The moment Miguel escorted me into the room, one of the men lounging with James glanced my way and smirked.
“Well, looky here. Miguel, did you bring your girlfriend along?” he teased, clearly oblivious to who I was.
Miguel coughed awkwardly but didn’t respond, his usual calm demeanour faltering. I stood stiffly by his side, unwilling to play along with the charade.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Miguel finally said, his voice curt. “Please, don’t be ridiculous.”
Susan, however, was quick to react. She shot up from her seat and hurried toward me, her face alight with what could only be described as a feigned friendliness.
“Sister!” she exclaimed loudly, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. She stretched her arms as if to hug me, but I raised my hand, stopping her short.
T
