Chapter Five

Every time you lie, it brings me closer to goodbye ." -Unknown

★

'D! Wake up D..' 

The voice sounded so close but she could not see anyone, the entire place was dark.

Suddenly, she felt her body move a little and forced her eyes open. Gradually, she adjusted her eyes to the bright light and looked up at the shadow before her. 

The blurry and bright light before her slowly took an actual form. It was then Doris noticed that she was still seated on the same spot on the sofa, she probably slept off waiting for Dorine's call.

Matthew was hunched over her, his face filled with so much concern while he stared intently at her sprawled form. 

"Hey, I know you are probably very tired from the events of the past few days but I don't think sleeping on the couch would make it better," he said, pulling her body to an upright position. 

Doris grabbed the phone which was stuck in-between the couch; it must have fallen out of her hand when she slept. She checked for any missed calls or notifications but there were none. Lost in deep thoughts about what could prevent Dorine from keeping her updated on her plans, she didn't realize that Matthew was still standing before her. That was until he laid a hand on her left shoulder. 

"Is everything alright?" 

She jumped at his touch. "Yes, it's just that I must have fallen asleep while waiting for my favourite show to begin." 

Lying was something very easy for her to do these days and to be honest, she never liked it. 

"Come on then, let's get some sleep before morning. It's more comfortable in the room." He moved aside to give her space to walk through. 

She smiled at his gesture and slowly made her way to the stairs, looking towards the door from the corner of her eye to ascertain if any movement or sound was coming from there. Perhaps, her sister was knocking. The husband on the other hand was ignorant of her nervous state. 

He opened the large mahogany door to the master's bedroom. 

As Matthew made his way to the bed and laid down with his Jordan tracksuit and white polo, Doris headed to the bathroom. "Let me just take a quick shower and I'll join you," 

"Mhmm, take your time." He yawned and turned on his side, away from Doris. Within a few minutes, he drifted off to sleep. He was probably so exhausted after the long journey that he didn't feel the need to tend to his newly wedded woman. 

On Doris' part, she didn't crave the attention. The farther he stayed from her, the easier it will be for her to maintain her sanity and her fake identity. 

What could be worse than waking up in a room you weren't meant to spend the night in?

She had fallen asleep like a log of wood, unaware of the things that happened after she closed her heavy eyelids.

Could something have happened after she slept?

She looked into the quilts to see that she was still in the clothes she slept in last night. 

Thank God!

She sat up and placed her head against the headboard, looking around the room decorated in grey and white colours; which she has not taken time to admire since two days ago. She always felt suffocated and short of breath whenever she came into the room, it was as if the room is a reminder that she was not as free anymore. Her life now depended on how long she could lie and keep up the fake role as Matthew's wife. 

Eventually deciding to make good use of the day, she got out of bed and tiptoed towards the bathroom. 

She has not heard any noise since she woke up and Matthew wasn't on the bed either. So, she figured he might be using the bathroom but wanted to be certain. She listened, there was no sound coming from in there. She let out a sigh of relief, grabbed the towel by the doorpost, and headed into the large bathroom that inhabited a jacuzzi tub to have her bathe. 

'How much does he gain from his business to own a house like this, he doesn't look nor act wealthy so what could possibly have made Dorine agree to marry him?' These were the thoughts running in her mind as she turned the heat on. 

In a short time, she finished having her bathe and wrapped herself with the big white towel that stopped a little below her knees. Mumbling about how nice it would be to have one like this installed in her room at the hotel, she gathered the dirty clothes she pulled off and left the bathroom. It was when she stepped into the room that she remembered about the panties she did not wash last night. Dorine left her clothes and underwear in a  big beige suitcase but Doris was neat to the extreme, that she could not bear the thought of wearing another woman's panties or bra, not even her twin's. 

She pulled out her own red lace bra from the pile of nightdress in her hand, deciding to wear it again today. She might go shopping for a new one later.

'But how would I go about without panties on, I've never done that before. Okay...I know!' she rushed to the walk-in closet and took out a pair of jeans and a loose blacktop. She made up her mind to get herself a couple of undies or more while she stayed here. 

She put on the tight jean trouser that clearly outlined her butt and tried locking her breasts in the bra but that single act seemed painful. She used her palms to fondle both breasts and felt much pain; a sign that her period would come up anytime soon. She groaned and managed to get dressed quickly, combed her hair into a bun, and made the bed. It would not be good on her part to leave a bed unmade.

Back in her hotel room, she would always do it herself because asking for room service costs more. 

Soon she found herself in the dining room, no one was there but she could see Matthew's mother seated on one of the couches in the living room. The morning news on NTA was showing on the widescreen television while the older woman paid rapt attention to whatever was being presented.

Mr. Raphael Udochi was nowhere to be seen, as well as his son but that was the least of Doris' problems. She walked to where the woman sat, cleared her throat quietly before taking a seat beside her. 

"Good morning ma," she greeted. 

"Good morning my dear. How was your night?" Ruth smiled softly at her daughter-in-law.

"It was okay." Her night was by far the best night she could remember in her life. Sleeping in such a big and comfy bed with a warm and muscular body beside her, she could not think of the last time she had such a great sleep but that was not what she would say to the woman. The older woman might take it the wrong way for sure. 

"Hmmm..." Ruth hummed, wriggling her brows at Doris. 

Doris inhaled. She perceived an enticing and mouthwatering aroma that was no doubt emanating from the kitchen. She wondered who would be cooking in the kitchen this morning, perhaps it was Martha. 

"Smells heavenly right?" Ruth asked when she saw the state Doris was in.

"That's how those boys of ours punish me virtually every day." 

Doris was confused. Who did she refer to as boys? 

"Your husband and mine, remember? Haven't you heard the saying that boys will always be boys, so yes, our husbands are boys. They decided to make breakfast together, for everyone." 

Doris chuckled loudly, suddenly understanding the meaning behind her words. She shifted to a more comfortable position on the sofa and watched the news with the older woman, in silence. 

It did not take long for Matthew and his father to appear from the kitchen. They were carrying some plates in a tray, kept them on the dining table, and proceeded to set the table for four. Matthew inherited most of his physical features from his father. His height, dark skin, and broad shoulders were all similar to Mr. Raphael's. A visitor or stranger needn't be told that they are related; but as for his looks, Matthew resembled his mother with his brown orbs and dimples that appeared whenever he smiled or spoke. 

"Hey babes! Do you need a special invitation to breakfast or do we have to come and carry you on our shoulders?" Raphael called out to the women who pretended to be focused on the TV and his son laughed so hard at his comment. 

"You see what I just said...boys. Come on let's have breakfast because I'm sure if we waste any more time, they'd finish all the food they managed to prepare." Ruth remarked loudly for her daughter-in-law to hear, then they walked to the dining room. 

This family was very welcoming and cheerful. Everyone got along like they've been together since the beginning of time and it was something Doris never experienced in her own family. 

Dorine might have experienced it with their parents because she was just the perfect girl, but people never thought Doris to be the family type of girl. 

They gathered around the rectangular medium-sized table for six and settled on their seats. Wives seated beside their husbands. Raphael started by saying a prayer.

“Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day and for the opportunity to be here and together as a complete family. We thank you for the gift of life and for the food you have made available unto us. Please show us your mercy this day and continue to be with us, Amen.”

"Amen!" The rest chorused after him. 

"So Dorine dear..." He called Doris who was about to fill her empty plates with plantains and egg "I'm certain that after today's breakfast, you'll fall harder for your husband," He nudged his son's arm. 

She looked at him. She forgot they all thought she was her twin sister. 

Matthew smiled shyly at his father's words and refused to look at his wife in the eye. He filled his mom's plate instead. 

"You're married now, your wife comes first." She pushed his hand away and started filling her plate herself. 

Matthew turned to see Doris helping herself out, he decided to do the same for himself. 

"So... anyone got any plans for today?" Raphael asked.

"Umm...I want to get some things from the market today." Doris replied too quickly as if she was hardly allowed to leave the house. 

"And eh..eh I have to go to the...the beauty salon and I'd like Dorine to come with me. Dorine, will you come with me?" Ruth added hesitantly. 

Doris nodded, unsure that her decision to go with the woman was the right one.

She just wanted to get a few things and use the little time she might have, to learn more about what could have happened to her sister. Dorine may have a habit of not keeping her promises but, she wasn't one to ignore a family relative for so long.

Doris had a feeling that her sister must have gotten into trouble.