Chapter 3

*Matilda*

The sound of the water flowing in the bathroom filled my ears as I became acutely aware of my condition. I was locked up in my room with my sister’s fiancé.

Why hasn’t he left? How can he be taking his bath?

Just then, the bathroom door slid open and that heavy scent of ginger and honey filled my nostrils again.

I tried to stay calm, to pretend I was sleeping as I heard the heavy steps move to the bedside. He didn’t look over at the bed.

My eyes were slowly peeking out as I pulled the duvet a little, to know what he was up to.

Seeing he was naked, I didn’t want to look, so I shut my eyes and softly pulled the sheet up.

This was wrong. My parents would kill me. How did I get out of this dilemma? How can Maya bring her fiancé to my room? Was she trying to set me up?

I knew that I cannot let my family find out. I thought to beg Samson, since this was the first time that he would be seeing me.

As much as Maya and I are identical in every way, we were not the same. She was thick too, but her own beauty radiated authority, while I was the nobody.

I drew a deep breath and tried to steady my heartbeat. My heart was thudding louder in my chest. My lips trembling, my body shivering.

Samson answered the call, and I feared it was Maya calling him, but it was another of his friends.

“Hey, Sam. Did you get back home? It’s late. The party was fun. I hadn’t expected the Rolands to host such a big event for Maya. I thought she is a twin. I was hoping to meet her twin and maybe get to ask her on a date after seeing how beautiful Maya is…”

Samson chuckled, and I waited to hear what he had to say about me.

My pulse quickened as Samson laughed and moved to sit on the bed.

“Maya says her twin sister has a phobia for huge gatherings and doesn’t like to party. She didn’t let me meet her sister, you know.”

“Really? I find that odd. Why will the Rolands not get a therapist for her?” his friend asked.

My heart ached. Though that wasn’t a lie. I get scared of being the centre of attention, and that was because most people laughed at me, and Maya made a lot of girls bully me in high school. Until she outranked me in grade. That way, I wasn’t scared anymore to be in a crowded environment.

Especially after my parents withdrew me from the expensive school Maya and I attended and sent me to a specialist school. Though crowded too, I had a few friends and no bullies compared to my former school.

Samson laughed and said, “How do I answer that? I don’t know. I also wanted to meet Maya’s twin. We will be getting married soon. But funny enough, I haven’t met my fiancée’s sister. I believe I will get to meet her. No matter how clumsy Maya says her sister is.”

I bit my lower lip lazily as the words cut deep. I tried to sleep to remind myself that I’m not lazy.

I heard the caller sigh and say, “It’s fine, Sam. Let me leave you to rest for tonight. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Take care, Ezra.”

Samson put his phone away and reached to wear his robe.

However, a soft knock on the door paused time, and Samson’s heavy footsteps moved over to the door to find out who was there.

As he unlocked the door, my mother’s soft voice floated in the air. “Sam, you are here.”

“Yes, Ma. I am sorry. I have to stay by.”

“It’s fine. We have some other guests too. I just want to be sure that you were fine.”

“I’m good, Ma. Thanks for the hospitality,” he responded, his tone relaxed and measured.

“You’re welcome. I will leave to rest now. If you need anything, do not forget the fridge has a little stock of water for the night.”

“Alright, Ma. Thanks,” Samson replied softly.

I heard my mother’s retreating footsteps, followed by the door shutting.

I held my breath.

What now? Will Samson discover me? My heart rate picked up. Despite my drunken state, I was supposed to rise up, to apologize and leave. But I cannot move.