HSC: Chapter 8

       “It wasn't Nanny Linda who made your breakfast today, son. Your wife cooked all of that,” Daddy Troy said with a smile. Travis stopped eating and looked at me in disbelief.

    “You cooked all of this?” He pointed at the bacon, omelette, and toasted bread in front of him.

    “Yes, I helped Nanny Linda prepare breakfast. I woke up early,” I said, feeling shyly. 

  He nodded.

    “It's delicious. I'm glad I didn't go to work today. I got to taste your cook. Thank you, baby.” I stopped getting the omelette when he kissed me on the forehead. Oh gosh, what is happening to him? Maybe he woke up beautifully, that's why he's treating me this way? He's so sweet towards me.

    “Honey, they look so sweet together, don't they?” Mommy Kim said, smiling. My cheeks feel hot because everyone was watching us.

    “It's nice to see them like that. Keep it up. We're happy to see you both like that, but for now, let's eat. The food has been waiting,” Daddy Troy said.

     We all nodded in response and started eating.

     We were in the middle of eating when Daddy Troy spoke.

      “Son, why didn't you go to work today?” I looked at Travis, who was still eating. He paused for a moment, put down his spoon and fork, and wiped his mouth before answering his father.

    “Well, I thought it was a good idea to rest for a while. Especially since Aaliyah and I just got married. I want to give her some time before I return to work. I'm sure I'll be busy again soon.” Travis looked at me and smiled. He also held my hand, which was on the table. I stopped eating. I'm not dreaming, right? 

    “I want to get to know Aaliyah better and bond with her. Is that okay with you, baby?” Oh gosh. What bad wind blew? Why did Travis suddenly change?

    “Uh... yes, of course.” Why am I stuttering? I'm so embarrassed.

    “That's good. It's better if you don't go to work and bond with your wife. I'll take care of the company for now,” Daddy Troy said.

    “No, Dad, don't worry. Camille will take care of the company. I also want you and Mom to stay here. Let's have a family bonding time. You're leaving in a few days, so let's take a break from work and relax. Well, I searched for some movies last night. Let's watch them.” Oh, is that what he was doing last night? That's why he was busy with his laptop? Aww, my husband is so sweet.

    “That's a good idea, son. It's nice to relax,” Daddy Troy said.

    “My son is so sweet. Well, I'll call Erin. I'll ask them to come over so they can relax too. Is that okay with you, son?” Mommy Kim said excitedly.

    “Of course, Mom.” 

   “Alright! Let's finish our breakfast then!” 

      It's nice that Travis came up with this plan. I was about to eat again when I noticed Trish staring seriously at her brother. Then she looked at me when she felt someone was looking at her. She shook her head at me before continuing to eat. What does that mean? Why is she looking at her brother like that?

    She's been quiet all this time. She wasn't joining our conversation. Maybe she didn't have a good mood? Hmm, Maybe so, I'll just let her be for now.. I'll eat first, and I'm excited for our movie marathon later!

****

   Our day went really well. We are now watching our third movie, and our parents are so happy because they haven't watched movies in a while. Travis ordered a lot of food for us, and he was really sweet to me all day, making our mothers even happier. I couldn't speak because I was so happy and giddy!

  

    After watching the third movie, Mommy Kim invited us to eat our dinner first. 

     We finished at late night, so they decided to rest. They are so happy and carefree, feeling like they are back in their youth. I just smile at our parents' silliness. 

      Trish went up first, and she didn't pay much attention to me. She didn't come near me because Travis and I had spent the whole day together talking. Mom and Dad said goodbye and kissed me on the cheek, they happy for me. Then, Daddy Troy also said his goodbyes, saying that he and Mommy Kim would rest.

     Travis and I were the only ones left in the living room. I stood up to fix the pillows but stopped when Travis spoke.

   “Good job, Aaliyah. Nice act. Our parents really believed us.” I was stunned. Act? I looked at him, and he was serious. The scary Travis came back.

    “I didn't know you were good at acting, Aaliyah. We have to do this again tomorrow. While my parents are here, we have to act sweet to each other. We have to make them believe that we're okay. I'm doing this so they won't suspect anything. Just follow everything I do, okay?” He stood up and looked at me again.

     “I'll go upstairs first to take a shower. You can come up later when you're done with everything. I'll fix your bed on the floor. And one more thing: your omelette wasn't delicious. It was too salty. I just said it earlier to make our parents happy. Don't cook for me anymore; let the Nanny Linda do it. Just act when my parents are here, but be strangers when they're not. Okay, I'm going upstairs now. Hurry up, or I might lock the door.” He walked upstairs, and I just watched him.

   

    When he was out of my sight, I sat down and remembered everything we talked about. I didn't know how to react; my chest felt tight.  

    

    You are so foolish, Eunice! How could you forget that you had an agreement with him? You were swayed by his smiles and sweetness! You didn't think that your husband was just acting! You were also deceived, allowing yourself to fall into the trap of your husband! You are so weak!

    Saying it to myself. I thought he was okay; I thought everything he showed me was real! I thought he had accepted it! But I was wrong! He was just acting! Why did I forget that?

    God, Eunice, from now on, remember that when your parents are around, you should be sweet to each other, and when they're not, you should act like strangers.

      It hurts; I hoped for nothing. I am so stupid! I was so happy earlier, but now I find out that it was all just an act!

      Now I understand why Trish looks at her brother with such a cold and disapproving look, because she knows he's just pretending! She knows! She remembered what I told her about what her sibling said to me.

      That's why she was so quiet and uninterested all day; that's why she was shrugging her shoulders at me! Why didn't I understand it immediately? I'm hurting now. I look foolish! My tears starts falling again.

    Why is it like this? Since this set-up happened to us, I always cry and get hurt.

    Travis, you are so evil! Why did I love you?

   But, okay, I'll go along with your act! I'll give you the show you want. 

     I stood up and fixed what needed to be fixed.

      From now on, Eunice, engrave in your shallow mind that all the sweetness Travis shows you is just an act..