Chapter 5 Regrets

In the weeks that followed, Valerie's life had, in her eyes, returned to its rightful place. A few moments of financial crisis were nothing she couldn't manage, she thought.

A few times she had been tempted to call her dad but she liked the independent lifestyle she had now, away from his constant nagging and scrutiny, she was that girl, independent and free.

She was once again basking in the luxury she adored, hosting elegant dinners and hangouts, slipping in and out of designer heels, and shopping in her favourite boutiques.

The fact that she'd sold one car, and then another to sustain her lifestyle didn't bother her at all; for what it's worth, it felt like a necessary sacrifice to stay on top of things, from one club to another, one party to another.

Every sale was another thrilling surge of cash, another escape from the financial reality her father had thrust upon her.

While everything seemed to be going on just the way Valerie wanted, Layla on the other hand was terrified for her. She watched her friend drain her resources, auctioning off car after car, selling her designer bags to yet again purchase another designer bag, her prized jewellery, even a rare watch her father had gifted her on her 21st birthday.

Valerie was slipping away from reason, and every time she called to tell Layla about her latest purchase, her carefree attitude only deepened Layla's concern.

The car sale was supposed to be a onetime thing but has now escalated into something else and Valerie was obviously losing it.

One evening, Valerie had returned from yet another shopping spree, her arms loaded with bags from Chanel, Versace, and Louis Vuitton. She walked through the house as if on a runway, dropping her things on the kitchen island with a satisfied sigh.

Layla, who'd been waiting for her, took in the scene with a tight-lipped frown. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself before speaking.

"Valerie, we need to talk." Her tone was cold and firm, though her eyes were pleading.

Valerie paused, turning to her friend with a breezy, bemused smile. "About what?" she asked, tossing her coat over the back of a chair.

Layla approached, glancing at the pile of designer bags on the counter. "About this." She gestured to the bags. "You've been selling off your things one by one just to keep living like this. Val, you've got to start cutting down on your spending before you hit rock bottom."

Valerie laughed, a bitter, dismissive sound. "I'm fine, Layla. This is what I want. I'm living my life. You should be happy for me"

"What is here to be happy about? Selling one luxury item to buy another, you should be thinking about ways to sustain what you have till your dad comes around" Layla queried with her hands akimbo.

"No! I'm not asking my dad for a dime, and he will come around by the time he see's I'm doing just fine without him, he cut me off, so I will be fine without him and as regarding my incessant shopping spree? It's not ending any time soon" Valeria firmly said.

Layla shook her head, her voice rising with frustration. "Valerie, this isn't sustainable! You're literally emptying your life out and it's painful to see, Yes I supported you with selling the car at first but it was just to solve the initial problem with finances but it appears I have open a can of worms and have let the gates of hell loose because my friend is about to empty her house just to keep up with appearance, trying to please people that don't give two flying fucks about her. I can't stand by and watch you ruin yourself, draining every last bit of your savings and assets just to keep up!"

Valerie's eyes flashed, her voice suddenly icy. "Oh, here we go. Spare me the lecture, Layla." She folded her arms, her chin tilted defiantly. "I don't need your advice. You're not my mother, alright? I know exactly what I'm doing."

"Val, you're being reckless! You're selling things that meant something to you. Do you even realise how much you've sacrificed just to buy more things you don't need?" Layla's voice was rising now, her face flushed with frustration. She took a breath, trying to keep her calm. "I'm only trying to help you, Valerie. I don't want to watch you destroy everything you have considering the situation between you with you and your dad".

"You know what? I don't even know who is worse, you or my dad, your both just want to control me, leave me the fuck alone!" Valerie yelled.

"I even regret helping you sell the first car if I'd known it would turn into this." Layla muttered under her breath.

Valerie's face was stormy as she glared back at her friend. "If my spending is such an issue, then maybe you should just mind your own god damn business. You don't understand. Do you? This is my life, and I'll live it the way I want."

Layla shook her head, her voice low and filled with disappointment. "You're right, I don't understand, Valerie. I don't understand why you're willing to throw everything away just to prove some point. And if this is what you want, fine. But don't come running to me when there's nothing left to sell."

Valerie flinched, anger flashing in her eyes, her lips void of words to say. Layla grabbed her bag and stormed towards the door; the room fell into silence. The click of the door echoed through the empty house, and Valerie was left alone, standing in the midst of her luxury purchases. She clenched her fists for some seconds before gathering the bags and heading upstairs, her heart pounding as Layla's words echoed in her mind.