her battle armor.
Looking at herself, Tamara suddenly let out a soft sigh. “Actually… I’ve been a little worried lately.”
Seeing her sigh, Deborah and Carola immediately leaned in, asking urgently, “Tamara, what’s wrong? Why the sigh?”
Tamara lowered her eyes, her tone dejected and her expression troubled. “You know my wedding with Milford is next week. Leilani told me she’s coming. Carola, Deborah, you know how Leilani is…”
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