BOUND WITH LIES AND LOVE

PAST SECRET

CHAPTER 3

ELENA’S POV

I stared helplessly at my phone, hoping he would call me back as he promised, but hell no, my man hasn’t called back. Finally, I let out a deflated sigh.

Recently, he seems to be distant from me. I can't explain why. He goes on and on about how busy he gets and why he can't give me his full attention. It's been a month without his presence, and my shattered problem is suffocating without venting it to someone. It should be him. I should be able to express my deeper vexation, but he is not always present.

“Gosh.” I exasperated furiously under my breath and gently cradled the middle of my soft ponytail hair backward, flinging my phone to the other side of my bed, then burying my head and covering my face.

“I just need to take a shower,” I said to no one. I sprang to my feet and headed to the bathroom. A few seconds later, I emerged from the bathroom, my hair tied like a doughnut and a white towel wrapped around my bare body.

I stared at the standing mirror with high-confidence shoulders, softly caressing my skin with cream. I sank into deep thought. What to do next with my life? My mum is slowly losing it, and I can only imagine the pain and torture she must be going through. Just then, my phone call broke my thoughts. I smiled gleefully and reached out for my phone. When I saw the Caller ID, I felt a pinch of disappointment within.

“Breathe in!” I inhaled deeply and then shut my eyes, bit my lips, and put the phone to my ear.

“Hello, baby girl, what’s up?” My shoulders dropped, heavy with helplessness.

“Well, I can't even say,” I replied, rubbing my face with my skincare routine while looking in the mirror.

“You know it's been a while, right?”

“Yeah, I know, baby girl, but trust me, I have a lot of difficulties to handle, and I don't even know what to do about all the s**t happening in my life,” I spoke with annoyance and frustration.

“Hey, you need to relax; I'm sure this is one of those things you will pull through.”

“I don't think this is something I will pull through.” I stood up and walked away from the mirror.

“What I am facing right now is heavy and a big load for me to carry.” My voice cracked, and I was about to break down in tears.

“Hey, listen, just spill everything; I'm all ears.”

“Okay, fine.” Slowly, I told her every necessary detail: the family crisis about my mum giving up on Celina and then about my complicated relationship. I found myself soaked with tears on my tissue. At her end, there was nothing but silence.

“Does she know?” she spoke finally.

“Know what, Pamela?”

“About Celina?”

I felt my pulse quivering and thumping in my ear. That question cracked something wide open.

I pulled out my phone, stood anxiously, and walked through the door. I craned my neck at the edge of my door and down the stairs, carefully searching for a figure around the house. Everywhere seemed quiet, but I was still uneasy about it.

“Mum, Celina?” With a panicked voice, I called out from the door; no one answered. I rushed inside and carefully bolted the door.

“How do you expect me to tell her that?” I said, finally pulling my phone back to my ear, and my voice suddenly became a whisper.

“For the sake of Celina?”

“And then what happens next?” My hands flew in the air and then settled on my waist.

“Tell her about the mistake I made, having you forgotten what I told you about my dad's ailments? Just imagine telling her of my mistake. Do you know how heartbroken she would feel?” My voice wavered like I was about to break down into tears, but then I shut my eyes and inhaled deeply to stop myself from crying again.

The weight of unspoken words hung heavily on her end; all I could hear from the phone was the sound of her chest as it heaved out.

“I am not ready to lose her, Pamela. My father has already caused a lot in my life, and he is the reason I am in my worst situation.”

My dad is the reason behind my predicament; he is the reason for the stupid mistake I made years ago. Each memory that flashes in front of me irks me and stops me from visiting the hospital. Maybe I would have done something stupid on the hospital bed. After all, my mum still loves him and cares for him despite what he has put us through.

“Fine, what are you going to do?”

I sank back onto the sofa and inhaled.

“Well, I don't really know yet. I just applied for this job I saw on the job board; they are in need of a Personal Assistant, and if I don't get this one, I’ll have to go and look for a minimal job like my mum advised me.”

“I just pray you get this one before your mom does what she said she will do.”

“Look.” I paused for a moment, and my eyes carefully stared at the locked door, still frantic that I was being watched by my mum or Celina.

I know mum told me she was going to see my dad after work and would take Celina with her, but then I feared she would return unexpectedly, and the years of secrets would be exposed.

“I won’t let that happen. Okay, I will work hard and definitely get a job. I won't let her give up on my ch—sorry, I mean Celina like that.” My heart skipped when I heard a knock at the door. I quickly stood up from my bed, my eyes flickering with fear.

“Oh shit.”

“What happened?” Pamela snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Someone is at the door.”

“Oh my God, hope she didn't hear anything?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

“I don't know yet, but I have to check who is at the door.”

“Just text me or call me if you need my help.”

“Sure, I will.”

“I will have to hang up then.” She hung up the call.

I shut my eyes tightly and drew in air to steady my nerves. I strode to the door and nervously opened it.