Listen to Crying Over You by The Band CAMINO, Chelsea Cutler.

"That doesn't make any sense."
I told him and tried not to laugh, was he trying to be funny?

"It's simple."
He said leaning back on the seat making his drool-worthy torso shoot out, his neat packs punched me in the face, his skin looked so smooth.

"Oh is it? If it's simple you wouldn't need me."
I felt calmer now since he didn't look upset anymore.

"Your job right now is to listen, I will do all the talking."

Bossy much?

"What if I need to ask a question?"

"No questions."

"That's not fair, what if I don't understand..."

"I will explain everything to you."
He cut in.

"Okay, I'm listening."
I leaned back, using my hands to support my weight.

He sat up rubbing his chin with his thumb like he was still contemplating telling me. I looked around the room as I waited for him to say something, I was surprised he had no painting in his room since he was obsessed with them.

"This is not something I enjoy talking about but since you're now involved and play a big role in it, I have no choice."
Big role?

"I'm doing this for my mom."
He said with a pause, there was an eerie feeling in the room. He didn't look comfortable telling me, I was tired of waiting for an answer so I didn't stop him.

"With everything going on, you know the..."
He scratched the back of his neck looking anywhere else but me.

I smiled at how he looked like a teenage boy trying to ask his crush out.

"I will go straight to the point, I want to create a dream for my mom, she is very sick and....and she is dying."
Dying? Mrs. Sanchester was dying, she looked very healthy to me.

"She got too busy taking care of me because of what I was going through, making sure I was sane every day at the rehab..."

"Rehab?"
I cut in immediately.

"That's not a topic I visit, no questions."
He said avoiding my eyes.

"Well, my mom spent each day with me, we never saw what was coming, we didn't even know she had cancer. When we found out, it was too late.  It already spread through many parts of her body."
His voice was losing strength. Cancer? She looked healthy, young and her hair was still intact, or was it a wig?

"Chemo didn't work for her, she doesn't have much time on earth anymore."
He looked down rubbing his palms together like it could ease whatever pain he was feeling inside.

I was tempted to go to him and wrap my arms around him but I restrained myself. There was just something about losing someone, knowing you won't ever see them again and you only had memories of them to live with.

"I want to give her something, I don't want her dying and worrying about me. I thought getting married to Sofia would help, maybe take away the worries and...make her happy but she got more worried."
He looked up and met my eyes then looked away.

"The night to our wedding, I happened to hear a conversation between her and my grandma, she didn't like Sofia, she was worried I won't be happy with her. The plan was to get married to her to make her happy since we were close to the Novas, so I had to do something. It was a last-minute decision."

"Adrian knew it was going to happen?"

"Yeah, I told him I couldn't get married to Sofia."

"Then why did you pick me, did I look old to you that day?"

"No questions."
I nodded.

"After I announced to everyone about my lover and the pregnancy, I had to make everyone believe me, so I said she was in the church."

Yeah, and I happened to be his lover.

"I needed someone younger to make it more realistic, to create a love story that will get everyone talking, that way people will believe it's true love and I was keeping it a secret because of our age difference."

"I chose you because you made me."

"I did? How?"

"You kept staring at me and I had no one else in mind. I had to create more drama to get everyone on my side."
I waited for an evil smile but didn't see it.

"I'm pretty sure everyone had their eyes on you because we were all curious about your lover," I said and he smiled with a shrug.

"Right now to them we are very in love and you're carrying my baby, my mom is happy especially with the fake pregnancy."

"And you think this is right?" I asked.
He gave me a questioning look.

"You think your mom will be happy when she is finally gone? When God shows her the truth? Was that really necessary? Why did you wait till the wedding day to pick a new bride when you would have saved the Novas' from humiliation and not ruin my life? This is so stupid."

"I only need you to play along."

"I can't, it's not right."
He groaned and ran his palm down his face.

"Don't make this hard, it's only two months and I promise I will fix my mess once this is over."

"You know what Mr. Sanchester?"

"Don't call me that." he frowned.

"I know you're sick and you wanna help your mom but I have been with you for over a month trying to know the reason for your action, honestly I expected something vague. I lost almost everything and even if the truth comes out, my life will remain the same. All thanks to you."
I paused and gave it a thought. I didn't like the idea but I wanted to help. I could feel the guilt already, deceiving everyone and going along with his stupid plan to help his mom.

I couldn't help but feel like something was missing from his story. Was it worth it?

I turned to look at him and he was staring at me, begging with his eyes to say yes.

"Once this is over, I promise to tell everyone the truth, your family, the whole town even the whole world. If you want me to go to every radio station to announce it, I will do it. It's okay if you want it on every news channel even in the sky, just do me this favor. If you want money I will give you."
He looked so vulnerable right now.

"I will do it on one condition."
I said raising one finger to indicate the 1, he gave me a throaty groan.

"Fine, what is it?"
He crossed his arms and sat back.

"I need you to promise me you won't hurt yourself again, you know like punching the mirror with bare hands and whatever you do....you know what I mean."

"That's not up to me, it's not something I can control but I will try I promise."
He said with a sad smile.

"What triggers it?" I asked.

"Nothing you should worry about."

I figured he wouldn't wanna talk about it. I heard talking to someone about it helps. There was definitely more to this situation and I was going to find out.

"Ok, my dumbass has agreed to help."
I said and stood up to leave. He stood up too and took a step closer.

He opened his arms and I just stared at him confused, he gestured for me to come into his open arms. I chuckled when I realized he wanted to give me a hug, I'd be stupid to turn it down.

I moved closer and he wrapped his arms around me in a warm hug, his skin felt so good against my cheek.

"Thank you, Cassandra."
He whispered with his chin on my head.
I wanted to argue, how did he know the name I hated so much.

"Or do you prefer Cassie?"
He asked when I didn't say anything.

"Just call me Chloe, I prefer Chloe."
I whispered closing my eyes.

"I prefer Cassie."
I ignored him and listened to his heartbeat, I remembered that night I thought he was dead.

There was a knock on the door, I groaned mentally and pulled away.

"Open."
He said letting go, Morris, opened the door with a firm smile.

"Good morning Mr. Sanchester, good morning Miss Simpson, I hope you slept well?"

"Yeah, what about you?" I asked.

"Good as always, I came to inform you that breakfast is ready"

"Good, I'm starving."
I said rubbing my stomach.

"Go on, I will be down in a minute," Tristan said walking to the bathroom. I left with Morris to the dining.

Tristan was dressed in a navy blue suit when he joined me at the dining, he gave me a small smile and took the seat next to me. I leaned closer and brushed my fingers through his blonde hair to tame the wild edges. I didn't know what came over me, it felt like a reflex action.

"Thanks," he mumbled and I nodded with a smile.

I caught Morris smile, he put on a straight face immediately he met my gaze.

"How are your classes going?" Tristan suddenly asked.

"Awful, I might end up with a C in two of my courses," I sighed playing the scrambled egg on my plate.

"I can get you a home tutor," he said.

"No, I just need to focus more," I told him. I felt dumb, to be honest.

"let me know if you need anything, Cassie," he said and took a glance at his wristwatch.

"I'm almost late for a meeting, I will see you when I get back," he said and stood up.

"Well, that was unusual," I mumbled as he walked away with Morris.

☆

So far things had been going well, though I had a dream where Mrs. Sanchester was chasing me around the house for lying to her, I was glad I never had it again.

Thursday, Morris was away to see his family so Tristan took over the kitchen.
He didn't allow me to help with anything because of what happened last time with the knife.

I sat at the Island watching him spice some chicken tenderloin, he looked like a chef, the way his hands moved and how focused he was. I didn't get why he was wearing disposal gloves.

"I'm tired of sitting here and watching you, please let me help. Last time was an accident, please allow me I'm dying here."
I begged.

"You can wash the dishes."
That was my least favourite task in the kitchen.

I rather watch a plant grow or mow the lawn.

I stood up and walked to the sink, only three dishes were in the sink. It was better than nothing, I went to work.

Tristan came to rinse his hands, he stood behind me and caged me in his arms as his washed his hands, he placed his chin on my head, I didn't know why he enjoyed doing that.

I stared at his hands and that was when I saw the fresh bruises, anger bubbled inside of me.

I turned around immediately making his chin leave my head, he grabbed a paper towel and dried his hand, my eyes didn't miss the bloodstain.

"You promised."
He looked down at his knuckles and ignored me.

Oh, there was no way I was letting this go.

"You told me you..."

"I told you I can't control it!"
He snapped looking at me.

"Of course you can, you just have to try."

"Don't act like you know what I'm going through!"

"Well, maybe if you tell me I could help!"

"I don't need your help!"

"Are you going to live your whole life like this? Torturing yourself for whatever happened. I get it, I don't know what you're going through but self-harm is not the way to cope."

"It's none of your damn business how I live my life!"
His jaw clenched.

"Why should I even help you with your lie when you won't stop? We had a deal, and if you do not keep to your end of the deal then I won't help you with your dumb plan!"
I yelled.

"Like you have a choice," he mumbled.
I clenched my hands tightly cause I badly wanted to slap him for what he just said.

"Then I will leave."
He laughed briefly at what I said.

"The last time I checked, you're broke and no one will give you a place to stay, it's just me. Why don't you do what you're here for and stay out of my business cause I never asked you about the hideous mark on your back."
I went pale and mute.

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