She could hear the confusion in her best friend’s voice and she knew it was a day that would be filled with… a lot of questions. But as of right now; CC just stayed quiet and held the girl in front of her in her hands. Nodding at her statements of “You died”. She wasn’t sure how Val would react. Happy? Confused? Upset? P^ssed? And if Candice was being honest; she wouldn’t blame her either way she went. The girl had every right to feel that way about her… multiple ways about her. “I was…” C mumbled with her next statement; though as the next phrase left Valerie’s mouth - C- only hugged her best friend tighter. And she did; Candice missed the hell out of Valerie Wood - trying to keep up with her social media when she could… wishing she could say something, anything to the girl. But she couldn’t.
Though moments later; the two were pulled apart as Valerie was brought to the stage to do her walk and it was almost immediate how empty the room felt. Multiple eyes were on her as people whispered amongst themselves about… well… her return. One she had never intended to make if Blue Royalty hadn’t sent that text. But instead of leaving; Candice stayed there - looking through the curtains at how flawless Valerie looked walking down the runway. Until… well… she returned. And the question she knew was coming left her lips Why.
A soft sigh escaped her own as Candice led Valerie to an empty dressing room; wanting a little privacy with this particular conversation. “Why’d I leave or why’d I return?” C questioned; willing to answer anything the girl needed from her. “I left because I couldn’t stay here with Lily-Ann… controlling everything in my life. And left in the way that I did because she threatened my dad” C sighed. “I came back because of this” Candice continued - handing Valerie her phone to read the message from blue royalty.
A list of names reading from Maverick, to Delilah, to Valerie all on the long list of who would get hurt if she didn’t come back. “I never expected to come back… but Val I was always going to tell you one day.” C sighed.
And then the more complicated question of How… “Daniel Parker,” Candice stated after a few moments. “he helped me fake my death… I know he’s usually an awful guy and you should never make a deal with the devil but he owed me and… he knew how to do it without anyone finding out… well except blue royalty apparently.”