“But the strange thing, the thing that you can never explain to anyone, except another nut, or, if you’re lucky, a doctor who has an unusual amount of sense — stranger than the hallucinations, or the voices, or the anxiety — is the way you begin to experience the edges of the mind itself… in a way other people just can’t.”
I can't wait to see when they're in pre relationship or relationship era and Tiffany will look at anyone with a murderous gaze or just destroy their life if they mess with Riley
"She'll gladly step on you anytime you ask" I just know she likes going all bdsm with MC. Like blindfold, bondage, handcuffs, using whip etc
Title: Envy [TiffRiley]
Book: Waterlily
Ratings/Warning: T / Physical abuse (just a small part in the fic), Toxicity.
WC: 1,077
Tags: @rc-catalog
(If you guys saw me yapping abt Tiff being envious of Riley at some point in my twter its that, in this fic but more on just Tiff being envious. This is actually more on just tiff honestly. Also im lowk back, heavy on lowkey bc my job is jumping on me. I think for Tiff who's surrounded by what she should be her entire life, it will difficult for her to differentiate her feelings for Riley. She was conditioned after all to be that way. A looot of unlearning to do. No edit btw.)
It was in early summer of her youth when Tiffany got drilled into her head the heights she should achieve as a Romano.
She should be a symbol of wealth that their family shows. She's drowning in the opulence and shines brightly with the expensive jewelry and dresses her parents will buy for her. It was, a norm, something she's born into. Anyone who's not part of the elite society, people wearing in uniforms are not like them.
Dressed in unattainable fashion for normal people is what separates her from the rest. Envy and vapid adoration is expected from her peers not only with their staffs.
As a Romano, she easily adapts to their concealed knives. Charming them with her wealth and undeniable beauty. She also understood she only have to be friends within the wealthy. It's mainly for transactional relationship. Building rapport, appealing to their likeness and voila, she got them on her side. It was a chore, soon she gets bored and undeniably leaked her real self. When her mother learned she was slacking, a red hand print was almost embedded to her. She snaps, clarity washes over her. Her dreamy youthful eyes replaced with reality. Staring at her beloved mother, she sees the truth.
She's a tool. Declan and her are on the same family. Looking at her stupid brother fuels her with gnawing irritation of how he carries himself so casually in this family. Something fragile in her was pushed down to the depths, she needs to make up for everything she lacks.
No matter, she already have the wealth and treaded well in the society because of it.
A Fairchild isn't an obstacle with her. From what she gathered, Lily was just like her, rich and up and coming heir for their family. She vouches for Lily, as her mother prescribed her to do.
It will be easy.
It is true, Lily seems a breath of fresh air from the other pompous rich kids like her. They had exchanged few pleasantries to confirm it. Soon maybe she can find a common ground with her.
It was hopeful until the memory from the boutique. Another girl was with Lily that time. Riley. The way they exchange glance and smiles is so casual, together they have their arms linked together. A knot in her formed but no matter, maybe this Riley is like them too. Until her mother started hissing on the younger girl, she learned that Riley isn't what she expected.
Another concept lodged into her head, she might need to sit down on this one.
An orphan girl, being best friends with a high-society. Rather than being irritated, she's curious.
Riley, she remembered her brother being so irritable but oddly invested in their conversation.
She scoffed which didn't escaped Declan's hearing.
"What?" His breath ragged and grating. "You have a crush." She simply announced.
"With that annoying know it-all? No chance, Tiff." He rolled his eyes but the blush on his cheeks betrays him. She rolls her eyes.
He can be so dense and could not figure out his feelings well, well she's different, she's curious about this Riley. A bubbling mix of feelings makes her unreasonable to the point their first conversation turned ugly.
She couldn't find an area to compliment her, she's so—plain.
"You look really nice, for someone who just tags along with Lily like a dog." She plaster her signature smile which boosted by her ensemble but Riley wasn't pleased. Who would anyway?
"Tiffany, you also looked nice for someone who's only redeeming quality is your appearance." Riley bit back with every inch of her being.
"What?" Her poise shattered and her heel clacked beneath her.
"Yeah, Tiff." Lily's already at Riley's side being protective. "I thought you're different from your mother but actually, you're just a copy of her."
Tiffany's all red, profanities starts entering her brain.
She just scoffed. "It's true." Adding fuel to the fire. "There's not an ounce from her that is remarkable."
Lily understood what she meant but chose to shield Riley. "If your definition of being remarkable is by only status and money, I fear that what I say to you is also nothing but the truth." Tiffany inhaled.
"That being said, excuse us Tiffany and have a wonderful afternoon." Lily starts to drag Riley along with her.
Unbelievable!
Lily Fairchild humiliated her in expense of that orphan!
She immediately collected herself. Looking at her brother who's been giving her disapproving look, she felt small but she just raised a brow at him. "What?"
He shook his head and walked off.
She didn't say Riley is ugly. She believes what she said is truth, what's wrong being plain? If anything Riley was excruciatingly nice. Annoying sure, but the way she got to be closed to the Fairchild makes her feel small. She can't match herself to her, she already have the Fairchilds fawning over her like their third daughter.
Something like thorn inside her grow.
What is it up with Riley anyway?
She's free to do what she wants, being carefree of her choices and still being adored by everyone. Even by her brother!
She bit the inside of her cheek. The sun was glaring down at her and she's sweating profusely because of it, but her eyes still on the spot where Riley originally is.
She doesn't know or want to admit, but being just proximity of Riley might be enough to get to know her. She'll stick to Lily's side just to see Riley.
Curiosity turned ugly; Extreme dislike that akin to obsession warps itself in Tiffany.
She carries it until adulthood, now mixed with something twisted.
Witnessing Riley again back in the Fairchilds, for Amelia's wedding. Her eyes were saucers, old feelings gets revived. Suddenly she wants to sprint towards her, for what?
It's the same Riley. Who have it easier navigating life. Actually no, she have it easy, Tiffany's much more aware of her wealth and can push people into the corner whenever she wants.
A comforting feeling of twisted connection revived, it gave her comfort that she's still irritated by Riley. Tiffany watches her like birds of prey that even Declan can't even read if his sister wants to tear Riley apart and eat her right there and there, he also noticed something deeper along with those emotions. Desire, in a way it's the same as previous one but he cannot picture what it truly is.