The stale air of my apartment was thicker than usual that evening, emphasizing the silence and the gnawing emptiness of the fridge.
The only promise of relief was the vibration of my phone.
A text from Joyce: Join us for dinner! Nathaniel's cooking.
How could I refuse? Joyce and I had been best friends long before my father cut me loose. She was my only port in this storm.
I took a quick shower, traded my secretary clothes for something comfortable, and walked the few blocks to their apartment.
When Joyce opened the door, Nathaniel was right behind her.
"Lilith, I'm glad you were able to make it. Thank you," Nathaniel said, pulling me into a quick hug.
"For what?" I asked, confused.
"Joyce insisted we watch a romantic movie," he deadpanned, rolling his eyes.
"We both know how that will end."
We shared a laugh, an easy moment that evaporated the stress of my day.
"What's funny?" Joyce demanded, hands on her hips.
"Nothing," Nathaniel and I said in perfect unison.
"So, Lilith, how was your day?" Joyce asked, leading me to the dining table already set for three.
"It was not bad." I took a seat.
"What's the special occasion? You asked me to come over, and I know you too well; there must be a reason."
"There isn't a special occasion, Lilith. You're overreacting," Joyce insisted, giving me her most innocent look.
"Mhm," I said in disbelief.
"Fine. Aside from the fact that I wanted you to have dinner with us, I also wanted to talk to you because it's been a while since we last chatted."
"Dinner is ready," Nathaniel announced, pulling steaming plates of food from the kitchen.
I had no idea he'd been cooking, though I knew he was a wizard in the kitchen.
"Come on, girls, could we talk about this after dinner?"
We ate, the food a welcome balm to my starved stomach and soul.
After dinner, we settled in the living room. Nathaniel was too busy looking for the "perfect" movie to watch when Joyce brought up the real reason for my invitation.
"Lilith, have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"Well, your brother, Harrison, has officially taken over your father's company."
I went silent for a while. I knew this day would come. I was the eldest; I was supposed to inherit the kingdom.
But ever since he disowned me, I knew he would hand everything down to Harrison. The knife still twisted five years later.
"That's good," was all I could force out.
"You know what, let's forget about movie night and talk about you," Nathaniel said, setting the remote down and turning his full attention on me.
"Me?" I asked, a nervous knot forming in my stomach.
"Yeah. We want to know how you feel. Lilith, we're worried," Joyce said, her tone softening.
"Worried? About what?"
"That you'd end up being single for the rest of your life."
"Joyce, I thought we've been through this before?" The defense mechanism kicked in.
"No, we haven't. You need a guy in your life, Lilith."
"Why would I need a guy in my life?" My independence was my armor.
"Because you need someone to protect you and look out for you," she argued.
"Nathaniel, please tell Joyce that I'm better off on my own and I can protect myself," I pleaded with him.
"Sorry, Lilith, but for once, I agree with Joyce on this one."
"Are you kidding me?"
"As much as you might try to deny it, the fact still remains that you need someone who would love and cherish you," Joyce said, unwavering.
"Love is overrated," I spat out. It was easier to believe that than face the vulnerability of wanting it.
"That wasn't what you told me when I met Nathaniel," Joyce countered, a triumphant glint in her eye.
"I didn't say anything!"
"That's not true! You said 'love is a force that can't be hidden no matter how hard you try,' you also said that 'love ties two souls together for eternity and when you find someone that makes you feel special then hold on to them like your life depended on it'!"
Did I really say all of that? Wow, I was a wise monk.
"I think what Joyce is trying to say is that you should open your heart to love and you will be loved," Nathaniel added gently.
"Don't forget that you're the reason why Nathaniel and I are dating!" Joyce grinned.
It was true that I played Cupid for the both of them.
They both had feelings for each other back then but behaved like a cat and mouse.
What I did was simple: I locked them in a room and told them that I would throw the keys away if they didn't confess their feelings to each other and start making out.
My plan worked, and ever since then, they've been in a serious relationship.
"Joyce, yours is different. But I don't have the energy to argue, so yes, you're right. I do need a boyfriend, and don't worry, I'd find one soon."
"That's good," Nathaniel smiled.
"Oh, did I tell you that I met Wesley today?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
"Huh?! Wesley? As in, Wesley, the same reason you were disowned by your dad?" Joyce's eyes went wide.
"He's not the reason why I was disowned, but yes, the same Wesley," I confirmed.
"When did you meet him?" Nathaniel asked, leaning forward, suddenly invested.
"I met him on my way to work this morning. He gave me a lift."
"Perhaps this is destiny speaking," Joyce breathed, her romantic movie agenda returning with a vengeance.
"Here we go again," Nathaniel muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Think about it! You guys were supposed to get married five years ago but realized that you didn't love each other... What if... what if destiny is giving you a second chance to fall in love?"
"Seriously, Joyce? What makes you think that? If you ask me, I think it's rather suspicious. I mean, perhaps your dad wants him to keep an eye on you," Nathaniel offered, a more cynical, yet likely, perspective.
"That makes more sense," I agreed.
"And what if you're wrong and destiny's speaking?" Joyce challenged.
"Well, I'd have to silence destiny until I'm certain about everything," I decided firmly.
"That's smart," Nathaniel nodded approvingly.
"Thank you," I replied.
"Hey, what about me? Aren't I smart? Are you saying your girlfriend is dumb?" Joyce playfully punched his arm.
"No, not at all! If anything, my girlfriend is the smartest person who ever lived!"
Joyce and Nathaniel started their usual routine of acting all lovey-dovey, and I couldn't concentrate on their movie anymore.
Soon enough, I said my good nights and went home, falling asleep like a baby. I hoped tomorrow would be better than today, a new day in my lonely fight for independence.