You Lied to Us

~ Andrea ~

“Andrea! Andrea!”

I'm I dreaming or is it morning already? Who keeps shouting my name? 

“Andrea tell us this is not true! Andrea!”

I heard the sound of my door creaking and that was all it took for me to wake up. 

First, it was a blur. Blinking for some time, I saw Lisa and Laura standing in my room. 

“It's morning already?”

“Yes, it is. Now, please tell us the meaning of this news circulating.”

Lisa was always interrogating me. What news is it this time? 

“What news? How do you expect me to know about some news? Did you wake me up because of that? I'm going back to bed, don't wake me up again.”

“You should know about this news because it's about you! How the hell are you your boss’ fiancée?” Laurel added. 

Goodness! That news! I had forgotten everything about what happened yesterday. How could I? 

“The look on your face Andrea, it shows. This can't be real right? Why didn't you tell us?” 

Lisa was at it again. 

“Listen, I can explain.”

“Gosh! So it's true Andrea. Why didn't you tell us? 

“I'm sorry, okay. I couldn't tell you because it was unexpected.”

“Even if it was, couldn't you've given us a hint? Why Andrea? Why? I'm so disappointed in you?”

For the first time, I saw the look of disappointment flash Lisa's eye when she said this. 

This was what I feared.

“Let me explain to you please.”

I followed them down as they hurriedly went into their rooms.

It finally happened. This is how I'm going to lose my family's trust in me. How do I tell them I am in a contractual situation? 

We've to meet mom today and now this happened. It's not like I didn't expect this, but it's too sudden. 

It should be all over the news by now. 

I made breakfast with the aim of getting us to sit and talk over dinner but they didn't show up. 

When it was time to go to the hospital, they came downstairs and we left together. 

All this while, there was complete silence in the cab. 

When we got to the hospital, they rushed to mom's room without waiting for me. 

I was scared because I knew mom will be aware now. The numerous stares and whispers from people in the hospital confirmed my fear. 

Slowly, I entered the room. Mom stared at me, disbelieve evident in her eyes 

“How could you? We trusted you Andrea. I knew something was fishy when you were acting all strange. What did I tell you?” Mom threw the question immediately and her frustrated gaze landed on me. 

“Mom please listen to me.” I pleaded in a worried tone. 

“Listen to you? I asked you severely to tell me if anything was wrong. I told you if I learnt there was something, I'd be disappointed. And you still went ahead to lie boldly, staring me in the eye.”

“Mom I'm in a difficult situation right now and the least you all can do is to support me and not blame me.” I stated, my voice breaking. 

“I had always known you were greedy Andrea. You killed dad and now you are about to get married to a rich man.” Laurel retorted with a smirk. 

“Don't you dare start accusing me Laurel ! Everything I have ever done is for this family. Instead of you all trying to know the circumstances underlying this situation, you are accusing me? Really?”

I am tired of all this. Yes, it wasn't right that I didn't tell them but they should allow me to explain. 

I walked out of the hospital with tears flowing down my eyes. I didn't know where I was going, I just needed to escape all this. 

Laurel bringing the topic of dad's death was just too much. Just a few days I thought we were getting along and then these things started happening. 

I realized I had been walking for too long until I heard someone trying to get my attention. 

“Hello miss, are you alright?”

The person kept running after me until I decided to turn around and see who was disturbing my peace. 

I wasn't in a good mood right now and the last thing I wanted was a stranger poking his nose in my business. 

“Are you blind or you are just acting dumb? Can't you see I don't want to talk to anyone? Especially you!” I screamed, turning around to face the man. 

I almost lost my senses after saying that to a handsome guy. He had a sparkling blue eye, tall and well built. He was so fine!! 

“Woah! Woah! Woah! So sorry, I was just trying to look out for you. You looked out of the world and people kept looking at you strangely like you're some kind of celebrity.” 

That statement reminded me that I was indeed some kind of celebrity now because of last night's event. 

He looked at me for a moment. 

“I think I know you from somewhere.” 

He had his hand on his chin trying to remember where he had seen me. 

Duh, I was aware it was from the news. 

I intentionally quickened my steps to escape the man in front of me before he remembered where he saw me. 

Come to think of it, he looked rich. So why is he walking? Why do I even care? I have to find a way to get home at all costs. 

“Hey, wait! wait!”

I took to my heels when I heard him shouting. I'm very sure he remembers where he had seen me from. 

I didn't even call to inform Derrik of my absence at work today. A whole lot is going on right now and I didn't have the time to think about work. 

I got a cab and went straight home. I was in my room all day and had even forgotten to eat. 

It was night already and I knew Lisa and Laurel were home by then, but none of them cared to ask if I had eaten. 

It did hurt, but there was nothing I could do. 

It was during the worst moment in my life Derrik decided to call. 

“Andrea, you were not at work today. Why?”

I decided to ignore when he called, but he kept calling. As usual, he started talking the moment I answered. It was like his signature way of talking over the phone– No greeting. 

“I apologize. I will come to work tomorrow.”

“Is that all you can say? Not even an explanation as to why you didn't come?”

“I'm so sorry Mr. King, but I have a lot on my plate now please don't add to it.”

“Andrea…”

Beep, Beep. 

I ended the call before he could say anything else. 

Today, I was going to sleep as a stranger in my own family's house. I just hope everything will be fine by tomorrow. 

I laid in bed and slowly, I drifted off to sleep.