NETWORKING

"Ashley, you need to take a week-long break from work. That's what my mum said," Astoria announced, her tone both firm and concerned. "She even took a blood sample from your arm after hearing about the foaming in your mouth."

Ashley blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "She... took a blood sample?" she repeated, glancing down at her arm as if expecting to see evidence of it.

"Yep," Astoria replied matter-of-factly. "Mum doesn't take any chances when it comes to health. She's been keeping an eye on you ever since you mentioned your symptoms." Astoria's mother, one of the four doctors in the small town of Umbridge, was known for her meticulous nature and no-nonsense approach to medicine. Her advice was practically law around here.

"Lucky for you," Astoria continued, her tone shifting to something lighter, "Pops is out for the week. Off on some business trip—something about expanding operations in Japan. I think."

"Expanding?" Ashley asked, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't he say the same thing about China last year?"

Astoria shrugged. "Yeah, but you know how he is. Always onto the next big thing. Apparently, Stanley has convinced him that Japan's the golden ticket now. Heard from Cherry. You know... cuz her dad and my pops are on a business trip.... I just hope he remembers to bring me back something cool, like a handcrafted Sensu fan or those cute Omamori charms." She grinned, clearly already picturing the souvenirs.

Ashley chuckled softly, though her mind still lingered on Astoria's earlier statement. A week-long break? It wasn't as though she had much of a choice if Astoria's mum was involved—she was one of the most respected doctors in town, and her word carried more weight than Ashley's protests ever could. Still, the idea of being forced to slow down felt strange.

"I guess I don't really have a say in this, huh?" Ashley said with a wry smile.

"Nope," Astoria confirmed with a grin. "So you'd better get used to the idea of some actual rest and relaxation. Who knows? You might even enjoy it."

Before Ashley could respond, an ear-splitting shriek echoed through the house, making both girls leap off their beanbags. Their glasses of lemonade on the coffee table wobbled dangerously but, thankfully, didn't spill.

"What the—" Ashley started.

"UGHHHHHHHH!!!" The banshee-like scream cut her off, reverberating from Astoria's bedroom.

Astoria bolted from the lounge, panic flashing across her face. "Moranna? Are you okay?!" she shouted as she sprinted towards the source of the scream.

Ashley followed more cautiously, tiptoeing behind her, her curiosity piqued. She left her lemonade untouched, bracing herself for whatever chaos awaited in the bedroom.

When they arrived, they found Moranna in the middle of the room, clutching her phone with an expression of pure frustration. "The Wi-Fi here SUCKS SO BAD!" she yelled, glaring at her screen as though it had personally offended her. "HOW am I supposed to edit all of Belle's videos with this garbage connection?!"

Astoria stopped short, her panic replaced with exasperation. "Seriously? That's what the screaming was about?"

Moranna shot her a withering glare. "Do you have ANY idea how many takes Belle recorded for this? And now I can't even upload them properly! Your Wi-Fi is slower than a snail on a treadmill."

Ashley snorted, unable to stop the grin spreading across her face. "You almost gave us heart attacks over bad Wi-Fi?"

Moranna groaned dramatically, flopping onto the bed with her phone in hand. "You don't get it. Belle's videos need to be PERFECT. And at this rate, they're never going to be ready."

Astoria rolled her eyes. "Fine, drama queen. Let me reset the router. But next time, try not to scream like you're being murdered, okay?"

Moranna huffed, but chose not to argue, her frustration hanging in the air like a cloud. Ashley, leaning against the door frame, couldn't suppress a grin as she watched the scene unfold, amusement dancing in her eyes. Life with this group was never dull—no matter how chaotic, there was always an odd sense of comfort in these small, familiar moments.

Viella, lounging on the bed, barely lifted her gaze as her maid expertly applied a face mask. She adjusted the cucumbers on her eyes with a sigh, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh là là, Moranna. Drama queen much?"

Her perfectly timed, dry remark shattered the tension in the room. Ashley couldn't hold back the giggle that bubbled up, while Astoria's lips changed into a knowing smirk. The storm had passed, leaving only the faintest traces of amusement in its wake.

Just then, a loud flush echoed through the room, followed by the appearance of the utterly clueless chef, Belle, stepping out of the bathroom with wide eyes. "What? Did I miss something, guys?" she asked innocently, her confusion only adding to the chaos.

Astoria and Ashley burst into laughter, unable to contain themselves at Belle's completely unknowing entrance. Viella, still lounging dramatically on the bed, let out an exaggerated huff. "HUFF! That's enough! Now, let me enjoy my facials in peace!" She clapped her hands firmly, her tone an unmistakable mix of authority and mock irritation, before shooing the giggling duo toward the lounge with a dismissive flick of her wrist.

The chaos of the moment had only deepened, yet somehow, it made everything feel just a little more... normal.

As the door to the bedroom clicked shut behind them, the faint sound of muffled voices drifted down the hall. Moranna's low mumbling mixed with Viella's sharp retorts, echoing through the polished corridors like a distant symphony of familiar quarrels. It was a strange juxtaposition—the warmth of their conversation against the cold, almost eerie stillness of the mansion.

The hall itself was narrow but grand, the walls lined with framed portraits of long-forgotten ancestors, their faces captured in timeless oils that now seemed a little too lifelike, their eyes tracking the movement of anyone who passed. The floor, covered in a rich, dark carpet, felt soft underfoot, each step muffled, as if the house itself were trying to hush the chaos of the world outside. Along the walls, narrow windows let in patches of gray light, illuminating the dust motes that floated lazily in the air. But the windows were always half-covered with heavy curtains, keeping the outside world at bay and maintaining an air of exclusivity, as if the mansion were a world apart, removed from the apocalyptic nightmare outside its borders.

The lounge had turned into the game area, a lively space filled with colourful bean bags scattered around the room. Some were stacked in a corner, others casually dropped near a worn gaming console. The atmosphere was relaxed and chaotic, a perfect place to lose track of time.

In one corner, a small adjustment kitchen had been set up, a mix of salvaged appliances and counters. The sink was surprisingly clean, and shelves were lined with jars of dried herbs and canned goods. A vintage fridge hummed quietly, stocked with whatever they could find.

The walls were a mix of old-world decor and bright, homemade posters, one large mural covering an entire wall with abstract faces and colourful splashes. It was a warm, lived-in space with a sense of comfort, despite its worn furniture.

A TV sat against one wall, flickering with a game being played, the remote lying nearby. Snack wrappers, forgotten controllers, and mugs littered the area, making it feel like a normal, cosy hangout.

After retreating to their domain, Ashley and Belle flopped down into their respective bean bags, the soft fabric sinking under their weight. They let out a collective sigh, settling into the familiar comfort of the room. The chaos outside seemed a distant memory here, where the laughter and chatter of their group filled the air.

"I... I can't believe it!" Belle exclaimed, still stunned after hearing Ashley's retelling of the incident. "She got so worked up over a bad signal."

Astoria, fiddling with the router as she switched it on and off, shrugged nonchalantly. "Truth be told, she's very spoiled." She took a long gulp of lemonade, finishing it in one go, before casually dropping the empty glass into the dishwasher with a soft clink.

Belle raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Really?"

"Yup," Astoria continued, leaning back and crossing her arms. "Heard from Viella's mum that her folks are loaded—really rich and powerful." She glanced at Ashley, who was sprawled across her bean bag, trying to stifle a grin. "Makes sense, doesn't it? I mean, Moranna's got that whole 'brat of the world' vibe."

Ashley rolled her eyes. "You're not wrong." She stretched lazily, her fingers drumming on the edge of the bean bag. "But honestly, I don't think she cares about any of that. It's all about the drama for her."

Belle nodded slowly, her mind racing with the new information. "So, it's not just about the signal... she's used to getting things her way, huh?"

Astoria smirked. "Exactly. But don't let her fool you. She might be spoiled, but she's got a soft spot. Just takes a while to crack through that ice."

"Good luck with that," Ashley said, laughing under her breath. "I've been trying for ages."

The three of them shared a knowing look, each understanding the complicated dynamic of their group. In this strange little world they'd created, everyone had their quirks—but that was what made it all work, in its own bizarre way.

"Moranna may act all cold and distant," Ashley began, glancing over at Belle with a knowing smile, "but when it counts, she's surprisingly generous. I mean, she even gave you her family crest for the Japan visa."

Belle blinked, still processing the gesture. "Yeah, that was... unexpected. I didn't think she'd do something like that for me."

Astoria nodded in agreement, a slight smile on her face. "Moranna's not one for big, flashy gestures, but she's always thinking of others in her own way. The fact she gave you that crest? That's a pretty huge deal."

Ashley grinned. "Exactly. It's like her way of saying, 'I trust you.' She doesn't hand out that crest to just anyone."

Belle looked down at the small but meaningful emblem, her fingers brushing over it. "I honestly didn't know what to say when she offered it to me. It felt like... like I'd crossed some unspoken line."

"You have," Astoria said with a teasing glint in her eye. "She doesn't let just anyone in. But now? You're part of the crew."

Belle smiled, feeling a mix of gratitude and surprise. "I guess I never realized how much she cared. Guess I'll have to start seeing her in a new light."

"That's the thing with Moranna," Ashley added, sitting up a little straighter. "She doesn't show her cards easily, but when she does, it's always something that counts."

Belle grinned from ear to ear as the realization hit her, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Do you think she finally thinks of me as her bestie?"

Astoria opened her mouth to respond but was quickly silenced by Ashley, who gently placed a finger to her lips.

"Yes! Of course she does!" Ashley said with a playful grin. "I mean, you have her crest, right?" She nodded toward the family crest in Belle's hand, her voice filled with confidence.

Belle's smile widened even more, her face lighting up with pure joy. "I knew it! She really does see me as her bestie!"

"Wait, then what about us two?" Ashley asked, her tone suddenly more serious. "Do you not consider us your friends anymore?"

Ashley and Astoria exchanged a knowing glance before both of them broke into teasing grins.

"What, you're replacing us already?" Astoria asked, raising an eyebrow, her voice dripping with mock hurt.

"Yeah, guess we're just chopped liver now," Ashley added with a dramatic sigh, crossing her arms over her chest.

Belle's face turned a shade of pink, her eyes widening in surprise. "What? No! I didn't mean that!" she stammered, suddenly flustered. "I—I'm still your friend too!"

Ashley leaned back in her bean bag, grinning smugly. "I don't know, Belle. I mean, it seems like you've found a new bestie."

Astoria smirked. "Yeah, I guess we'll just have to fight for your attention now."

Belle laughed, relieved by their teasing. "I didn't mean it like that, I swear! You two are still my besties!"

Ashley and Astoria exchanged a look, then both burst out laughing. "Alright, we'll let you off the hook," Ashley teased, her tone light. "But just remember, we're your first besties."

"Exactly," Astoria chimed in. "You can't get rid of us that easily."

The tension melted away, and the three of them shared a laugh, the familiar teasing making everything feel right once again.