4. Faking it

ANNA

I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on my bedroom door like their entire life depended on it. 

I let out a loud groan as my head felt it was going to roll off my head anytime soon. I could barely get any sleep at all through the night because I was having difficulty closing my eyes without feeling like my entire world was drowning.

"Anna, are you in there?" I heard Alice's voice question from outside and I struggled to drag myself out of bed. I wore my slippers that was right beside my bed and walked towards the door to answer her so that she'd finally stop knocking like a crazy woman.

"Good morning big sis," I greeted as soon as I opened the door and saw her standing in front of the room with her usual sheepish smile. 

"Good morning sleepy head," Alice replied and I yawned tiredly since I was still feeling very sleepy.

"Don't you intend on having breakfast sweetie? You've been asleep for so long that I got scared that perhaps, something happened to you. Anyways, get changed and let's have breakfast together," Alice said and as soon as she mentioned food, my insides started to dance for joy but my happiness was short lived when I recalled my current situation.

I couldn't possibly join them for breakfast, especially not when I was planning to avoid Alejandro for as long as I could. I swallow the lump that formed in my throat as I thought of an excuse to come up with so she doesn't think it's weird that I'm skipping out on having breakfast when she knows very well that I love food.

"I really wish I could sis but unfortunately, I can't join you and your husband for breakfast this morning," I replied to her, already deciding on a lie to tell her. 

I watched as the skin between her brows creased in confusion. "You can't join us? But why? Is something wrong? Are you perhaps uncomfortable?" she asked, visibly worried and knowing how Alice is, I'm not even surprised that she's already having a million thoughts in her head. 

"It's nothing like that Alice and why would I be uncomfortable with you? It's just that it's that time of the month again and I don't really feel like eating just yet. I can always have my breakfast much later," I explained, hoping that my life would be enough to get her off my back. 

I was most definitely not on my period but she knew how cranky I was during that time of the month and that was the only excuse I could come up with at the moment. 

"I completely understand you Anna but I really don't think your flow should be reason enough for you not to have breakfast with us. The same thing happened last night when you suddenly left us during dinner without any proper explanation and the only reason I didn't walk in here to ask you any questions is because I felt like you needed space to yourself and that you were probably tired and overwhelmed for some reason. Right now, I'm starting to suspect that it might not actually be the case and I'd like you to be honest with me Anna. Is something going on with you? Do you want to talk about it?" Alice asked, visibly worried.

"Are you having any issues with your boyfriend? Did you fight with him or did you perhaps break up with him?" she asked and I rolled my eyes.

Alice was known to have the worst assumptions ever and she was also pretty narrow-minded on certain things. 

"Really Alice? Boyfriend? That's really all you could think about?" I scoffed. 

"Just so you know sweetie, I don't exactly have a boyfriend to worry about," I added. 

"Really Anna? You don't have a boyfriend? How come though? Last I remember, you used to be very popular with boys. Anyways, I guess that's fine then. So if it's not a relationship issue, what exactly was with your attitude last night?" she questioned and knowing Alice, I knew she wouldn't let go of what happened until I told her something that she could find believable. 

"Can we not talk about that today? I'm really not in the right state of mind," I pleaded.

She sighed. "Fine, we won't but don't think this is over. I'm not gonna put any pressure on you but you'll eventually have to explain to me what exactly is going on with you cause I think that I deserve to know as your sister," she said and I simply nodded in agreement to avoid having another back and forth with her. 

"So, are you going to change your mind about coming down for breakfast?" she asked. 

"I'm sorry Alice but I don't intend to change my mind. You know how bad my cramps are and if I have to walk downstairs, I'll only end up losing my appetite," I lied.

"Okay then, it's fine. I'll have someone bring you your breakfast and some medications to relieve your cramps. Just make sure you get some rest and take care of yourself," she replied. 

I mentally heaved a sigh of relief as I watched her leave before closing the door and falling to the floor. Just looking at Alice made me recall the night I spent with Alejandro and it haunted me. 

I tried to convince myself that I didn't do any wrong against my sister because I didn't know who her husband was and that the person who did something wrong was Alejandro for cheating on his new wife but then again, I find myself recalling that night, how I loved every second of it and how I wished that we could have gotten to know each other after what happened between us but, he had left even before I woke up that morning and I recalled how disappointed I was with him. 

I hated the fact that I still had such thoughts in my head even when I was fully aware of the fact that I had slept with my sister's husband and that if she ever found out about it, she would be completely destroyed and heartbroken. 

I heard a knock on my door and I knew it was Alice again. "Anna, I brought...," she trailed off while scrutinizing me and making me nervous with her intense staring. 

"Is something wrong sis?" I asked her.

"You haven't washed up yet?" she asked and I shook my head.

"Is that a problem? I intend to wash up very soon," I replied.

"I was expecting you to have done that before I came back up here but it's fine I guess," she said, placing the tray of food by my bedside.

"Thank you," I said.

"You're welcome sweetie," she replied.

"Do you want to go shopping with me today?" she asked suddenly. 

"Shopping? Why are you going shopping so suddenly? Is there an occasion behind it?" I asked. 

"No, not exactly. I just feel like going shopping to relieve my stress," she answered me and I mentally rolled my eyes. Must be the privilege of a Billionaire's wife. 

"It's fine then. I guess we can go together," I replied. 

"Sounds great dear. I'll leave you to clean up and get dressed. Once you are done, come find me in my room," she told me.

"Will do," I replied.

I suddenly recalled that Alejandro and Alice shared the same room and there was a high chance that he could be in there today and since I do not intend on bumping into him, I called her back. 

"Alice," I called out, just as she was about to reach for the door knob.

"Yes?" She turned to face me. 

"Will Al...," I swallowed the lump in my throat as I recalled that I was supposed to not be familiar with him.

"I mean, will Alejandro be at home today?" I asked her.

"Yes of course," she replied. "He's the one taking us to the mall later today," she added.

I felt the knots in my stomach tighten. I can't possibly be in the same space with him and I also cannot go to the mall with him, especially not after his behaviour towards me and what we both did to my sister.

"Okay," I said with an ulterior motive.

I wasn't going to go with them. I was definitely going to come up with an excuse and stay back at home. 

"Okay Anna. Hasten up and make sure to eat. I know how you always don't have an appetite whenever you are on your period but you still have to eat something," she reminded me and I smiled at her.

"I'll definitely eat something," I snickered.

She pointed her index finger at me. "I'm not joking Anna. You better eat or else you will be spending the whole day in front of me and I won't for a second take my eyes off you," he warned and I smiled.

"I promise I'll eat," I told her.

With that said, Alice walked out of the room and I felt my shoulders sag.

I felt as though fate was completely against me and that was why I was being punished for something I didn't do intentionally.

"You will be fine Anna. You will definitely be fine," I consoled myself.