Lies

Emiliana

I could barely remember and understand the words my math teacher was saying as my attention was not on her, but at the wall clock right above her head. 

Why is the time moving so slow? This is not how this usually works?

“Emilia? Why are you so fidgety?” I looked up at my seatmate. Clara’s left brow was in a perfect arch as she stared at me with puzzled expression. 

I quickly tore a small piece of paper from my notebook and wrote my reply to her. “I want to go home. My sister caught the flu and she’s alone.”

I slowly slide the paper to her before paying my full attention to Miss Alvizo, even though I don’t understand a word she’s saying. Clara did not strike a conversation with me after reading my reply to her. It’s nothing new. 

I calmed myself down in order to not bother Clara anymore. She doesn’t usually strike up a conversation with me… but I guess she was really pissed by my behavior just now.

Five minutes left. I must endure this anxiousness and worry for five more minutes. 

“And that’s our lesson for today. Next meeting, we will have a quiz so be sure to study the materials,” says Miss Alvizo as I hurriedly pack my things. “Class dismissed!”

When I heard my que, I rushed out of the classroom even knowing that the last bell had not rung yet.

“Hey Emilia, are you not coming with us?” I heard Stephanie, one of my few friends, yelled at me. Right! I promise them that we will go to our favorite café.

I halted my pace and turned to face her. She was leaning on the frame of the exit door. “I’m sorry, Stephy! I need to go home early. Trisha’s having a flu and no one’s with her. I’ll make it up to you next time. Tell the girls I’m sorry!” I yelled back and did not wait for her reply as I continued making my way to the stairs. Using the elevator would only delay me any further.

I finally got to the lobby of our school. As I made my way to the exit, I pulled my phone out from my pocket and dialed my driver’s number.

“Emilia! Have you seen your boyfriend?” 

“Argh!” I let out a soft groan as soon as I spotted the person who called for me. For the second time, I stopped my pace and watched my boyfriend’s basketball teammate stop right in front of me. I fix my slipping glasses back on my nose bridge as it is where it should be before canceling the call.

I watch Scott’s serious and clueless expression. Frowning at him, I ask, “did he not tell you that he is absent today? He also caught the flu.”

“Also?” An unfamiliar voice butt in. I tilted my head to have a glimpse of the owner of the voice. A guy dressed in a varsity uniform stopped beside Scott. He was dripping wet from his own sweat. I could see his hair glistening. 

He held the hem of his shirt and wiped his sweaty forehead and neck. I turned to face the other side of the lobby to avoid the sight of his body. I believe that it’s inappropriate to see someone else’s body without their consent. Well, except for models.

“My sister also caught the flu.” Remembering his question, I answered. I finally was able to face them after I saw from my line of sight that he pulled down his shirt back.

“Oh, right! Emilia, this is Nico. He’s a friend of ours. You probably don’t know him ‘cause every time you visit the gym after practice, this guy disappears like a mushroom,” said Scott while pointing at the guy beside him. 

Oh! Is he not part of the basketball team? Maybe he’s not. I never saw him in any of the games our basketball team has participated in.

“And Nico, this is Emilia Vergara. You’ve probably heard of her since Clarence had been blabbering about her non-stop.” Scott added. What Scott said perked my interest but I didn’t delve much into it.

“Hi! Nice to meet you,” I muttered and was about to bow when I saw him extending his hand for a handshake.

“A pleasure to meet you, Emilia!” he said in a slow manner. Flexing his deep voice which I didn’t realize he had when he said a word earlier. I was preoccupied with my sister. 

I held his sweaty hand for a shake and was about to take it back when he tightened his grip. I furrowed at his sudden gesture. And because of what he did, I noticed how calloused and toned his hand is… despite being a high school student.

“Uhm, excuse me Mister Nico but can I have my hand back?” politely, I mumbled.

He quickly loosens his grip and I took the chance to turn my attention to Scott—whose attention is on the man beside him, brows furrowed.

“Just visit him at home after your practice. You know how stubborn he is whenever he’s sick.” I suggested, grabbing Scott’s attention.

I received a nod from him as an answer. Not taking too much time with them anymore, I bid them goodbye. I shook my head when I heard Scott scolding Nico for what he did—the prolonged handshake with me.

Again, I dialed my driver’s number and in just a ring… he answered.

“Exit!” Before I could even speak another word, the call ended. As usual.

“You’re rude!” I fired at my driver the moment I got inside the car. I glared at him when I heard him chuckle.

Sebastian started the engine and maneuvered the car out of the campus. “When will you change your rude attitude, hmm Sebastian?” I sarcastically muttered, breaking the silence that’s slowly building between us.

“When you learn to not take my rude attitude seriously,” he mumbles, gaze focused on the road.

His answer made me theatrically roll my eyes. Sebastian’s mine and Trisha’s childhood friend—well, I do consider him as a childhood friend since he’s been with me since my diaper days—the reason why he’s fearless when it comes to being rude.

Though he only acts like that towards me. The man would change in an instant the moment he is with Trisha, my younger sister.

I rested my elbow on the window and palm on my cheeks. “You’re only rude towards me. Why not with Trisha?” I blurted out, gaze outside the road.

There was a long pause on his end. Maybe he was thinking of an answer that would not offend me. I know everyone in the house love’s my younger sister, I also love her, but their love towards me is different…I just know it’s different.

“Because I’m more comfortable with you.” Was his answer that I did not acknowledge any further. I welcome the lingering silence between us.

When the car’s engine died down, I quickly got out of the car and did not wait for Sebastian anymore, since he still needs to clean the car—as per father’s instruction.

The instant I got inside the house; the deafening silence welcomed me. Right! It’s been three days since it’s just me and Trisha living inside this huge mansion. It’s never bad to have this kind of peacefulness sometimes. No maids gossiping or parents yelling at each other.

After tossing my backpack at the sofa, I headed towards the second floor but halted midway when moans and groans graced my ears.

I furrowed at the indecent noises coming from my sister’s room. Is she doing that thing? But isn’t it too loud for a soft-spoken girl like her?

However, my thought immediately failed me the moment I heard a familiar name that my own sister’s been screaming in pleasure.

I could feel my legs losing their strength as indecent thoughts of the possible scene that I’ll be witnessing when I open that door rush through my mind.

“Hah!” I heave a sigh to relieve myself from this numbing that’s slowly building on me.

“You’re crazy, Emilia! Why would she be with Clarence? Maybe you’re just mistaken. He probably has the same name as your boyfriend. He would never cheat on you.” I mumble like a crazy person.

I slowly continued my step, but the other part of me says I should not open the door, while the other says, I should and confirm it before jumping to conclusion. And because I am a fake-strong lady, I continued to confirm.

There was a slight gap on Trisha’s door. The screams of pleasure between two people are getting clearer and louder. Enduring the pain that’s building on me and fighting my intuition, I push the door open.

I felt my guts twitching as I stood motionless while witnessing my own boyfriend, pounding my younger sister as she screamed deliriously in pleasure.

I felt my body numb on its own, however it did not become a reason for me to falter. I don’t know how I manage to stand on my two feet knowing that they don’t have any strength left.

I manage to let myself witness the revolting indecent deed they are doing. Imprinting in my mind every move he’s doing to her and how my sister is clinging tightly on his neck as she screams in pleasure.

When? When did they start doing this behind my back? Was she the reason why he was always on the phone? Was she the reason why he’s been cold to me? Was she the reason for his lies?

Questions surge on my mind as I stood there unmoving until they both noticed me, and I could see the horror in their faces when they finally did.

I saw how my sister, Trisha, pushed Clarence off her and pulled the sheets to cover herself up. Clarence, who probably recovered from shock, seeing his girlfriend witnessing his cheating, immediately stood up and grabbed something he could to cover himself down there before he strides towards me.

I wanted to smack his face even though I could not feel my arms. 

He stretched his hand out, his eyes pleading as he looked at me. “B-baby, I-I’m sorry. Hear me out ple-please,” his voice broke.

But before he could even touch me, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the scene. I could hear Clarence yelling for my name but could not follow us…or maybe he did not want to follow us… follow me.

Without the strength of my own legs, I fell on the stairs, but I was too numb to even feel any pain. Too numb to even feel my own body sinking to darkness.

~~~

“Do you know how much I wanted to punch and make a mess of that bastard’s face?”

A scream? I heard a scream but I was too tired to command my eyes to open. I just let myself listen to the two people’s conversation. I know eavesdropping is not nice, but I couldn’t help myself as I am unable to lift a finger even though I wanted to. Something’s hindering me to move my body, like a gravitational force of some sort.

“I know you are mad. And I am too, but it’s not our business to meddle in their affairs. Plus, you just met Emilia. Why are you so worked up?”

Is that Scott’s voice I’m hearing? Why is he here? And who is the other person? Is it Nico?

Based on what Scott said, he is the only person I’ve met today.

“We should not be talking about this here. Let’s go find somewhere private.”

It’s Scott’s voice again. I heard their steps getting further and a door closing.

“Where am I?” in a hoarse voice, I finally let out a question after ten minutes of watching back and forth the three men who are with me inside this room.

After Scott and Nico left earlier, I think I have fallen asleep again. And when I woke up, I was surprised with the sight of a white room and three men sitting closely like sardines on a three-seater sofa. But because of their toned body, they could not fit at the end.

No one really wants to stand that they even endure sitting closely to each other. Men and their pride.

“You fainted,” it was Sebastian who gave me a reply. He finally stood up to pour me a glass of water. 

“Do you remember what happened?” This time Scott asks me, worry can be heard in his voice.

I grab the glass that Sebastian handed me before lowering my head and nod a reply to Scott.

Everything…I remember it crystal clear.

How my sister and boyfriend lied behind my back. Was their treatment towards me all lies after all?

I wanted to cry but I couldn’t. There’s this heavy feeling in my chest that wanted to burst out of me but couldn’t find a way to get out.

“I’m done here!”

I raised my head and saw Nico walking towards the door. I was expecting him to leave but then he just halted and glanced at me with eyes void of emotion.

Puzzled by what is happening, I also stare at him. Contemplating on whether to keep my mouth shut or say thank you.

I know he was the one who pulled me out of that scene. His calloused hand is the proof and I could still feel the roughness in my arm.

I saw him click his tongue like he was annoyed or something. Now I’m really confused about what’s happening to this boy.

“I’ve paid your hospital bills so you’re ready to be discharged. Scott will provide you a place to stay and Sebastian, your friend, has contacted your parents about the incident. Before you react, I am the one who told him to do it. So, if you’re angry then vent it on me, but not now, because you need to rest and don’t think of anything else.” And with that he left.

I could barely process what he said, and he just left like that? I watch the two boys with a confused expression. Asking for an explanation of what just happened.

But all I get from Scott is a shrug and a silent treatment from Sebastian.