Uninvited Guest
1148 Words
Chapter 16
Uninvited Guest
Amara's POV
The morning sunlight streamed slowly through the windows, illuminating Damian’s penthouse beautifully. Everything about his luxurious home screamed wealth...from the sleek furniture to the marble floors that seemed to gleam effortlessly. But as I sipped my tea at the dining table, my mind wasn’t on the luxury surrounding me at the moment.
It was all on Sisi.
She had been over the last two days, practically oozing sweetness and affection. It made my skin crawl in anger. I wasn’t stupid. Sisi didn’t change overnight, and her sudden interest in "rebuilding our sisterhood" was as suspicious as it was irritating. I could see through her act, and to be honest, she's doing a great job.
The sound of Damian’s footsteps was what pulled me from my thoughts. He walked into the room, dressed in a tailored gray suit that fit him like a second skin. He looked effortlessly perfect as money was speaking, like he owned the world—and in many ways, he did.
“Morning,” he said curtly, barely glancing my way.
I nodded. “Morning.”
This had become our recent routine. He was polite but distant, keeping me at arm’s length as if I carried some contagious disease. It was maddening, but I wasn’t about to beg for his attention. If he wanted to keep acting like an iceberg, fine. I had more pressing matters to deal with.
As Damian grabbed his almost coffee, I cleared my throat. “Sisi was here yesterday.”
He paused mid-sip, his dark eyes narrowing slightly as he set the mug down. “And?”
“She’s acting weird and... different,” I admitted, watching his reaction carefully. “Too different.”
He smirked, a cold, knowing smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “What did you expect? She’s probably up to something. You can't be fooled into believing she's a changed person.”
“Exactly my point,” I said, leaning forward. “She’s trying to be my best friend all of a sudden. I don’t trust her.”
“Then don’t,” Damian said simply, shrugging as if it were the easiest thing in the world. “Keep your distance.”
I sighed, running a hand through my ruffled hair. “I would, but she’s persistent. And if I push her away, she’ll just try harder to worm her way in.”
Damian’s gaze softened, just a fraction. “Then keep her close. If you think she’s plotting something, it’s better to have her where you can see her.”
His words echoed my own thoughts, but hearing them from him made them feel more solid. I nodded, determined. “That’s exactly what I’m doing. But it’s exhausting.”
He chuckled, a low, almost amused sound. “You’ll manage. You always do.”
Later that afternoon, Sisi showed up again, her signature perfume announcing her presence before she even walked through the door. I plastered on a polite smile as I opened it, my stomach tightening at the sight of her. She was all jolly, doing her best at putting on the most cheerful younger sister look.
“Amara!” she beamed, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. She carried a gift bag in one hand and a bright expression that didn’t match the tension I felt around her. “I brought you something!”
“More gifts? This isn't necessary, Sisi.” I said, raising an eyebrow as I closed the door. “You’re spoiling me.”
She laughed, waving her hand dismissively. “Oh, please. It’s nothing. I just thought you might like this dress I found. It’s perfect for you. It would do justice at bringing out your banging shape.”
I opened the bag cautiously, pulling out a sleek, designer dress that was indeed beautiful. But the gesture felt hollow, like she was trying too hard to win me over.
“Thanks,” I said, forcing a smile. “It’s lovely.”
Her eyes sparkled, but I noticed the calculating glint behind them. “I just want us to get along, Amara. I know I haven’t been the best sister, but I’m trying to make up for that.”
I tilted my head, pretending to consider her words. “It’s... surprising, I’ll admit. But I appreciate the effort.”
Her smile widened, but it was more predatory than warm. “Good. I was hoping we could spend more time together. Maybe go shopping or get lunch soon?”
“Sure,” I said smoothly. “I’d like that.”
The truth was, I didn’t want to spend another second with her, but I couldn’t let her see that. Keeping her close was the only way to figure out what she was really up to.
The evening brought an unexpected visitor: Damian. He rarely came home early, but tonight, he walked in just as Sisi and I were sitting in the living room. His sharp eyes scanned the scene, his expression unreadable.
“Sisi,” he said, his tone cool and clipped.
“Damian!” Sisi’s voice dripped with sweetness as she stood up, smoothing down her skirt. “It’s so good to see you.”
He didn’t respond, his attention shifting to me. “Amara, can we talk?”
I nodded, feeling Sisi’s eyes burning into my back as I followed him into the kitchen.
“What is it?” I asked once we were out of earshot.
“What’s she doing here?” he asked, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed.
“She’s been coming around a lot lately,” I said, lowering my voice. “She claims she wants to fix things between us.”
Damian’s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. “And you believe her?”
“Of course not,” I said quickly. “But it’s better to keep her close than to shut her out and let her plot in the shadows.”
He nodded, his expression softening slightly. “Be careful. Sisi isn’t someone you can trust, no matter how convincing she seems.”
“I know,” I said, my voice firm. “I’m watching her.”
His gaze lingered on me for a moment, and I felt a strange warmth in his eyes. But before I could decipher it, he straightened up. “Good. Keep it that way.”
As the night wore on, Sisi eventually left, leaving me drained and uneasy. I sat in the living room, staring at the dress she had given me, wondering what her angle was.
Whatever it was, I would figure it out. And when I did, she wouldn’t know what hit her.
Because if there was one thing I had learned, it was this: survival meant staying one step ahead of your enemies. And Sisi was about to find out just how prepared I was to fight back.
- Writer
