I'm Not Her

Chapter 3: Training

I leaned my back against the couch, waiting for my father to arrive. It was 3am when I left that guy's unit. What was his name, by the way?

I did not bother to wake him up and just disappeared. We slept in his sofa. He was actually...harmless. We've spent the rest of the night talking about his childhood. Well, I also shared some of mine since he was so persistent. It was the first time I've ever spent a night with someone and did not do anything dirty. I just woke up with my head leaning against his shoulder with his head leaning against mine.

Anyway, he was still a douche.

"Darling."

My head turned to the wide door frame upon hearing my father's baritone voice. My name could be sweet but he called me out bitterly.

I just looked at him as he glared at me.

"You have just arrived but you are giving me headaches already." He said angrily. "Honey has never been this hard to handle!"

"I'm not Honey." I sneered.

His jaw clenched as he looked at me.

"What did I do?" I asked.

"Where were you last night?" He asked back.

I shrugged. "Well, I met some douche and I slept in his condo..." I whispered to myself.

My father did not hear that.

"Get dressed. Hillary is coming."

I smirked. "So, the b*tch is still here."

"Don't you dare call her like that. She is your sister's favorite person." He said as his voice softened.

I scoffed and did not say anything.

"She's here." He faced the wide door frame. There was a moment of silence when a woman in her mid-forties entered the house. Every inch of her screams class and money.

My eyebrow raised when my father welcomed her with a peck.

"How disrespectful." I sneered as I looked away.

"Is she Darling?" Hillary asked.

I scoffed at the back of my head. As if she wasn't here...years ago.

My father nodded. He was back to being arrogant. He's like that when the subject is me.

"Hi, Darling." Hillary came to me and was about to give me a hug when I raised my left hand to stop her.

"I can't remember us being close." I said coldly.

She was caught off-guard. It was my talent to make people feel uneasy.

"Darling." My father's baritone voice boomed in the corners of the house.

I smirked to myself and stood up. "Let's just start the training." I looked at them.

"Honey is in a vacation and she's doing well—" Hillary said but I cut her off.

"I did not ask." I snapped.

"I'm warning you, Darling Crown." My father said angrily.

I scoffed. "Now, I'm a Crown? Do you recognize me now, father?"

He fell silent.

Hillary interfered. "I just thought you would like to hear about Honey."

"Why would I?" I looked at her. "When I have to see the people who love her every single day."

"You are here for her." My father said.

"No." I said. "I'm not here for Honey, I'm here to get my life back."

Hillary and father looked at each other.

"That was supposed to be a joke." I said as I turned my back on them and went to the pool area.

—

"Hi, Darling." Hillary greeted.

I was already swimming when she went to the pool area. I ignored her and went for another lap before I decided to go up. She tried to offer me a robe but I walked past her and took the one the maid's got for me.

I took a seat and sipped on a lemon juice.

Hillary still smiled and sat next to me. "So—"

I cut her off. "So, why does it have to be you?" I asked without giving her a glance.

"I'm sorry?" She asked as she chuckled nervously.

I grabbed a sandwich. "This training, why you?" I clarified.

"Oh." She laughed lightly. "Maybe because I know Honey more than anyone else." She ended that with a genuine smile on her face.

I scoffed. "Better than my mom?" I asked.

Her smile faltered.

I smirked. "You must've spent your life baby-sitting my sister."

She chuckled. "She's really a baby."

"Mmm." I nodded. "That's why she grew up weak and clumsy, there's always someone watching her back."

Hillary bowed her head a little.

"Tell me about Honey." I leaned against the chair. "What does she like?"

Hillary lifted her head and smiled again. "Well, Honey's sweet and very friendly."

"I know that already. What else?" I c****d her a brow.

Hillary smiled. "She likes sweets, indoor games and—"

I cut her off once again. "Something more helpful, please." I rolled my eyes.

She forced a laugh. "She's popular in Sunderland. Everyone loves her there."

"Sunderland?" I asked.

"Yes, it's a prestigious school owned by the Sunfords. Only those from wealthy families could afford to go to that school. Though, they give scholarships." She answered.

I nodded. "Well, I attended a much cheaper university where sending annoying kids to the school clinic is normal."

Hillary's mouth gaped open.

"Go on." I sipped on my juice as I scanned the newspaper I grabbed from the table. Hillary continued talking but my eyes were focused on the newspaper.

So, the wedding would be in two months, huh?

"Darling?" Hillary snapped her fingers.

"I'm listening." I said coldly.

"Oh, okay." She cleared her throat. "So..." She talked again.

I threw the newspaper away and stood up. "Let's go to Honey's room. It's getting cold in here." I said as I walked past her.

I was heading upstairs when a maid went to me.

"Miss." She bowed her head and handed me my phone to show me that someone was calling. It was an unknown caller.

I picked it up and continued to walk to the staircase. Hillary was tailing me.

"Hey." I answered.

(When are you coming back?)

I froze upon hearing his voice.

Hillary held my arm. "Darling, are you okay?"

I looked at her hand on my skin. She instantly took her hands off me.

I gave the phone back to the maid.

"Throw that away." Hillary ordered.

I looked at her. "What are you doing?"

She smiled and handed me a different one. "From now on, you will be using this phone."

"Why would I do that?" I asked.

"We need to make sure that no one from Cebu will be able to contact you. We can't afford distractions." She smiled reassuringly.

I composed myself and decided to turn my back on her. I could not afford another drama. In fact, she was making things easier for me. I do not want to talk to anyone from that place anymore. He was getting married and it was in the news. I should stop thinking about him now.