Episode Nine: Truth and Lies

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Rachel blinked open her eyes and looked around. Everything looked a little hazy but she felt better. She got up and walked downstairs. She found Vicky there.

“Vicky? What are you doing here? Are you working from home?” Rachel asked surprised.

“Um, yeah. I just wanted to see if you would need any help, it’s not good to leave a sick person alone” Vicky gruffly replied.

Rachel smiled, “thank you.”

“And Patrick got this for you, eat and take your medicine” Vicky said feigning indifference. He dropped the food on the dining and Rachel could not help the triumphant smile on her lips.

“Thank you, again” Rachel said and began eating happily. Vicky eyed her and he remembered the call about the job.

“Rachel?”

“Yes?” Rachel looked at him.

“Why are you working as a waitress?”

Rachel dropped her spoon and stared at him shocked. ‘Austin told him? But he promised not to.’ She thought upset and worried.

“Rachel? Someone from the restaurant called you but I answered it. He asked why you weren’t at work” Vicky said, “is that where you go to everyday? Do you really work as a waitress?”

‘Oh, Austin didn’t tell him. That’s better’ Rachel thought in relief and looked at Vicky apologetically. “It’s…I just worked there for a while because…I wanted to gain some experience” Rachel lied, “you know, to get better at being hardworking.”

Vicky looked skeptical about her answer. “I heard your university is about to resume” he said.

“Yes, I was going to quit the job before resumption” Rachel said.

“Okay, Rachel, don’t do that kind of work again for any reason. You are okay the way you are” Vicky said, “I’m sure working like that is what got you sick.”

Rachel lowered her head as Vicky scolded her. “You just need to focus on your studies and be an excellent doctor” Vicky continued, “I will take care of the finances.”

“Okay” Rachel answered quietly, “and thank you, for looking after me.”

“It’s okay” Vicky replied and quietly left.

Rachel finally released the sigh of relief she was holding. ‘Thank goodness he didn’t think much of it. I have to be more careful’ she thought.

The next day, Vicky returned to the office. “I was really surprised that you left the office to take care of madam, how is she?” Patrick asked.

“She is fine, and can you stop talking about it?” Vicky said irritated, “you employees always make a mountain out of a molehill whenever you are bored.”

“It can’t be helped sir” Patrick retorted sassily. Vicky was about to reply when Austin barged in without warning. Vicky groaned loudly in exasperation.

“Austin, even though we don’t like each other, it is basic courtesy to knock and announce oneself before coming in” Vicky said, narrowing his eyes at Austin.

“That would be too time consuming, I just came to talk about you leaving the office yesterday” Austin said smirking, “you left your work because Rachel was sick, when have you ever been so kind?”

“How is that any of your business? Why can’t you face your life and I face mine?” Vicky snapped.

“Our lives are connected, and I am just being curious considering how much you fussed over marrying her” Austin said, “you completely hated her because of that.”

Vicky turned away and began rolling himself out of the office. “Where are you going sir?!” Patrick asked surprised.

“Anywhere you guys aren’t” Vicky answered and left the office. Austin and Patrick stared at each other.

“Sir, wait!” Patrick exclaimed and ran after him. Austin just chuckled and looked at his phone that pinged. He had gotten a text and an interested look formed on his face.

At a café, Austin and Rachel sat opposite each other. Rachel sipped her juice quietly. “Vicky found out? How did he react?” Austin asked curiously.

“He was just wondering why I got a job so I explained” Rachel said, “he said it was probably the reason I got sick.”

“He is right, look at you” Austin agreed, “just get some rest, you shouldn’t be walking around with that face.”

“Okay, the reason I asked to see you personally was to thank you for not telling him” Rachel said, “when he asked me about it, I thought you told him but I’m glad you didn’t. He would have been really angry.”

“Especially if he found out from me, don’t worry. No one knows I know anyways” Austin said, “but why is it that anytime I am with you, I feel you are hiding something.”

Rachel looked up alarmed to meet Austin’s suspicious gaze. She avoided his gaze. Austin was about to say more when he was approached by a classy older looking woman, she was young though, about 35.

“Austin, hello there” The woman greeted brightly.

“Ah, Nancy, hi” Austin greeted, “you look great, it has been a while since I saw you.”

“Same here, um, who is this?” Nancy asked, eyeing Rachel scrutinizingly. “your…girlfriend?”

“Are you joking Nancy?” Austin said amused, “oh no, she is my sister in-law, Rachel. Nancy, this is Rachel, senator Odili’s daughter. Rachel, this is Nancy, she is the wife of a friend.”

Rachel looked at her and smiled, “good afternoon ma.”

Nancy nodded in response and turned to Austin. “Your sister in-law? I heard that Vicky got married but we never got an invitation.” She said upset.

“it was a private wedding, sorry” Austin cutely apologized.

“Okay, my husband and I are going to see Vicky soon anyways. We might have a get together later on” Nancy said. She turned to Rachel, “I would like to see you and Vicky there once we confirm the date.”

“Okay, I will try.” Rachel said hesitantly and Nancy nodded. She said her goodbyes and left. Austin watched her leave then turned to Rachel.

“I’d be careful of her if I were you, someone with a weak personality of yourself is a perfect victim for her” Austin said.

“What do you mean weak personality?” Rachel asked offended.

Austin ignored her by raising his wrist to check the time. “Oh look, I’m late” he said. He smiled at her, “goodbye Rachel, get some rest.” Austin patted her shoulder then left.

“D I really have a weak personality?” Rachel asked herself.

Austin suddenly came back. “I forgot, that friend of yours? Can you give her number?”

Rachel stared at him blankly. “Sorry, my weak personality disallows me from giving out numbers.” She said monotonously.

Austin scowled. “Petty, you and Vicky make a good pair,” He said and left. Rachel secretly swelled on hearing that.

At an hotel, at the poolside, Patrick stood some distances away from Vicky who was meeting with some business friends. “It’s been a long time” a man said.

“When you are busy running companies, when do you get to have free time?” A woman answered, “I can barely find enough time to date.”

Vicky smiled at that. “Oh look, here comes Nancy and Somto” the woman announced and everyone looked up to see them approaching the table.

“Hey guys.”

“hi.”

“hello.”

“good afternoon.”

They exchanged pleasantries and sat down. “Good, now the whole gang is here” a fat man said. Everyone smiled and began discussing.

“Vicky, why didn’t you tell us you were getting married?” the woman who talked earlier said. Vicky paused mid-drink. She continued, “you didn’t even invite us.”

“Sorry Lara, it was a private wedding” Vicky stiffly answered.

“I heard…it was an arranged marriage” another man said. Everyone looked at Vicky for confirmation but Vicky was just quietly drinking his juice.

His friends grimaced knowing he wasn’t going to say anythingwhen he was like that. “I heard she is senator’s Odili’s daughter, what is she like?” another man said, “why haven’t you introduced her to us?”

“I will introduce her to you soon, chill” Vicky said, “and she is…a very nice woman.” He added under his breath, “she is an interesting person.”

“I saw her today” Nancy said and Vicky looked at her surprised. “Vicky, she has marks all over her skin. It looked like hot oil poured all over her body…”

“huh?” the other friends said confused.

“She has Vitilgo” Vicky simply answered.

“Vitiligo, what’s that? Nancy asked ignorantly.

“I’ve heard of that. It’s a skin disease, people who have it have fair spots on their body” Lara answered knowledgeably, “it’s a common disease.”

“Oh, that must be terrible” Somto said. Vicky quietly nodded.

“Hmm, I also saw her with Austin. They were talking about something” Nancy said, waiting to see Vicky’s reaction.

As expected, Vicky snapped his head up in surprise. He stopped himself from asking any questions about it or making a scene and Nancy looked disappointed.

“Um, Vicky?” Nancy said, “why don’t you join us at Oriental hotel tomorrow night? You can introduce us to your wife then.”

“You can’t refuse” she added and though Vicky was uncomfortable, he agreed.

At the house, Vicky returned to see Rachel better than yesterday. Patrick came in. “Madam, how are you? Do you feel better now?” he asked concerned.

“Yes, I’m better now” Rachel smiled thankfully. “thanks for asking.” After some talks with Vicky and Rachel, Patrick left.

Vicky loitered around Rachel, wandering about how to ask her what she was doing with Austin. The first time they met, they did not take a liking to each other at all. ‘What could she have been talking with him?’ he thought.

“Is anything the matter? You look troubled” Rachel asked, noticing Vicky’s discomfort.

“Oh, it’s nothing, nothing” Vicky immediately denied. “um, I heard that you and Austin were together? What were you two talking about?”

“Oh” Rachel paused, “nothing much, nothing much. He is much kinder to me now after our talk at the hospital. You don’t have to worry.”

“I will worry, I don’t trust him one bit” Vicky said loathingly. Rachel subtly shook her head at him.

“Also,” Vicky looked at Rachel, “a friend of mine invited us to a party so will you come?”

“Okay, When is the party?” Rachel asked.

“Tomorrow night” Vicky answered, “do you have any new dress to wear?” Rachel looked a bit uncomfortable at that and the next minute, Vicky was in Rachel’s room looking through her clothes.

“How come you don’t have much clothes?” he asked surprised.

“Um, I had some but I donated them, they were old. I just haven’t had a chance to really buy more clothes” Rachel lied.

Vicky looked at suspiciously then made his way out the door. He stopped at the exit/entrance and said, “both of us will be going shopping tomorrow, 2:30pm. Patrick will pick you up.”

Rachel stared at him surprised, “okay.”

The next day, Rachel felt excited. She was actually looking forward to spending time with Vicky and she caught herself.

“Rachel, what are you doing?” she asked herself, “I…why should I be excited? Why did you marry him Rachel? To save your family.”

She steeled herself, “don’t act like you deserve this, you don’t. Are you really going to stay married to him forever? Are you truly haply that way?”

Rachel fell silent and sat down, upset with herself for feeling conflicted. She managed to calm herself before Vicky arrived with Patrick.

“Good afternoon Mr. Patrick “ Rachel greeted.

“Good afternoon madam” Patrick replied smiling and drove them to the mall. Vicky noticed Rachel’s subdued mood but didn’t say anything.

They arrived at the mall and Patrick pushed Vicky making Rachel follow. They stepped into a boutique in the mall and an attendant greeted them.

“Good afternoon sir” the attendant greeted. She took a glance at Rachel.

“Good afternoon, I’m looking for a dress for my…” Vicky looked at Rachel and completed, “wife.”

“Okay sir, ma, come with me and I will show you our varieties of outfits.” The attendant said and they followed.

The attendant picked out some clothes out of a rack and Vicky looked through them interested. “Get some in her sizes and let her try them on” Vicky said.

The attendant nodded and did exactly as they said. Vicky and Patrick soon convinced Rachel to try the clothes on.

Rachel came out each time after wearing clothes after clothes and she got weary while Vicky just picked the one that suited her. This happened for over an hour.

“I think that is enough, you nearly bought the entire store” Rachel said, protesting against trying another dress.

“You are exaggerating” Vicky argued and pointed out something. “You don’t even have a gown for the party, I want at least five different gowns so you can wear what fits you perfectly.”

Rachel studied his face and remarks, “you really like fashion. I have never met a man who likes shopping as much as a woman does. You have style.

Vicky smiled, pleased with her words. “Thank you, you can check that side for evening gowns and I’ll check here.”

“Okay” Rachel smiled gratefully and went off. She began checking the hangers and thought about thinking about how Vicky was now helping her. She couldn’t help but smile.

She looked up and saw Bethany and her smile disappeared. Bethany was also looking at her. “What are you doing here?” Bethany hissed quietly.

“What? Am I not allowed to come here?” Rachel asked offended.

Bethany scoffed, “you’ve sure gotten proud after stealing my place and getting married. Don’t forget who you truly are.”

“If you are upset about that, why don’t I just tell him the truth and you marry him?” Rachel snapped angrily. Bethany stared at her in disbelief.

“Are you mad? Are you really thinking of blackmailing me?” Bethany said, “just watch what dad will do once I tell him.”

Bethany turned to leave buy Rachel quickly grabbed her arm. “No don’t” Rachel pleaded.

“Rachel?”

The girls turned and saw Patrick and Vicky coming. They sucked in a breath hoping he didn’t overhear their conversation.

“Oh, um” Vicky saw Bethany and wanted to address her but he forgot her name. “Rachel, your sister is here. Were you two catching up?”

“Yes, I really miss my sister you know” Bethany cut in whatever Rachel was going to say. “Our parents really miss her and they are worried for her.”

Rachel pursed her lips and looked at Bethany in silent anger. “They shouldn’t worry, she is fine” Vicky said, “and I heard your dad is the one paying her school fees. Tell him to stop, I will take care of that.”

Bethany and Rachel looked surprised. “You are really going to pay the fees?” Bethany asked.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?” Vicky said, “I will leave you too now to talk. Have a good day.” Bethany nodded numbly and Vicky left with Patrick.

Bethany pushed Rachel away when Vicky had gone out of sight and sneered at her. “What did you do to make Vicky so kind to you? I was so sure he would hate a ugly arranged wife.”

“So you actually hate me that much that you wish he hates me forever?” Rachel asked sadly, “I took your place and you still wish me unhappiness even after I sacrificed everything.”

Bethany scoffed at Rachel’s theatrics and walked away. Rachel stared at her silently. Minutes later, Rachel and Vicky had picked out gowns and left the mall to prepare for the gathering.

Rachel and Vicky separately changed their clothes in their respective rooms. They came out when they were done and looked at each other.

“You look nice” Rachel quietly complimented.

Vicky tried to hide his small smile. He looked at her, “you look beautiful as well” he said and Rachel successful controlled her gleeful reaction.

Patrick came with a car and Rachel rolled Vicky out of the house. They entered the car and Rachel began feeling nervous. She had never went out with wealthy people before but she knew how terribly judgmental they were from her family’s experience.

They arrived at Oriental hotel and Vicky sensed Rachel’s nervousness. They got out of the car and went inside.

“You don’t like these kind of gatherings right?” Vicky asked, “you look uncomfortable.”

“Um, yes” Rachel admitted, “I feel really nervous, like I am going to pass out.

“Don’t, do you really want to escape and leave me alone” Vicky joked, “I don’t like these type of gatherings too.”

Rachel quietly thought about what Vicky just said about not leaving him alone. She said, “you must have liked parties in the past, when you could walk.”

Vicky didn’t answer. “I think attending these gatherings make you miss those times in your life” Rachel said softly, “it’s okay to miss those times, don’t feel bad.”

Vicky said nothing but directed her to where the gathering was.

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