Douglas's Dilemma - Chapter 7

After another heroic feat, Tiffany flies of to meet Illyana.

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With a thick steel chain slung over her slender shoulder, Tiffany soared over the glistening river. She smiled and waved at the dense lines of cheering crowds gathered on the banks, their cameras flashing and recording every move of the world's most renowned superhero.

A massive cargoship weighing about 210,000 tons was no match for Tiffany's incredible strength as she effortlessly towed it through the water. Its clumsy deadweight sloshed behind her, creating wake waves that danced and crashed against nearby yachts and sailing boats docked in a nearby harbor. The grateful crew stood on deck, their voices joining the cheers as they praised Tiffany for saving them from a deadly storm in the open sea that had threatened to consume their ship just hours before.

As soon as Tiffany's boots touched the solid ground of the wharf, she was engulfed by a swarm of journalists and camera crews descending upon her from all sides like hyenas.

She clattered the thick chain onto the wooden planks and wiped her forearm over her forehead with the intention of removing beads of sweat—a habitual gesture rather than one born out of necessity, for this rescue mission had not caused the superpowered girl a single drop of sweat.

Once she had finished answering the journalists' barrage of questions about her recent rescue operation, she made her way to the captain of the ship. She wanted to ensure that everyone on board was safe and sound. She gave a goodbye kiss to everyone on board, bid them farewell, and blasted off into the sky.

Tiffany's success in securing another safe for her credit gave her a fleeting sense of accomplishment. But deep down, she couldn't shake the hollowness that had slowly crept into her life. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of her relationship with Douglas, which had lost its passion and spark.

Though he remained faithful to his love for Tiffany and had cut off all ties with Illyana, she could not help but notice the flame of emptiness burning faintly behind the shine of the smile he granted her every morning. It was the smile of someone who tried to make the best of a situation while knowing darn well that things were going south.

Tiffany couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness for what their relationship had become. The cracks were beginning to show, despite their efforts to keep up appearances.

For a long time, Tiffany was convinced she was the sole reason for Douglas's happiness. However, this certainty was shaken after the incident with Illyana, and now she wasn't so sure anymore.

Tiffany's fists clenched as she flew above the clouds.

The fluffy masses below looked like inviting pillows, ready to cradle and lull her into a peaceful slumber, temporarily easing her troubles.

She found it impossible to shake the image of Illyana's perfect face from her mind. It was as though her smug smirk was taunting her through some telepathic connection. Tiffany often wondered if everything would have been easier if she had just let that Major guy abduct Illyana or pretended that she wasn't capable of saving her from him.

At least then, she wouldn't have to carry the weight of being a murderer on her conscience, a burden that plagued her even in her sleep.

Tiffany pushed the thought out of her mind and scolded herself for even daring to entertain such a desire.

This was not the person she wanted to be or the person she strived to become. If someone needed help and she had the ability to assist them, she wouldn't hesitate to do so. Killing that Major guy was her only choice since he would have otherwise blown himself up while causing catastrophic destruction in the city, endangering the lives of thousands.

Despite all her power, Tiffany realized that she was stuck.

She yearned to bring Douglas joy, but she knew she could never fulfill his desires. He craved something that she was unable to provide.

There was only one person who could help her.

The image of Illyana's smug smirk beamed in Tiffany's head again, filling her with vexation she found hard to control.

It seemed her only option now was to seek assistance from the one person she despised more than anyone else.

With a tablet in hand and dressed in an on-brand green silken dress short enough to offer any spectator a clear view of her splendid legs, Illyana ambled through an aisle in the boutique store she was working at, surveying the swimwear section to check its inventory.

She mumbled some thoughts while tapping away on her tablet, until she sensed someone approaching from behind. The smile that spread across her face as she turned suddenly disappeared replaced by a look of surprise when she saw that it was not a customer but Tiffany standing behind her.

"Hi." Tiffany smiled.

"Hi," Illyana said, forcing a smile onto her face.

"Please, don't assume that I want to disturb you during your work, but I was wondering if you have a minute for me at your convenience?" Tiffany said.

"I have a lunch break in thirty minutes." Illyana heard herself saying.

"Would you mind giving up a few minutes of your break to chat with me? I have something I want to discuss."

Illyana gave an inner sigh. Tiffany was the last person she wanted to talk to after such a busy day. However, Tiffany's polite and patient demeanor made it difficult for Illyana to turn her down. Saying a hard 'no' now would be downright rude.

Plus, Tiffany saved her from that Major dude, so the least she could do was sacrifice a few minutes of her free time for her.

"Sure thing," Replied Illyana. "Meet me in the park across the street at about 1 p.m."

"Will do," Tiffany said with a gracious smile. "Thank you, Illyana."

Tiffany couldn't shake off her nerves as she sat on a bench near a quiet pond, listening to geese honking in the distance. Approaching footsteps behind her made her look over her shoulder.

Watching Illyana approach, Tiffany couldn't help but feel intimidated by her striking beauty. This was the first time since gaining her powers that she had been in awe of another girl's appearance. It was impossible to deny Illyana's imposing presence, with her tall frame and confident stride. Her long, luscious black hair swayed in sync with each step, adding to her majestic aura.

Even before her powers enhanced her beauty, Tiffany was a sight to behold. After her ascension, however, she outshone the girls, who were commonly regarded as beautiful, by a significant margin, leaving them feeling envious in comparison.

However, when it came to Illyana, Tiffany couldn't say that there was any distance between them in terms of looks.

Tiffany realized that they were evenly matched in the realm of beauty.

She couldn't even fathom how much more stunning Illyana would become if she gained these powers on top of her already ethereal looks. It likely causes most man, if not all, to discard their dignity for even the slightest bit of her attention.

"Want some?" Tiffany smiled, holding up a bag of her favorite candy—skittles. It was her go-to way of lightening the mood during tense conversations.

Unfortunately, it did not have the desired effect, for Illyana politely declined her offer and got right to business.

"What can I do for you?" Illyana said, after also refusing Tiffany's invitation to take a seat on the bench.

"I'll get right to the nub of it," Tiffany said, mirroring Illyana's intention to keep this conversation business-like.

"Great, I was hoping you would do that," Illyana said.

"My relationship with Douglas is…" Tiffany paused momentarily, sighing heavily before continuing. "how can I put it?"

"Circling the drain?" Illyana said.

"Hitting a rough patch, I would say." Tiffany forced a smile. "I think I don't have to tell you that your influence is a major factor."

"So, you're blaming me?" Illyana said.

"I am not here to assign blame," Tiffany said.

"But you do blame me?"

Instead of answering the question, Tiffany fired one herself. "As much as I hate saying this, I need your help, Illyana. Are you willing to give it to me?"

"Help?" Illyana said with a chuckle. "What you need my help for? You're the all-powerful one here."

Illyana's voice was filled with envy, easily detectable to anyone listening. Summoning even more courage than it took to confess her need for help, "You possess something I lack. Something Douglas, for some inexplicable reason, desperately desires."

Tiffany's heart felt like it had been stabbed when she saw a cunning grin spreading on Illyana's unfairly perfect lips. She was so enjoying this, such a despicable girl.

"Yeah I know. I'm a total bitch." Illyana flashed a sardonic smile. "It may surprise someone like you, but deep down, every boy secretly longs for a complete and utter bitch – someone who disregards their existence and crushes their fragile self-worth like a discarded soda can on the pavement with the heel of her boot."

"Can you help me or not?" Tiffany said, ignoring the remark.

Illyana shrugged. "I don't know, can I?"

"I think you can," Tiffany said.

Illyana spun around and faced away from Tiffany, adopting a contemplative stance.

After a prolonged period of silence, just as Tiffany was about to leave, Illyana turned back towards her. "I will let you know in the morning."

With that, she strolled off to resume her work, happily whistling a tune.