After talking to Daddy, I immediately went out to return to my room, but I didn't expect to see Vanessa outside Mommy's room. I wanted to glare at her, but she hadn't done anything to me yet. Whatever her offense against me, it would happen in the future. So I thought maybe I could still do something to salvage our friendship.
“Good morning, Miss Isabella,” she greeted me.

“Just Isabella will do, we're the same age anyway. Are you busy today?” I asked her, and she shook her head immediately. She still kept her head down as if she couldn't face me. Was she shy?
“Not really. I haven't been doing much lately since you don't want me to help you anymore,” she said in a slightly choked voice.
“Sorry, Vanessa. I've just been stressed lately. Since you don't have much to do today, get ready. We're going shopping,” I told her, and as expected, she was immediately delighted.
She used to love going to the mall. Vanessa's favorite times were when I took her to the mall and we shopped together. But before that, of course, we would eat first and watch a movie. Was it time to be friends with her again? Maybe if she didn't feel envious of me, she wouldn't betray me in the future. I just thought it might be possible that she wouldn't do that.
“Are you sure, Isabella? It's been so long since we went out and shopped!” Isabella said excitedly.
“Yes, indeed. Alright, get ready. If you want to buy anything like skincare or vitamins, list them down now so you won't forget,” I advised her.

“Are you going to treat me?” she asked.
“Of course. Just like before,” I said.
“Okay. Just like before,” Vanessa said, and then she said goodbye to me to prepare for our outing.
After Vanessa left, I knocked on my parents' room again and told them that Vanessa and I were leaving. Mommy smiled as if she were pleased that Vanessa and I had become close again. Vanessa had been close to Mommy for a long time, treating her like her own daughter.

“I’m happy that you and Vanessa are okay again, Isabella. I thought you would never reconcile,” Mommy said to me.
“I've just been busy lately, Mom.”
“I know, dear. I also explained to Vanessa that you were just stressed and had a lot on your mind, but you weren't mad at her,” Mommy said.
“Yes. Mmmm, I'll go back to my room now, Mom. I'll get ready and then Vanessa and I will leave. We'll just ask the driver to drop us off at the mall, then pick us up later,” I said.
“Okay. Enjoy yourselves there with Vanessa. There's still money in your debit card, right? Treat her to something nice. She has a favorite restaurant there,” she said to me.
“Yes. She loves the chicken with lots of cheese there. Okay, Mom. I'll get ready,” I said again.
“Take care always,” she reminded me, and I nodded.
When I returned to my room, I just changed into something more suitable for the mall. The outfit I wore earlier was too short. I chose to wear pants because they were comfortable. Blue jeans and a white blouse were enough for me. After making sure my wallet was in my bag, I went out of the room and went to Vanessa's room.
However, before I could knock, she came out as if she knew I was outside. I smiled at her immediately, and she did the same. Then, we went to the garage together, which was just right because our driver was there and he was cleaning Daddy's other cars.
I told the driver that we were just going to the mall and then we would be picked up later. And when we left, Vanessa was very quiet in the car. I wanted to talk to her but I didn't know where to start.
“Have you found your mate yet, Vanessa?” I started, and she immediately frowned when she heard my question. Why?
“Mate? I'm an omega, Isabella. It's not easy for me to find a mate,” she answered, and I was surprised because I didn't know she had that kind of problem.
“With the number of people you interact with every day, you still haven't found anyone?”
“Actually, there is one. But he's already engaged to another woman, and no matter what I do, he'll never choose me. What chance do I have against that girl when she's the daughter of a powerful Alpha?”
As Vanessa spoke, I immediately thought of Aric Stormheart she was referring to. And I was the daughter of a powerful Alpha. She was right. She had no chance against me back then, even if she said that Aric was also her mate. But now, a lot has changed. If my suspicion about her referring to Aric was correct, she might have a chance to claim him.
“Is that man still engaged until now? Have you met again?”
“Yes, but he only sees me as a friend, and he always reminds me that we're just friends,” Vanessa answered in a sad tone, so I knew her feelings for him ran deep.
“What if he's also confused now, huh? Why don't you talk to him again? Or why don't you confess to him yourself?” I suggested to her, but she just laughed.
“He'll just laugh at me,” she said.
“Why? Maybe he'll even be happy with what you'll tell him, right? Don't jump to conclusions,” I said.
“Do you think he'll notice me like this?”
“Don't underestimate yourself, Vanessa. What's wrong with being an omega? Besides, you're beautiful. Use your beauty to get the man you want,” I advised her, and then I remembered that I said the same thing to her before, without knowing that she was targeting my boyfriend.
“Hmmmm, I'll try,” she said.
“Just calm down when you seduce him. As long as you don't step on other women, Vanessa. That's okay. We have the right to be happy with the man we want.”
“What if he doesn't like me?” she asked.
“Look for another man. There are plenty of men in this world. Besides, if we're not lucky with werewolves, human mates are also an option,” I said, and her eyes widened. Did I say something wrong?
“Human mate?”