The Weight of Pretending

Jeremy seemed to be watching Leah closely after the previous night and Leah could feel it. She became extremely careful. She had told herself that whether she was alone or not, as long as she was in the mansion, she was “Leo.”

She did her work swiftly and avoided him like a plague. She couldn't risk getting caught. Her life depended on retaining that job and getting her monthly salary.

Thankfully, a month flew by, and payday arrived.

She received her salary and got a bonus too. Her boss wasn't so bad, after all.

Her once-a-month weekend leave had arrived, and she was eager to go home and be herself again.

“Mama, how have you been?” She greeted her mother, kissing her cheeks.

Her siblings, Keira and Ivan, welcomed her warmly, arguing over who would carry the groceries she brought. Their playful bickering made Leah and their mother laugh.

Leah cooked Noah's favorite dish, porridge, and invited him over. 

“Noah, I appreciate all that you do for me. You're more like a brother to me than a friend,” Leah said sincerely, but it pierced Noah's heart like a dagger.

“Can I call you ‘brother’?” she teased, pinching his cheek.

Noah feigned a smile, but didn't answer. He just ate up and remained quiet. He wondered if Leah would ever see him the way he saw her. He wondered if there would ever be a thing between the two of them.

He was hurting inside. He couldn't muster the courage to confess his feelings to Leah. He just hoped she'd see it, and there'd be a spark between them somehow. He didn't want to put their friendship on the line.

At night, when Noah had gone home and Leah's siblings, Keira and Ivan had slept, Leah's mother had a serious talk with Leah.

“My dear, I'm worried about you. I don't know how long you can pull this off. My daughter is not a pretender,” Mama said.

“Mama, I'm not pretending. I'm only acting. I'm not doing anything wrong, okay? I'm working decently, to fend for my beloved family,” Leah assured her mother.

“My boss can be so mean, yet so kind. Did you know he gave me a bonus? And the other night, he had to personally come and tell me that you had called. He's not so bad. He's just been through so much. I really pity him.” Leah added.

Mama gave her a knowing look. “I've noticed that you talk about your boss a lot. Hmmm. You pity him? How about Noah? Can't you see that that young man is in love with you?”

“Mama, stop it. In love…with me? Noah? He's just like a brother to me. You said he was like your son, didn't you?” 

“Yes. He is like a son to me. That's why I can see that he loves you. The young man is hurting because of the position you've placed him. Won't you like to get married someday?”

“Of course, I'll get married, but not to Noah. You're imagining things. I need to sleep. I'm so tired. Good night, Mama.” Leah pecked her mom on the cheek and headed to her room.

– – –

Leah was having her breakfast and preparing to say goodbyes as her leave was finally over.

Her phone rang and Ivan, her brother, answered enthusiastically before bringing it to her.

“Hello, Mr. Harper, it's nice speaking with you. I'll hand “Leo” the phone now,” Ivan  sounded as though speaking with Jeremy meant he'd won a lottery.

Leah snatched the phone. “Hello, sir.”

“Do you not plan on coming back?” Jeremy asked impatiently from the other end of the line.

“Sir, I'm already on my way. I'm sorry, sir.”

“You're always sorry. You better hurry if you still want to work here.” Jeremy ordered, and hung up.

“Your boss is missing you,” Ivan teased.

“Well, my boss is not gay. Bye, y'all. Take care. I love you,” she grabbed her bag and hurried off.

– – –

Jeremy had been away from the office since the accident. His secretary had informed him that they were about to lose a million dollar deal to their competitors if he failed to show up.

He had Leah fix his dress. His navy blue suit, his shoes…everything had been put in place.

His beards needed trimming. His hair too could use some touches.

His driver had gone to visit his family for the weekend.

“Can you drive, Leo?” Jeremy asked.

“Yes, sir. I can.” Leah answered in her “Leo” voice. She was being extra careful these days.

“Good. I want to get to the salon. You will take me.” Jeremy instructed.

“Sure. I will just get set,” Leah said as she quickly rushed to her room.

Maggie was worried and suggested that the boss invited someone to come home and trim his beards.

But Jeremy declined. He wanted to go out. He wanted to feel the cool breeze of the atmosphere outside. It had been a while.

Shortly after, Leah came back, wearing one of her favorite trousers from the ones Noah had given her. Her fake beards were perfect and she looked like a decent man.

At the salon, after Jeremy had his hair cut and his beard trimmed, he offered that “Leo” had a cut and a trim too but Leah declined his generous offer.

“Sir, I was at the salon just over the weekend. Thank you for your kind gesture, sir,” Leah said, nervously, avoiding eye contact.

“Oh…you were,” Jeremy didn't sound convinced.

But he was thinking about his presentation at the office now more than whatever it was that was off about Leo.

He would need to make a grand appearance. It had been months. There was a chance he'd meet Sarah and Conrad there too. The two bastards who betrayed him. People who were supposed to stand by him after his accident, but instead, betrayed him in the worst way ever. He didn't want to appear miserable before them, or anyone. He was Jeremy Harper, and his disability didn't define him.

What he had planned, they couldn't see coming.