CHAPTER FIVE
1049 Words
SISTER IN THE SHADOWS
Mrs Ursula's ward
She sat on the bed with Lily's head on her lap while Berly peeled an apple for her.
"Mummy I've missed you". Lily said as she lay on her mother's lap.
"Mummy I brought your favorite vanilla lotion and I made sure Bibi didn't forget the socks with stars.
Their mum chuckled softly. "Those make all the difference baby".
Berly stood by the window peeling an apple, trying to breathe evenly. She watched the IV drip. The trembling in her mother's hands. She forced a smile.
"You're looking better mum".
"And you're lying again." Her mum said. The words were soft. Barely above a breath. But Berly heard - and so did Lily, who turned sharply.
"What do you mean?"
Their mum replied quickly with a smile. "Nothing sweetheart. Just teasing her. You know how dramatic she is."
"Don't worry mum. You'll be out of here soon. I'll help you stretch and walk when you get home. We'll have movie night remember?" Lily said brightly.
Mrs Ursula smiled but avoided her daughter's eyes
"Of course baby. I can't wait."
She reached out, brushing Berly's wrist who was now sitting at the other side of the bed.
"We can't keep it from her forever." She said quietly
Berly said nothing. Her throat was too tight.
"What are you both whispering about?" Lily asked
Berly quickly replied with some effort.
"Just arguing over which one of us loves you more."
"Hmmm you're both terrible at hiding it." Their mum said
They both laughed and for a moment, the air felt light.
But beneath the surface, Berly's silence grew heavier - because the longer she waited the more it would hurt. Although she still had hope of her mum's health improving, which was why she works herself to the bone, she knew that her mum still has the chance and will to live.
***** ***** *****
The next day
6:12 am -- Berly's house
The kettle screamed like the start of the workday she wasn't ready for. Berly yanked it off the stove wincing at the steam. In the living room, Lily sat cross-legged on the couch already dressed in her school uniform - tie crooked, shirt half tucked, backpack zipped too tightly. She was pretending to read but one could feel the tension between the lines.
"You're up early." Berly said pouring hot water into three mugs.
"Just wanted to help, your boss hates when you're late." Lily replied
"Who told you that?"
"Mandy did."
Berly set the mugs in front of her and Mandy then sat.
"You don't need to do that Lily. You just need to be sixteen."
"I'll be sixteen at school. Here, am your backup."
There it was. The quiet ache of responsibility they didn't choose.
Lily sipped slowly. Then:
" Are you... sending me back to the dorm this weekend?"
Silence
Belt sighed softly
"I thought about it. But...not yet".
Lily let out a breath like she'd been holding it all week.
"I'll stay out of your way. I promise. I'll even do your laundry - by color, this time." They all laughed
It felt normal. Almost
9:45 am - C and C Global Enterprise.
Berly typed furiously , headset on, eyes scanning Liam's calendar. He'd moved a meeting without notice , and now she had 30 minutes to undo an executive migraine. Her phone buzzed on her desk - Lily.
'They said I have to leave class. I forgot Mom's insurance form. They won't let me stay without it.'
Berly texted back.
' I'll call the office. Stay put. I'll figure it out '
She stood, unsure if she should leave and saw Liam stepping out of his office. She was startled at first.
"Any problem?" He asked as he walked towards her
She straightened instantly removing her headset
"No sir. I can handle it."
He raised an eyebrow
"You say that like someone who always does."
She hesitated.
Then because it was her sister - because she was all she had - she added.
"It's just my little sister. They're threatening to send her home unless someone submits a document missing from her file. I was going to email the office."
"Will they accept an email?" Liam asked flatly
"... No. They need a physical signature but am still at work so I can't go".
A pause. He checked his watch
"You have twenty minutes, take the company's car".
Berly blinked twice. " Sir?"
" You heard me. Go".
Berly quickly thanked him picked some things and ran to the elevator.
***** ***** *****
10:00 am - Lily's school, Front Office
Lily sat in the chair beside the counter hugging her bag.
When she looked up she saw Berly coming in, her face lit up but her hands nervously smoothed her skirt.
"I'm sorry", she whispered
Berly smiled.
"Stop. I've got it."
She handed over the paperwork, signed it, smiling politely at the staff and tired to Lily.
"Go to class. I'll text you after work".
Lily stood, then hugged her tightly - quickly as if she feared she wouldn't see her again.
10:40 am - C and C Global
Berly re-entered the building with flushed cheeks and wind blown hair, adjusting her blouse as she crossed the marble floor after coming out of the elevator.
Liam stood at the far end talking with two board members. It seems like he just finished the emergency meeting. She didn't expect him to notice her return.
But he did.
Then their eyes met - just for a second. He didn't smile. Of course not. But something shifted in his expression. Something like respect. Or recognition.
She nodded. He turned back to the board. But the silence between them now carried a new weight.
Later that night - Berly's Journal App (Password protected)
'She thought I was going to send her back. I hate that she thinks that.'
' I didn't ask for this job for him or for all these pressures.
But I'll keep showing up everyday. Because mum needs me and so does Lily. And maybe - just maybe I need her too.'
Berly continued working diligently for a month, the longest any of Liam's secretary has lasted. Though still going through ups and downs in Liam's hands.
- Writer
