A Lie So Beautiful

7.Lies

Mia's Point of View.

The next morning I wake up, I see my father's dairy sitting on my nightstand. So I take it and flip through another page again and read through those memories I seems to have buried too deep to remember.

Today both Claire and Mia has become much more sick.

It was a scary sight to see, both so pale and looking so scared and worn out. Crying and begging us to take the pain away yet we can do nothing.

It's been nearly four years now, but we have made no progress at all. No diagnosis, no cure just nothing at all.

We have done nothing but our daughters are going through many different things, Claire has been going through these terrible seizure for a while now, but for Mia today is the first time. This sickness is taking a new and more scary form day by day .

Making me fell more hopeless and helpless each day.

And all I can do is just pray for them. So please God, have mercy on my little ones and show us a way to heal them.

What sickness is my father talking about. I never knew that neither me or Claire were ever critically ill.

And even dad never told me about it, even though he have told me many many many stories from my childhood. Strange.

And if I was sick for four years, that like almost all my childhood with my biological parents.

This must have been a big part of my life and Claire's.

I wonder why dad never told me about it.

But then again, with me not remembering pretty much anything, reminding me of sickness may not be the best thing.

It must not be a good memory for dad as well, maybe that's why he didn't share it with me.

Hmm, I'll just ask him one day when I get the chance, if I become too curious.

Also here its written, they have no diagnosis and no cure.

I wonder how they cure it, Iam pretty sure they cure it before I was five. Cause after that my memories are all intact and I don't remember me ever been this sick.

Hmm maybe there is more things written about this sickness.

As I was about to flip through another page, I see my watch in my wrist and decide to read it later as Its already 6:47am and I have to make breakfast for dad and me.

Cause dad is already discharged. Yesterday I suggest to have him in the hospital at least for a night. But dad being dad, goes to a rant of how healthy he is and how he don't need all this care or being in hospital.

And that if things come to worse, all of us are doctors even at home. So I was forced to give in, and here we are.

So I gotta get up.

I got up and went to wash up, after which I went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

I prepared a simple breakfast mainly because I don't really know how to make complicated or tasty thing. It always turns out tasting yuck.

So, I just have bread and some fruits jam along with hot tea and some fruits.

I decide to take breakfast in dad's room, cause I think he will still be asleep and might still be weak. And I really don't want him moving around. So I take the breakfast and start my journey to dad's room.

But when I reach dad's room all my expectations were thrown out of the window and I met a very awake dad, facing his back to me. Dressed up in a white formal shirt and gray pant. And currently tying his tie.

Mia:Dad?

Chris(chirpy) : Oh you are already awake, I was going to wake you up after I finish making breakfast.

Mia(sarcastic): Really?

Chris: Yeah! Anyway good morning.

And with that he finally turn toward me, satisfied with his tie. While I look at him with a sarcastic good job look. Which he royally ignores.

Chris: Oh! You already prepare breakfast? What's the occasion.

Mia: The occasion is you are sick dad. Why are you already up and dressing like you are going somewhere?

I sit down and put our breakfast on the table expecting dad to do the same.

Chris: I told you Mia, Iam fine. And I should go to work so Iam dressed up. I have to sign in a little early today.

Mia: Nuh Uh! No!No!No! You are not going anywhere. We will have our breakfast and I will go to work while you, my dad is going to stay at home resting.

Chris: Come on Mia, Iam really fine. It's okay to work.

Mia: No.No. Have you not been listening to Dr.Johnson? You are sick because you stress too much which comes from overworking yourself. So you are not going anywhere, you are gonna rest today. Now shuss let take my wonderfully made breakfast.

With that we get to eating without speaking as I was shushing my dad with my eye everytime he tried to speak. Cause I know for a matter of fact that he will only talk about him going to work. Dad loves his work a bit too much and often, no always end up overworking. So, I have to force him to slow down from time to time.

And we were done eating, so I take the plates and cups and was about to go down when dad tried to speak again, I just did many weird thing with my eyes telling him not to speak and rest.

After that I wash the little dish that we use and head up to my room to change for work.

As for my working attire I dressed up in a simple way, cause you know laziness.

My dress for the day include a simple dusty pink collared, long sleeve shirt dug neatly inside a black formal pant and a nude heel.

With that I was done, so I grab my bag and goes down all ready to go. I was about to go to my dad's room to tell him Iam leaving, but stop as I saw him sitting in the living room, neatly dressed in a grayish color tuxedo, keeping his bag by his side.

I see, he has not given up on the idea of going to work. Let the battle begin.

Mia(stern) : Dad, you are not going to work.

Chris: Mia, Iam really fine. You are just worrying too much.

Mia: Nop, you are not going.

Chris: I expect this so, I come up with a deal that satisfy both of us. I will be in office just for a little while. Iam really needed to sign a document for some purchase today, so I'll do that and rush back home. What say?

Mia: Really? What document?

I can't trust anything this old man of mine says when it concern his work. Like I have said he loves his job a bit too much.

Chris: The hospital have to sign a contract for some purchased of new equipment with Jace's company. And I am very much-needed there.

Mia:Oh then all is well, we can just ask Jace to come here. Iam sure he won't mind.

Chris: Come on Mia, that guy is a busy man. And also, others have to be there; not only Jace and me.

Hmmm, I guess he win this battle. Iam sure dad will be fine if its just for a little while and not something very huge and stressfull.

Mia: Okay you win! But promise me, you will go back as soon as whatever signing you guys are gonna do is done.

Chris: Okay! Okay I promise.

Mia: You better keep your word dad, I swear I'll check if you are home or not. So be back on time.

Chris: Hey! Iam the dad, not the other way round.

Mia: Tch, you should just listen to me. Iam far more mature than you.

That comment make both of us laugh, and like this us father and daughter finally took off to work.

In the hospital, as usual I was busy again. But I remember I have to check on dad so,right now Iam on my way to his office.

As Iam pretty sure, that dad will try to work extra and not go home. He really is the true definition of workaholic. And forcing him to go home is my forced job.

While I was thinking all this, I met Dr. Johnson in the hallway

Mia: Good morning Dr.Johnson.

Dr.Johnson: Oh! Good morning Mia.

Mia: Iam sorry to ask this in the middle of crossing each other, but about yesterday; dad condition is okay right? Anything we should be concern of?

Dr. Johnson: Emm what do you mean about yesterday, is your dad sick again? That old man, why doesn't he inform me?

Mia: Huh?

Right then Dr.Johnson was called by a nurse for an emergency so he had to go before I can ask anything more.

Dr. Johnson: Mia I'll see you later. I'll also talk to Chris later , you don't need to worry.

And then he was gone rushing to where the nurses were calling him from, leaving me in confusion.

How come Dr.Johnson says he does not treat dad. I clearly remember Justin saying that Dr. Johnson said dad will be fine. If he does not treat dad, who does? And why does dad and Justin says otherwise.

Am I missing something?

I guess I'll ask dad now if he is still here that is. I was about to walk in dad office when I heard him talking with someone.

So I wait outside just beside the door, I was reading some text in my phone. But I heard Jace voice inside talking. Then, I guess waiting is useless now, with that I was going to get in again but before that I was stop standing at the door by what I heard.

Jace: Thanks again Chris, for acting for me. I know you hate it when Mia is sad or cry. And I also knows she do that the most when you are sick. But yesterday I really don't know how to get out of it so I have to ask you to do it.

Chris: Jace, acting like Iam sick is no big deal. But I think you are just making Mia worried unnecessarily. You should be careful of whatever you do hmm?

Dad is not sick? Then why would they lie. What was Jace trying to get out of. I was just meeting his friend that he himself invite yesterday. There was nothing going on, then what's the problem . What am I missing? Why would they lie?

Jace: Yes, yesterday was my mistake. I make decision in a haste, and ended up making Mia worried. I should have thought it through. But I just don't want Mia to meet her.

Mia : Meet who?

When I push open the door and said that, both dad and Jace look like deer caught in headlight.

Saying they look shock will be a big understatement. All kinds of emotion was going through my mind, why are they so shock or scared. Are they really hiding something huge from me , is it really a bad thing for me to know that they are this shock and scared.

Mia: Are you guys hiding things from me?

Chris: Well time for me to go home, right Mia?

Saying that dad quickly stand up, take his coat and bag and was all ready to go.

Which make me more suspicious of why they lie? Cause dad ready to go off work without any resistance? That's a big deal right there.

But, Dad will always be dad, trying to run away even when I caught them red-handed.

Mia(gloomy): But if I heard right, you are not even sick. Why would you guys lie about such things?

Chris: All the best my boy.

Dad pat Jace on his shoulder and sprint. Wow I don't ever want dad to be my lie partner, never.

Not the point Mia, focus. With that I turn to Jace with a gloomy expression.

Mia: Jace?

Jace: Mia, I..I.

And I just stare at him with a dull expression , expecting him to say something quickly. But he was just opening and closing his mouth saying nothing. So I just ask what I was really curious about.

Mia: Why lie?

Jace: Huh?

Mia: I thought you know me well enough to know that, if you don't wanna let me know something or don't wanna share something. I don't pressurize you or be mad about it. I just let you take your time at everything. So why lie?

Jace: I know, I know that well, its just I was not thinking properly yesterday and I was trying to come up with anything. In the end ending up hurting you, I know how much you get scared when something happen to your dad but still.

Mia: Jace, this is not about how you lie, or how bad the lie affect me. This is about why you had to do such things? Am I making you that uncomfortable that you would rather make dad act like he is sick rather than shared it with me?

Jace: No! No , its not anything like that. And I swear I am the most comfortable with you. Its not you, it's me. I was just not thinking straight yesterday. And I was hoping I could figure something out first and tell you later cause I don't want to make you uncomfortable.

Mia: But being lied to is more uncomfortable for me. Is it really necessarily to lie between us? Can't we just go without lying or hiding stuff from each other. If we need time, we can just be honest and say we need time right?

I really hate being lied to, mainly by Jace. Jace is someone I trust with my life, and is not someone who will just lie to benefit something.

So when him or even dad start lying, it always make me wonder; Am I not good enough that they would lie about it rather than just asking time from me or some space. Am I being too clingy that they are forced to lie, or are they that uncomfortable with me that they find it that hard to share anything with me? I feel all this unwanted feeling and I hate it.

Jace: Hey, hey Mia, I was wrong. Iam the one who is wrong. Its nothing you are doing wrong or nothing you do makes me lie or uncomfortable okay? And I promise I won't ever do it again.This is the last time I will ever lie to you, I swear.

Mia: Make sure you keep your promise, and I trust you enough to know that there must a big reason for you to do what you did. So you can take your time okay?

Jace: Angel, its not really good for you to trust people this much. At least when something like this happen, you should demand an answer. And you should be angry at the ones who lie to you rather than questioning yourself. In this situation Iam the one who is wrong so you should be angry at me not to yourself okay?

Mia: Okay, but just for things like this to not happen again. It's a promise that Jace cannot ever Lie to Mia okay?

Jace: Umm I swear, but you should promise me too. When someone betray you or cheat you, its always their fault not yours and you will remember that okay?

Mia: EMM I promise, I should not question myself for their wrongdoings.

And I put up my fingers in a symbol of 'I swear' just to put more effect on my promise. And I smile at him, actually I was not that curious of why they had to lie anymore. Its dad and Jace, they are the people who cares for me the most and I trust them enough to know, that they had their reasons and I should respect that.

Jace: You are way too considerate but Iam ready to share.

Mia: Can you read my mind, how do you know I was thinking about that?

Jace: What were you expecting? Of course I know everything about my angel.

And I just squint my eye and look at him acting suspicious but my acting was betrayed by the huge smile that beam with happiness. This may not be the first time Jace just know what Iam thinking about but when he does it always makes me feel happy that he know me so well.

To tell you the truth Jace always knows what goes through my mind and always do everything that make me happy, which make me the happiest.

Jace : Anyway yesterday I was trying to let you avoid meeting Claire.

Mia(confuse) :Claire? Why?

Jace: Well I know she really look like your sister and I also know you don't like it when anything comes up about her.

Actually its not that I don't like hearing about my sister but every time I hear something about her it just makes me so frustrated that I can't remember and simply forget such golden memories.

I have tried everything to remember her or my parents. Sometimes I stare at her picture the whole day hoping something will just pops up but everytime nothing like that happen.

It is really sad that the little time I could spend with my family as a whole can't even be stored as a mere memories. And that hopelessness always end up in me crying or locking myself up for a while in frustration which Jace hate with a passion.

Mia: Hmm make sense, but why do I feel that that's not the end of that story.

Jace: Hmm cause that's not, Claire is kinda my ex-girlfriend. And we don't end our relationship in a very good term.

Mia : Should I be concern?

Jace: Not really, I just don't want her to say anything to you before I clear things up. But I have already clear everything yesterday so all is fine now.

Mia: Ahh is that why you were mad at Mike? Cause he bring her there?

Jace: Yeah that bastard.Always doing what he wanna do.

Mia: Now it make sense, I thought he was an enemy or something.

Jace: Yeah, that must have been weird for you .

Mia: Yes, it was awkward. Anyway what a relief, I thought something huge is gonna come up.Why would you come up with someone being sick just for this?

I mean, is it such a big deal that she is his ex-girlfriend? Its not like he loves her now or anything like that. Tch, these people really, making me dead worried for dad just to cover this up. Now Iam angry! and that me just stare at jace with a look that says, very unimpressed.

Jace: I know its stupid, you can drop that stare. But Mia, don't you think you trust people a bit too much? At least be a little suspicious. If you continue like this you will be cheated on.

Mia: Eh! I only love you, dad and Justin so I'll be fine. There is no way you guys will ever betray me anyway.

Jace: Hmm that's also true.

And I look at him with Iam doing everything with a plan look, making him laugh out loud which in turn make me laugh. Iam blessed to have people I can trust clumsily with no care at all.

Mia(curious) : But , how do you even come up with dad being sick?

Jace: Oh that was not me, I told Justin to call you, so you can be distracted for a while. And the rest is history.

Mia: Hah? So he takes your side? That little betrayer.

Mia: Awhh. This is making me angry.

Jace: Is that really important?

Mia(defensive) : Of course it is, he is my friend before yours , he is always suppose to be on my side.

When I say that Jace look at me with the look that says, seriously?

Mia: Oh don't give me that look! You wanna take his side too.

Jace: Of course not! Iam always on wherever side Mia is on.

Mia: Good for you, cause he is gonna suffer.

After that I got back to my work and Jace to his. And just like that another blessed day pass by.