Next morning I woke up bright and early for which I was quite happy. These past few days had left me feeling lazy and lethargic from doing absolutely nothing.
It was about five thirty in the morning when my eyes opened and then I couldn’t sleep afterwards. So I grabbed a blanket from my bed and sat in the balcony to watch the sunrise. It was a little chilly that morning and so I tightened the blanket around me, trying my best to ignore the cold tiled floor of the balcony.
There were birds chirping on the trees planted strategically in rows on both sides of the road which led to the heavy iron gate manned by about two guards.
The water fountain which I never paid much attention to stood like a beautiful art. It was a stone carved mermaid with a mop of wild curls on her head. Her hair spewed out water into the fountain and it looked very beautiful. It was brightly lit with the small bulbs fixed on the ground.
The sunrise was beautiful. It felt like I had seen a sunrise after a very long time which was somewhat true. The epicurean lifestyle which I had been forced into made me forget the simple pleasures of life such as watching a sunrise, star gazing into a clear starry night, the chirping of birds early morning, the joy of just staring at the steam swirls created by your hot cup of coffee as it disappeared into thin air. I missed my life before all this drama started. It was simple, just like how I preferred.
Soon the sun was higher up in the horizon which was painted a light red hue. I was forced to vacate my comfortable seating on the balcony floor as the sun rose higher up making it too warm for me to sit any longer.
After brushing my teeth, I went downstairs for a delicious breakfast of frittata. It was about eleven in the morning.
Rachael was having an apple apricot smoothie and Antonio was reading some business newspaper. I thought I saw Ethan on the front page. I made a mental note to check the first page of the papers.
The frittata was amazing, which reminded me that I had some work with the chefs. Deciding to do it from tomorrow, I dug into my breakfast, reveling in it’s paradisiacal taste.
Olivia hadn’t joined me and Rachael and Antonio had already had their breakfast. I didn’t know where Ethan was. I hadn’t seen him since I woke up and I was hoping he wouldn’t show his face to me at all, at least for today but even I knew it was asking for too much.
After finishing up my breakfast, I went upstairs to my room for a warm and relaxing shower. Choosing an outfit for today, I tossed it on the bed to wear it after the shower.
I stepped into the shower and as the warm water glided down my body, I felt every muscle in my back unknot and relax.
Rachael and Antonio were leaving today but they had promised me that they would visit again soon with Rachael’s husband and Antonio’s girlfriend.
I was glad that the two of them had believed that I was the real Juliet when in fact I wasn’t. Of course, I felt bad for them all. I knew they’d be more brokenhearted when they get to know the truth than how happy they were right now. I knew there would be a day where they’ll get to know and I knew I wouldn’t be able to forget that day. Instead of love, I would see hatred in their beautiful eyes. They’d never trust anyone again. I was pretty sure I would even impact the trust they had in their own blood.
My thoughts had taken an abrupt turn towards the downside of these things and I didn’t want to mull over them because I would only make myself miserable. I couldn’t tell them. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Not only was I a coward who feared their reactions but the tiny fact that I was somewhat liking it here and was afraid to let go of this life had me holding back the truth from them.
I knew I was being selfish and I knew I was changing my view of this whole situation.? It wasn’t too late to turn back but the problem was? I? didn’t want to turn back. I was probably even late to do that.
But I was still in control of my actions. I knew I was selfish but I wasn’t going to allow myself to be more than that. I wasn’t a gold digger. I didn’t want anything to do with their wealth. It wasn’t mine. I still knew what was wrong and what wasn’t and I wasn’t allowing myself to be more wrong than how much I already was.
Turning off the water, I dried myself off and walked out. I slipped into the clothes I had laid out on the bed. Combing through my hair and putting up in a ponytail, I walked out of my room and downstairs to the living room where I knew everyone would be sprawled out. Rachael had ordered all of us to drop all work for today and just spend time with each other like a family. Well, as much of a realistic illusion I could provide her of a family.
Thankfully, Ethan wouldn’t be there because he didn’t want to intrude in our sibling time and had a lot of work anyway. That was the lie he fed us all. Secretly, I knew he was just avoiding me. What happened yesterday was embarrassing even for me and the awkward air between us was too much to handle. I guess Ethan was thinking along the same lines as me and had gladly stayed away.
I wondered if this was going to end the prank war between us because that would be one good thing that would come out of this.
Scratching my side which itched from the time I slipped on the clothes, I opened the bedroom door and walked out.