Aisha dragged her tired body inside her room. She just couldn't process all the things that happened this day. It's just too much to handle. She thought she had already found her sister but it seemed destiny had set another time for them. Pretending to be Emily to save her sister's life wasn't that hard to do but the thought of having a husband was. She rejected the idea of pretending to be Emily at first, but she couldn't think of other solution so she agreed in the end. She stroke her forehead when she recalled her conversation with Robert.
FLASHBACK:
"What!? I don't mind helping out my sister but she has a family! I am okay with her kid, but her husband? I can't! I simply can't!" Aisha started to play-bite her finger nails. It's a mannerism that she can't get over with when she is anxiously troubled and worried. She walked back and forth, thinking of another way but despite wracking her brain, she can't think of anything.
Pretending to be Emily meant taking care of the kid which she willingly accepted, but living Emily's life also meant sleeping beside a stranger. And who knew if that man would take advantage of her?!
"Let's just cross the bridge when we get there" She exhaled.
"What are the things that I need to know?" She inquired.
"This is Ethan Saphiro Williams, the husband. This child is their four-year-old son, Eli." He showed her a picture.
"Ethan?" She whispered. Her mind involuntary remembered a certain memory way back 15 years ago in the orphanage. There she met a boy with the same name as "Ethan, Ethan Amir''.
"There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere." It was little Erika. She found Ethan sitting under the mango tree at the east side of the orphanage.
"Go away!" The boy shoved her while hugging his knees.
"No, I won't unless you come with me inside. It's time for dinner. If you will not eat, I will eat your portion.'' She smirked.
"Go ahead." He answered. Little Erika got upset and smacked his head. "Ouch! What was that for?" He cried.
"That's for being so pathetic! If someone is bullying you, you should know how to fight back. If you keep your mouth shut, you will end up as a loser! You won't last long if you allow yourself to be harassed easily! Do you want to be weak for the rest of your life?!" The girl yelled at him. Ethan was taken aback.
"I don't want to! I want to fight back but they are stronger than me..." He pouted.
"Tsk! Strong? Even strong guys have their own weaknesses. So if you want to win against them, you should know their weaknesses! So stop spouting nonsense and let's go back because I am so hungry!" She reproached. She tried pulling his arm but he didn't move. The little girl looked at her then sighed.
"Don't be scared. I will stand by you so they won't bully you anymore, okay?" She assured him… The little boy looked at her. "I-Is that true?"
"Of course yes! I'm not a person to take back my words. And you should know that no one here dares to lay their hands on me, so you are safe with me. I can even teach you how to punch their asses." She proudly uttered.
The boy stood up and held her hand. He smiled at her. Suddenly the little girl blushed when she noticed how close their faces are. She can clearly see Ethan's adorable dimples on both sides of his face when he smiles. He looks so cute.
"Yes! So are we friends now?'' The boy suddenly spurted.
"O-of course, why not?'' The boy unexpectedly hugged her. And that day, they sealed an oath that no matter what happens they will be there for each other.
Aisha smiled as she remembered her childhood friend Ethan, "Where are you now? Do you still remember me after all this years?" She muttered.
Robert heard her mumblings. "Did you say something?" He asked.
"Oh I'm sorry. I just remembered something. Where were we again?" She shook her thoughts of him.
"Also, you have to know that Emily is widely known as Stacy. No one calls her Emily anymore except us, her parents."
Robert showed her all the necessary people she has to remember. She shouldn't have any problem with her work because Emily – known as Stacy was the Head Manager of The White Lotus -- A manufacturing company producing branded clothing. They were in charge of the distribution of the latest fashion designs in all its branches including their international branches. All branch managers reported to her directly. However, Stacy was someone to slack around. Being the head manager was just a title given to her because she was the wife of the acclaimed CEO. Her job was being taken cared off by Ethan's Personal Assistant while Stacy spent her time and money on her luxurious shopping and travelling addiction.
They even discussed several plans on how she would be able to return to the mansion without attracting any suspicions.
Aisha screamed under her pillows. She didn't know what to do and if it's the right thing to do. Once again she tossed and turned under her bed sheet which gave her a sleepless night.
But this was also an opportunity to hide from her father and from her enemies as well. Might as well grab it.
On the other hand, a vague shadow at the rooftop facing an apartment complex was bathing in a fading moonlight under the starry night, looking at a woman who could not sleep. "Yes, I am watching her very close…" A cool voice assured the person on the other line before the call got disconnected.