Chapter Two: The Lies

Nancy’s POV 

Before the meeting in his office, Pamela walked up to me, looking for an explanation, maybe.

“This isn't like you, Nancy. You…‘broke down.’ You barely joke with your studies. What's happening? Wait, is it your mum?”

This time, I tried to keep shut, but Pamela was my best friend.

“I have a better job. It fetches more money, but takes a lot of time,” I said in a quiet tone.

“Bloody hell, another job? With more wages!” She was indeed taken aback, looking around and whispering as if it were a big secret.

A laugh escaped my mouth. “In fact, I have been the one taking care of mother’s bills.”

Pamela stopped searching and immediately turned to me, her eyes wide. “With rich clients, too? Why didn't you tell me earlier?”

I maintained a brief silence, but she continued anyway. “I have a secret too; I have a lover,” she chuckled. “And unlike you, single girl, mine is tall, handsome; for now, he is ‘Mr. Mysterious.’ He knows how to… make me happy.”

“Thought you were a nun,” I teased with a smile. Pamela’s family was very religious, which made it even more surprising that she wasn't a virgin at twenty.

I couldn't tell her I was a prostitute now. After that night with the strange man, I had been sleeping around, basically for two reasons: for the money, and to maybe find that ‘ten times’ client again. But she was going to go crazy if she knew I was fucking around. So, I decided to keep it hidden, even if the guilt was killing me.

“Elliot needs a student assistant; two, actually. He wants us to apply. In his words, ‘Papi wants someone clean.’ He said you’d get ten times your normal grades, as usual.” She burst into laughter almost immediately, then continued, “As if you need it, girl… your grades are already perfect.”

But then, the laughter got lost in the air, disappearing like the dryness on my palms. Pamela held my hand, motioning for me to stop walking, her expression twisting into a grimace. She lowered her voice so much I could barely hear her over the shuffle of students in the hall.

“But seriously, Nancy? We have to be careful with him.”

I felt my heart fall into my stomach. “What do you mean?”

“He’s my uncle. He is no good. I think he is haunted... I know he is haunted. You know his ex-wife, sweet Mrs. Janet? She is in the psychiatric hospital…” Pamela whispered, her eyes darting toward his office door.

I was so close to honoring his invitation to his office. She squeezed my palms, her grip tight enough to leave a mark.

“Let’s just play along, and remain clean and careful.”

“Us? C-careful? I am not working with your uncle, and that’s final. And you can tell him I am not coming anywhere close to his office.”

My thoughts went still in that moment as I walked faster down the stairs to go home. Knowing I had likely found my missing client, and that it was Elliot, I would never work with him.

***

Nathaniel came home earlier than usual. He often stared at me speechlessly, watching me count my earnings for the day.

It didn't happen all at once. It started gradually. At first, he was relieved. Whenever I came home with groceries, he wouldn't ask questions. When I paid for dinner or handled Mom's hospital bills, he looked at me as if I had lifted a weight off his chest.

But then… it changed. I changed.

I completely stopped asking him for anything; transport fare, food, even the small things I used to depend on him for. Instead, I was the one providing it all. Even things we didn't necessarily need.

Then, he went through my things: my documents, test scripts, and result sheets. My wardrobe, my room. Those prompted the questions.

“You've been spending a lot of money lately. Even at the hospital, it’s distracting you,” he said one night while we were eating. “You missed your physiology test, Nana.”

My grip tightened around the fork I was holding. I didn't look at him. Instead, I focused on my plate as I continued chewing slowly. “I started working extra shifts at the bar. And I've also been taking other jobs,” I lied, trying to steady my voice.

He didn't say anything immediately, but I could feel his eyes on me. After a while, he continued eating.

“Pamela asked if you're sick. You didn't respond to her calls and you weren't in class,” he paused to swallow, then continued, “You even rejected a student assistant opportunity.”

The noise from the highway at our backyard interrupted my thoughts. Since when was he talking to Pamela? Still, silence filled my lips; they seemed gummed together. The cutlery clicked louder than expected.

“By the end of this month, stop whatever shifts or extra jobs you have and focus on your studies. By tomorrow, accept whatever opening your professor has in store for you.”

It landed hard, but I continued eating. He didn't even know what Elliot was, or why he wanted me to apply. I dropped my fork.

“I don't think;”

“It wasn't a request, NANCY SUSAN BROOKE!”

The sound of my mother’s name, Susan, nearly made me collapse, leaving my lungs breathless and my feet numb. Mom would never have put me in this position. With a dead stare, I muttered, “I hate you.”

I was practically helpless at this point. He wouldn’t understand. All he cared about was work while I suffered in isolation, following his stupid rules. “I wish Mum were around…” I sobbed, unable to continue. I felt crushed, defeated.

“Listen, Nana, this is for your own good. I don’t want you ending up as a dropout like me. Mum wouldn’t;”

“How would you know what she wants? She is literally lifeless!”

“Nancy! You will not talk about her like that in this house. How inconsiderate can you be? I’m sorry, and I’ve said it a million times. But things can’t always work your way… because I’m the eldest.” He sighed, then placed his hand on his temple.

Was I… inconsiderate? Mum had told me that once. She had said, ‘Listen to Nath, he is the eldest. Theee protectorrr.’ She was so funny; and right. My chest felt heavier with every passing minute.

Hot air brushed my face. I knew that feeling: regret. How was I even sure what Elliot wanted? It was just mere speculation.

Maybe I could clear my doubts once I took up this job and told him it was a mistake; that’s if he was truly the man behind the mask.

“I’m sorry… Nath,” I sobbed, breaking down in tears. “I’m sorry I said that about Mum… I’m sorry.” I was the ungrateful one. Who cared if I almost slept with Elliot? I was selfish, too self-centered. My heart raced rapidly, and I couldn’t help but hold onto Nathaniel’s hand from across the table for comfort.

“You’ll take the student assistant opportunity by tomorrow, okay?”

A nod was all I could offer. I saved my words and thoughts to confront the alleged man behind the mask in the morning.