Chapter 3
1081 Words
Brent and I were now facing each other at the table. Therese was sitting next to me, enjoying the food being served in front of us.
"Oh, Alliyah, just eat to your heart's content," said Aunt Ara— Brent's mom.
I smiled timidly. Aunt Ara was kind. Brent would always invite me every time they threw party here at their house. So I always talk with Aunt Ara. Maybe I was just not comfortable with her taking care of me because I didn't have a relationship with Brent.
"Hey, Alli, eat up," Therese said, obviously enjoying the food.
Brent put food on the plate in front of me. I was used to him always being like this— sweet and caring. That was why I fell in love even more.
But there was something weird about what I was feeling right now. Maybe, because I knew already that one of them couldn't be trusted. Because one of them killed me.
"Exactly! You got it right, girl!"
I stood up in shock. Brent and Therese were surprised by my sudden action.
"Is there ... is there a problem?" Brent asked in astonishment.
"Are you sick, Alli? It seems you are not yourself since this morning." Therese's voice was tinged with concern.
I cleared my throat before answering their assumptions, "Ahm... I'm okay. I'll just go to the washroom."
I immediately left and entered the washroom just next to the kitchen. When I got in, I immediately washed my face. It was good that I only put light make-up on my face and it was also waterproof. I needed to wash all these thoughts out of my mind.
I recoiled in shock when the witch who brought me to life again appeared right in the mirror. I approached the mirror and whispered. "Can you please make it easy on me? You're making me panic."
"Can you please just relax and don't be too obvious? You look like an idiot."
I looked up at the ceiling as I squeezed my temples. This was stressing me out!
"You have to get used to me. Remember, I'm the only one who can help you."
I looked back again at her and went near, even closer to the mirror. I almost kissed it. "You mean you know who killed me?"
"Whether I know it or not, you won't get an answer from me. All I can say is, I'm here just to always remind you that the one who killed you is just around the corner."
Was it Cindy? Or wasn't it Therese? Maybe Brent? I spent a few more minutes inside the washroom. I had to calm down and acted like nothing happened... acted like what I used to be. I took a deep breath before going out of the washroom and made my way back to the table.
Brent immediately stood up and headed his way to me. "Are you okay? I'll just take you home if you aren't feeling well."
I remembered being taken home by Brent that day.
Maybe I could change what happened in my past?
"Yes, you can. I forgot to tell you."
Fortunately, I was not surprised by her sudden speech. I just forgot to ask her name.
"Well, just call me Nicole."
I immediately turned to Brent and smiled as I always do. "I'm okay. I want to enjoy this day. It's your day, so don't worry about me."
"Are you sure?"
I nodded and led him back to the table. I had already started eating while secretly looking around and observing. I was just waiting for a good time to ask a question.
Then, Brent's sister, Brietta, approached us. She was Brent's older sister. I had no problem with her. I thought the same goes for her. I also didn't always talk to her because she already had a family of her own and they have their own house away from here. I barely see her here in our town.
"Happy birthday, brother!" Brent stood up and hugged his sister.
"Oh, you made time to come here!"
"Of course! I can't miss your birthday, hello?" Brietta's attention immediately shifted to us. "Oh, Alliyah! It's been a long time!"
I thought she would approach me and kiss me, like what she was always doing when we had the chance to meet. But she didn't, so I just smiled.
"How are you, Brietta?" Should I put her on my list of people that I shouldn't trust? It was so stressful!
"How are you and Brent, anyway?" She threw back my question to me. I shifted my gaze at Brent, who was now looking at the floor, avoiding his sister's question. I just kept my silence because I didn't know what to answer.
"Brietta..." Brent scolded his sister in a shy way.
"Oh, what? You're no longer kids to act this way. I'm telling you, Brent. Get a hold of yourself or else, someone will get ahead of you."
"Ahmm... Brietta."
We simultaneously turned to the woman who called Brietta. I didn't know her and I was sure she was not from here.
"By the way, Samantha's nanny, Adelaine," Brietta introduced her to us.
We had the same features, in height and skin tone. She was older than me, I guessed.
"Oh? Where is Ruth?" Brent asked, referring to Brietta's child's former nanny. She hired a nanny because she and her husband were both working.
"She got married. And who am I to stop her?"
They laughed, so I just laughed too.
"I just need to take the washroom, Brietta," Adelaine said and Brietta left immediately when Aunt Ara called her with Samantha in her arms.
"Samantha is so cute," Therese said while looking at Samantha. She was talking like she was talking to herself. "When will the day that you and Brent have your own family?"
My eyes widened and I immediately nudged Therese on her arm. "What are you saying?"
I couldn't help but look at Brent, whose cheeks are now red. I was about to speak when Brent suddenly asked me. "Can I court, Alliyah?"
"Oh my gosh!" Therese squealed silently while keeping on listening to what Brent would say.
This was what I had been waiting for. I should be happy. I should feel like it was a dream come true. This is what I had been dreaming of. Brent confessed his feelings and me saying yes.
But...
Why I couldn't feel anything?
What should I answer?
- Writer
