I can't stop staring at my reflection in my compact mirror. Sandra had… Well, Sandra had decided to outdo herself, all thanks to Valerie's pressing on, and I no longer look like myself.
I always try to have on little makeup, because Ethan liked natural girls but Sandra had decided to style me up more than I usually would and curled my hair as well. She made a remark of how short hair would look good on me but Ethan liked my hair so I told her to leave it.
Helios is driving me, of course, while I sit in the passenger seat. I'm a little uncomfortable with the black dress I have on because of how tight the bodice is and my breasts look puffed upwards— But I know I look good today. I tried my best. My husband would love this. I know it.
I can't help the way my hand moves on its own into my purse as seconds in, I'm calling someone. It rings for quite a while at first before I hear her pick, "Hello?"
Sophia's voice as always is dainty. It's like soft feathers caressing your skin, her accent so gentle it instantly makes me feel calm. "Hey, big sis."
I can hear her softly panting on the other side of the phone as something falls to the floor. Someone curses— Not her, but she responds immediately after, "Hi, baby sis. Are you alright?"
I want to say no but something tells me not to. "Yeah, I just… I'm about to do something crazy so I think I just needed someone to tell me that I'm not crazy,"
There's silence on the other end of the call as I hear her chuckle softly. I can even hear the smile on her lips as she says, "If you think it's crazy, Ana, then it probably is," There's movement again but she's there, her presence calming, "But no matter what it is, I want you to know that I'll always support you. So don't worry about it, okay?"
For as long as I can remember, Sophia's always been… Somewhere in my life. We barely ever talked because she was always so busy but whenever I got in trouble or needed advice, she was always there. I looked up to her because of how elegant and kind she always was, especially to me and she had my back.
"Thank you," I breathe this response out as I close my eyes. "I love you,"
There's silence again, and for a few seconds, I worry that I've crossed our very delicate boundary and done too much— But she responds, her voice coming out quieter than before, "I love you too," And then she ends the call.
I can feel Helios watching me from the rearview mirror in…Amusement? Curiosity? But he says nothing until he's packed in front of the company building, "We're here,"
I hurry out, needing the air and space away from him. Hurrying away, I hear him whisper, 'And good luck,'. Before I can turn around to ask what that means, he's driven away, leaving me alone.
I brush away the uncomfortable feeling that's wrapped itself around me and walk into the building. Getting to the receptionist, I plaster a smile on my face as I say, "Hello. Is Ethan in the office?"
She's smiling politely now. "And who might you be?"
"His wife,"
A look crosses her face— Disbelief, almost as if she's never expected me to exist but she does her best to hide it as she tries to reach out to her phone, stuttering now. "A-Ah, I should tell him—"
"Oh, no, please. I'll rather you don't. It's a surprise, okay?"
The receptionist— Clarissa— has her fingers hovering over the phone but she clenches her hand into a fist as she tries to smile though it's faltering as she says, "By all means. Just get into the elevator, last floor and go down the hallway by the left. His office is the only one there,"
Her eyes have pity on them— Something that makes the unpleasant feeling in my stomach worse but I ignore it as I mutter a thank you and do as she says. The second I'm on his floor, the feeling worsens and I instantly feel nauseous but I force it down.
Everything's fine. Everything's—
"I don't want to go to her tomorrow,"
I freeze, stopping a few inches away from the door as I hear my husband's voice speak. I swallow, terrified that I'm about to interrupt him in a business meeting before another voice speaks. Feminine. Familiar. "You promised her so you have to keep to it."
… Sophia?
A strange feeling begins to grow in my chest as I hold onto the wall for support. Something feels wrong but I don't want to assume anything. I don't know what she's doing in his office but it could be a business meeting. It could—
"She's so bloody clingy. Like a parasite. The longer I stay in that marriage, the more I feel like I want to die. I want to be with you. You said we'd finally be together. You promised."
What?
My world spins and I clasp my hand on my mouth as the need to vomit suddenly lurches up my throat. Tears are brimming up my eyes and they fall before I can stop myself. My legs are shaking, my whole body trembling— But I can't seem to move or get away.
"I know, but I can't imagine how much it'd hurt her so just… Stay there, okay? We can keep meeting like this. I can wait for you. For us,"
That's her. That's my sister. I'll know that reassuring voice anywhere, because it was the exact same one she used when she wanted me to listen to every word that left her lips. The same voice she used when I called her today.
I hear a kissing sound. It's long. Passionate. More than anything he's ever done with me and when he speaks, it's clear I've never had the key to my husband's heart— My sister always had. "You are so perfect, Sophia. Look at you showing kindness to that loser even when she's done nothing to deserve her."
"Do not talk about my sister like that."
Her coming to my defence would have filled me with joy once upon a time but now, it makes me feel even sicker. I want to scream and the world is spinning but I know I can't handle them seeing me, not here, not now.
I need to leave.
Now.