Amy’s Ignorance.

Sia's Pov

“Where the hell have you been?!”

Amy. She was at it again, speaking to me as an elder sister would. “I was at your place, but you weren't there. Are you with Richard?”

No way.

This wasn't the right way to announce the news. It was better if it happened face-to-face, during a conversation. At the same time, I couldn't help but wonder what her reaction would be.

“Sia? I'm talking to you.”

“Y—yes, Amy. Sorry, I'm not around. But I'd be soon. Maybe stop by at your place on my way back to this house. How about that?”

She heaved a sigh. I could hear it clearly.

“Okay, fine.” She announced. “How long?”

“I'll be there soon. You don't worry.”

Then the call ended. I let out a sigh and was on my feet, a smile appearing on my face. I loved it here, in a way. The room was big - so big, bigger than the one I used to live in. The only thing that gave me tension was my new family, new stepbrothers, and Knight, whom I loved.

So I thought.

A hand on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up, shifted from the mirror. I had admired myself enough - I looked good enough for what would happen today. “Yes? Come on in.” I urged while the door pushed open, revealing Richard whom I recognized.

He was identical to Knight, but I could tell the difference when I saw them - something I should have done that night during the party.

“Good morning, Sia.”

“Good morning, Richard.”

He walked in further and shut the door. “I have come to let you know we'll be leaving soon. Have you had something to eat, at least?”

“I'm not hungry.”

“Me neither.” He chuckled and was on his way to the door, but then he stopped and looked at me, staring at my side. What's wrong now? “Hmm, you still have my bracelet on. Good.” He led his way to the door but I rushed him before he reached the entrance.

“I don't want your stupid bracelet, Richard.”

“Of course, you do.”

“No, I don't.” I struggled to take it off, but Richard held me on the shoulders. “Let go.” I struggled with him also, but he was stronger.

“I won't take that off if I were you, Sia.”

What the fuck was he talking about? I stopped struggling with him or the bracelet, meeting his gaze. “I have something like this, similar. I'll wear mine next week. It's good enough for people who should be convinced that we're together. Or do you want to back out already?”

How did I forget we were in a relationship?

A fake relationship at that.

“Right—” I moved farther from him.

“I'll wear it. You wear yours and that's it, nothing attached. Just as we have agreed, mm?”

“Of course, Sia. I'm waiting in the car.”

When he was gone, a deep sigh of relief escaped my mouth. But I didn't feel better - especially when I had something to worry about. Wasn't it me and him that would drive to my house so that I could pick up my stuff?

In a bit, I was downstairs, on my way to the main entrance. “Good morning, pumpkin.”

Mom.

Like she ever gave a fuck about me.

“Good morning, Mom.” I managed a smile. “Good morning, Mr. Smithfield.”

“Darling—” Mom caught up with me. “I'm afraid Mr. Smithfield isn't just a coach to you any longer. You must refer to him as Dad now. He's your daddy. Do you understand that?”

“Give her time to adjust.” Mr. Smithfield said. He looked at me now, smiling. “Run along. We can't wait for you to become a part of this house. Don't forget to tell me whatever it is you think you need, do you understand?”

“Yes. Thank you, Mr. Smithfield.”

A car horn honked. I turned around and led my way out of the house - breathing the fresh air that came with being free - free from having a conversation with a mother like mine.

“Took you long enough.”

“I had to speak with your dad and my mom, Richard.” I opened the door and hopped in. “Let's go. I'm very ready.” I used the seat belt, noticing someone's movement not very far from us. It was Knight: he moved around with a phone in his hand; it looked like he was recording something. I wondered what.

“Knight does streaming on tiktok.”

“Knight?” I looked at Richard. “Streaming?”

“Yes, why?” The car started.

“I don't know. It's not Knight-like.”

“Right.” He chuckled and asked. “What's Richard-like? Tell me, I want to know.”

What the fuck was wrong with this guy?

What pleasure did he obtain from stressing me so much? I looked at him and then shook my head. “I don't know. Just take me home.”

“This is home. Give me the directions, though.”

Without any hesitation, I did as I should.

We had driven out of the compound since a while ago, into the estate and were on our way to the main gate. It was now that I recalled there was something I would like us to talk about.

But that could wait.

Maybe when we were at the house, I would ask him everything I needed to know. But before then, I took my phone out of my purse and moped at its screen, scared to unlock. Who knows what could have happened next? I let out a sigh that caused even Richard to look at me.

“What?” I scoffed and unlocked my phone. “Stop staring. I'm not dying in a car accident.” My gaze went back to the screen, and another question popped up in my head - one that needed urgent attention, but I would wait.

It was going to be a long ride.

That shouldn't even be long. Wasn't it better that I rode with Knight? Why did Mr. Smithfield make me stay in a space as enclosed like this with a man I kissed by mistake? Oh, gosh.

*

The man who worked at the gate of the compound I would no longer live in, opened the large gate so that we could drive in.

“Welcome, ma'am.”

“Thank you.” I greeted back when I hopped down from the car, avoiding Richard's gaze. “Did anyone come by to see me while I was—”

“Ah, yes.” He cut me short. “Miss Amy.”

That, I already knew. “I meant someone else.” I explained, shutting the door after grabbing my stuff from the seat. “No one, I take it.”

“No one, ma'am.”

“I'm here to pick my stuff. Uhm, I don't belong here again, Martin.” I walked away before he could say a word. An explanation was something I didn't believe I wanted to give. Not to someone who wasn't Amy. She's the one I would talk to first, before any other person.

“Your house is nice.”

“Thank you, Richard.” I nodded and continued to move, so many thoughts in my head. Then I realized at the same time how this was the perfect time to hold the conversation and ask the many questions I needed answers to.

“What's the matter?”

“Yes, I have some questions for you.”

He walked closer, leaning on the wall not far from me. “What questions, Sia?”

“What will we tell your brother? He's going to assume you and I are dating and we're actually not dating. Nothing like that can ever happen.”

“Are you sure?” He chuckled.

“This is not the time for games, Richard.”

“I can see that—” He got off the wall. “I spoke to Knight about it already. You have nothing to worry about.” He looked at me with a smile that came on his face, while I became lost.

Lost in my thoughts.

“What did you tell Knight?”

“That we're not actually dating? That it's all something we made up so you don't get bullied. Haven't you had enough of the bullies?”

I smiled.

Good.

Why else would I be happy if not because of what I had just heard? This was a chance for me to still shoot shots at Knight. But that can't even happen; we were siblings already. I could still try, and we could become friends - good friends unlike what we currently were - not friends.

“What about the school?”

“What about the school, Sia?”

“What do you mean?” Ignoring everything I had to do at this moment, I caught up with Richard. “Sooner or later, they'll know we're siblings. How do we defend our relationship?”

“I don't know about that, Sia.”

How could he not know? “You know everything, Richard. How come you don't know this one? What's in your head, Richard?”

“Hey! Slow down. Don't talk to me like that.”

I paused. He paused.

Not because we wanted to. There was someone at the door of my apartment.

“Are you expecting anyone?”

“No—” I wore my backpack and held my phone. “Who is it over there?”

“Sia?”

“Shit. Shit. That's Amy.”