Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

It turned out that Mandy, Lyla, and Colene had gone to church. After church, they went on a shopping spree.
They also visited a trending cafe before returning to Heightsnew Villa, feeling satisfied.
In the eyes of the world, they were in awkward positions. People expected them to scheme against one another and to have a
cut-throat relationship behind closed doors.
However, the trio were close, like three peas in a pod. At times, even Alyssa felt deep jealousy when she witnessed their
sisterhood.
Winston must have saved the universe in his past life for him to have Mandy's, Lyla's, and Colene's loyalty toward him in this life.
"Woah! Why didn't any of you bring me along? I'm sad now ..." Alyssa teased.
She was sitting on the swing in the garden. Like a young and energetic youth, she swung back and forth with the tip of her toes
sweeping on the ground.
"Oh, dearest Alyssa, it's not that we didn't want to bring you along!"
Colene approached her from behind and put her arms around her neck.
She hugged Alyssa and said softly, "Why didn't you give us a heads-up that you made a last-minute decision to come home? If
we knew that you were coming back, unless anything life-threatening happened to Winston, we would have waited for you at
home no matter what!"
Alyssa cringed.
Mandy and Lyla looked extremely awkward. They advised, "Watch your words, Colene. You sound like you are ill-wishing
Winston."
"I didn't! If anything were to happen to Winston, where else am I going to find such reliable financial backing?" Colene put her
hands on her hips and bellowed.
Alyssa, Mandy, and Lyla looked on gloomily.
It was a good thing that Winston wasn't around. Otherwise, he might just have a heart attack.

"Lyla is a believer, and there was mass today, so the both of us thought of accompanying her to go out for some fresh air,"
Mandy gently explained while holding Alyssa's hand.
"It's my bad. I should make it up to Lyse by making a delicious feast tonight," Lyla said.
She loved Alyssa more than her own daughter. When she saw that Alyssa was unhappy, she turned and immediately headed
toward the kitchen.
"No, don't, Lyla! I was just joking with all of you!" Alyssa got up in a hurry to stop Lyla in her tracks. She linked arms with Lyla and
pouted. "Look at you, can't you take a joke?"
Lyla's introverted and humble self tugged at Alyssa's heartstrings. She figured living such a cautious life must be too exhausting.
"How are you lately, Lyla? Do you feel better now?" Alyssa asked in a warm tone.
"Don't worry about me, Lyse. I'm fine. I've felt much better since a long time ago."
Lyla stroked Alyssa's silky, dark hair. She asked with a gaze full of concern, "How about you? What have you been up to out
there lately?
"Winston has been worried sick because you haven't come back in such a long time. He's lost his appetite and has even lost
weight."
"That's right! He couldn't even eat Lyla's cooking. It's obvious how much Winston misses you," Colene chimed in.
Although Alyssa felt rather guilty, she didn't show it on her face.
"The other day, I heard Winston on the phone with you, Lyse. He raised his voice quite loudly. Did you both have an argument?"
Mandy couldn't help but ask.
"Not really ..."
"Not really? Wow ... Ever since that day, it was like a dark cloud was looming over Winston wherever he went. Even when he
was going out this morning, he also looked livid. He looked just like Hulk!" said Colene as she shuddered at that thought.
"That's right, Lyse. What in the world happened? It's rare for Winston to be angry like that." Lyla was also especially concerned.

Alyssa pursed her lips and tried to control her breathing. She explained slowly, "Jasper and I are back together."
A hush enveloped them.